PF-500/800 and any decent cab can get a surprisingly decent Ampeg sound. Decent looking used PF-800's on ebay for about $450.
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Inexpensive Ampeg-ish Recommendation for Gigging
- Thread starter J-Mags
- Start date
Excellent comment! If the Guitar player starts “packin” a Mesa or Marshall rig, it will be time to “SVT” up or something similar in short order.
You could get a used Genz Benz Streamliner 600 or 900. They can get very close to an Ampeg tone with the right settings (there is a huge thread of settings here on TB and there are a couple of Ampeg settings that are very close). At either 600 or 900 watts at 4 ohms, you won't be lacking any power or headroom. Plus it is small and light.
Adding an extension can with the rumble combo will definitely get you louder.
if that does not do the trick that cabinet can stick around and the combo can help fund the purchase of a head and possibly another cabinet.
if that does not do the trick that cabinet can stick around and the combo can help fund the purchase of a head and possibly another cabinet.
I have the Rumble 500 that i run through an Ampeg SCR-DI pedal, and it does a nice job of as you said, substituting for the real thing. Plus the di is superior the rumble's -IMO. And then it has a scrambler if your into that.
Good Luck with what ever you choose.
Good Luck with what ever you choose.
+1
I have a rumble 4x10 and also have 2 rumble 2x10s. I’m surprised how much volume the single 2x10 puts out on its own. I’m using an Ashdown ABM 500 and aim for a similar tone you describe, but I’ve used the rumble amps as well and really enjoyed them.
Check for them used, I found my 2x10s used at GC for $225 ea.
The extension cab will unlock potential in your combo by getting your full power from running at 4 ohms, and you’ll add speakers to get more air moving.
And yes people will tell you that adding a 2x10 to 115 won’t be ideal, and while mathematically and theoretically they are correct, it’s something done by far more users than anyone will admit. I would argue that Fender even factored into the design that the 2x10 was given some design considerations to be run with the 1x15 and not just the 2x10 combo.
Ampeg PF350 (under $200 used) one or two SVT15Es ( I got a pair for $300 used) The 15s will fit in the back seat of most small cars,and the PF350 will fit in the glove compartment
If the guitar player is using a 4x12, I'd want two 15s. I would add an 8 ohm 1x15 Rumble extension cab to the Rumble 200 combo. If I wanted more of an Ampeg tone, I'd be looking for an Ampeg-ish preamp powerful enough to run into the effects return. All that should cost less than a grand.
You are only at the opening of the volume war. As soon as you upgrade the guitar hero will get out his plastic and whammo, obliteration of all your band fidelity in the name of GUITAR being the LOUDEST thing in the room. 18w head traded for 100w of pick your poison.
You might give him an ultimatum. Keep the 18w head or you are gone, while doing the 210 vertical stack.
Shame is he had the perfect rig to blast himself and mic into the PA.
You might give him an ultimatum. Keep the 18w head or you are gone, while doing the 210 vertical stack.
Shame is he had the perfect rig to blast himself and mic into the PA.
Im not aware of a combo that will hold its own against a half stack blasting punk rock. My friend, for better or worse you have entered the next level of the volume wars.
yea good luck with that, Ive been lugging a min of a 4x10/2x12/2x15 and head for years (always make 2 trips lol). Id rather have adequate fire power for any situation I find myself in over having a simple one trip load in and be left drowning in guitar and not hearing myself
yea good luck with that, Ive been lugging a min of a 4x10/2x12/2x15 and head for years (always make 2 trips lol). Id rather have adequate fire power for any situation I find myself in over having a simple one trip load in and be left drowning in guitar and not hearing myself
Yeah if your guitarist is going for a half stack, the only thing that wins that battle is speaker surface area. There are no small cabs.... and certainly no CHEAP small cabs.... that carry the day against a half stack. You don't need a different compact amp. You need a less compact car and more speakers, unfortunately.... and earplugs. I beg you. Get some really good earplugs. 50 year old you will thank me later.
