Helping a student to decide

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hey! One of my students wants to buy an easy to transport combo suitable for indoor gigs. Budget around 400 USD plus shipping and handling expenses. His initial choice is an Ampeg BA115, but just because he doesn't know anything else. I told him that, although I've never heard it in person, I've read extremely good reviews about the Roland Cube 100 amp. The Gallien-Krueger MB115 seems to be a great choice, but based on previous experiences, I'm always afraid of GK products' reliability (but they do sound great!). He wants me to help him decide, so I thought about asking the TalkBass family. Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[wiseguyst]

I voted "other." The Acoustic brands sound great, are reliable and at a good price. They have a 200watt 15" combo for $350 brand new. The other option I would recommend is finding a used Ampeg B100R combo. It has great tone and is very cool looking. I had one of these for about 5 years and am sorry I ever got rid of it.

 

[Orph]

I would stay away from the Ampeg BA115. It doesn't sound very good, and it's really not very loud. I use one as a practice amp at home, so it's fine for my use, but I would never recommend one to anyone else.

 

[Mystic Michael]

While I don't know much about the availability of product in Columbia, if your student can find a used Nemesis NC210 or RS210 combo in good condition, I would recommend that he buy it. I have one that I bought on the aftermarket about four years ago for $250 + shipping, and I love it! Surprisingly deep, warm...and loud...for only a 200-watt, 2x10 combo. Some very nice features too (i.e. onboard compressor/limiter, semi-parametric EQ, 3-band rotary EQ, "enhance" (scoop) filter, effects loop, ground lift, tuner out, DI, mute switch, etc.).

Just a great little combo amp...

MM

 

[Tmoney865]

If he found a GenzBenz ML-200 115, he sould be happy.

It made me get a NeoX

 

[bassmusic1234]

as strange as it sounds, traynor/ yorkville puts some great stuff out there 2-3 hundred watts for 4-5 hundred bucks.

 

[prd004]

I second the used Ampeg B100-R, sensational little amp! I use mine for daily practice, studio work, acoustic gigs, and lower volume electric gigs! It might be the best sounding amp I've owned!

 

[mrpackerguy]

I'd look at some sort of Peavey TNT on casters. In destructible which I think would be an important consideration given the age of the student

 

[ilovenofrets]

A vote for other. GK Backline 115 gets my vote. 125 watts @ 8 ohms to internal 15" speaker, and you can run a second 8 ohm cab for 175 watts @ 4 ohms. An excellent 1st step into the world of GK, can be easily found for under $300.00, great for small indoor gigs, and with the extension cab, will handle medium gigs with ease.