Help me!!!!

[Devon Bustard]

So I was cruising on kijiji today, and found a guy selling a traynor smallblock 500h and a tc1510 cab. The price is 1000 and it usually retails for 1500ish. Should I jump on this for my first gigging rig or is there something else in my 1000 dollar price range that will do better?

 

[SickAura]

I think that combination would cover a lot of gigs, however, that cab is super heavy and I think you could do better on price.

I have seen that head for $350 used and that cab is not an easy sale due to the weight and size. Without knowing the condition or history I would think $700 to $800 for the package would be more realistic.

So I think you have time to shop around or wait till the seller lowers their price.

What type of music are you playing and what are your volume needs?

 

[craigie]

Answer: no. Big heavy old equipment should be much less than half of retail.

Then think of your current market. Is it likely you can resell it easily if you change your mind?

 

[Devon Bustard]

I think that combination would cover a lot of gigs, however, that cab is super heavy and I think you could do better on price.

I have seen that head for $350 used and that cab is not an easy sale due to the weight and size. Without knowing the condition or history I would think $700 to $800 for the package would be more realistic.

So I think you have time to shop around or wait till the seller lowers their price.

What type of music are you playing and what are your volume needs?

The cab and head are in excellent condition because they haven’t been carted around at all. I play classic rock stuff (very broad, Eagles-The Band-SRV) and 90’s rock (pearl jam like music). My volume needs are that it just has to be able to play with two guitarists and a drummer. The guitarists play a 50watt tube and a like volume solid state.

 

[SickAura]

The cab and head are in excellent condition because they haven’t been carted around at all. I play classic rock stuff (very broad, Eagles-The Band-SRV) and 90’s rock (pearl jam like music). My volume needs are that it just has to be able to play with two guitarists and a drummer. The guitarists play a 50watt tube and a like volume solid state.

You have lots of options in that price range. I would consider jumping up to 800 watts to give yourself more headroom along with the ability to run at 8 ohms and still have the volume you need.

Something like an Ampeg PF800 or GK MB800 depending on what you like.

You can easily add an 8 ohm 410 and consider another if you need more volume.

There are also some 4 ohm 410s and 212s you could find if you look around a little. This is good if you want a one cab solution.

115 might not be enough to handle everything but for a little more money you could have 2 and have a modular rig for big and small needs. I would probably go this route my self.

 

[Devon Bustard]

Actually I’m thinking that I should go for two 115 cabs. Easier to lug around and always is a market to resell. One 115 cabinet should be enough for practice with the band and coffeehouses and like events right?

 

[basscooker]

If you don't already have a gig rig, but do have gigs on the horizon; spend the bulk of the budget on a really good cab. Good slightly heavier amps are really inexpensive these days. Good cabs are always pricey, and no amp can make a lousy cab sound good.

 

[SickAura]

Actually I’m thinking that I should go for two 115 cabs. Easier to lug around and always is a market to resell. One 115 cabinet should be enough for practice with the band and coffeehouses and like events right?

Coffee houses yes

Band practice depends on how loud your drummer is, how big the room is and if your band exercises good volume control - but from what you described the answer is most likely yes.

I've never had a problem with one 15 at band practice - but 215's always sound better

 

[moogieotter]

Offer $800 and w a limber lower back, you’re set for years!

 

[Downunderwonder]

It's enough for the gig but too much money. Modular rigs rock, as you mentioned the 115 x2 route but I recommend the vertical setup

I am a 210 vertical stack believer!!

for all the benefits.

I have found 215 cab not easy to hear for the lead guitarist in a bar situation as the tone goes forward. A 410 is way worse for that.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Define “gigging rig”.

I play 50 gigs/year with a GK MB212-ii , a 500 watt combo with 2 12” neo speakers. ~40lbs, cost me a little over $600 brand new. I’ve never had any issues being heard.

I’m not saying what you’ve got picked out there is bad, but if I’m spending $1000 on a ~90lb rig, I better be in love.

