• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

In a gigantic bind, what should I do Talkbass?

#124
Your only realistic option is to rent. Buying with the intent to return it immediately is just a crap thing to do and I believe karma will catch up with you.

How often do you gig? If you gig frequently, you should be able to rent and save up enough $$ to buy a better head. If not, you don't need a $400 head right away and you can save up $$ from whatever your other source of income is.

You'll get through your gigs just fine as long as you have something loud behind you, even if it isn't your idea of a perfect amp, and you'll have fun doing it.

Tom
 
#125
Crit222 said:
So I bought an amp off of a friend of mine, he got it secondhand from someone on Craigslist,
sold me the head (Ampeg SVT4 Pro) and two 8 ohm cabs for 1200$. Thought it was a great deal until two shows later, it blows up on me and I take it to get it repaired. Turns out whoever tinkered with it last totally shaged the repair, burned holes in the PCB, didn't properly ground wires, didn't properly seat tracing on PCB board, and a mess of other problems that provoked it to blow. Whelp, tech estimates that it would cost too much for this to be worth it, not to mention that it might not even work very well after the fact; the worst he's ever seen, he says. Here comes the problem, I have a show in a week, probably one of the biggest shows me and my band has ever played and on top of being broke, I'm totally ampless. I still have the cabs, but I need something to run it through. Do you guys have ANY recommendations on what the best thing to do in this scenario is? Buy an amp from guitar center and just return it after the show? Risk Craigslist again? Just buy a cheap amp and use it permanently? I've never had this problem before and am a bit frantic as to what would be the best course of action. I have about 400$ to my name atm in emergency money, but I feel like that's not even enough for an amp.
Click to expand...
Guitar center rental. Buy the new head you want and return it in 30 days for a refund. That way you can try new flavors. Might as well grab another axe for the show while you're in there as well.
 
#128
Dean N said:
I'm in Pittsburgh. I just bought a Trace AH350SMX from a decent mom and pop music store and had it shipped here. I haven't put it through its paces yet and am re-tolexing the headcase for it, but if it's feasable, come and get it... I'll be happy to lend it to you.

Even if you're a Browns fan.
Click to expand...

As an Eagles fan I was just considering whether I would lend out my gear to a Cowboys fan... I mean they are fellow human beings so I would help them out if they were broken down on the side of the road somewhere. But lend them gear? Nope! You're a better man than me!
 
#129
Crit222 said:
Might be my only option tbh. Borrowing is kind of off the table, I've checked with my other bass player friends and no ones looking to lend. I've never rented equipment before, what's the cost/where would I even do it?
Click to expand...

Buy from GC and return it. Doubtful that the big kahuna will hold it against you at the pearly gates.
 
#133
I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet...in the short term, yeah, borrowing or renting might be the best route to go. In the longer term? I think if I were American and looking for an amp (or for that matter ANY gear), I'd be cross-border shopping (in Canada) like crazy right now. Your dollar is worth like 25% more than ours these days. Long & McQuade is sometimes derided as "Canada's Guitar Center", but if nothing else they have this going for them - they are the exclusive dealer for Traynor amps (I think they actually own the company.) They often have things on sale, including demo/rental amps...and that is just Long & McQuade...there are smaller chains, and a fair number of independents/mom n' pops that are online too.

Yes, you'd have to deal with shipping and customs charges, and we tend to not have quite the selection up here as you do in the good ol' US of A, but you still would likely be able to pick up gear for less than you would down there...:):thumbsup::cool::bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: bdplaid
#134
lamarjones said:
I personally would go with craigslist again, but here are some USED heads at Guitar Center, benefit being I think you get a little time to return if it isn't working right.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
SWR 750 Tube Bass Amp Head
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Gallien-Krueger 1001RB Bass Amp Head
Click to expand...
I like GC used. the advantage is that one can purchase a 1 or 2 year warranty with the item.

And I have an F1. great head, but now what I'd use to emulate an SVT. The GK on the other hand...
 
#135
Session1969 said:
Doubtful that is why brick and mortars are disappearing (Internet ?) Give the guy a break.
Click to expand...
No, that's part of it. Honesty is honesty. Buying something with the expressed intent of using it and returning it is dishonest. So don't whine and bitch the next time you buy a "new" product and it's, lo and behold, been sold before.
 
  • Like
Reactions: snarebear, pcake and agedhorse

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back