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Is This a Good Idea? (Warning: Newbie Ahead)

B

Beginner Bass

Jul 8, 2009
1,612
11
Round Rock, TX
www.facebook.com
Disclosures
A&R, Soulless Corporation Records
#1
The Story So Far:

I have had a proposition from my friend. He said he was trying to start a band and would like me to be the bassist. My response was yes. However, shortly thereafter, I realized my 10 watt Behringer wouldn't stand a chance with a drummer in the midst.

The Current Prediciment:

So I starting scouring CL, and found an ad that looked promising. It was for a GK Backline 112 at $150. Now I'm gonna have to be rehearsing with a guitarist and drummer, so I was looking for something with a bit of power. Would the GK do the trick. If not, I got one response saying that 200 watts was the minimum, but I'm just looking for a second opinion. What would I need to look at to start? I am on a pretty tight budget and have no experience in this kind of matter. Thanks in advance. Any response will be of use.
 
#2
Well, if the drummer and guitard you are playing with are young, they will want to play LOUD.... so will the backline 112 work? In word, NO.... But for $150, it's a start.

Watts isn't the issue here - it's speakers. You really need at least a 1x15" or a 2x10" to be heard anywhere near a drummer.... There's a reason most of us have 4x10"s or 2x15" cabs.

Now, if you double that $150, ($300) you have many more options....

But good on ya for looking used! Just
 
#3
Here's what I think you should do. Make sure you're in the band and its working. Use what you have. Borrow something, whatever. Then, if it looks like its really going to be real, get an amp that will fit your situation.

See what I mean? Don't go spending a bunch of money to be "in the band" until your sure its going to be worth it.

I'll bet you can find a Peavey used 100 watt amp cheap too in your area. I've rehearsed with something like that many times (with a drummer) and they work great. Heck I've used a 40 watt Crate keyboard amp to rehearse with. It was nasty, but good enough.

If you get good enough to do a show, then you can get a little more serious about your equipment.
 
#5
If you are a bass player and know you want to be one in the future, then it is actually investing into your gear not into the band. It is very hard to say, how much is enough, but anything under 2x10" or 1x15" with 200+W amp will very likely be not enough.

Usually if you buy too small amps for less money, you may end up losing more money by selling and buying stuff.

Although, If you go for second hand stuff (which I understand is what you intend to to), you may be able to sell the stuff in the future for the same price you bought it. So you're going in the right direction.

My suggestion is to try to expand your budget a little bit for more speaker area and power.
 
#6
One option would be to have ANY amp or a D.I. box that has a line out to the mixing board. I think your band needs a PA backline anyway for rehearsing so that may be the cheapest option. The PA needs to have enough oomph to carry the bass though. What do others think?
 
#7
Buy good clean used gear. You will get more bang for your buck, and for 300 bucks you could find a sizable single 15 inch speaker combo amp such as ones made by Peavey, Ampeg, and others if you shop right. You might even be able to find a decent enough amp head and separate speaker cab! I also recommend something with at least 200 watts on tap just to get going in your average rock band.
 
#8
This also kinda serves as an excuse to get a new amp, because mine is ok, but I'm just not really loving it. Also, there's not really much room for me to expand my budget. I really have few to no means of raising money. Though I do see the logic in letting it get off the ground first.
 
#9
You need to find a way to make a little more $. We have a pretty good market here on CL. $300 would get you something like this. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I don't know the guy, got nothing to do with it, it's just an example.

Something like that would get you up and running and you can add another 15 to it down the road. Just keep an eye on CL everyday. I've got some great deals here. Sales price is always a bit lower than asking price.

Edit: link should work now.
 
#11
^ another option, run a line out from your practice amp to the pa until you can get a real bass amp. Of course you need a PA to do that if you're practicing at home. If you're renting a practice room at Musiclab it'll have a pa in it.
 
#12
I like the GK backline112, it's a wedge so it should be plenty loud enuff for you to hear in a band setting (since its angled toward your head). It doesn't have a DI, but you can use the headphone out (or line out) to a pa, and I think it sounded quite good.
 
#13
100 watts will get ya done. every band i was in between the ages of 15 - 19 the bassist used a 100 watt 1x15 crate combo amp and it did fine. this was a very popular model and i v seen them float around used for cheap. some people hat its sound but i really liked it.
 
#14
I've been playing for 10+ years now. The only gear I've ever regretted buying is mid level stuff. I a big fan of playing on cheap/used gear as long as you can stand it and then buying what you really really want.

What happens when you compromise on mid-level stuff is that you still end up spending a lot of money but the gear doesn't last and it won't have the resale value you want it to have when you go to upgrade.

Cheap/used doesn't have to mean trashy. Peavey doesn't produce the world's best bass tone but it is loud, durable, and affordable. Whoever suggested it was right on. There is other stuff but Peavey is the right idea. Play on whatever gear you end up getting and then save money for as long as you can before you buy anything else.
 
#15
I'll assume there is no PA. Don't buy gear just for this project. Invest in your bass playing future and get something that is giggable, and helps you mature as a gigging bassist. This band might not work out, or the next, but there is always a need for a bassplayer, somewhere. Spend $300 on something reliable, portable, and sounds good to you, and you will be able to use that rig as your circumstances change.
 
#16
I would buy whatever you can afford for now and rent a larger amp for gigs. Most large music stores can rent an amp for a weekend for not much money. Save your money you make from playing and purchase a large rig when the jobs start coming in. This way you will get to try alot of different amps and when you have the money you can get the one that you like the best and have the knowledge of what alot of different amps sound like in your band setting.
 
#17
I agree with "username1" invest in your ability to be a good band member, either in this band or the next. I have played with many good drummers or guitarists that had crappy gear, if saving a little longer to get a decent rig is what it takes, it will be worth it. I have rented and borrowed for gigs before when my setup was not enough, its better to wait and get something that you can use for a long time.
 

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