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loudest amp?

#5
It all depends on what your definition of loud is. what sort of band are you going to be playing it in, and how loud is it going to get?

IME, generally when players ask for "what is the loudest amp in this price range?" they're looking for a relativly LOUD amp.

IME, that means at least 200-400 watts and a 4x10, a 2x12, a 2x15, or a 2x10 and a 1x15. Even in the used market that generally gives you a floor of about a grand. (I know some of you will disagree with me on some or all of those points, but that's why i said "IME"). ;)

It's always a shock to newer players to find out that the amp they need to play in a medium to high volume band ends up costing them more then their bass. :eek:

Anyhow, some more info about what you plan to do with the amp would help. :)
 
#9
Munjibunga said:
OK then, read it and HEED it.
Click to expand...

Great advice!

Just because you want there to be a less expensive solution doesn't mean that there is.

Best case, if you have a local music store that has a lot of used stuff, you might find a 200 watt head for $250 and an old 410 or 215 cabinet for $250.

You are already $100 over your budget, and probably do not have a loud enough setup.

If you manage to find a 400 - 500 watt head for $450, and the cabinet will hold up to that kind of power, you have now spent $700, and still might not have enough volume, unless you get a newer, more efficient speaker setup.

So now, let's say you find something like a used Eden 410XLT for $500. You have spent $950, and probably have a loud enough setup.

For $400, it is not going to happen.
 
#10
eric234 said:
i just wanted to know what is the loudest and best sounding amp that you can buy for no more than 400$
Click to expand...

Do you prefer new or used?

Are you looking for a combo or a head and/or cab?

What kind of music do you play?

Do you play a 4, 5 or 6 string?

And FYI, at that price, your wattage will be relatively low so I hope you are not planning on any stadium gigs!

This is all very important information that will help to determine what your needs are.

:D

Joe.
 
#12
eric234 said:
i'm looking for a combo i play a four
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The loudest combo around for that price is a used Peavey TNT. 130 watts into a 15. Just make sure and find one with the Black Widow speaker.

I used one of those for my main amp for 12 years or so. Capable of a lot of volume for the size and $$$.

Only two real drawbacks is the fact that it weighs almost 100 lbs, and it takes a lot of work with the EQ to get a decent sound.
 
#14
embellisher said:
The loudest combo around for that price is a used Peavey TNT. 130 watts into a 15. Just make sure and find one with the Black Widow speaker.

I used one of those for my main amp for 12 years or so. Capable of a lot of volume for the size and $$$.

Only two real drawbacks is the fact that it weighs almost 100 lbs, and it takes a lot of work with the EQ to get a decent sound.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was going to say. I used a variation of the TNT amp for a good 7 or 8 years - the combo 300.
 
#16
For maximum volume, you should probably only look at amps with 15" speakers. There is a rule of thumb that speaker efficiency scales with cone area. Also, make sure the amp is designed so that 100% of the rated power goes into the internal speaker.

If you are asking about Loud, it means you will probably push your amp to its limits quite often. In such a case, you should only consider the most reputable brands, and Peavey certainly stands on a strong reputation for reliability.

Now, just for grins, here is my $400 system:

DIY preamp: $100 in parts
Eminence 15" 300-W driver: $80
ART SLA-1 power amp: $220
Scrap plywood for DIY speaker box: Free

Don't try this at home. I am only mentioning it for everybody's general amusement.
 
#17
You're going to have to do one of three things:

1. Wait patiently for an amazing deal to come along. (I got a 240W Peavey Mark VI head and Peavey 115 Cabinet loaded with a 400W Electro Voice EVM-15B driver for a grand total of $70)

2. Save up more money. (you can get great amps for a couple hundred bucks more)

3. Be unsatisfied with the $400 you spent on something quickly.
 
#18
embellisher said:
The loudest combo around for that price is a used Peavey TNT. 130 watts into a 15. Just make sure and find one with the Black Widow speaker.

I used one of those for my main amp for 12 years or so. Capable of a lot of volume for the size and $$$.

Only two real drawbacks is the fact that it weighs almost 100 lbs, and it takes a lot of work with the EQ to get a decent sound.
Click to expand...

Don't forget about the Yorkville XM200. They're freakin loud for 200 watts, and only weigh about 60 lbs, and can be found new & used for around $400. (carpet covered version, the XM200C)
 
#20
Forget the combo and find a good Acoustic head. A few hundred bucks and they're built like tanks and sound like a herd of elephants. A 360/370 or even a 220 like mine. Best amp in their day and still great now. Read the reviews on Harmony.
 

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