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I heard you guys know about amps.

S

swagstang

Jun 24, 2012
3
0
#1
So my amp broke yesterday, and while I'm waiting to get it fixed I figured that i ought to buy a real bass amp (I was using a guitar head >_>).

Anyway, I was a guitar player who found myself thrust into the role of bassist, so I don't know a whole lot about different bass gear yet. But I need an amp for gigging and my budget is like $500, which I could maybe stretch, although tbh I don't want to go over $400.

Basically I want an amp that has a somewhat distinct sound of its own (I've read that some amps have their own sound whereas some other amps leave the bass's tone relatively uncolored -- I want the former, although if that's stupid of me I'd be willing to go for the latter).

I'm mainly looking at like the GK MB115 and an old Peavey Mark IV head + cab on Craigslist.

:ninja:
 
#3
There are a ton of options available in your price range, and some very good ones since you're willing to go used. Everybody has their own opinions and brand loyalties, so get ready to receive a ton of recommendations, none of which are necessarily wrong.

A lot of the unique tones that get mentioned come from tube amps, which are probably just out of reach of your $500 limit for a head/cabinet combo. That being said, all amps have their own tone, even the relatively "clean" solid state ones, so you shouldn't worry about sounding sterile so long as you do your research and get a quality piece of equipment.

Every brand is going to have it's fans and it's detractors. I'm not crazy for the GK sound, and I've had issues in the past with their reliability, but a lot of people swear by them. I like Peavey because it's built like a tank, but there are many that say the tone is generic, and in all honesty I don't run a Peavey now so obviously it's not my absolute favorite.

Right now I run an SWR Workingman's 2004 head with a Workingman's 2x10 and a Workingman's 1x15. I got the head used at Guitar Center for $150, and both cabinets from craigslist for $300 altogether. I switched to this rig because I fell in love with the simplicity of the SWR clean sound, and selling off my more expensive rig (Ampeg SVT setup) allowed me to upgrade my instrument, which I thought was the more important part of the puzzle. I would highly recommend this rig for your price range, but that's just one opinion out of many.

Craigslist is an awesome resource, but also don't neglect the used section at guitarcenter.com. They have some great prices on all kinds of gear and shipping to your nearest store is just $6, no matter the piece of equipment. Good luck, gear shopping is always fun :)
 
#4
it looks like the GK combo won't run extension speakers; that makes it a less than "pro" amp in my book.

used usually beats new on a budget; old peaveys are not sexy, but they're loud and strong, and a head+cab arrangement is way more versatile.

what kind of cab? if it's a 4x10, then the choice is a no-brainer, the peavey rig will smoke the little 1x15 combo.
 
#7
swagstang said:
...
Basically I want an amp that has a somewhat distinct sound of its own...
Click to expand...

There are a number of different "sound of its own" amps and cabs, but you kind of have to know what "sound" you want to have. Some are "scooped", like the GK heads, some are "mid-focused" like some Ampegs and there are a bunch in between.

If you can give an example of the style of music you play and a band that you want to sound like, it will be a lot easier to recommend gear for you. Also the role you have in the band, is it a 3 piece, big band, etc.

Some examples (just to give an idea): Funky, slapping and popping, RHCP style = a MusicMan bass and a GK amp. Warm, round, classic 60's tone = P-bass and Ampeg SVT amp.

If you play in a 3-piece with no rythm guitar, you may need more mids (maybe with some distortion) to fill the gap, or if you play in a big band you may need to have stronger emphasis in a particular register to "cut through".
 
#8
walterw said:
what kind of cab? if it's a 4x10, then the choice is a no-brainer, the peavey rig will smoke the little 1x15 combo.
Click to expand...

He's selling a 4x10 and a 1x15 actually. I'm leaning towards the 4x10 although I'm scared it'll be too heavy. :'(

Sartori said:
The Mark IV is a good amp and very reliable. It's also heavy.

What are you playing mostly?
Click to expand...

Somewhere between pop punk and '90s indie (think The Promise Ring).

Oobly said:
There are a number of different "sound of its own" amps and cabs, but you kind of have to know what "sound" you want to have. Some are "scooped", like the GK heads, some are "mid-focused" like some Ampegs and there are a bunch in between.

If you can give an example of the style of music you play and a band that you want to sound like, it will be a lot easier to recommend gear for you. Also the role you have in the band, is it a 3 piece, big band, etc.

Some examples (just to give an idea): Funky, slapping and popping, RHCP style = a MusicMan bass and a GK amp. Warm, round, classic 60's tone = P-bass and Ampeg SVT amp.

If you play in a 3-piece with no rythm guitar, you may need more mids (maybe with some distortion) to fill the gap, or if you play in a big band you may need to have stronger emphasis in a particular register to "cut through".
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm in a three-piece and I'm thinking perhaps an amp w/ a natural disposition towards midrange frequencies would work best for me, so probably not the GK I was looking at.

Thanks to everyone who has responded thus far, you've all been really helpful.
 
#10
the 4x10 under a 300w head will fit the bill nicely, giving you plenty of clean power. you can usually EQ them any which way, so don't be too hung up on that at this point.

(don't bother with the 15 cab unless you get two of them and run that instead; tons of threads here about mixing cabs, and why it's usually not as good as matching them.)
 
#12
Look used. Last year I bought a GK Backline 600 and matching 410 cab for $300 from Craigslist. I haven't been that happy with the cab so I just bought an Ashdown 212 from the classified here for $325. After I sell the 410 my investment will still be under $500 for a set up that is giggable.

That's the great thing, you don't need to invest a fortune to find a giggable set up to start with. Then as you learn more of what sound you want you upgrade and add components.
 

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