low budget amp in europe

[hachehuba]

Okey guys, first off, I would like to apologize for making this thread. This will probably be the 1000th of it's kind... but I'm getting sick. I've probably spent 5-7h a day for the last week or so searching the forums and the internet trying to find a decent amp, but I can't seem to get anywhere.

I need your help. Seriously.

Here's the deal;
I need to find an amp someplace in europe that has decently cheap shipping, I live in Sweden. So from what I've read two decent alternatives would be sites like www.thomann.de and http://www.musicstore.com
You guys in europe probably knows alot more.

the budget:
I haven't really made up my mind about this, but I'm thinking of something in the range of 700-800€. I've not decided on this yet, so if there is an amp for more money, please state it if you think it's worth the money.

I'm not really sure if my best option is to go with a combo or a stack, but I've been leaning towards a cheap stack. A head that seems to fit nicely into my price range would be the GK backline 600, and from what I've heard about them, that seems like a good buy.

If that's a good choice, then what speakers would you recommend? can't really seem to find any obvious answer to that question, since those darn avatars seems rather hard to get a hold of in europe.

And please, if you have any other suggestion for a good head that's available, tell me.



I play some sort of indie/rock/pop-thing, so perhaps you shouldn't point me in the direction of satan's most evil piece of equipment. But seriously, I just don't have a clue when it comes to bass amps.

Btw, if anyone would like to know, I play on a jayturser hofner replica, which I'm sure most of you guys wouldn't even think about playing. Because of the lack of greatness in my bass I think that there's not much point in buying some expensive gear just yet. Not until I let go of that baby at least.

That was alot of text and I'm really impressed if any of you really took the time and read that. If you did then you probably understand that I NEED HELP, and I hope you can help.

Thanks so much in advance, really hope I'll get at least some responses.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi, hachehuba.

Welcome to the TalkBass.

As a fellow scandinavian, I do feel Your pain. There's not too many music stores left for the budget gear and the used market for quality gear is almost non-existant.

For those two on-line stores You mentioned I'd say that Thomann wins hands down as the Musicstore CS apparently doesn't exist.

That said I'm currently rocking a Fame BVH300 tube head (662€ to my door from the MusicStore) and a Laney 4*10" that I bought from an insurance company. The Laney is in the 200€ price range.

If You get some idea about some "word-wide" brands you want, try to get a quote for the price from Your local music shop. At least in here they usually can sell those popular brands for the same price (or even less), than the on-line stores. You'll get better CS and perhaps they stay in bussines in the future too.

Regards
Sam

 

[bassmachine2112]

hi,what sort of venues are you playing or looking to play.is it a stack/half stack or would a combo with plenty wattage do the trick.are you going through the p/a or is all the bass comin from the back line.there are some excellent combo,s which will do the job with up to 500 watt.the beauty of a combo is that they are compact one lift jobs and you can normally add an extension cab for a bigger venue or when funds allow.seperate head n cabs ,well the sky is the limit with wattage .this can mean in some cases that they have huge volume that will shake your fillings out your teeth.the only drawback is that they generally are more bulky n heavier.what kind of sound do you like?.if you are going through a p/a system then all you need an amp for is onstage monitoring,as long as you can hear yourself on stage and is adequite for practices but with us being human you cant beat power as you can always turn down a high powered set up but if your undergunned you will be comprimised.good quality second hand is a consideration and would be the route i would explore.all the best

 

[link wray]

Some amp and cabs i like that are cheap and available in Europe:
Peavey TVX cabs; available in 4&8 ohm: Invalid Link Removed
Hartke LH 500 amp: Invalid Link Removed

 

[Arthur Strand]

Hi! Back awhiles -1975 - I built my own 2 x 2 x 15" bass cabinets myself and fitted them with Altec 421/8H 150 watt bass speakers. The head was custom built by an electronics student shortly after and it all still works!!! It was specifically created to drive my Rickenbacker Stereo bass guitar. it combines power with clarity and is over 30 years old.
It would cost several thousand euros to do that today.
I suggest a Fender Squier PB, and a bargain bass combo of known makes all available on ebay. Unless you are playing major venues this should suffice and would not crucnh your credit too much. Feel Free to contact me for further advice : I run a free advice line.

 

[hachehuba]

If You get some idea about some "word-wide" brands you want, try to get a quote for the price from Your local music shop. At least in here they usually can sell those popular brands for the same price (or even less), than the on-line stores. You'll get better CS and perhaps they stay in bussines in the future too.

Good point point, and once I have a nice clue for what I need, I will definately check with them first. The only problem is they are very inconsistent, with some items, they are about the same as thomann, but for some, thomann is 25-30% cheaper. Also their selection is abit slim..

hi,what sort of venues are you playing or looking to play.is it a stack/half stack or would a combo with plenty wattage do the trick.are you going through the p/a or is all the bass comin from the back line.there are some excellent combo,s which will do the job with up to 500 watt.the beauty of a combo is that they are compact one lift jobs and you can normally add an extension cab for a bigger venue or when funds allow.seperate head n cabs ,well the sky is the limit with wattage ...

To be honest with you we haven't gigged alot with this band, and god knows where we will end up. No tour is really planned so I basically just want something versatile. Something that can be used in small-ish, venues without PA support. And of course also have a decent sound.

I haven't really tested many different amps. The only thing available at my local store is like the maxwatt series and a new bassman. So as for what sound I like, I'm not sure.


please push me into the right direction, there must be some more opinions out there.