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Gigging Rig <$500

#5
M0ses said:
BA115 can't keep up with my drummer, so I call that a DQ.
But give me an SX and there are plenty of combos out there that will be able to get the job done.
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It's my temple's backline and amp I don't like it either. Weak.

I'd get a new Squier Jag for $150, TC BH 250 amp for $200 and a Seismic Audio 2x10 cab for $175...$525 - for a more than capable rig. Or their 1x15.
 
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#6
Don't get me wrong, though. I think that's a good line of amps with solid tone. I have used the BA115 purely as a monitor for myself and it's DI going to the house on plenty of gigs, but if I needed to carry a room, any room, I would need something bigger.
 
#7
Well of course there's probably not a $500 amp/bass package that will carry any room but if you had to buy something that would suit as many purposes as possible is have to think it could be done. On the bass side it seems pretty easy to get something "giggable" for under 200, which would leave 300-350 for an amp.


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#9
Honestly, a Peavey Max 115 (300W solid state) is loud enough, then throw in a $125 SX URSA 2 (rondo music's J-bass) and a cable and strings (20 cable, 25 strings), and you're good to go.

But that's the bare minimum I can think of. It's so hard to find loud enough bass amps for under 400 bucks.
 
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#13
I saw that video, love the Anderton's guys - great reviews. One of the stipulations of their challenge, by the way, was that it had to be 500 pounds NEW, no used gear.

At the exchange rate $856, doesn't really seem so hard to me - VM Squier Jazz ($299) and a Carvin MB210 ($399) or, if I were limited to what a store would probably have in stock like they did, either a GK MB115 or an Ampeg BA115 HP or BA210V2 ($499).

If we actually made it $500, it gets tougher - I'd go with an SX for $100 and a GK MB112 for $399. Cheap bass through good amp > good bass through cheap amp when it comes to a gig.
 
#15
hrodbert696 said:
...If we actually made it $500, it gets tougher...
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Which is why I do my best to wait on the right used gear deals> I can't imagine a decent rig for $500 if bought new.

I've got an SWR Working Pro 12 I got second hand for $225. Thanks to the rat fur covering, it looks like it came over on the ark but it all works and sounds good AND loud if needed. I've also got a used MIM J I gave $200 for that's a decent player. It's graduated from the school of hard knocks so it looks like it was actually used to chop wood, but it sets up good and everything works, so it is a good pairing for the SWR. It would make a good rig for the average dive bar and it the place burned with the rig inside, it would be hard to get too upset about it.
 
#19
If we're talking about new, it's not all that difficult although there's not nearly as much bang for the buck as with used. New generation of budget basses are pretty impressive if you cherry pick...

If you walked into GC with $500, you could get...
Squire Affinity PJ and Ibby GSR200 are both good basses @ $200
Peavey MAX 115 is 300w and pretty (not stupidly) loud for $300

It might cheaper over the interwubs with an SX ($150) and a 75w Hartke combo ($250), which wouldn't be louder, but would leave $100 for beer.
 

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