Key Punk Rock Bass Amps

[Aidenn7]

What are the Key Punk Rock Bass Amps? What do you use to get that sound? I know the Answer to most of these, but it's a good reference for our newer Members. I didn't add what bands who use these amp so Add your favorites and a band it sounds like.

Ampeg SVT
Acoustic Control 360
Peavey Solidstate
Fender Showman
Traynor Amps
Hiwatt
Marshall superbass or superlead

 

[ardgedee]

What era of punk rock are you talking about? Up until pop punk turned it into a scene with stadium tours, the essential punk rock bass amp was whatever you could get your hands on that was loud enough.

When you look at old photos of punk bands in the 70s or 80s, they're literally playing everything from department store basses to Alembics, and the amps will be just as random as the basses.

 

[Aidenn7]

You can go from the Who to Ramones to Motorhead to Black Flag to Green Day- after that it became mostly sansamp.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Lots of Ampegs..... Lots of Peaveys.

 

[Lo-E]

In clubs it was mostly SVTs or G-K RB400s in the early eighties. I was too young to catch anything earlier in person. There was some Traynor stuff and the occasional V4B, too.

I didn’t see much Peavey or Marshall but I’m sure it was around.

 

[Kacey Y]

It's already been said, but when you say "punk" that can mean a lot of different bands, times, and places. If you mean the first decade of punk, usually Ampegs and Acoustics a lot of the time, but as you move through the 80's and 90's you would see a lot of GK and Peavey as well. You'd find a lot of other brands in club backlines in different regions at different times though. Vox, Traynor, Sunn, Fender, Musicman, Marshall, lesser known small brands and oddball stuff here and there.

The soonest I was seeing shows and playing was the early/mid 90's in California and then it was mostly GK and Peavey at DIY shows, while Ampeg or Acoustic might show up with a touring band or a bigger city club backlines. SWR was popping a lot by the late 90's as well.

 

[ihixulu]

Peavey Mark IV’s into all sorts of beat up cabs were all over place.

 

[darev]

Peavey Mark IV’s into all sorts of beat up cabs were all over place.

Checking in.

 

[scuzzy]

Choad Hammer /thread

 

[basscooker]

First thing I think of IME is Crate. 2nd, PV, 3rd Kustom

Or maybe tie for 1st?

Going title alone, my coming up was in line with @ardgedee it was whatever was loud enough your broke a$$ could get your hands on. I survived 2 basement dive gigs with a 12 channel 100 watt powered mixer into radio shack 15s as just my bass rig.

I'll also second the pure randomness of a pile of ANY CABS with big cones.

My punk days were mid to late 80s. Not early.

Re: future lurkers, IMHO the answer would be unglamorous and maybe unsatisfying: call out a song and seek suggestions for that sound. Many amps can be made to sound nearly indistinguishable. Consider as well very much of the sound on a recording has been put through stuff besides amp and cab.

 

[scuzzy]

It's already been said, but when you say "punk" that can mean a lot of different bands, times, and places. If you mean the first decade of punk, usually Ampegs and Acoustics a lot of the time, but as you move through the 80's and 90's you would see a lot of GK and Peavey as well. You'd find a lot of other brands in club backlines in different regions at different times though. Vox, Traynor, Sunn, Fender, Musicman, Marshall, lesser known small brands and oddball stuff here and there.

The soonest I was seeing shows and playing was the early/mid 90's in California and then it was mostly GK and Peavey at DIY shows, while Ampeg or Acoustic might show up with a touring band or a bigger city club backlines. SWR was popping a lot by the late 90's as well.

I feel this just proves, punk is to play what you got.

 

[Matt O]

Whatever $50 amp I could get my hands on. Acoustic 150, 270, Earth, sound city, kustom, through any $50 cab, fender, Sunn, peavey. The SVTs were on the big stages. You’d “made it” if you rocked a fridge.

 

[basscooker]

Choad Hammer /thread

@Bugeyed Earl , hit us with The Legend!
(I have a pic of that beauty saved)

 

[burgerdj]

Thread 'The ChodeHammer…'

Oct 26, 2022

…there’s at least two of these? Next surprise will be another Mothman.

• Chickenwheels
• Replies: 63
• Forum: Bass Humor & Gig Stories [BG]

• 

You’re welcome.

 

[agedhorse]

I saw a wide range, Fender Bassmans, Acoustics, Peaveys, etc, but as Punk matured so did the selection of bass amps.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Cheap, loud and rugged. Those are the only criteria.

Peavy fit that a lot of the time. Traynor in Canada. Used Fenders and GK RB400s and the occasional Ampeg when you were still young and strong and your shows had enough people to merit a backline/rental

 

[Matt O]

Here’s Chuck D rocking what appears to be an Earth or Kustom riding atop an 8x10. A fine example of an early 80s rig.

 

[definenredefine]

Here’s Chuck D rocking what appears to be an Earth or Kustom riding atop an 8x10. A fine example of an early 80s rig.

View attachment 7182329

I'm gonna say Earth since it kinda looks like a Peavey 300 or 400 series.

 

[mikeynets]

Peavey Mark IV’s into all sorts of beat up cabs were all over place.

That's what I had. Mine particular head was third hand from Mondo from Poison Idea.

 

[Matt O]

I'm gonna say Earth since it kinda looks like a Peavey 300 or 400 series.

Now that you mention it, I think it’s a Peavey 400.