Input on selecting a gigging bass amp/rig

[Papuzzo]

If I were under budget constraints and wanted to play in a rock band, I would get a used Hartke HA3500 head and a used TC Electronic K212 to start off with. Test the setup in practice to see if there is enough volume for eventual stage use. It most likely will be. If that cab and head isn't loud enough for stage work, you can eventually get another K212 for a 4x12 4ohm setup. This setup is modular and easy to transport, and doesn't weigh too much.

 

[mikewalker]

The 'HD500' combo is 250WRMS into 2-10s... a very nice-sounding rig that's adequate for jamming or small rooms, but I would elevate it on a stand or another cabinet to use it for a larger stage (where you'd be getting FOH)

 

[el murdoque]

Keep your priorities straight!
1) Have a bass. One where the intonation is right, that stays in tune for more than two songs. With a playable neck and pickups that put out more sound than hum.
2) Make sure you're heard. In times where IEM becomes more commonplace, that is not necessarily done by means an amp, but in your situation it seems to be. For selecting an amp the following should apply: First and foremost it must be loud enough. You said hard rock music with a loud drummer. Some people here said this requires a 410 cabinet. Don't go smaller than that. I've done that. I had the amp with the perfect sound for that band, only it was on the small side. I took it anyway because I wanted to. I ended up cutting bass and boosting mids, sounding honky and nasal the entire night, while being barely able to hear myself with my cabinet on the edge all the time. I vowed never to go too small again (at least not when I have the bigger, louder stuff sitting at home, ready to go).
When the volume requirements are met, and only then, the other features come in.

 

[jazzbass_5]

Hahaha the quilter is BRUTAL earthquake the drummers off their thrones

Unfortunately its as much as my entire budget lol

*What i didnt list here is my pawnshop squier jag may have unresolvable intonation issues and i may have to upgrade to one of the Yamaha basses, or need those $ to stretch for the PRS Kingfisher... i was tryijg to avoid opening that can of worms... if i stay below 12th fret the jag is real close to being fine/not having issues. I wont go into detail, its a great bass for the $ on the 1st half of neck hahaha

Kudos on a great suggestion for a rig in 2-3 years, id pair that 800w with the neo cab and break loose the new madrid fault in the Midwest.

Anyone think the drummers and full-stack guitarists know we plot for world domination here in these threads?

*Better to have the power and not need it than need it and not have it

For me the Quilter was a buy once cry once acquisition. Although I do have quite a few other quality rigs I do use the Quilter setup a lot due to its portability. It's usually a vanity choice of my Ampeg SVPCL/power Amp rig, the SVP-PRO/Power Amp rig, or the ease of the Quilter and any one of my 5 speaker cabs (venue dependent).

 

[Dana R Gregory]

How about a GK MB212 combo. 500 watts out of 2 12" speakers and weighs about 43lbs. That should handle just about any venue. Another good amp for small to medium venues is the GK MB115. 200 watts out of a single 15" and weighs about 35lbs. There is also the GK MB210. 350 watts out of the 2 10" speakers and a full 500 watts with a matching extension speaker. The nice thing with GK combos is the ability to connect a matching powered cab which will double your output. And they are made in Stockton CA. Worth a look.

 

[lbbc]

From what you originally stated:
Fender Rumble 500 for easy load in and load out
Otherwise....
SWR gear--head and can. I always loved the sound!

 

[kmon]

Similar situation to yours. I’ve always been happier with a 212 or 410. I’ve struggled volume wise with a 210 setup. The rumble would be great for the moment. Add an extension cab later as needed.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

basses: Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar
(*Potential later bass upgrades
PRS Kingfisher or Kestrel
Yamaha RBX375 or Trbx305)

(Have been playing on and off for 38 years)

I've been lurking the threads here for a bit and am currently using an older Hartke B60 hernia box that I use as a practice amp. Have been on a tight budget but that's about to open up enough to permit the following (albeit budget) rigs for garage jams and eventual gigging:

Numbers in parentheses represent cost in US dollars I've found pieces in usable condition.

I realize some people on here have brand hatred, so donning flame-retardant suit.

***When I was younger, i did own a paradise 4x12 cabinet and a heavy tube head, so the idea of lugging an 80 or 100 pound cab doesn't exactly thrill me to my core, hence why I'm not looking at 6x10 or 8x10 cabs...

Combos:
1. BUGERA BXD15A 1000-Watt 2-Channel Bass Amp (~300) - prob 350w output
2. Hartke hd500 (450)
3. Fender Rumble 500 (550)

Heads
1. Genz Benz GBE 400 (450w @2ohm, 330w@4ohm) Head (<200)
2. Behringer Ultrabass 4500h (~200)
3. SWR Workingmans 4004 Bass Amplifier Head (~250)

Cabinets
1. SWR 4x10 cab (<200) 4O
2. Seismic Audio - 1x15 & 2x10 BASS (~315) 4O
3. GK410GLX 400w cab (~180)
4. Schroeder 2010s MN (250)
5. GB 210t cabinet (200)
6. Acoustic B115c (180)
7. GK Neo cab 4x10 (500)

Looking for real-world input from people with gigging and jam sessions with LOUD @$$ drummers - you know the drill - I usually play hard rock, metal (not drop-tuned) and blues.

