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Funk / R&B / Blues amp recommendations

B

basskidd

Guest
Jul 25, 2011
168
15
Chicago
rudybless.virb.com
#1
Hey

So, first off, let me say that I'm not all too familiar with amps (yes, I've read the FAQs...). But I've recently come into some cash, and am looking for a good, reliable, and (most importantly) good sounding amp (preferably a head and a cab separately) to play Funk, R&B, Blues, and maybe a little bit of rock through. From the research I've done, I think I'd be looking for a hybrid; one that lets me bypass the tube. I'm looking for something with some serious power. I figure I may not necessarily need it now, but would rather spend the money on a great one now while I can than just get an ok one later.

I was wondering if someone could help me out on my quest? I'm just looking to get at least an idea of what I'm looking for before I head into a shop, but I'm not really all that sure on where to start...

Thanks
 
#2
You don't need any particular amp for any particular genre of music. Your best bet would be to go forth and test drive as many amps as you can, and get a feel for how they react to YOUR playing style. Also, if you want loud, you need more speakers, 4x10 minimum. Wattage is awesome, but generally, adding more speakers does more to increase volume than adding more watts.
 
#3
RickenBoogie said:
You don't need any particular amp for any particular genre of music. Your best bet would be to go forth and test drive as many amps as you can, and get a feel for how they react to YOUR playing style. Also, if you want loud, you need more speakers, 4x10 minimum. Wattage is awesome, but generally, adding more speakers does more to increase volume than adding more watts.
Click to expand...

What he said... and buy used.
 
#5
+1 to the "any good amp will do the trick".

Some good amps:
Genz Benz
Gallien Kruger
Ampeg
Peavey
T.C. Electronics

There are many others. John, above, endorses TC.
I rock Genz Benz.

Play a few. Have fun.
 
#8
If you're buying used, here are some "modern classics" as a starting point:

Gallien-Krueger 800RB, Trace-Elliot AH250 GP11, SWR SM-400/SM-400S/SM-500 (hybrids), Hartke 3500 (hybrid), Eden WT800 (hybrid), EBS HD350, Mark Bass Little Mark II

It you're buying new, I suggest you check out offerings with class D power amps and switched mode power supplies. You can get a very powerful and nice sounding amp at a fraction of the weight compared to earlier generations listed above (LMII being the exception; it has a conventional power amp, but a SMPS).
 
#11
My 2p.........

If you are confident your basses sound good..it is nigh on impossible to get a bad sound out of a Thunderfunk, IMO.

I am not totally convinced by class D micros myself, but I would look pretty closely at the RH750 and RS cabs myself if I was in the market.
 
#13
I'm not really sure how much volume I need... I guess 500 watts would suffice, but I'm not sure off the top of my head of the wattage my guitar player has (I've been told to always go double what the guitarist has... hahaha :hiding: :D ). But like you said, I can always hook up through a PA for an added boost.
 
#14
If your gtr has more than 30-40 valve watts you'll go deaf trying to keep up with him.

Most decent SS/hybrid amps with do 500w into 4ohms which should be all you'll need unless on big open stages, when you'll probably need to double it.

With a powerful stage sound and mix, you'll need the 500watts mini stack unless you have side fills and KNOW the spec of the hired in FOH.

For backline only, you should be thinking 500watts even if you run them low in some places.

If you want to sacrifice tone/EQ for volume, you can scale down the output requirements.
 

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