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Looking to buy my very first head & cab.

B

Born.II.Hula

Jan 27, 2011
33
0
Sydney, Australia
#1
I've been playing a second hand fender bassman 100 for around three years now and in recent times it's not been able to do the job quite as it used to. :hmm: so I'm looking to upgrade to something bigger and better!

I am absolutely adamant on getting a Fender Bassman 300 pro head. It sounds brilliant, and I've only ever heard wonderful things about it. It should set me back about 1,600. I have no idea what kind of cabinet to go for, however. My understanding is that the 300 is a pretty powerful piece of equipment, so I want a cab that will not only suit my sound but won't get messed up by a head that's only ever turned up to 4. In my most recent project we're dabbling in a modern style of bluesy hard rock (Early black keys/Them Crooked Vultures/even humbug-era arctic monkeys)

FWIW here's my current setup:

American Jazz < Aguilar Tonehammer < Modtone Deep Dive Octave < Malekko Assmaster < Tech21 Sansamp Paradriver < Proco Turborat < Boss BF-2.

I really know very little about amps, and I'm pretty ashamed to admit it. :( The bassman 100 was an easy choice because I needed something for rehearsal, but now I think it's time I'm educated somewhat.
 
#2
What are you doing for PA? 300W valve amp is overkill for bar gigs when you have a decent PA with subs. Upgrading the PA could be money better spent.

From the sound of your setup it's metal blues? Everything sounds better for the audience with small stage amp and big PA.
 
#4
I recently traded up my Hartke combo and got a used Ashdown head and an Acme cab. I love them both and the sound of the cab is awesome. check out the website and you can talk to Andy the designer directly and he will give you all the tech specs. The sound is very clean and dry with a lot of bite to it. The cabs are not that expensive either. They were also written up in Bass Player and given great reviews. Ashdown has some great stuff going on too. I got mine used on Craigs LIst, got a tune up and was off and running.
 
#5
Born.II.Hula said:
I don't personally own any sort of PA, so I'd use whatever's at the venue I suppose. And I'll add, I'm looking at the 300 for its sound much more than size. I think the size will come in handy down the track.
Click to expand...
I had the impression you were already out gigging. Yeah, 300W of pure muscle is handy when there is just a vocal PA. Too bad for the drummer.

You want big cabs to go with it. 2x15, a pair of 2x12, I don't like 4x10 or 8x10 as they only sound right when you're straight in front of them. They have very little horizontal dispersion of upper mids and highs, if you want to look it up. A 2x15 is only marginally better.
 
#6
Our first two gigs are in a couple of weeks.
Any particular make? The only thing I've really looked at is an swr henry 8x8, but that's probably not what I'm looking for if bigger cabs are more appropriate.

@sunnycal how much did that set you back? I'm pretty open to any make in terms of cabs so I'll keep that one in mind.
 
#8
That would make sense, but I've not found one yet.

I also forgot to mention that one of the main reasons I am interested in the fender 300 is because I understand it's a reissue of the Sunn 300T, an amp that's very much at the forefront of the Southern US Sludge scene. As such, I've also been looking at the Sunn Beta bass, which is seemingly more affordable. I know they are very different heads but they are both heads that have been used in a style of music I am planning to branch out into.
 
#9
For the volume you are looking at you need some serious cone area (as has been mentioned). I would look at getting two [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] 15/6 tube cabs, for modular use. A 1515/66 wouldnt be a bad choice either, it will have the same tone and output just in a single package. These will give you the SPL that you are looking for. The 1515/66 will have more output that any 810 cab on the market. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is the forum, and it has a lot of info that is and isnt duplicated here on TB.

I currently have a 1515/66 on order with Invalid Link Removed builder. I am going to be pushing it with a Classic 400, and it should kill.

Which brings me to my next point.
The Fender/Sunn head you mentioned is great, nothing bad to say about it, but at $1600 you can get a lot more. Dont worry about what is common place in the genre of music you want to play in. Do you want to be common place? If you are set on that head, find one used for way less. If you are set on spending that much cash on a head, you can get a lot more.


Born.II.Hula said:
I've been playing a second hand fender bassman 100 for around three years now and in recent times it's not been able to do the job quite as it used to. :hmm: so I'm looking to upgrade to something bigger and better!

I am absolutely adamant on getting a Fender Bassman 300 pro head. It sounds brilliant, and I've only ever heard wonderful things about it. It should set me back about 1,600. I have no idea what kind of cabinet to go for, however. My understanding is that the 300 is a pretty powerful piece of equipment, so I want a cab that will not only suit my sound but won't get messed up by a head that's only ever turned up to 4. In my most recent project we're dabbling in a modern style of bluesy hard rock (Early black keys/Them Crooked Vultures/even humbug-era arctic monkeys)

FWIW here's my current setup:

American Jazz < Aguilar Tonehammer < Modtone Deep Dive Octave < Malekko Assmaster < Tech21 Sansamp Paradriver < Proco Turborat < Boss BF-2.

I really know very little about amps, and I'm pretty ashamed to admit it. :( The bassman 100 was an easy choice because I needed something for rehearsal, but now I think it's time I'm educated somewhat.
Click to expand...

Born.II.Hula said:
That would make sense, but I've not found one yet.

