Help a newbie to bass amps choose one please

[Danhorse]

Hi Guys,

Just coming back to playing bass (home use/recording) after about 20 years of last picking my bass up.

I need a neat little home head amp & cab, something in the lower price range of say a Ampeg PF 350.

I have an SB1000, and would love to cop John Taylor's early tones, Rio etc. So not sure what would suit me best in a low volume scenario.

At present have shortlisted from youtube demos:

Ampeg PF350
GK MB200
MarkBass Little Mark 250

Your recommendations are much appreciated, especially focusing on that JT tone.

Cheers

Dan

 

[CL400Peavey]

The cab will be just as if not more important than the amp. Which cab would you pair any of these amps with?

 

[Danhorse]

The cab will be just as if not more important than the amp. Which cab would you pair any of these amps with?

My apologies, I should have said head & cab suggestions, I shall edit my 1st post.

 

[CL400Peavey]

My apologies, I should have said head & cab suggestions, I shall edit my 1st post.

I would recommend you take a look at the PF-500 and the PF 115LF. Its not the power increase that causes me to recommend the 500, but rather the compressor, and the switchable mids. Really helps in dialing in low mid tone. The PF-115 LF is currently my favorite cab from ampeg, and is among their least expensive.

There are a ton of great options out there, but that is where I would start.

 

[levonrocks]

Mark bass really makes great stuff, and Eden cabs are fantastic. I'd go with the little Mark 250 and an Eden Nemesis 2x10 cab. I saw an Eden Nemesis 2x10 in the Talk Bass market for a really good price.

 

[Danhorse]

Thank you both.

CL400Peavey: I see what you mean, I have just realised that dialling the low mids is actually really important. I shall look at that one, they seem to be quite middle of the road with tone?

Levonrocks: I was drawn to the little Mark 250, seems pretty warm? ( forgive me I am trying to get a feel for these amps characteristics).

Whats the deal with Eden cabs? what kind of tone to they impart compared to others?

 

[Itouchdownthere]

Is there any DIY bass cabinets like something small 2x10 for around 500$ with the head?
New to bass and any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Troph]

I think Taylor's mid-centric growly sound could be duplicated with lots of amps these days, frankly. He used a Peavey rig during the early 80s, I believe. But of course that has nothing to do with his album sound.

Frankly, if I didn't already know he played an Aria SB-1000 through a Peavey rig, based on tone alone, I would have guessed a 70s Fender Jazz bass through a GK 800RB. (Of course, the 800RB didn't appear until 1983...)