Not currently on a 5 string, have owned 2, may get another. Probably wont ever go to 6 string.

Ultimately, ideally, I'd try to buy one rig for a few years at least, comprised of some of the gear above.

TLDR: Using gear listed above, pick what you think is likely to be most effective gear a few years of gigging/jams with loud ass hard rock and metal drummers.

Thanks in advance for advice.

First, do not be afraid to buy lightly used gear. Second, be patient. There will always plenty of gear for sale and the right piece will come along at a great price.

Third, consider a modular rig as opposed to a combo. This will allow for you to retire and replace components as inexpensively as possible. In that regard, avoid 4 ohm cabinets unless you are either only going to use one, or use a stereo amp. Having multiple cabs as opposed to one has it’s advantages. Like you may not need 4 speakers all the time, but you have them if you need them. It’s a lot easier to move and transport (2) 210 cabs as opposed to (1) 410.

Finally, let your ears be your guide. Only you know what you can live with sound wise and what will drive you up the wall. Pretty much from your list you should be able to find something decent. Those price points are pretty attractive.

I have had good success buying used gear from Guitar Center. Keep in mind, there is always some risk buying used gear, but with GC, it comes with a money back guarantee, a warranty, and better yet, condition ratings which describes what you can expect on arrival. If it arrives in a condition less than what they have it listed, it’s negotiation time.

Glad to hear your are returning to the land of the living. Best wishes going forward!

 

[Gad Zooks]

PRS, in any series they make, are great instruments. Looks, feel, quality. Just great. But, my talman sounds better for my music. I play funk, rock, punk, metal, worship, country, ska, and reggea. Reggae and ska are the only times my PRS gets play time. Which is great for her at the moment cause I just joined another reggae group. Well, kinda reggae. More like rockgae/experimental hip hop. The kestrel is just a much more mellow tone. Great for that. For everything else, Talman wins by a long shot.View attachment 3819746 View attachment 3819747

Which model Talman is that? And what is the extra knob by the lower cutaway? Looks cool.

I have the TMB600. Great bass.

 

[Stewie]

Used Ampeg, great sound for the money. If you like the Ampeg sound, and aren't afraid of 55 pound cabinets, an SVT 15E sounds good all by itself, a pair is awesome. This rig cost me $430

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Which model Talman is that? And what is the extra knob by the lower cutaway? Looks cool.

I have the TMB600. Great bass.

its the 600. Amazing bass. That pot and the switch are wired straight to the single. Its a "mid scoop switch" now. Right at my finger tips. Yet, out of the way.

 

[bassliner50]

Rumble 500.

 

[CallMeAl]

I don’t have a ton of feed back on that specific gear (though the GenzBenz and SWR stuff is jumping out at me) but I do have some ideas:

-seems like 410 is the way to go, but can you meet that with 2x210? To me the only reasons to get a 410 cabinet are:
a) you’re young enough to commit to moving that 410 around or
b) you envision yourself using 810 at times.
It sounds like you sure ain’t “a” , and if you don’t see “b” I’d go with 2x10s

-don’t get loud, get smart! Stacking the 2x210s vertically and adding a HPF will maximize what you’ve got:
I am a 210 vertical stack believer!!

High Pass Filter (HPF) and Low Pass Filter (LPF) Mega Thread

-we are in a global health crisis after all- how big of a rush are you in? Can you get by with 210 for a while? Assuming you’re still following my logic, you could get the best head and the lightest 210 (or the Rumble 500c,) and add the second 210 later.

-+1 on Peavey heads! My first thought for budget gear. the MiniMega looks awesome, even the MiniMax is 600w. that head is on its 2nd generation, so you should be able to pick up a 1st gen for cheap

Reading through, I’m hearing the compromise between weight and budget, so I’m just looking for the middle ground

good luck!

 

[MrLenny1]

The old standard still works. 300 watts into 8 ohms.

 

[jchrisk1]

Yes - all the listed gear is 2nd hand, apart from the Bugera and a new Fender rumble 500w is only $50 more, so might as well buy new, but it's $100 over max budget, so...

Unfortunately the Acoustic 115 is an 8ohm cabinet, I'm trying to avoid those, (that would knock the GB head down to 200w range, then I got to buy another cab to get down to 4 ohm @ 330w, so... ugh)...

Being on a tight budget makes life rough, so while that would be my most economical option (besides the Bugera which I can get for around 285 + tax), I'd be bypassing tax on both the SWR cab and the GB head, coming in at just around $340 US.

The behringer head with one of the 2x10 cabs (tax ugh) comes in as next best affordable option (leaving $130 for a potential bass upgrade), coming in around $370.

Both SWR pieces are gonna be $450 minimum and are from the same seller (head has a damaged knob or two), both pieces light use, and approaching the upper budget limit. At least no tax.