I would go with the Ampeg PF500 + PF-115HE cabinet and you can add another 115/210 later on if needed
So you want a new rig that
- has the Ampeg/punk sound
- competes with a 412 guitar amp
- gets you in the door in one trip
- costs less than a grand
Thats all pretty attainable, but you’ll find that the volume and portability requirements are at odds, at least under your price threshold. IMO, you can fix that easily- grab a cart at your local harbor freight or wherever and you’re golden.
For my money, a loud, roadworthy, cheap rig with some semblance of the Ampeg tone starts with cabs- my guess is that you want that tight, aggressive SVT cabinet tone. I absolutely love my SVT210AV cabinets for that, but they’re not super tough, so probably avoid them if you’re downtuning or playing a 5 at gig volumes. An SVT410HE is also a pretty good option, and those can be had all day long for $300 if you keep your eyes on Craigslist and the like. As an added bonus, they’re rated for something like 500w at 8 ohms, so you can pair one with a high-powered head and then add another when it’s time to level buildings or crush your guitarist. That being said, I’ve not often needed more than a single 410 in most places. Lots of people here are recommending the PF series cabinets, and while they’re nicely made, I just don’t love their sound. It’s more B15 than SVT, so try before you buy (although that goes for everything here).
As for the head, wattage is cheap, so you might as well grab something powerful. A PF500 is a good buy, as is a PF350 or any Aguilar, Markbass, or even GK offering. All of those can be made to sound similar to at least some facets of the SVT tone you’re chasing. Again, try before you buy, and if you can, try the amp through the cab you plan on using.
Happy hunting!
- has the Ampeg/punk sound
- competes with a 412 guitar amp
- gets you in the door in one trip
- costs less than a grand
Thats all pretty attainable, but you’ll find that the volume and portability requirements are at odds, at least under your price threshold. IMO, you can fix that easily- grab a cart at your local harbor freight or wherever and you’re golden.
For my money, a loud, roadworthy, cheap rig with some semblance of the Ampeg tone starts with cabs- my guess is that you want that tight, aggressive SVT cabinet tone. I absolutely love my SVT210AV cabinets for that, but they’re not super tough, so probably avoid them if you’re downtuning or playing a 5 at gig volumes. An SVT410HE is also a pretty good option, and those can be had all day long for $300 if you keep your eyes on Craigslist and the like. As an added bonus, they’re rated for something like 500w at 8 ohms, so you can pair one with a high-powered head and then add another when it’s time to level buildings or crush your guitarist. That being said, I’ve not often needed more than a single 410 in most places. Lots of people here are recommending the PF series cabinets, and while they’re nicely made, I just don’t love their sound. It’s more B15 than SVT, so try before you buy (although that goes for everything here).
As for the head, wattage is cheap, so you might as well grab something powerful. A PF500 is a good buy, as is a PF350 or any Aguilar, Markbass, or even GK offering. All of those can be made to sound similar to at least some facets of the SVT tone you’re chasing. Again, try before you buy, and if you can, try the amp through the cab you plan on using.
Happy hunting!
This might be way off base, but what about a Sansamp into a cheap poweramp, into a Greenboy dually?
I can't help with the Ampeg sound suggestion but I ran into a similar situation with my punk rock band. I was playing through a Rumble 100 for quite a while with just a guitarist and drummer. Then my band added a second guitarist, now I have to compete with two 412 cabs. My Rumble 100 was not cutting it anymore.
I purchased a MB500 and a single Carvin BRX 10.2 and use it vertically, I haven't had an issue since. I never have to turn up past the 10:00 o'clock position on volume and I cut through just fine. Put everything in road cases for protection and its an easy load in/load out for me... Unless they have stairs... damn stairs!
I purchased a MB500 and a single Carvin BRX 10.2 and use it vertically, I haven't had an issue since. I never have to turn up past the 10:00 o'clock position on volume and I cut through just fine. Put everything in road cases for protection and its an easy load in/load out for me... Unless they have stairs... damn stairs!
-You want a rig that can compete with a 412 guitar rig playing punk
-You'd like it compact and light enough to be 'single trip' gear
-You have specific sound ideas
All those are not a problem.
You cannot, however, combine all these with a tight budget.
You could hunt down second hand gear that's light and loud, but your second hand market will dictate what sound you will get.
You could find gear that does the sound and the volume and fit the price, but this would most likely be something rather bulky and on the heavy side.
