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Help Me Choose A Cheap Amp Head!

Which amp is the best choice for me?

  • Hartke HA3500

    Votes: 6 27.3%

  • Ashdown MAG300H

    Votes: 1 4.5%

  • Peavey T-Max 500

    Votes: 2 9.1%

  • Fender Bassman 250

    Votes: 4 18.2%

  • Gallien-Krueger Backline 600

    Votes: 6 27.3%

  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 3 13.6%
  • Total voters
    22
TheAndinator

TheAndinator

Jan 24, 2019
59
35
Midwest
#1
So recently, I was given a Fender BXR 300C from a friend that works to an extent, but the head is damaged, and with the missing knobs, broken high gain input jack, and frayed proprietary power cord. The combo amp is rated for 300W at 4 Ohms. I believe the speaker is a 1X15 as well.

Since the head is removable, I am hoping to replace it with another one and adjust the frame so that it's basically a cab. I have a pretty low budget at the moment and I'll be gigging soon. While looking around online, I feel like I have narrowed it down to the following:

Hartke HA3500
Ashdown MAG300H
Peavey T-Max 500
Fender Bassman 250
Gallien-Krueger Backline 600

I'm still pretty new to the whole matching heads to cabs thing, but I know my current cab works for 4 Ohms and all of the heads are 4 Ohms as well. With the BXR head being a 300 watt model, would it be a bad idea to buy an amp that has 350 watts? 500? I do like the idea of having some extra headroom, and while I don't need something that'll level a building, I'd prefer something that could at least shake the foundation. Tone-wise, I love the classic bright tube sound of a SVT as I play mainly Rock, but if it's versatile, that's cool too. I understand that looking for a lower priced amp won't give me all the best options, but it's at least a general idea of my wants.

Which of these amps would you recommend? Is there something better out there in the same price range that I've missed? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
#5
They sound pretty good when they do work. Lots of tonal options on that one too. I had one for a hot second. Wasn't too shabby for a hundo. Unreliable tho. When it was working I liked it enough to recommend it if there's a return for DOA.
 
#8
dukey donkey said:
Had a T-max... loved it, was stolen. Still kinda wish I had it. Get a footswitch for more tonal options. Plenty of power on tap and good tube warmth... indestructible Peavey reliability... solid EQ and easy to dial in...
Click to expand...
That’s kinda been my personal favorite of the group. Most likely gonna go toward that based on the tube sound that I love and the Peavey power+reliability.
 
#10
Bumping the thread, the T Max i was eyeing was sold, so I'm kinda back to the beginning. I'm really loving the SVT sound but don't have SVT money. Between the Mag 300 having a warm tone and the 3500 having a tube preamp, which would be a better choice for both tone and volume level?
 
#13
TheAndinator said:
I'm really loving the SVT sound but don't have SVT money. Between the Mag 300 having a warm tone and the 3500 having a tube preamp, which would be a better choice for both tone and volume level?
Click to expand...
The tube preamp (any tube preamp) is not going to give you the same tube “slam” and warmth that an SVT’s full tube power section would give you. The 3500 will give you plenty of control over the tone, though, and the volume will not be a problem. I can’t speak for the other models you named.
 
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#14
DoctorZee said:
The tube preamp (any tube preamp) is not going to give you the same tube “slam” and warmth that an SVT’s full tube power section would give you. The 3500 will give you plenty of control over the tone, though, and the volume will not be a problem. I can’t speak for the other models you named.
Click to expand...
I appreciate the help. I'm still leaning towards the Hartke over the Ashdown. Finding a unanimous victor is impossible on this site though! People definitely have their own tastes. I just know that anything will be an upgrade over the Behringer BX3000t I was borrowing for a short while.
 
#15
Dunno where you're looking, but a pre owned Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 would be a fine choice. They are super flexible and sound fantastic.

I'd recommend a 6.0, 6.2+ if there's a chance you'll upgrade your cab down the line. There's not much ground you couldn't cover in all but the largest rooms that didn't have a PA.
 
