If you had $400 to spend on a Combo...What would it be?

[infosponge]

I have saved $400 and I am looking to buy a combo amp that can hang with a drummer and a guitarist. I am just curious as to which combo amp would you choose at the $400 price point?

I am not opposed to getting a used one. I am looking at a nice Ampeg with 2 10's, I am also looking at a Line-6 LD Lowdown with 2 10's, Also a Peavy BAM with 2 10's. I play Hard Rock mostly, and I dont use many effects. Thanks for your insight....in advance!

 

[Turock]

Ampeg B100R. Best sounding combo out there.

 

[sikamikanico]

Used Fender Bassman (112)

 

[Twocan]

My SWR 210c is plenty loud, transports well and has a good, balanced sound. I would recommend it. Can get used for $250-$350.

 

[skidrawk]

Of those listed, I'd go with the Peavey Bam 210. That's just me though. I actually use FX though and use a BAM as my main amp. It far outshines the Line 6 LD. What model Ampeg are you looking at?

 

[snyderz]

I'm of the BAM210 persuasion myself. Gigged it at 3 on the volume last night, and blew down the house.

 

[MODELL]

Used Fender Bassman (112)

This is a great choice at your price point. Not sure if NOS (New Old Stock) is still available, but last year Guitar Center and Musician's Friend were selling these on clearance at $399.99 new.

 

[masturbasser]

I gotta concur with the B100r. Friend of mine had one, wonderful warm tone for a solid state amp. Me and my girl are moving soon so I can go back to school so a few weeks ago I was scouring the pawn shops for a smallish bedroom combo. I was hoping to find a B50r but it was a no go. I would also look at the Kustom Deep End combos.

 

[CrUiSeR]

Ampeg B100R..

that was actually my very first thought before even reading your post!
my second thought was why combo?
original GK 400RBs can be had for $200 and have been played on thousands of gigs. add an inexspensive 410 like peavey, crate or ampeg he and "BOOM" you're in there!
it is a lot easier for a guitar player to get by with a combo than it is for a bass player.

 

[tombowlus]

If I had to buy new, and I could not go over $400, I'd probably get a GK MB115. Pretty much across the board, GK is stomping almost everyone in the high quality bang for the buck category.

If you are willing to go used, you have a ton of excellent options.

 

[Rob Martinez]

Ampeg B100R or Ampeg B50R. Both are amazing.

 

[SolomonHelsing]

I would say, depending what power you needed that a Ashdown Mag 180 or 307 combo would do well, i play similar stuff im guessing and it works well for what i need, and would be good with a guitarist and drummer, more so the 307 watt than the 180watt of course, but depends what you can find there for $400, i know the 307 is just over that in £ here.

 

[skidrawk]

I'm of the BAM210 persuasion myself. Gigged it at 3 on the volume last night, and blew down the house.

Haha same here. I used to run 50% but ever since I switched to a much hotter active bass I'm at 3.

 

[infosponge]

SkidRock, I am looking at an Ampeg BA-210SP , He is asking $400, but guitar center is selling the same one for $350 used.

 

[Rockit]

I'd save a little more money and see what else is out there. I've used the Ampeg B115 for plug and play gigs in small clubs with my Old School Hard Rock band and I liked it but seemed like 100 watts wasn't quite enough, like the amp was working about as hard as it was going to to keep up with 2, 50 watt tube guitar amps and it farted out a little bit.

A buddy of mine has the B200R and really likes that, 220 watts, 12au7 in the preamp section. He plays in 2 bands, a loud Garage Rock band and an equally loud if not louder Power Pop band and it seems to do the job well.

At a minimum, 200 watts is barely enough for bass in a Rock band setting. I use a preamp, a lightweight 1000 watt power amp and 2 small cabs in my current set up but I am seriously contemplating a 2-300 watt combo because I'm getting older and want less gear to move these days.

I'm kind of curious about the newer GK MB series, either the MB115 or 212. I had a Backstage combo briefly and it was junk but I've played through some of the MB combos briefly and did like what I heard.

 

[Mike M.]

I can only speak for the GK MB115, as I've never tried any of the other mentioned amps. I bought one in February and it's a very good sounding amp. Very loud and punchy. I use it at church. The stage volume isn't exactley blasting but it's fairly healty and the amp held up fine.

As always, try before you buy.

 

[Blankandson]

Do you live near a large music store? I'm currently in Nashville and the local ones here get good used stuff in almost daily. The good stuff is gone pretty quick, so you would either have to know someone who worked there or just go there every day. Brand new GK micro combo 150S yesterday with a $325 tag - probably sold for $800 a year ago. Worked fine when I played through it. May have been a TI, but you get the picture. Used is a great way to double your purchasing power.

 

[kaiser_sosea]

If I had to buy new, and I could not go over $400, I'd probably get a GK MB115. Pretty much across the board, GK is stomping almost everyone in the high quality bang for the buck category.

If you are willing to go used, you have a ton of excellent options.

+1, GK's MB combos are incredible "bang for buck" pieces of gear.

 

[CannyBusDriver]

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Kustom de50. Its a tube hybrid, its only 300 dollars, but it sounds like it could get pretty loud. I havent played this before, I am looking into getting it though atm.

 

[jeff7bass]

The Carvin MB15 is my choice. More power and more transparent than the GK, better EQ options, and the ability to add an extension cab for a full 250w stack. It's an amazing amp for the money.

Right here;
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