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How many amps???

Cygnus X-1

Cygnus X-1

May 8, 2008
248
22
Bethlehem, PA
#1
Hey guys,

With all the how many bass threads there are floating around. I figured it would be neat to ask, How many amps does one have?

At first, there is usually the first practice combo amp. Then there is the search for the perfect tone. Then bells and whistles may creep up (i.e. effects), and finally the obvious "More Power".

At the moment I have four bass and two guitar amps. The first one that I picked up on the re-start of my bass-journey is a Line 6 LD150 Lowdown combo. The second one I picked up on a whim was an Ampeg B100r because I liked it's vintage look. It also happens to sound pretty good. The third one I stumbled upon is a Fender BDEC, which I think is a great practice tool for beginners and pro's alike. Finally, there is my Fender Bassman 250/215, which I got at GC for $499. a little over a week and a half ago. I must say, I am very impressed with it's deep rich tone as well as it's loudness.

Now for the bad news. Since I consider myself a student and nowhere near a gig worthy player. I think I have more amps than I need. At the moment I am playing through the three main combos in order to see which one fills my needs. The Bassman is still under GC's 30 day return policy and either the Ampeg or Line 6 would be up for a trade in. I go to a non-chain-store dealer who is good to me and gives me a bit more in trade vs GC.

Now here's the funny part. Each amp is very different and give me such a wide range of tones to experiment with (especially the Line 6). It may be harder than I though to let go of any one of them. Quality wise, they all seem to be up to task. It's just that I sometimes feel that maybe the Bassman 250 may be more than I need. Yet is I ever do decide to do any gigs, the other two might not be up to snuff.

So there it is guys, Any sound advice to an Amp-aholic?
 
#2
It happens. But maybe narrow it down to 2 or maybe 3. One small combo for practice at home, and a couple that are big enough for a band jam, at least one of those that sounds like you want to sound. I have 5 bass amps currently, but one's in a closet. I use the other 4.
 
#3
RickenBoogie said:
It happens. But maybe narrow it down to 2 or maybe 3. One small combo for practice at home, and a couple that are big enough for a band jam, at least one of those that sounds like you want to sound. I have 5 bass amps currently, but one's in a closet. I use the other 4.
Click to expand...

Ahh RickenBoogie,

Always the one with the hand raised :D. Thanks for answering my posts, you must be getting sick of it by now :rollno:

By the way, I'd like to ask, with 5 amps, how many basses do you have?
 
#5
how many amps have I been through?? or how many do I currently own???

I've had...first...Fender 60w combo bxr60. then wanted better tone ampeg b50r. then wanted more power ampeg B328. then wanted more portability swr WM10+10. then wanted more power SWR 350 head withh 2-112 cabs. then wanted more power again RBI pre and stewart preamp and 2-112 cabs. then wanted warmer tone and lost about half power eden wt550 w/2-112 cabs. wanted to know what all the noise was about the Thunderfunk and played that with 2-112s.

SO EIGHT AMPs to where I'm "fairly" content. btw I prefere my wt550 with my bergantino 112s.....

I CURRENTLY still own eden wt550 and thunderfunk tfb550b and bergantino HT112 cab + ex112 cab (played with eden). and I have Aguilar gs112 and gs112nt (no tweeter) that I usually use with the 'funk.

BTW I've been playing for almost 10 years now...mostly church, but certainly NOT quiet since we get complaints from time to time :D:D:D
 
#6
I'm saving up for a Ampeg svt-6 pro or a B4r, I already have a GK but I kinda want to get an amp specially for the 610hlf, it's sooo hard to try and narrow it down, I was thinking about selling my current amp but I can't bear to part with the GK.
 
#8
I currently have 4. I'm a big fan of having a main head, a backup and a practice-type amp for at home. So currently, My main head is an Orange AD-200 with a GK 800RB as my backup. I have an Ampeg 8x10 and an Aguilar 2x12 cab that I use depending on the size of the gig (I also have an Ashdown ABM300-EVO head that is in the shop and will most likely be sold when I get it back-so technically it makes 4).

I have a Fender BXR100 15" combo that I keep for playing at home and small coffee-shop/wedding gigs. I also use it for keyboard bass or running synths.
 
#9
Some here have answered with their chronological "first amp to current amp(s)" stories. That would be way to extensive for me to remember EVERY one, but as I've had way less amps than basses, I'll give it a shot...

