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good amp??? peavey? EA? suggestions???

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by deadman9, Jul 25, 2003.

  1. Jul 25, 2003 #1
    deadman9

    deadman9

    Apr 7, 2003
    My friend wants to sell me a peavey mark VIII head, a peavey cab with 2 10's and a horn, and a Black Widow 15 in a cab originally designed as a combo (the amp burned out and was removed). He is the orginal ownner of everything, it is all 10-15 years old and looks (and sounds) to be in decent condition. He wants $700 for the whole package. Is this a reasonable price? I'm a big fan of that warm tube sound for bass and know that the peavey is full solid state and not really made for that. Could I buy an external tube preamp (like the one made by ART) and run the bass through that to get the same tube like sound? I also play keyboards and would really like to be able to use one amp setup for both. If the amp setup could do both I could probably run as high as $1100 (absolute max). For the keyboard, I've been thinking about running it through 1 or 2 JBL EON15's, could a bass play through these with a preamp? Wow, I've typed alot. Basically, I have 1100 to blow on an amp that must be sonically perfect for the keyboard and punchy, warm, and cool sounding for the bass. I was just looking at some of that EA stuff tonight, looks good, but a little pricey.

    SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!!!!!

    thankyou all for your help
     
  2. Jul 25, 2003 #2
    KeithPas

    KeithPas

    May 16, 2000
    Poulsbo,Wa
    Your friend is giving you a pretty good deal but you could get more tone for your money. I have seen SWR SM400 heads selling for around $400.00 on ebay. Match one of those with a couple of Avatar 2/10 cabinets and you have a rig that will sound great with bass and keys and give you the warm tube tone you like for alot less than $1100.00.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2003 #3
    deadman9

    deadman9

    Apr 7, 2003
    hmmmm. Think a preamp/power amp combo would be better? That still leaves the question of an accurate cab.
     
  4. Jul 25, 2003 #4
    tombowlus

    tombowlus If it sounds good, it is good Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 3, 2003
    North central Ohio
    Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
    I have had a similar Peavey setup in the past, and I agree that if you can afford to put $1,100 into a rig, you can do better. But, there are numerous questions left, such as how loud do you need to be? What style music? Etc. I wouldn't recommend the JBL Eon route for bass. It might work for keyboards, though.

    One option to consider might be one of Roland's digital bass amps (or one of their keyboard amps). Another combo option would be an EA iAMP Combo. You could add an extension cab to it once you save up some more cash. The Eden Time Traveler Combo is also a decent amp that you can add an extension cab to, and it is fairly affordable new.

    Then there is the head/cab route. A used Mesa Boogie Walkabout with some new Avatar or Low Down Sound cabs (or used Aggie, Epi, Bergie, EA, etc.) would be nice.

    For $1,100, it might be difficult to get into a preamp/amp/cab setup, but if you are willing to start off with only one smaller cab, and add more as money allows, it might work. You can pick up some a used BBE 383 preamp for next to nothing, and it is quite doable as a "starter" preamp. Find thee a used power amp and one of the cab options listed above, and this setup might work.

    Hope this helps, Tom.
     
  5. Jul 25, 2003 #5
    mikemulcahy

    mikemulcahy

    Jun 13, 2000
    The Abyss
    I have owned (and still do) lots of Peavey stuff, he is hosing you.


    Mike
     
  6. Jul 25, 2003 #6
    deadman9

    deadman9

    Apr 7, 2003
    I don't think style should matter too much in selecting an amp. The amp is only there to amplify, not color or enhance the tone. I need an amp that will send out exactly what goes in, except alot louder. I can understand how an amp or cab coloring the tone for a bass could be desirable, but the keyboards require that if I set the thing to piano, it should sound like a piano. I'm starting to think a pre/power amp might be better. That way I could plug the keyboard direct into the power amp, and use keyboard eq to level everything. If I could get an amp that is good and accurate and a speaker cab that is good and accurate that should suit the keyboards just fine, right?? Then I'd just need a nice preamp for the bass. My friend said if I wanted I could just buy pieces of his setup, I don't have to take it all for 700. I just remembered, the 15 is ported, so I guess that's not so good for accuracy. Thoughts????
     
  7. Jul 26, 2003 #7
    deadman9

    deadman9

    Apr 7, 2003
    so what do you all think would be best? What would work best for 1100 to 1500 (preferably less, but probably not). I really don't enjoy upgrading stuff down the road unless it's really necessary. I need the ultimate "do-all" rig. Low volume for practicing, high volume for jamming with the band.

    I need:
    Full Range
    Accurate
    Powerful(but enjoyable at practice volume too)
    Cheap(well, it was a nice thought)

    A power amp should just amplify, right?
    A preamp could flavor the bass tone the way I like it, right?