Taxation is theft!! lol

I would go with the GBE400 and the SWR 410. I wouldn't be so concerned with watts making volume, speaker surface area makes volume. 410's will push a lot of air.
I have regularly used my gbe400 with a 212 GK cab and it gets plenty loud, even at 200 watts @ 8 ohms. This is the one amp I will keep as a backup now that I'm using a GK 400rb, and it has never let me down. The GK is only 125 watts @ 8 ohms and gets plenty loud as well. A 410 will get louder than a 212, and I've always had plenty of volume.

 

[Ric5]

basses: Squier Vintage Modified Jaguar
(*Potential later bass upgrades
PRS Kingfisher or Kestrel
Yamaha RBX375 or Trbx305)

(Have been playing on and off for 38 years)

I've been lurking the threads here for a bit and am currently using an older Hartke B60 hernia box that I use as a practice amp. Have been on a tight budget but that's about to open up enough to permit the following (albeit budget) rigs for garage jams and eventual gigging:

Numbers in parentheses represent cost in US dollars I've found pieces in usable condition.

I realize some people on here have brand hatred, so donning flame-retardant suit.

***When I was younger, i did own a paradise 4x12 cabinet and a heavy tube head, so the idea of lugging an 80 or 100 pound cab doesn't exactly thrill me to my core, hence why I'm not looking at 6x10 or 8x10 cabs...

Combos:
1. BUGERA BXD15A 1000-Watt 2-Channel Bass Amp (~300) - prob 350w output
2. Hartke hd500 (450)
3. Fender Rumble 500 (550)

Heads
1. Genz Benz GBE 400 (450w @2ohm, 330w@4ohm) Head (<200)
2. Behringer Ultrabass 4500h (~200)
3. SWR Workingmans 4004 Bass Amplifier Head (~250)

Cabinets
1. SWR 4x10 cab (<200) 4O
2. Seismic Audio - 1x15 & 2x10 BASS (~315) 4O
3. GK410GLX 400w cab (~180)
4. Schroeder 2010s MN (250)
5. GB 210t cabinet (200)
6. Acoustic B115c (180)
7. GK Neo cab 4x10 (500)

Looking for real-world input from people with gigging and jam sessions with LOUD @$$ drummers - you know the drill - I usually play hard rock, metal (not drop-tuned) and blues.

Not currently on a 5 string, have owned 2, may get another. Probably wont ever go to 6 string.

Ultimately, ideally, I'd try to buy one rig for a few years at least, comprised of some of the gear above.

TLDR: Using gear listed above, pick what you think is likely to be most effective gear a few years of gigging/jams with loud ass hard rock and metal drummers.

Thanks in advance for advice.

I prefer 5 string basses and for amplification I prefer Ampeg and Hartke

 

[TheSeagoats]

I have a Behringer BVT5500H and while it did me okay for a few years, I wouldn't recommend it. I know it's not the head you mentioned but I can't imagine the Ultrabass would be too different. Mine has a very plain sound, turning the gain up isn't pleasant sounding. All that said, I gigged everything from dive bars to medium sized stages in a punk band with it and it was always reliable, just didn't give me all that amazing a tone.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Why not consider adding a Rock-and-Roll cart (or something similar) into your budget? They start at just under a $100 but will make life easier and weight will become less of an issue. Unless stairs are involved.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Rock-N...MI2YG-hLmk6QIVD5SzCh2AawX3EAQYAiABEgI-i_D_BwE

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Been doing this for over 55 years, been through tons of equipment. Bergantino is the best bet for me now. Next in line is Genzler (formerly Genz Benz)
My gig rig is a Berg B|Amp with 2 Schroeder cabs (a 12PL and a 12-12L ... three twelves)

My rehearsal rig is a Genzler Magellan MG800 with an Epifani 310 UL cab (Three 10s)

If you want to gig, you need to have some decent amp, and dual 10s, may not cover it. Three tens at least, three twelves much better, maybe even two twelves will work. 800 watts gives enough headroom as to not put distortion into light weight cabs. Remember the best way to wreck your sound is to keep turning it up and make your amp clip into your cabs. Plus that can wreck cabs by doing that.

Neo designs differ a lot these days on drivers, in fact I blew the original drivers in the Epi 310 UL cab a while back and replaced with Nick's newer dual voice coil models. That cab sings now. But it is in the rehearsal studio.

But my Schroeders do it for me. Just saying, spend some $$$ on the amp set up. And remember it must be dependable and versatile.

BTW the Berg B|Amp just had new updates released to load firmware into the system. That's the stuff operating the DSP system. It's new BFT (Big Fat Tube) simulator, can make that little amp sound as good as any large behemoth tube amp ever made. And the software updates are free to all B|Amp owners as long as you registered your ownership, either newly purchased or purchased used. (Who does that??)

BTW the basses in the pic are a couple of custom USA Spector NS4s.

All the best.

 

[Paulabass]

Personally, now that heads weigh 6 pounds and fit in a gig bag, the combo is no longer such a great way to go. If either half of a combo needs repair, the whole combo is down.
I would avoid Seismic Audio stuff at all costs. It's dirt cheap...for a reason.
The SWR is a one trick pony, if you like the sound, they can be had really cheap now, and are well made. Heavy.