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Help me with my new rig? Please :)

T

Titovonb24

Nov 14, 2010
18
0
#1
Ok guys so me and my guitar guy are about to have a bloody encounter. I'd rather avoid that, so I'd like some expert opinions on our ideas. :help:

Here's the situation, we are a small-time punk band, playing gigs of up to ~300 people max. I need something that can cut through a live set (at the moment he's using a combo amp as a head with a Fender 2x10, but that will change hopefully soon) and will be good for studio applications later on. I'm on a short budget, and at most I'm seeing about $400.

In corner number one:
Ampeg BA115HP 220 Watt 1x15" Bass Series Combo Amp
New Price - ~$500
Used Price - ~$350

I've actually gotten to play the 100W version, it makes a room shake. I have confidence in this amp, but he thinks I'm just on an Ampeg bandwagon (I'm not, never even friggin owned one -_-)

In the other corner:
BEHRINGER BX3000T 300W BASS HEAD - $130
or
FENDER BXR200 BASS AMP HEAD - $125
along with
PEAVEY 2X15 BASS CAB - $200

I've played through the cab once, can't remember what head it had on it, just for a small show. It was a good cab, sure, but I'm not gonna say I loved it.

Any input is greatly appreciated on this debacle. Any other suggestions that are around this price range are fair game, thanks! :D
 
#2
None of those amps are gonna cut it for 300 people dude. Not without PA support. And if you have PA support, that SHOULD mean that some guy is out front mixing it right? What difference does it make to your guitarist what kind of rig you buy?
 
#3
Oh yeah we have PA support on the bigger gigs.
The issue he has is that we are using some money we've collected from other gigs, which is technically "band" money not "bassist" money.
And he's trying to find me these "deals". However in my experience, I get what I pay for.
 
#4
Titovonb24 said:
Oh yeah we have PA support on the bigger gigs.
The issue he has is that we are using some money we've collected from other gigs, which is technically "band" money not "bassist" money.
And he's trying to find me these "deals". However in my experience, I get what I pay for.
Click to expand...

Just do an even split with the gig money dude. The only thing "Band money" should be for is things like your own PA, band trailer, merch, lights, etc.. Just tell him you want your even split, then save up and get the amp you want.
 
#5
In all I'm not particularly worried what he thinks, but I was more looking for someone to say "Hey you're right! That's a better amp/deal than his idea!" or "Hey, you're a moron! Go with what he said!" Hahahaha

Any opinions?
 
#6
Well, without getting into the whole "Combo v Head+cab" debate ( which my recommendation would be to save up and get a decent bass head and a decent 810), out of those choices, I would definitely be going with the Ampeg.
 
#8
If your budget is 400 dollars I'd be looking at something like a used Peavey (TVX) or SWR Workingman's 410 (around $150 or even less) and a used Hartke, Peavey, Ampeg, Acoustic, GK, Fender etc amp that's 300 watts (or more) into 8 ohms.

I'd suggest a 2-15 as well but you mentioned you weren't wild about it. I still say check some others out because there's some nice sounding ones out there at budget prices.

I'd try to save some more $ frankly because with a couple hundred more you get yourself into some much nicer used gear.
 
#9
To me, if you're playing punk, you're going to want to push as much air as possible. Its supposed to be loud and snotty, right? Get the 2x15 cab and find as big a head as you can to push it. Musicians Friend has a Behringer BVT4500 (450w) on sale for 150.00 new. Get that and when you upgrade to a SVT, it will make a nice backup amp. I've used Behringer for a while with no issues. Its not Ampeg, but I haven't had any troubles with it.
 
#10
One thing for sure, I'd avoid the Behringer. I recently seriously tried one of their 300 watts combo and really... there's too many things that are just wrong with the amp I tried for me to recommend anything they do.

If you like the Ampeg why don't you do it?
 
#12
As others have said, avoid using band money for your own personal rig. It causes all sorts of problems.

I'm an Ampeg fan, but I don't like combo amps. In this situation, I would have to go with your guitarist. Get the 2x15 cab and the biggest head you can find. Though, I would avoid Behringer.
 
