help me choose

[Claude Panneton]

I am a guitarist who got a gift of a squire Jazz Bass. Now I need an amp ( as if I had not enough GAS already ) I spotted and purchased an Ampeg PF-115HE cab. Now for the amp I am considering a GK legacy 500 and an Ampeg PF500

Question : will both be loud enough to play in a classic rock band... and will either be able to produce a tone suitable for Jazz ?

Thanks for any pointers, I spend my first 3 hours on a bass today and had loads of fun...and sounded like crap

 

[gtirard]

I would choose the Ampeg PF500 in your situation, for several reasons: it's cheaper, I prefer matching amps & cabs, and the specification match better with the cab than the GK:
- The cab is 400 W @ 8ohms,
- The PF500 is 300 W @ 8ohms, wich is perfect (if you add a second 8ohms cab later, you'll get 500W @4ohms).
- The GK legacy 500 is rated 450W @ 2.7ohms, 300W @ 4ohms, there's no rating for 8ohms so I don't know if it would even work.

I think it should be loud enough for a classic rock band, except if the drummer plays really loud.

The Ampeg has a "rock" sound, but you should be able to get a tone suitable for jazz.

 

[CallMeAl]

I’d go Ampeg. As mentioned above, they’re perfectly matched. Looks like the GK puts 180w into 8ohms so you’ll have a little more headroom with Ampeg. Add another cab for more volume, but that’ll be plenty to get you started. Nothing against GK, they make great amps. But I do have the 350 and I love it. I can use it for Jazz; and rock and country and blues and…

Enjoy the ride!

 

[Claude Panneton]

THere is also a deal ( I think ) on a SWR 4 x 10 neo magnets @400$ CAD should I pick it up ?

 

[Gearhead17]

Grab the SWR 410 if you are intending to play with a band! The single 15 MIGHT workout for a band, but if you are playing rock music with a drummer and a guitarist, you will likely push that 15 to its limits.

 

[Claude Panneton]

Thanks, I finally found a good deal on a PF-800 and will also grab the SWR, should be good for a while