I need a new amp, whats best?

Hi,

I will ask you some standard questions thatll help us give you a much better idea of recommendations.

What kind of bass do you have?
What kind of music do you play?
What do you need/want from your amp?
How loud does it have to be? (bedroom practice, gigging etc etc)

 

Ashdown Electric Blue combo. The 12" version is about £230 from soundslive.co.uk - it'd be worth the extra couple of quid...

 

I'll second that suggestion - seeing as you're posting prices in £££s you must be from the UK.

Ashdown is well worth a look - I have an older Electric Blue 130 (15") speaker.....well worth the money !

 

Wow, my great grandpa immigrated from Belfast...

 

I miss something?

Ashdown has a very 'coloured' sound which means the amp adds a lot to your tone, some like it some dont. If you dont like the sound, then dont buy it!

Saying that, look at Guitar, Amp, Keyboard. See what catches your fancy, with features, price, power etc. and then try them out at a shop near you.

 

the best amp for you will be the one you decide to buy after you visit a few music stores, and play through as many as you can.

For the record, I think the others are steering you in the right direction when they say Ashdown. It isn't as readily available around me, but the few times I have heard their gear, it is great.

-Mike

 

No no, I just noticed that Bigwan's in Belfast... Sorry for the distraction, please continue.

 

My apologies, I thought it was some sort of slur on Ashdown or something.

Its really hard to decipher meaning when all we have is text.

 

As you are like me in the uk i would suggest the Behringer 3000 bass head or the Ashdown Mag300 head and then get a cheap 1 x 15" cab off Ebay.

Or Hartke HA2000 head is good value for the money and is still loud to gig in most bands.

Mart

 

Some of the Peavey combos are ok, an old TKO or a TNT would be ok. They arent too punchy but are nigh on impossible to overdrive. Both 1x15", later TNTs had a horn, some came with Black Widow speakers. 80 and 150 watts respectively. I play Trace Idiot myself but have used both of these combos at some points in the past (usually when the Traces have packed up on me!) Maybe worth a look anyway...

 

While Id certainly recommend a head and cab setup (or even a pre/power) the dude asked for a combo, so thats what we sugested.

IMO, combos are a no-go for gigging though . . . . .

 

Have you tried looking at either Marshal B65 or Laney R2?

Marshall B65 from GAK is £269 which is over the top of your price range but you get 65 watts RMS. I've got the B150 and it is a smaller more compact version of it. IMO I would get one as you can't beat Marshall amplifiers, their tone and strength is like nothing else. Plus you have the unbeatable customer service!

Laney R2 again from GAK is £228 which ain't to bad on the price and you get 120 watts RMS. Never played one but could be worth looking into.

As far as gigging with a Combo, it is possible, so long as the room ain't bigger than a church hall, otherwise you need a DI into the PA.

 

Just a word of warning, 35w will not cut it in 95% of gig situations without sound reinforcement.

 

A marshall B150 will, just a shame about the price.

Try the Laney, I don't know how good the sound quality is but they do seem cheaper than the Marshall.

 

were are you from in the uk???

I've got a laney R2 that i'm selling right now it'll be under £200

for pubs and small clubs it's great and it sounds better than the marshal (believe me I had THAT marshall when i started out) you'll want more power in a matter of hours!