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first rig

deepvibration

deepvibration

Guest
Dec 30, 2012
48
5
#1
I've been playing in a small group that recently got a heavy handed drummer. Right now im playing through a ampeg ba115 that cant be heard at all. Im looking to spend around 500 for used gear. We play punk rock with a hint of old school 50s rock. I was considering a genz benz 400 2x10 combo on my local cl. Any other suggestions? I dont play any funk but am looking for something fat/warm but not boomy with punch to cut through. I play a squier mik p and a short scale 220 gretsch.
 
#3
deepvibration said:
I've been playing in a small group that recently got a heavy handed drummer. Right now im playing through a ampeg ba115 that cant be heard at all. Im looking to spend around 500 for used gear. We play punk rock with a hint of old school 50s rock. I was considering a genz benz 400 2x10 combo on my local cl. Any other suggestions? I dont play any funk but am looking for something fat/warm but not boomy with punch to cut through. I play a squier mik p and a short scale 220 gretsch.
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A 2x10 will be around the same volume as your 115. Won't matter much how many more watts the amp has.
You need more speakers, probably at a minimum 4x10s.
2x12s might do it.
2x15s most likely will.
No doubt with 8x10s or 4x12s.
I'd say shoot for 2x115 cabs. Often that's the cheapest route to enough volume. Then there are lots more options regarding an amp.
 
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#4
mbelue said:
A 2x10 will be around the same volume as your 115. Won't matter much how many more watts the amp has.
You need more speakers, probably at a minimum 4x10s.
2x12s might do it.
2x15s most likely will.
No doubt with 8x10s or 4x12s.
I'd say shoot for 2x115 cabs. Often that's the cheapest route to enough volume. Then there are lots more options regarding an amp.
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Any brands or specific heads or cabs?
 
#5
deepvibration said:
Any brands or specific heads or cabs?
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Depends on what you like.
Ampeg is what you got. A pf350 and a couple of svt210av would get you ample power with classic tone. Maybe enough volume maybe not hard to say.
I've always dug Peavey Black Widow 2x15s generally found used ~$200-$300, they're big and heavey and are more demanding regarding transport. But slap a GK 800 rb and you've got just about my favorite tone cheap.
Without specific tone goals it's hard to recommend too precisely.
 
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#6
I disagree a bit that a 2x10 automatically won't be much louder than a ba115. I have an old Fender combo that is a 250 watt 115 and it's significantly louder than a ba115. WAY louder. You can get old Peavey 115 combo's for cheap that are WAY louder than a ba115. Plus you can thrash them to death no problem. All 2x10's are not the same, or 1x15's. Many people gig with a 1x15 and it's more than enough for a pretty loud band.

I agree that more speakers is the best way to get volume, but don't oversimplify.
 
#7
Fair points klokker but most combos IMO are aiming too low in regards to volume. Speaking only on the grounds of limited expansion and cost. Plus still shooting sound at the back of the OPs knees.
 
#8
Find yourself a decent old workhorse head from a reputable brand name with at least 300w and a decent 410 (and stay away from the cheapest of cheap cabs). A 210 is kind of a lateral move from a 115. But I've seen folks who were a little patient and didn't hop on the first available gear put together excellent sounding rigs that would likely be enough for you for less than $500. You could even put together a decent old Ampeg head and 410he for $500 or less if you take a little time and look around in your area ;)
 
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#10
Shop used, and show local. Both will reduce the cost of gear. Four 10's or two 15's with ~500 watts.

Cant be too pick on brands with your budget. Volume is what you need, and in the constraints of your budget you will have to give up portability and perhaps tone depending on what is available to you used.
 
#11
Where are you located? Maybe someone here can taken a look at your Craigslist & come up with something.

Agreed, though, that more speakers is the way to go 1st. If you want to stick with your Ampeg, does it support an 8-ohm extension cab? If so, another Ampeg 115 would probably be the best choice. If you don't like the BA-115, sell it & pick up something you do like. Peavey's pretty hard to beat. A Peavey 115 combo with an 8-ohm extension cab would probably work well.
 
