Looking for Head recommendations

[Mexay]

My 10 year old combo is on it's very last legs and my band has finally started getting serious about gigging. This means I need a new rig, but I honestly wouldn't have a clue where to start anymore.

I'm playing and writing in a pop-punk/pop-rock style band (think the likes of Neck Deep, With Confidence, State Champs, etc.), but also quite enjoy playing the "older" stuff like Blink, NFG, MxPx, Anti-Flag, etc. I'm also a massive fan of some of the third-wave ska/ska-punk stuff like Less Than Jake, MMBT and Real Big Fish.

I'm chasing a "dense, rich and punchy" tone, but one that's super clean. I'm really not massive on distortion and can never see myself using it on any serious level. I'd probably say something like Invalid Link Removed, Ian's sound on New Found Glory's Catalyst, maybe even Invalid Link Removed.

I play a Fender Jazz American Standard '06 right now, but am also looking at a Musicman Sterling in the mid-near future.

The problem is I can't exactly afford to drop $2k+ (AU) on an Ampeg SVT!

Should mention I need something with "versatile" loudness, anything from smaller venues (practice & 20-30 people) to medium-large (100 - 300 people).

Would greatly appreciate some recommendations!

 

[Al Kraft]

What budget do you have to work with? Will those larger venues require you to carry the house or will you get adequate PA/FOH support and just need your amp to do monitoring duty on a large stage?

 

[joel406]

My 10 year old combo is on it's very last legs and my band has finally started getting serious about gigging. This means I need a new rig, but I honestly wouldn't have a clue where to start anymore.

I'm playing and writing in a pop-punk/pop-rock style band (think the likes of Neck Deep, With Confidence, State Champs, etc.), but also quite enjoy playing the "older" stuff like Blink, NFG, MxPx, Anti-Flag, etc. I'm also a massive fan of some of the third-wave ska/ska-punk stuff like Less Than Jake, MMBT and Real Big Fish.

I'm chasing a "dense, rich and punchy" tone, but one that's super clean. I'm really not massive on distortion and can never see myself using it on any serious level. I'd probably say something like Invalid Link Removed, Ian's sound on New Found Glory's Catalyst, maybe even Invalid Link Removed.

I play a Fender Jazz American Standard '06 right now, but am also looking at a Musicman Sterling in the mid-near future.

The problem is I can't exactly afford to drop $2k+ (AU) on an Ampeg SVT!

Should mention I need something with "versatile" loudness, anything from smaller venues (practice & 20-30 people) to medium-large (100 - 300 people).

Would greatly appreciate some recommendations!

I seems you’re down under.

Warranty is going to be your big issue. Or any service center for that matter. Depending on how far down under you are.

Judging by that fact ordering anything from outside Australia automatically shots the warranty in the head.

Your best bet is to go shopping locally and see what you can find. The more watts the better. The more speakers the better.

212, 210, 410, 215 or 810. All are good.

 

[Mexay]

What budget do you have to work with? Will those larger venues require you to carry the house or will you get adequate PA/FOH support and just need your amp to do monitoring duty on a large stage?

Looking at sub-$1500 AU on the head, but ideally under $1000.

I believe the larger venues will just have me DI'd or Mic'd up, but as of yet, unsure. I'd like to hope we usually get adequate PA/FOH support.

 

[2saddleslab]

I've been rocking an Ampeg pf800 for a couple years. Works for smaller gigs to outdoor festivals, depending on the cab. That would leave you with $$ to spare.

 

[eJake]

My 10 year old combo is on it's very last legs and my band has finally started getting serious about gigging. This means I need a new rig, but I honestly wouldn't have a clue where to start anymore.

I'm playing and writing in a pop-punk/pop-rock style band (think the likes of Neck Deep, With Confidence, State Champs, etc.), but also quite enjoy playing the "older" stuff like Blink, NFG, MxPx, Anti-Flag, etc. I'm also a massive fan of some of the third-wave ska/ska-punk stuff like Less Than Jake, MMBT and Real Big Fish.

I'm chasing a "dense, rich and punchy" tone, but one that's super clean. I'm really not massive on distortion and can never see myself using it on any serious level. I'd probably say something like Invalid Link Removed, Ian's sound on New Found Glory's Catalyst, maybe even Invalid Link Removed.

I play a Fender Jazz American Standard '06 right now, but am also looking at a Musicman Sterling in the mid-near future.

The problem is I can't exactly afford to drop $2k+ (AU) on an Ampeg SVT!

Should mention I need something with "versatile" loudness, anything from smaller venues (practice & 20-30 people) to medium-large (100 - 300 people).

Would greatly appreciate some recommendations!

Completely derailing this thread but Streetlight Manifesto is the baddest 3rd wave ska band in my opinion.

 

[rodl2005]

If you can't spring for a Fender Super Bassman, which is the bees knees, the Bassman 500 or 800 are great with their blendable overdrive.

 

[Al Kraft]

I would normally suggest a Mesa D-800 or a GK MB800 as a good solid amp with lots of great features, good reliability and a fair price. Obviously that leaves the cab issue - a good 212 or 115 might be all you'd need if you can get FOH support when needed. I'm not familiar with the US to Australian exchange rate or what brands you have locally that you could easily get serviced if necessary.

 

[G-Dog]

There are lots of Aussies in the Fender Rumble Club here on TalkBass, which sounds like they have good prices and support there. They are a great value and there's a good variety of high powered combos and heads and cabs to choose from, and most have been around long enough that you could probably find some used.

The Rumble 500 combo has been a real workhorse for the last 5 years, with 350 watts into it's built-in 2x10" speakers at only 36.5 lb.s to carry. Add an 8 ohm cab to get the full 500 watts. The 500 also comes as a small head that can used with a 4 ohm cab, or two 8 ohm cabs. As if that's not enough there's also the Rumble Stage 800 combo (400 watts alone, 800 with 8 ohm extension cab) that includes 100 different digital modeling presets, or a newly introduced 800 head that can run up to four 8 ohm cabs! In a smaller vein there's the Rumble 200 combo (140 watts alone, 200 with 8 ohm extension) that many users find quite sufficient.

Hope this helps.