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Looking to get a first rig!

P

Progtastic

Mar 8, 2010
34
0
Dallas
#1
So I'm new to these forums, and I think I have a new addiction. Haha.

I've been playing for about 3 years, and I think I finally have enough money saved up to get a rig. I've been playing a loaner for any gigs thus far from my teacher. But I want something to call my own.

What I'm looking for, for the most part is:

Under 1000$, I'm in high school, so that's pretty strict.
I like the sound and look of tube amps, but I've come to realize that I probably won't be able to get that for my price range.

The only effect I use is a Markbass Compressore, I play through a Spector Legend5, and I'm looking into upgrading the pickups in it to active. I play in a prog-metal band, and jazz band at my school.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Much thanks!
 
#2
Play a lot of amps.

I personally prefer head/cabinet instead of a combo, most bassists seem to end up there. Get at least 300 watts, at least a 1-15 or a 2-10, everything else depends on what speaks to you. If it were me, I'd go find a good condition head at a decent price on craigslist from any of a list of manufacturers (Eden, SWR, Ampeg, Genz Benz, Markbass, Gallien Krueger, Peavey, Mesa, lots of others) first. Make sure it's got a reasonable EQ and can go down to 4 ohms (almost all of them can).

Then put it and your bass in the car and go to a music store, and play through every cabinet you see. Write down or remember what's similar about the ones you like the most. Buy one there if it moves you, or just get back to craigslist and find something that seems to fit the bill. Go try it with your own head and bass.

Your first cabinet should probably be an 8 ohm cabinet, this leaves you free to buy a smaller cabinet and add another in the future.

First off, have fun, and don't take it all too seriously. If you like it, it's good!
 
#3
First thought: I had a Korean Spector a number of years back and thought I could improve it by replacing the passive EMG Hz's with their active pickups. I swapped in a 3-band preamp, too. After spending several hundred bills on everything, the sound was no better and I eventually got rid of that bass.

Just my experience, but I'd caution you against assuming that you can use top shelf electronics to get a sound out of the bass that just may not be there. Think it over - you might want to try a better on-board preamp and see what you get from that before you swing big.

Great news: There's a ton of great gear out there and if you can be patient and shop the used market, you can get a solid rig for well under your budget. I wouldn't worry about an all tube head just yet, since they're pricey, crazy heavy, and can demand some maintenance.

LOTS of nice hybrid heads out there with warm glowy tubes in their preamp sections that you could check out - that's probably the route I'd go. Might want to get a test drive with a G-K head like a 700rb, too. They're all solid state, but renowned for getting warm and growly when pushed a bit. Go try some gear out and use your ears, amigo.

Actually it would be helpful if you let us in on the loaner rig you've used. Share what you liked about it along with what it seemed to lack for you. That will probably give the gurus here a better idea of what to recommend for your short list. It's even worth noting how the portability of that loaner worked out when you had to move it around.
 
#4
Wow, thanks guys!

And you just saved me 200$ on the pup upgrade!

I'm definitely going to look into all those, thanks! You have no idea how much this helped.

I found a Peavey 225 Tube Amp for about 400$, are these good?
I played through the 1001RB, and I just didn't like something about the tone. I also played a Littlemark Tube, and I loved that tone. But there wasn't a huge difference when I put all tube to all solid, so would a basic Littlemark do the trick?
I played a Peavey Max, and I thought it was a close second behind the Markbass.

The loaner was either a Fender Bassman 100 combo, or Acoustic B600 with 410 and 115 cabs. The Fender's tone was great, but once it got to about 9 o clock, it got fuzzy. I liked the wheels, it made moving easy.
The Acoustic had a great rock tone, but once you got into heavier stuff it just didn't cut it.
 
#6
i would recommend a head/cab setup, bought on the used market. the markbass LMII is a favorite around here, as well as with me. it goes for around $400-$450 used here. It also has some pretty "tubey" qualities for a lightweight, solid state amp. paying $400 for a head would allow you alot of financial room for a cab as well. honestly i caved into the hype when i bought mine and i couldn't be happier. i've used it on around 100-125 gigs in the last year and its held up perfectly.
 
#10
The LMII is an awesome suggestion. I use the portable 110p combo (stacked with a 115 when I need it) and its amazing as far as going into a big with bass in one hand, combo in the other (especially if you're just going into a backline, theres a DI on the combo).

But if you're looking for an all inclusive rig for small bar gigs and practices; I'd say definitely the LMII, then impress your friends by getting 112 cab by bagend or epiphany. could always add a 210 down the line.

Markbass's stuff is very clean, articulate gear. I fully recommend them.
 
#11
Thanks for all the help guys.

I picked up a used SWR Triad for 300. I played it with an LMIII, and a 1001RB, and it sounded amazing through both. I like the LM better than the RB. Are there any other heads around 300-400 I should check out to couple with this cab?
 

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