Bass is the trickiest instrument to amplify. We bassists need a lot of cone travel and a lot of speaker surface to gain acoustic authority. Many cones that travel far eat up watts.
I've played those shows in my youth. A good 410 will get you there,
when you couple it with a head that does 'real¹' 300 watts or more.
¹measured and stable output. Some brands will write 1200 watts on such an amp while others will write 250
The priorities for me were:
1. Volume. When you're not heard through the noise the others make, it simply does not matter how rich the timbre of your overtones that get lost in the mix are.
2. Sound. Once the 'hearing yourself' business is established, you can worry about how you actually sound.
3. Bulk. This is more a comfort problem. Hauling dual 410s that weigh in at 100lbs each plus a lead sled that's half as much again is no joy, granted. As long as 1) and 2) stay fulfilled, downsizing is an option.
This is some kind of evolution that is well matched to the human being as a bassplayer. When you're young and full of rigour, you haul amplificational monstrosities to gigs. Once you get older, certain things happen together. You accumulate coin and get access to better gear, which is a lot lighter. You have had your fair share of the volume wars and decide your ears are not worth sacrificing after all and your back starts objecting at the idea of getting that pile of heavy boxes into your car. Maybe your taste in music changes more towards more civilised tunes, so when you can afford to downsize, you don't actually require as much brutality from your rig.
-You'd like it compact and light enough to be 'single trip' gear
-You have specific sound ideas
All those are not a problem.
You cannot, however, combine all these with a tight budget.
You could hunt down second hand gear that's light and loud, but your second hand market will dictate what sound you will get.
You could find gear that does the sound and the volume and fit the price, but this would most likely be something rather bulky and on the heavy side.
Bass is the trickiest instrument to amplify. We bassists need a lot of cone travel and a lot of speaker surface to gain acoustic authority. Many cones that travel far eat up watts.
I've played those shows in my youth. A good 410 will get you there,
when you couple it with a head that does 'real¹' 300 watts or more.
¹measured and stable output. Some brands will write 1200 watts on such an amp while others will write 250
The priorities for me were:
1. Volume. When you're not heard through the noise the others make, it simply does not matter how rich the timbre of your overtones that get lost in the mix are.
2. Sound. Once the 'hearing yourself' business is established, you can worry about how you actually sound.
3. Bulk. This is more a comfort problem. Hauling dual 410s that weigh in at 100lbs each plus a lead sled that's half as much again is no joy, granted. As long as 1) and 2) stay fulfilled, downsizing is an option.
This is some kind of evolution that is well matched to the human being as a bassplayer. When you're young and full of rigour, you haul amplificational monstrosities to gigs. Once you get older, certain things happen together. You accumulate coin and get access to better gear, which is a lot lighter. You have had your fair share of the volume wars and decide your ears are not worth sacrificing after all and your back starts objecting at the idea of getting that pile of heavy boxes into your car. Maybe your taste in music changes more towards more civilised tunes, so when you can afford to downsize, you don't actually require as much brutality from your rig.
Add a rumble 115 extension cab. Turn the tweets off. Buy a Ampeg scr di and run it into the effects return. Done and done
Ric5
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- Jan 29, 2008
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the 4x12 cab is a low mid monster and if your guitar player turns up the bass and volume then your band will be loud and muddy ...
I like ampeg (350 watts) bass heads with 2 2x10 cabs
You can get 350 watt ampeg heads for under $200 or a similar Hartke head.
Buy a couple of cabs like this >>> Eminence Inside 2x10" Bass Speaker Cabinet | eBay
also you could add a 1x12 or 1x15 powered sub to your existing rig.
Also go to your local music-go-round and see what they have for sale.
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You could easily get a solid state Ampeg head and suitable Ampeg cab(s) used for $1000 or less.
Honda Fit....well, that car has a deceptive name
With the seats down, measure the rear space before you shop for cabs. If you can fit a 1-15 Rumble, then you should be able to fit a 1-15 or 2-10...but you really need two and that might not fit. You can always put the head in the front passnger seat.Probably too big for your car, but I've been seeing used Hartke 4-10s for under $200 each.
