First Time Head/Cab Purchase

[BooshBass]

I'm almost exclusively posting in the pedals forum but here we are. I'm considering purchasing my first head and cab but am very overwhelmed as I have little knowledge about current, and more importantly former as I'll likely buy used, gear that's available. I just don't know bass amp tones that well as I have limited personal experience despite playing bass for over 20 years. I know I should try a bunch out and I will the best I can, I have pretty good access living in Chicago. But I'm at infant stages of the process currently and don't know where to start.

Here's some parameters for recommendations:
- I am not in a band and don't gig, probably won't be any time soon, but I do play with loud drums and multiple guitars here and there. The vast majority of my playing is in my basement with two guitars out of 5-15w tube combos and a drum machine looping. An amp with versatility in loudness would be good.
- I listen to a lot of different music but don't really play other peoples songs much, I like making my own. Some of my favorite bands to give you an idea: MMW, old Phish, GD; Death, Pantera, LoG; RATM; Operation Ivy, Rancid, NOFX; Primus; The Band, The Meters; Old Yonder Mountain String Band (only with Austin), Bela Fleck & Flecktones, Bill Monroe; many jazz artists. This is a very limited list, again, versatility.
- Basses I use most are a mahogany P I built with Fender '63 reissue and a stock Fender J Deluxe V with an active/passive switch.
- The only amp I have currently is a GK MB112-II and I really love it a lot, but it lacks really deep bass probably because of the 12" speaker. My prior amp was an SWR LA15 that I didn't really love as a youngster who wanted more definition to play Phish/jamband tunes but would probably like more now.
- My main problem I think is I don't know what different brands signature tones sound like. Its embarrassing to say I don't even know what the oft discussed "classic Ampeg tone" sounds like of the top of my head. I know what my GK and former SWR sound like, that's pretty much it. This leads to having no clue where to even start. Is the cool looking amp on sweetwater with great reviews geared toward metal, jazz, motown? I have no idea based on brand or model.
- This will ultimately be a serious purchase so some expense is expected, but like a few two three thousand for the setup, not ten grand. I have a 10 month old.

I know this is pretty broad and I'm probably going to become even more overwhelmed by a bunch of obscure suggestions, but any insight at all is appreciated. "The amp in this famous song is X", "We have similar taste in music and I like X because X", "X is the most versatile setup I've played", "X brand is typically regarded as excellent for X genre".

Thank you!

 

[RedlinrGM]

I am also new to buying my first amp/head purchase, a little research and I found out that Avatar 112 (used) is really cheap ($125-200) and high end (I think). Then buy TC Electronics amp 500-800 $450-600 used, your choice depending on power needs. Or any used head that's cheap until you can let time help you figure what's best for you instead of trying to rush it with your wallet. (I wouldn't get any thing smaller that 500 watts you'll just want bigger later). That's all I have for now, good luck Redline

 

[basscooker]

Best chance for success, IMO is dump like 60-70% of whatever budget into a cab that is relatively balanced, and as high end as possible. Any sufficiently powered head, maybe on click above budget/cheap will do for now. Amps come and go, awesome cabs stay put.

Also with the cab; a sub-par one won't sound good no matter what you put in front. A great cab can bring out the best in any amp.

 

[Jeb]

So I have gone to work with a Genz Benz shuttle 6.2 over a 1st gen, 4 ohm, GK MBE 2x12 for nearly a decade before the covid stuff. The shuttle fits in a laptop bag and delivers 600w to the cab that weighs 35lbs.

Solid performing components, shame they are only available used anymore.

 

[BooshBass]

Best chance for success, IMO is dump like 60-70% of whatever budget into a cab that is relatively balanced, and as high end as possible. Any sufficiently powered head, maybe on click above budget/cheap will do for now. Amps come and go, awesome cabs stay put.

Also with the cab; a sub-par one won't sound good no matter what you put in front. A great cab can bring out the best in any amp.

What are some of your favorite cabs that are not super expensive? Different cabs are something I have even less experience with.

 

[basscooker]

Tough call.
There are many different lines among many different makers for many many years.

A decent nudge, though, is to consider its price point when new. It isn't a guarantee but if it was pretty expensive, and from a premium brand, it could be "the one" .

I'm rolling my own these days but my most recent fave was Genz Benz. I've built my cabs since then, so IDK otherwise.

Maybe think Aguilar, Bergantino, Genzler, Mesa Boogie, GR, RevSound; There are others at that tier.

Common brands get tricky because they have all put out a lemon here or there over the decades. Always ask here first about a name brand cab that seems like an odd bird... i.e. that ampeg cab with a w- bin and like 6 different sizes of drivers. Maybe looks cool. Probably makes lots and lots of sound. Does it sound good? TB says no. Just a random example there though.