Information on amp basics. Please HELP

[fretless19]

hey there!
this is my first post, been lurking around here a while...

I am in the market for a new amp, my little peavy max 126 has run its course. My problem is this- i'm looking for an amp that can play along side a medium sized band forpractice and maybe small gigs, i would like to spend under 500 dollars.

I do not know the first thing about amps. In this price range, is it better to look at combos, or are a head and cabinet a better way to go? What brands should i avoid?

I want a fat bassy, tone more suited for funk than for say, metal.

what is the ampeg sound people talk about. or the orange sound for that matter?

thanks for your time and patience. BASS

 

[firemedic925]

Go to guitar center or equivalent generic store one afternoon & try the amps that are < $500. They usually have an OK selection of brands for that price. You will have to hear for yourself the different sounds available. You don't need an SVT to be heard in a band.
You don't have to buy one there but you'll get some idea of what you'll be looking for if you go the CL or eBay route.

 

[CL400Peavey]

hey there!
this is my first post, been lurking around here a while...

I am in the market for a new amp, my little peavy max 126 has run its course. My problem is this- i'm looking for an amp that can play along side a medium sized band forpractice and maybe small gigs, i would like to spend under 500 dollars.

I do not know the first thing about amps. In this price range, is it better to look at combos, or are a head and cabinet a better way to go? What brands should i avoid?

I want a fat bassy, tone more suited for funk than for say, metal.

what is the ampeg sound people talk about. or the orange sound for that matter?

thanks for your time and patience. BASS

Well with your budget I would suggest going used for at least some of your rig. I would personally avoid combos as you are limiting your options with them.

The first thing I would do is find a head. When people say "Ampeg" or "Orange" sound they are talking about the baked in tone of those amps. Not a bad thing, just a tonal profile that is part of the amp. Orange gear is going to be way out of your budget as far as separates go, so I would look and listen, but wouldnt invest much into them. What I would do is go check out a Portaflex 350. Even new they are a pretty good value, I really dig my PF-500 but that extra $100 will sink your cab budget. Try a PF, try and orange head, try as many heads as you can then find one that still leaves you enough to go buy a used cab.

As far as cabs go I would be looking for a ported cab. There are tons of great options out there on the used market, so find something local to you, go try it, and use your ears.

 

[jnewmark]

Are you looking for an amp head AND a cab ? If so, a $500 budget sounds like you need to scan the classified section here on TB, and see what's available used. Even then, $500 may not get you there. You can probably find a MB LM11, or a GB Shuttle 6 for under that, but not by much. Those two heads are very popular, and will give you 300 to 600 watts ( depending on the head and speaker load ). I would'nt rule out combos either. I know they get a bad rap, but I've been using one for small, Blues band gigs with no problem being heard, as long as the drummer does'nt think he's John Bonham. Maybe get the head now, then save up for the cab. In the meantime, once you get the head, you can try it out with various cabs to see what one will seal the deal for you.