    I have no idea what speakers would fit the above criteria and work for bass and keyboard. HELP!!!
     
  8. Jul 26, 2003 #8
    Mattski

    Mattski

    Jan 6, 2003
    Cleveland, OH
    Check out Gallien Krueger on MF. They have a 1001RB II with two 4x10s for a little over 1,300. That would be a very versital rig. The Peavey rig will do fine, but I would offer less. If you buy the Peavy, pick-up a sans amp BDDI to color your tone a bit. That's what I do with my Peavey and it makes a world of difference.
     
  9. Jul 26, 2003 #9
    guyplaysbass

    guyplaysbass

    Jun 6, 2003
    Portland, OR
    I would suggest the following; Get a cabinet from these guys-

    http://www.acmebass.com/

    Then check out some amps from either of these manufacturers-

    http://www.qscaudio.com/

    http://www.stewartaudio.com/

    The Acme cabinets are full range and reproduce exactly what you put into them. You would be ASTOUNDED at what just ONE of their 2x10's sounds like (the Low B-2 when properly powered {approx 500 watts}). A cabinet of this nature would work incredibly well for your "dual" usage. As for the amps, the QSC's are going to be a bit spendy-er (the PLX series) then the Stewarts. Stewarts come in smaller sizes though if you aren't planning on pushing them (as they're not fan cooled on the smaller models). I've listed these two manufactures based mainly on reputation, weight, and power. For an out-board pre-amp for your bass a lot of guys like the Sans-Amp Bass Driver DI. You could have yourself one heck-of-a smokin' rig that's powerful, portable, and versatile! Good luck on your quest and I hope this helps.
     
  10. Jul 26, 2003 #10
    Turock

    Turock

    Apr 30, 2000
    Melnibone
    I think you would be hard pressed to find a better cabinet, especially for the money, than the EB MM Audiophile 2x12; very well constructed, and sound great. They have been discontinued and the price has been drastically reduced. They once listed for over $1000. I have the 2x12 and the 2x10, but I find that either cab alone is plenty enough for most situations.
    Check 'em out:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4713&item=2546248265
     
  11. Jul 27, 2003 #11
    deadman9

    deadman9

    Apr 7, 2003
    WOW!! Those Acme cabs look great, and aren't too rediculously priced to buy new. Before, I was looking at Euphonic Audio, they have many of the same claims as acme, but are much more expensive for just one 12 ($895). The EB MM Audiophile was cheap, but I haven't heard or read much about them. Anybody have any experienes with any of these companiess that they'd like to share???
    So far, here's what I'm thinking:

    Acme low B2 or Low B4: $480 or $695
    I really can't see any reason not to try them, unless somebody has a better idea.

    Power Amp
    The brands I know of are qsc, crown, yamaha, and mackie. What should I look for and what should I stay away from???

    Preamp
    I love a warm tube sound, I really son't have a clue what to look for, I like what I saw on the sansamp website for the RBI. Any other ideas???
     
  12. Jul 27, 2003 #12
    guyplaysbass

    guyplaysbass

    Jun 6, 2003
    Portland, OR
    I run an Acme Low B-4 and absolutely LOVE it. It replaced (and blows away) my previous set-up: 2x10's, 1-18, bi-amped. It sounds truly 10 times it's size. One thing I can't stress enough about Acme cabinets (and others will do the same) is that they NEED LOTS OF POWER. I would get an amp that delivers at least 1000 watts bridged @ 4ohms for the Low B-4 (I run 1400 into mine) and a minimum of 500 watts for the Low B-2.

    Now Pre-amps: I'm a die-hard Peavey fan. I'm running a Peavey Max Bass Pre-Amp. It is both tube and solid state and can be had new for about $325. There aren't a lot of decent pre-amps in that price range and the Peavey sounds really good through the Acme. You'll get as many responses on pre-amps as people on here have eyeballs, so be prepared. Buying used, you could definitely score something pretty decent.

    As far as power amps go, you get what you pay for! Any of the ones I listed above have solid reputations and should deliver excelent performance for you. I happen to run a Peavey DPC 1400X but one of those would dry up your budget in a hurry! Make sure whatever amp you get that it's bridgeable and that it will give you at least 1000 watts @ 4ohms (considering you get a 4ohm Low B-4).

    I could probably write a book on here so if you have further questions for me feel free to e-mail me directly. I hope this info helps you out.
     
  13. Jul 27, 2003 #13
    Yggdrasil

    Yggdrasil

    Aug 16, 2001
    Toronto/Buffalo
    "Preamp
    I love a warm tube sound, I really son't have a clue what to look for, I like what I saw on the sansamp website for the RBI. Any other ideas???"

    Try an Alembic F1-X or a SWR Interstellar Overdrive ...