#13
JimmyM said:
Find yourself a decent old workhorse head from a reputable brand name with at least 300w and a decent 410 (and stay away from the cheapest of cheap cabs). A 210 is kind of a lateral move from a 115. But I've seen folks who were a little patient and didn't hop on the first available gear put together excellent sounding rigs that would likely be enough for you for less than $500. You could even put together a decent old Ampeg head and 410he for $500 or less if you take a little time and look around in your area ;)
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This'll do the trick, as well.
 
#14
A couple I'd look at:

Gallien Krueger MB212 combo (used maybe around $450?), 500W @ 4 ohms. Loud and light.

Genz Benz Countour combo 210 or 115 (new on closeout around $350) 300W by itself, 500W w/an extension speaker you could add later (but pretty darn loud by itself!).

P.S. If your band's PA is up to the task, maybe you can run a line from you ampeg to the PA and solve the problem for no money!!!!
 
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#16
iualum said:
Where are you located? Maybe someone here can taken a look at your Craigslist & come up with something.

Agreed, though, that more speakers is the way to go 1st. If you want to stick with your Ampeg, does it support an 8-ohm extension cab? If so, another Ampeg 115 would probably be the best choice. If you don't like the BA-115, sell it & pick up something you do like. Peavey's pretty hard to beat. A Peavey 115 combo with an 8-ohm extension cab would probably work well.
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I live in Fresno, ca but I plan on visiting my old stomping grounds this summer in Orange county. I see an old 4x10 hlf ampeg cab for 200 on the fresno cl. Yay or nay?
 
#17
I have to agree with the recommendation of a peavey 215 with black widows in it. I've found playing punk/more aggressive stuff that they're super responsive and cut through some pretty fuzzy guitar. Heavy as can be, but you can find a good deal on one used because of that. And you'll never even notice carrying in that tiny ampeg pf head you can pick up with the money you've saved after lugging around that beast...
 
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#18
JimmyM said:
Find yourself a decent old workhorse head from a reputable brand name with at least 300w and a decent 410 (and stay away from the cheapest of cheap cabs). A 210 is kind of a lateral move from a 115. But I've seen folks who were a little patient and didn't hop on the first available gear put together excellent sounding rigs that would likely be enough for you for less than $500. You could even put together a decent old Ampeg head and 410he for $500 or less if you take a little time and look around in your area ;)
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Im considering a pv tour 700 with an ampeg 4x10 hlf (the one with the bar and built in casters). 300 for the head and 200 for the cab. Would thus rig last me?
 
#19
iualum said:
Where are you located? Maybe someone here can taken a look at your Craigslist & come up with something.

Agreed, though, that more speakers is the way to go 1st. If you want to stick with your Ampeg, does it support an 8-ohm extension cab? If so, another Ampeg 115 would probably be the best choice. If you don't like the BA-115, sell it & pick up something you do like. Peavey's pretty hard to beat. A Peavey 115 combo with an 8-ohm extension cab would probably work well.
Click to expand...
Fresno ca. But im going to spend time in Orange county this summer.
 
#20
deepvibration said:
I live in Fresno, ca but I plan on visiting my old stomping grounds this summer in Orange county. I see an old 4x10 hlf ampeg cab for 200 on the fresno cl. Yay or nay?
Click to expand...
deepvibration said:
Im considering a pv tour 700 with an ampeg 4x10 hlf (the one with the bar and built in casters). 300 for the head and 200 for the cab. Would thus rig last me?
Click to expand...

I would pass on that 410. Not my favorite by a long shot, and it doesnt leave you any room to add a cab.

deepvibration said:
Yeah, one of the guitarists likes to crank his pv 5150 half stack.
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Hearing this, I would recommend you expand your budget a bit. I would find a used ampeg 810e and an amp that puts out 500+ watts at 4 Ohms.
 

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