The cab has a sold listing on reverb for $300. Or if you so inclined you can buy the cab new for $770 after shipping. You can get the head brand new for $500 if it’s what you really want. Personally I’d pay $1,270 for two new products rather than $1,000 for two used models- especially amps. I’m not sure where you’re getting $1,500 brand new from. By comparison I paid less than $1,270 new for my MB800 and CX410. 800 watts and the cab weighs less.

If that’s the set up you love, I’d buy the head new and offer $300 for the cab.

tl;dr no, don’t jump on it. it’s not a deal.

 

[NKBassman]

Answer: no. Big heavy old equipment should be much less than half of retail.

Then think of your current market. Is it likely you can resell it easily if you change your mind?

1) Those are current production Traynor offerings.
2) The Smallblock 500H is a microhead that weights 4 pounds.
3) The cab weighs 85 lbs, yes, but at least it has castors.

 

[NKBassman]

Actually I’m thinking that I should go for two 115 cabs. Easier to lug around and always is a market to resell. One 115 cabinet should be enough for practice with the band and coffeehouses and like events right?

Not sure if you're particularly into Traynor, but I reeeeeeeally didn't like the TC115. I rented one for a couple of band practices and couldn't wait to return it. It sounded like crap and couldn't keep up even at reasonable rehearsal volumes.

As with any rig shopping, see if you can plug it in and try it out for 5 minutes before you commit to buying it.

 

[eriky4003]

You may want to see if the seller will part with the amp at a decent price. The cabinet is 4 ohms so it would be the only cab you could use with that head so your dream of having two cabinets would also entail you re-selling this cabinet to make that happen or leave this cab at your rehearsal spot. I believe this rig will keep up with your bandmates. I had a similar cabinet and if you do buy this I'd recommend putting the cabinet on some kind of stand(s) to have the 15" closer to your ears.

 

[bassliner50]

Class D amp and neodymium speakers would be more desirable, because of ease of transport and storage. Heavy older stuff should sell for less. That said, Traynor offers some nice well thought out and executed gear. I use it often.

 

[NKBassman]

Class D amp and neodymium speakers would be more desirable, because of ease of transport and storage. Heavy older stuff should sell for less. That said, Traynor offers some nice well thought out and executed gear. I use it often.

Again, the TC1510 and Smallblock 500 are current production models. The Smallblock is Class D and weighs 4 lbs. Not sure why everyone is so quick to offer advice on stuff they seemingly know nothing about.

Maybe I'm just cranky because I haven't had my coffee yet today.

Anyway, Buying a rig that’s light weight and easy to move is great, but it should sound the way you want it to first and foremost. Neo speakers and ease of storage(?) shouldn’t be the only things you look for in a gig rig.

 

[Raw N Low]

Go try the rig and see if you like it. Just because a rig is modular, doesn't mean you will like it. If your gigging routine is tame and you have the vehicle space, it may be a good buy.

I've heard players that hate a particular rig and some who will love it. If your bass sounds good through it and your using your ears, trust your instincts.

Best wishes and happy hunting.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I have to agree with others, not a deal I would make.
OP, where are you located? Sounds like the Great White North. We might be able to help you more if you let us know where you are. The only Traynor amp I would consider would be the 300, but I like tubes!
It's quite likely that there is a "better" rig available for that amount of coin.
Fishheadjoe

 

[NKBassman]

I have to agree with others, not a deal I would make.
OP, where are you located? Sounds like the Great White North. We might be able to help you more if you let us know where you are. The only Traynor amp I would consider would be the 300, but I like tubes!
It's quite likely that there is a "better" rig available for that amount of coin.
Fishheadjoe

I think the YBA-200 would be a good buy as well.

 

[Devon Bustard]

I am located in New Brunswick Canada so the only nearby stores are l and m or other small music stores. Traynor was my go to because they are Canadian and Pete Traynor used to play with one of my favourite artists