I started on a Sears-catalog "T-Power" 15 watt combo that distorted beautifully when turned up. I then jumped into a Crate 200 watt solid state head that I paired with a used Crate 2x15. This was my rig through high school. I did add a Crate 2x15 to make the Crate stack complete. I believe around my senior year I upgraded to a GK800RB head and still used the same cabs. Then I started working at a music shop and I was able to pick up an Ampeg 4x10 and 1x18 that I used bi-amped with the GK (The Crate stack was sold shortly thereafter). I then got the bug for tube tone, so when I found a vintage Ampeg V4B, I traded the 1x18 and a late model p-bass for one in another shop. The V4B and 410 was a sweet ride that lasted awhile. I then bought an Ampeg 8x10 and bought a weird 250W GK with a built-in rack "case" that had these odd handles. The V4B was sold to buy a 70s Ampeg SVT.

At this point gas took over to the point that I kinda lose track. I have since owned: 2 more SVTs (a 60s and a 90s model), 2 different Peavey Classic 400s, 2 more GK800RBs, a Sovtek Bass Bluesboy 100W head, a late-70s V4B, an Ampeg B100R, an Aguilar DB-750 (never should have let it go), Aguilar AG-500, an Ashdown ABM 300 EVO, a GK Backline 600 (for synths on tour), a Traynor YBA-200-2, and an Orange AD-200. Cabinet-wise, I have had Aguilar 112s, a couple of Avatar 2x12s, another Ampeg 8x10, another Crate 2x15 (believe it or not-it was for a synth rig), and a couple of 4x10s.

So there it is! I'm actually looking to get another DB-750, so it's time to sell the Orange. It's hard to stop the carousel. ;)
 
#10
5 for bass, 2 for guitar. How many do I need? One for each. I have the others because I liked them and I could afford them. But if all but one were gone, I could survive.
 
#12
I own two Ampegs: SVT III with an ancient 8-10 cab that rarely sees a stage because I don't work venues where I need that much power without it going through a board/PA; and a B115 my pretty much all around amp that is sometimes underpowered.

It is because the smaller amp is underpowered that I like the idea of a single head to use with several cabinets. I would like 200 to 300 watts of tube (pre-amp at least) power and a mixture of 1X15 and 4X10 cabs for instance.

I play straight ahead jazz most of the time and I'm headed towards a DB and another amp soon enough.

BTW have a Fender 15b to irritate my wife.
 
#16
Cygnus X-1 said:
Ahh RickenBoogie,

Always the one with the hand raised :D. Thanks for answering my posts, you must be getting sick of it by now :rollno:

By the way, I'd like to ask, with 5 amps, how many basses do you have?
Click to expand...

I have only 3 basses atm, with one on eternal order, (Ric 4004Cii). And yeah, I obviously have alot of time on my hands, so sometimes I get to jump in on a thread quickly. I've been on hiatus from my job for several months, going back next month. Once I do, my funtime cover band will be back up and running, (we all work together, and the company allows us to use one of the empty studios to set up and play, and we also provide the music for all company in house parties). As to having 5 amps, there's no good reason other than 'cause I can. Obviously, you can too, so enjoy it, variety is good.
 
#17
RickenBoogie said:
I have only 3 basses atm, with one on eternal order, (Ric 4004Cii). And yeah, I obviously have alot of time on my hands, so sometimes I get to jump in on a thread quickly. I've been on hiatus from my job for several months, going back next month. Once I do, my funtime cover band will be back up and running, (we all work together, and the company allows us to use one of the empty studios to set up and play, and we also provide the music for all company in house parties). As to having 5 amps, there's no good reason other than 'cause I can. Obviously, you can too, so enjoy it, variety is good.
Click to expand...

Thanks again. Yep, I too have a lot of time on my hands. I'm currently a stay at home dad raising a 6-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old Autistic son. Music seems to keep the three of us happy.
 
#19
Um.. sell the line 6,the effects aren't as good as they should be. And besides since you aren't gigging keep one amp or two... One for practises aloneo on etc. And one for practises or small gatherings. Depending if youre living in a dorm you really dont have a lot of room to spare... If youre living with your parents on the other hand, you have enough room to keep multiple amps. In conclusion, keep the bassman it's got enough power for small practises and ATM you dont need anything more. The wuality is great as well.....

BTW this is just my opinion ;)
 
#20
Wow, I feel alot better. I have a small Marshall pratice amp for guitar, a crate 15 watt bass amp (rebuilt went on fire!) and a fender rumble 100 and a Ampeg BA115. But the rumble is my brother's electric drum amp but i'm using it since my ampeg isnt working right. Good thing so I can still play with a band. so thats 3 bass and a guitar amp
 

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