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#17
What is your budget? Shopping used?

A simple rack preamp might be $100, and add $150 for a cheap but decent used rack amp. That right there will last you decades with flexibility for adding any cabs you want.

Really comes down to the quality of the used gear available to you. Don’t buy something with missing knobs or is broken. If the gear has been kept in good condition, any of those options listed should be fine.

Or bump your budget to get something that you won’t need to upgrade for a while. My Eden Nemesis combo has been awesome - 200 watts and 2x10 and has lasted me 10+ years as my “small portable amp” and for band practices. You can usually find them or other small but powerful combos used for $300. And that way you don’t have to mickey mouse something together.

Or just take your amp to a tech and see how much it would cost to fix. Inputs and power cords are cheap fixes usually. Depends how badly the broken knobs are - replacing pots on the pcb could take a little work, but a decent tech could do it. (Or maybe you can use a screwdriver to adjust the knob to a middle point and just not use it - cheap way around that issue. I did that with an amp that had the pot shafts broken clean off - with pliers was able to get the knob to a middle position and just kept it there. Basically had no eq on that amp, but it did have a parametric mid control, which is how I made any adjustments. Honestly, I don’t really touch the eq knobs on my amps much!)
 
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#18
ashtray said:
What is your budget? Shopping used?

A simple rack preamp might be $100, and add $150 for a cheap but decent used rack amp. That right there will last you decades with flexibility for adding any cabs you want.

Really comes down to the quality of the used gear available to you. Don’t buy something with missing knobs or is broken. If the gear has been kept in good condition, any of those options listed should be fine.

Or bump your budget to get something that you won’t need to upgrade for a while. My Eden Nemesis combo has been awesome - 200 watts and 2x10 and has lasted me 10+ years as my “small portable amp” and for band practices. You can usually find them or other small but powerful combos used for $300. And that way you don’t have to mickey mouse something together.

Or just take your amp to a tech and see how much it would cost to fix. Inputs and power cords are cheap fixes usually. Depends how badly the broken knobs are - replacing pots on the pcb could take a little work, but a decent tech could do it. (Or maybe you can use a screwdriver to adjust the knob to a middle point and just not use it - cheap way around that issue. I did that with an amp that had the pot shafts broken clean off - with pliers was able to get the knob to a middle position and just kept it there. Basically had no eq on that amp, but it did have a parametric mid control, which is how I made any adjustments. Honestly, I don’t really touch the eq knobs on my amps much!)
Click to expand...

Guess I never stated that, my bad! My budget is under $200 for now. Wish I had more, but even in the future I won't be coming across a ton of money. I'm looking on both Reverb and Guitar Center for used heads. Preferences aside, Guitar Center has the same heads for cheaper along with the implication that they have been tested first (that's what has been said at least!). My current 1x15 cab works perfectly fine and the head from its original combo is pretty much gone. My band at college is readying up to play a few gigs around in venues like small chapels and theaters that feature PA systems I can run from my amp into. That being said, I'd want something with at least 300W and 4 ohms to fit with the cab.
 
#19
Here's the step up I was yammering about above that will let you expand with an upgraded cab later. (No affiliation:)

For Sale - Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0

Ahh nuts, I just noticed your budget cap is under $200, in which case you MIGHT find a Shuttle3.0 that would suit your current needs nicely for right around that figure :)

Keep your eye on the classifieds here as well. That's where I always seem to find slightly better deals than almost any other retailers.

Good luck :thumbsup:
 
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#20
catcauphonic said:
Here's the step up I was yammering about above that will let you expand with an upgraded cab later. (No affiliation:)

For Sale - Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0

Ahh nuts, I just noticed your budget cap is under $200, in which case you MIGHT find a Shuttle3.0 that would suit your current needs nicely for right around that figure :)

Keep your eye on the classifieds here as well. That's where I always seem to find slightly better deals than almost any other retailers.

Good luck :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I appreciate it. It might just end up being whenever a decent one comes up, I’ll have to jump at it before it disappears.
 

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