Is it time to upgrade? Yes. Upgrade to what?

how many watts is the Bassman 400? just askin' cause i don't know...is it a true 400 watts

 

Why not stick with Fender? The new Bassman 100t and Super Bassman heads are fantastic - although a bit pricey. If you are looking to go lighter (or cheaper), the Ampeg SVT-7PRO is a great hybrid that can be had new for $800, and Amazon has a used one in really great shape for $405 - generally with free shipping. That leaves a ton for a good cabinet. If weight is an issue, I personally love the sound of the Ampeg PF115HE, and it's about 50 pounds.
Another option if you like vintage sound is Ashdown, huge variety of heads, and their valve (tube) heads sound amazing.

 

I would be looking at a Monique, crest proLite 2.0, and a fEARless F115.

 

That change would be night and day....

 

anyway...for @ 2500.00.....if you don't mind the weight of a tube head....

i would get a Fender Superbassman (a true 300 tube watts) and an ampeg Heritage 410 HLF

we've got exactly that rig, and would not change a thing

 

Everybody's gonna have a fave, yeah.

Mine: Aggie TH500 and a Baer ML112 or (gotta wait a little longer) ML115.

Light, loud, sounds good, within your budget.

Edit: you could prolly get the head and a _pair_ of ML112s for under $2K, used.

 

is it tube...cause if it is and you like the sound, just upgrade your cab to an ampeg Heritage 410 as i said, and you're good to go

 

I don't talk about it too much, but I like Ampeg stuff.

 

well....in that case i'd upgrade to something with more [email protected] 500 watts

it's not that you NEED more power....it's for the headroom....most people don't like the sound of SS amps clipping.....

either get a tube amp in the 300 watt range or a SS in the 5-600 watt range....and i still say you will never be sorry with the ampeg heritage cab

 

LOL Jimmy....

Thing is there's just SO much stuff to choose from nowadays. Everybody will recommend what they like. With your budget, the world is your oyster.
I would suggest that the best thing to do is just go to a store and try stuff.
It's worth mentioning that your head is capable of MUCH more than it's delivering through that old 1x15. For example, if you plugged it into an 8x10 it would flatten buildings. Just a thought, if you like the sound of it.
That said, if you prefer an sort of 'old school' sound Ampeg might be the ticket for you, but again, so many choices.

 

Heritage 810e = best 810 ever

 

Heritage 410 HLF = best 410 ever...

 

You will most likely find a good speaker cab (more than just a 115) will make huge advances in your rigs sound.

If we are spouting personal preference my current rig does any style I ask of it in spades (last rig I will most likely own). G-K Fusion 550 and NEO412. The NEO cab is very mid present but adjustable. If you are into more of old school sound look for a used Mesa PH412 (PowerHouse cab) or a Berg NV412.

 

I've only played the standard 410HLF and it was awesome. It was in a Guitar Center with an SVT-CL on top and the entire rig was just stellar. If I were buying a 410 cab, the Ampeg 410HLF would be on my short list.

What would a used SVT-CL cost? Maybe around a grand after shipping? Factor in about $800 for a new 410HLF or $900 for the Heritage model and that still leaves plenty of money to spend on a hand truck for moving that behemoth.

 

I hate when everyone plugs their favorite (what they have) into a thread like this, but I'm going to do the same thing here. After years of experience with this I know what I'm talking about. Assuming that you have proper PA support for FOH. I've been everywhere with gear and I've settled on a class D head (500 watts at 4ohms is plenty loud) and a standalone 2X12 cab (GK makes a good one that is very light and you will appreciate that if you have to move it every night). I've used 15s and 10s and a 2x12 is just a great standalone cab all things considered. If you don't have PA support then I don't have an answer. Whatever you end up with in that scenario will be prohibitively heavy as far as I'm concerned and the stage volume will be a mess. You can have what I've described for around $1000. Buy strings, cables, a handtruck and a bass with the rest of your budget.

 

if you feel that way....you'd absolutely fall in love with the Heritage 410...it is just a little bit better than the standard 410HLF on all fronts...

as I've told Jimmy....you'll get mine away from me when you pry it from my cold, dead hands...

 

I'd probably buy the Heritage just because $100 more isn't that bad for any potential benefits and to show support to Ampeg for at least offering something that's still made in America. And the grill cloth is pretty.