#13
I am an Ampeg fan, but not a fan of that combo....especially for big live gigs... but for the money, hands down, I would take that Peavey 215 and put whatever head you want with it and ROCK that baby! I dont have a problem with Behringer heads as I have the BX4500T and have gigged with it for MANY years and never had one single problem.
 
#14
What is your transportation situation like? If you can be sure of moving it when you need to, a 2*15 cab is great for punk. Looks the business, and allows you to have a smaller amp and still get the volume you need. You really want 2*12, 4*10 or 2*15 for what you're doing. Single 12's or 15's, or 2*10's will be too stressed when you're rocking out, even if you have a large enough head to drive them hard.

Don't get the BXR200, or the BX3000T. Read the user reviews on the BA115HP at MF before you make a decision about buying that, as well. Way too many complaints about reliability issues to suit me.

Head-wise, the BVT4500 is adequate, and comes with a warranty. If you can find something reasonably clean at your price point, a used Hartke, G-K or Peavey head with at least 250 watts would likely be a better choice.
 
#15
Thanks so much for everyone's input so far!

I'm thinking both me and the other guy were wrong. I suppose I can try sitting on this money and borrowed rigs for a bit longer. I'm thinking I might find a decent 2x15 or 4x10. But then I have no idea what I'm looking for in heads, never had this kind of money to play with xD
 
#17
Floyd Eye said:
I would never buy a Behringer anything.
Click to expand...

Agreed, at least for instrument gear. Their pedals are toys and their amps blow up after mere months of use (yes, I'm generalising a bit, but still). However, their "pro audio" accessories are ok, like their small headphone amps, and their cheap mics are decent for what they are.

For that kind of money, I'd get a combo, ideally second hand. The one you suggested isn't bad, and your guitarist's "Ampeg fanboy" criticism is just stupid. Ampeg make good amps, period. Everyone has their duds, but they have pedigree for a reason and if you like the way it sounded, well, that speaks for itself. The only thing is, 220W mightn't be enough to keep up with guitar, vocals, and a loud drummer (you did say "punk").

That said, wattages are far from a concrete method of measuring an amp's volume, so if it makes a big loud noise that can match everyone else's big loud noise, it's a winner. Separate amp and speaker cab rigs aren't worth it at that price point, unless you happen to find an really good rig going second-hand, which does happen. The size of his combo will have a big say in whether or not 220 watts will be enough at your end.

EDIT: Also, I wouldn't use money from the band kitty to pay for your amp, or any other gear of yours. That money should be for a band PA, possibly a trailer to carry it in, promotional material (t-shirts, stickers, etc), and recordings, when you get to that point.
 
#18
Titovonb24 said:
Ok guys so me and my guitar guy are about to have a bloody encounter. I'd rather avoid that, so I'd like some expert opinions on our ideas. :help:

Here's the situation, we are a small-time punk band, playing gigs of up to ~300 people max. I need something that can cut through a live set (at the moment he's using a combo amp as a head with a Fender 2x10, but that will change hopefully soon) and will be good for studio applications later on. I'm on a short budget, and at most I'm seeing about $400.

In corner number one:
Ampeg BA115HP 220 Watt 1x15" Bass Series Combo Amp
New Price - ~$500
Used Price - ~$350

I've actually gotten to play the 100W version, it makes a room shake. I have confidence in this amp, but he thinks I'm just on an Ampeg bandwagon (I'm not, never even friggin owned one -_-)

In the other corner:
BEHRINGER BX3000T 300W BASS HEAD - $130
or
FENDER BXR200 BASS AMP HEAD - $125
along with
PEAVEY 2X15 BASS CAB - $200

I've played through the cab once, can't remember what head it had on it, just for a small show. It was a good cab, sure, but I'm not gonna say I loved it.

Any input is greatly appreciated on this debacle. Any other suggestions that are around this price range are fair game, thanks! :D
Click to expand...

I have a late 80s trace elliot 410 for sale $200 :)
 
#19
I would start with a Head good down to 2 Ohms. then add 8 ohm Cab's. that way you could have up to 4 cabinets of your choice. That's my reasoning behind my Hartke LH1000. But I'm maxed at 2 cab's because they are 4 Ohm each.
 

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