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Loud and Under $400

Machiavelli

Machiavelli

Mar 4, 2014
573
596
San Francisco Bay Area
#1
I'm looking for the loudest setup I can get for under $400. Things to know about me:

-I do want a "bassy" feel, so I'm guessing the speakers would have to be 12"+ (if I'm wrong about this let me know, I don't really understand amps that much, =/

-Aside from above, I don't really care how it sounds. I just want LOUD.

-Obviously, if it's going to instantly break, I won't want it, but I doubt there's too many amps that are universally going to break. In other words, I'm fine with an "unreliable" product.

-I don't have any experience with head + cab, but if it's what people recommend I'll go for it. Combo amps would be simpler for me.

Other questions:

-Is this a complete piece of junk (Behringer ULTRABASS)?
-I understand that watts doesn't equal volume and that 10x the watts gets you double the volume, etc., but I would assume that in general, for a similar speaker size, more watts means more volume....? Is that true?

Thanks for any input for this Philistine.
 
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#2
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#4
Go used. Anything Peavey will last longer than cockroaches after a nuclear holocaust. My rig is a GK 400rb (not made anymore but can be found allover) and an SWR workingmans 4x10. Even at 180 watts because the cab is 8 ohms, its freakin loud. With another 8 ohm cab it would be even louder at a total 4ohms. The 400rb growls like nobody's business so you get good tone and big volume, I paid $75 for the head, $239 for the cab. My other rig was a Peavey Tmax head and TVX410 cab.....unbelievable volume, paid $200 for the head and $200 for the cab, heavy as hell though! Good luck!
 
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#7
Definitely go used, and avoid Behringer like the plague. Even if a Behringer product is loud enough for what you need it for, it'll be loud for approximately 5 minutes before it breaks. For $400 you can easily get an old Peavey head with a 2x15 and that's plenty loud. USA Peavey stuff is reliable and loud and easily obtainable every day of the year.

Just do some craigslist and talkbass classifieds hunting and you should be able to find some great deals on a loud rig.
 
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#8
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#9
The Contour 115 is the way to go if you don't have a cab already. Yes you can add another 15" cab to it as long as it's an 8 ohm cab. If you do a SEARCH on Contour (title only) you'll see pics of these combos along with prices and links. If you can't find the Contour extension cab, I've seen GB Focus 115 cabs for good prices. Great cab and the combo sits nicely on top of it. Amazon.com had them also.
Avatar makes a great 8 ohm 115 without a tweeter, meant to be used with a combo or full range cab.
 
#12
The Peavey advice is very good. Hartke as well, but more for amps than cabs (IMO).

You're right about the power to volume issue. So, if you want more volume, the real secret is more speaker area. Thus the recommendations here about going for a 410 or 215. Even an old Peavey Mark III or Mark IV head is plenty freaking loud with two 4 ohm 15" speakers, and pretty indestructible as well. Loud is nice, but being sure it's going to work is the greatest quality you can ask for.

There are plenty of other great options if you spend a little more money, but careful shopping can get you into a Mark III or IV and a nice 410 for under $400 - maybe even down under $300 if your area has lots of equipment available. Stepping up to the next generation Nitro, Firebass, T-Max, ect., will add another $100 - $150 or so. They won't be much louder, but they have some different tones available - especially the T-Max. The Hartke 3500 is another commonly available head in this class that is a great option.
 
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#16
I think it's hilarious all the folks telling you the behringer is going to break after 5 minz when I've been gigging mine pretty hard for almost two years with out a hickup. If you want loud...yes it's loud, if you want tone...well...it's pretty good til you get really loud, then it's not quite as good...but it's not that bad. I had an SWR workman 4004 w/a 4x10 peavy before this and the Behringer BX4500H paired with the Bugera loaded 4x10 kicks it's a** in the dirt. Dollar for dollar you will not get louder unless you go used and don't listen to these guys, this amp has very few features...what's to break? Nothing that's what. This amp has had a 18 inch B52 fall 4 ft. right on to it...and it's still truckin'! IF it's what you can afford and it meets your needs then don;t be afraid of this particular unit, it's not going to fall a part on you, it's sound fairly decent and your one requirement...it is very loud!
 
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