Help Me Choose A Cheap Amp Head!

[pappabass]

Cheap & actually sounds good?? TC Electronics 250 watt head.

 

[greengoblin]

Why not have the current head serviced by a tech? The cord can easily be replaced as well as the jacks. Knobs can be had for a couple bucks. Other than the labor costs, you are not looking at much in parts for what you described.

The are good heads and reliable when taken care of...

 

[TheAndinator]

Why not have the current head serviced by a tech? The cord can easily be replaced as well as the jacks. Knobs can be had for a couple bucks. Other than the labor costs, you are not looking at much in parts for what you described.

The are good heads and reliable when taken care of...

The head is pretty messed up, but I was surprised when the tech in my area said that with Fender not offering the specific parts and the risk of breaking more when taking the thing apart, it wouldn't be worth it. To be fair though, I got this from my college when they trashed it after using it for the basketball and football pep band for the past however many years it's been since the BXR came out. It's seen its fair share of wind, rain, and misuse. Thankfully the speaker isn't blown and still thumps.

 

[TheAndinator]

I might have a lead on a Trace Elliot head that has been sitting in storage for years at my church. Not sure which one, but it's one of the big ones with the red knobs and green lettering.

 

[Scottgun]

Check out Tech21 VT-500.

 

[TheAndinator]

Check out Tech21 VT-500.

Digging the tone from the videos I could find! Definitely on the list if I can find one for a good price.

 

[greengoblin]

The head is pretty messed up, but I was surprised when the tech in my area said that with Fender not offering the specific parts and the risk of breaking more when taking the thing apart, it wouldn't be worth it. To be fair though, I got this from my college when they trashed it after using it for the basketball and football pep band for the past however many years it's been since the BXR came out. It's seen its fair share of wind, rain, and misuse. Thankfully the speaker isn't blown and still thumps.

Not sure if I would go back to that tech. The top comes off of those and nothing is attached to it if memory serves me correctly. The jack are still available online, I have replaced them before and the cord should be a regular 3 pronger. I bet that you would only have about $40 in parts, give or take (if it only needs what you said).

Wonder if the tech would say the same about a 1969 SVT? lol

 

[TheAndinator]

Not sure if I would go back to that tech. The top comes off of those and nothing is attached to it if memory serves me correctly. The jack are still available online, I have replaced them before and the cord should be a regular 3 pronger. I bet that you would only have about $40 in parts, give or take (if it only needs what you said).

Wonder if the tech would say the same about a 1969 SVT? lol

I totally agree with ya. I got the amp to work on the low gain input and it wasn't awful but since I have the option, I'm hoping to change up the head anyway.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I might have a lead on a Trace Elliot head that has been sitting in storage for years at my church. Not sure which one, but it's one of the big ones with the red knobs and green lettering.

Get in your car with wheels and go rescue it.

 

[TheAndinator]

Get in your car with wheels and go rescue it.

Sounds like a plan

 

[somebrains]

Digging the tone from the videos I could find! Definitely on the list if I can find one for a good price.

I played those back when they were new.
It might be sitting bc they need a box fan blowing on them to keep them from thermal shutdown.

If you get it free, then it's a learning experience.

There's plenty of Crown 202/402/602/802 power amps in my area for $100 asking. Look for PA rigs on CL, you'd be surprised how much power you can get for not much $.

Sansamp, mxr preamp, Eden, Ampeg, etc pedal can be had cheap.

The Seymour Duncan preamp pedal people raved about how transparent it sounded simply was their 3-band bass preamp in a box with the slap contour on its own switch. Something to think about if you are handy with a soldering iron and drill press.

Sometimes you'll find old Yamaha, Fender, Sansamp, SWR, BBE,GT rack preamps from the late 80's and 90's for $100.

There was a Demeter 201 at GC in LA mislabeled as a mic preamp for a year at $275. I think it went for $200 otd.

 

[TheAndinator]

I played those back when they were new.
It might be sitting bc they need a box fan blowing on them to keep them from thermal shutdown.

If you get it free, then it's a learning experience.

There's plenty of Crown 202/402/602/802 power amps in my area for $100 asking. Look for PA rigs on CL, you'd be surprised how much power you can get for not much $.

Sansamp, mxr preamp, Eden, Ampeg, etc pedal can be had cheap.

The Seymour Duncan preamp pedal people raved about how transparent it sounded simply was their 3-band bass preamp in a box with the slap contour on its own switch. Something to think about if you are handy with a soldering iron and drill press.

Sometimes you'll find old Yamaha, Fender, Sansamp, SWR, BBE,GT rack preamps from the late 80's and 90's for $100.

There was a Demeter 201 at GC in LA mislabeled as a mic preamp for a year at $275. I think it went for $200 otd.

I am pretty interested in going through the Preamp pedal to power amp route since I do play into DI boxes a lot of the time for jazz band and Worship bands in auditoriums. Definitely something I'll start looking into. You're saying Crown is a decent brand for the price? Any other specific ones to look out for?

 

[somebrains]

I am pretty interested in going through the Preamp pedal to power amp route since I do play into DI boxes a lot of the time for jazz band and Worship bands in auditoriums. Definitely something I'll start looking into. You're saying Crown is a decent brand for the price? Any other specific ones to look out for?

Crown, Crest, QSC, Peavey IPR in no particular order.

I'm pretty basic, some guys like more full featured PA power amps.

Your situation it doesn't seem like you need stadium levels of power, more like a monitor with potential for live work.

Preamp route gives you consistency and low $ tone flexibility. A lot of the cheapie heads may lack the DI quality or options you'd want. Older big $$$ heads still lack in the DI area, which is open for things like the GK Plex to get those classic gk live tones without dealing with vintage heads or models with not the most stellar reliability.

If you are an Eden or Trace guy, like how I keep a 1990 SWR head around, pedal keeps the tone without dealing with issues with those old heads.

 

[TheAndinator]

Crown, Crest, QSC, Peavey IPR in no particular order.

I'm pretty basic, some guys like more full featured PA power amps.

Your situation it doesn't seem like you need stadium levels of power, more like a monitor with potential for live work.

Preamp route gives you consistency and low $ tone flexibility. A lot of the cheapie heads may lack the DI quality or options you'd want. Older big $$$ heads still lack in the DI area, which is open for things like the GK Plex to get those classic gk live tones without dealing with vintage heads or models with not the most stellar reliability.

If you are an Eden or Trace guy, like how I keep a 1990 SWR head around, pedal keeps the tone without dealing with issues with those old heads.

Definitely not going on world tours anytime soon, just kind of thinking ahead so I wouldn’t have to buy another if some miracle gig comes up. I’d bet my money it wouldn’t happen, but ya never know! Thankfully, the heads I’ve seen all at least have a XLR out, some with adjustable levels and some saying they’re DI. As long as I can run a line from it if needed I should be set for the near future right?