I also forgot to mention that one of the main reasons I am interested in the fender 300 is because I understand it's a reissue of the Sunn 300T, an amp that's very much at the forefront of the Southern US Sludge scene. As such, I've also been looking at the Sunn Beta bass, which is seemingly more affordable. I know they are very different heads but they are both heads that have been used in a style of music I am planning to branch out into.
Click to expand...
 
#10
Born.II.Hula said:
That would make sense, but I've not found one yet.

I also forgot to mention that one of the main reasons I am interested in the fender 300 is because I understand it's a reissue of the Sunn 300T, an amp that's very much at the forefront of the Southern US Sludge scene. As such, I've also been looking at the Sunn Beta bass, which is seemingly more affordable. I know they are very different heads but they are both heads that have been used in a style of music I am planning to branch out into.
Click to expand...

You might want to look elsewhere if that's the case, because although IMO the 300T is a pretty nice amp it's not a re-issue of any Sunn amp; it's a Fender all the way.
Fender just slapped a "Sunn" badge on it for a while.

And, that badge is the only thing "Sunn" about the Sunn 300T.
 
#14
Probly wouldn't be worth importing a 300 pro & cab from USA to Aus.
I had a 300 pro & ran it into a Bergantino NV610. Any of the Berg NV cabs will sound great & handle the HUGE volume that amp will supply.
As ur in AUS too, check out www.ozbassforum.com there are some good cabs in the classifieds there (& often local to you) also George @ Bass Gear Direct in Sydney is very helpful & has Bergantino's at great prices.
 
#15
At the risk of getting my head cut off - even though you said that you are adamant about the 300, like others here I'd suggest that you broaden your options a bit. That is a lot of money for what it is. There are so many great amps and cabs nowadays.

I'm not up to speed on what you have available in AUS (I used to live there so I know all about the market and the power differences), but its hard for me to believe that Fender is your best option - especially for that kind of $$!
 
#16
Shipping a cab wouldn't be a wise decision IMHO, so I definitely second the idea of getting fEarful cabs built in Aus, going modular and having 2 15/6's is a good suggestion as you are able to either bring one or both depending on the size of the venue.

Getting a head shipped on the other hand is a very good idea with how much music stores charge in Aus. If you have the money get the Fender 300 PRO that is listed earlier in the thread. Used saves but by the time you add shipping and duty it still is going to be quite a bit. All the best. Cheers.
 
#17
Shipping a cab, no way. Amp, maybe, but only a very valuable and relatively light one is worth the postage. Mesa 400+ could work out. My D180 has a power transformer with taps for 240v and 110v.

Cash talks with used amps in NZ at the moment. I was looking into importing and lucked into a great local deal.

Best value in new big tube amps is a Traynor 300 via Thommann with 240v and cheap shipping.
 
#18
Just had a chat with the band today and they seem to think that micing my amp should do for now in terms of volume.

But i am still looking, because i need to make the move to Cab & bass at some point anyway. I've decided to open myself to other amp options. I've heard quite good things about the Markbass LMIII, and if I were to ever get an amp shipped it'd be that one for its weight and size.
On the other hand the sunn beta bass I am looking at looks tempting but it's only 100w. That's basically rehearsal size. Are they particularly loud for their wattage or something?
 
#19
Firstly, The Fender 300T is an exceptionally rad amp. A lot of people will tell you its to much power yada yada yada. I have had people tell me not to buy things because of there opinion about how loud it was or how i didn't need to spend that much also and than later in life spent more money cause i bought something they said would work. Sometimes you just need to buy what you want once and if its over kill at least your prepared for any situation. The 300T may not be originally Sunn, Im not completely sure about that, but it is popular in that style and almost every other style of music. As far as cabs go your just going to have to try them out. I own the matching 8x10 to that head and love it. An Ampeg or something along those lines would be nice also. Honestly what i would do is try that head out on a 8x10, a 2x15, and maybe even a 6x10. Decide what tones you like. Noted, not all cabs sound similar just because they have the same speaker set up. But they have similar qualities. Also, food for thought, if you like your bassman now you really should check out the new fender line of bass amps. Fender make some really really nice stuff. I would be willing to put most pro line fender amps against other people boutique crap. People just forget fender is trying to sell to many groups of musician and there beginner stuff is horrible. And there mid of the line stuff is sub par at best. Mmmmm, that pro stuff really sings to you though.
 
#20
I have a friend who has the 300/8x10 setup. It's pretty cool, definitely, but don't underestimate the feeling of being anchored down by 250 pounds of bass gear, that comes in 2 heavy, bulky packages. It is really a big committment. Even the head is a 2 person lift because it weighs like 90 pounds. And obviously you have to have a vehicle that can fit an 8x10 (if that's what you go with).

For bar and most club gigs, that much cab is overkill. I've actually prefered the sound when the guy uses that head with his Goliath III cab. Unless you're playing pretty big places, a 4x10 or 2x15 is probably the way to go. I have a 2x15 that is pretty cool (Acoustic 106) and it fits easily in my Honda Civic coupe with the seats down, with plenty of room left over for a head, bass, and pedal board.

Personally, before pulling the trigger on the 300, I would look at everything that's available used in your area and on ebay in the 300-600 watt range for heads, and in 1x15s (you could get 2 of them), 2x10s (again, you could get 2 of them), 2x15s, and 4x10s. $1600 even in koala bucks can go pretty far. Check out Trace, SWR, Mesa, and Ampeg to start with, but dont be afraid to experiment with other brands as well if you find something interesting.
 

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