Modern Bass Amp Advice

[Turboswede]

After a long time away from Bass I have fallen back into the fold and I am now looking for a bass amp. I played a lot in bands (10+ years ago) and had a Sunn 15” cabinet with a Sunn 200W head, I have also owned Fender Bassmaster and Bandmaster set-up but right now all I have is 20W amp with a 10” speaker so cheap the amp doesn’t have a name.

I play mostly at home but I am looking for something that would be jam capable and that I could play a small gig with.

I had a Peavey Basic 40 that I just loved but it disappeared years ago. About a year ago I was bitten by the bass bug again and bought a Beringer 180W combo unit. The unit lasted about 3 months and on craigslist it went, I was unimpressed by its tone and I swear my old Basic 40 was louder. What is a good midrange (say less than $400 retail) setup? I have been looking at the Gallien Krueger 300W blackline head, any opinions?

 

[62bass]

The Backline head is a good one. But to keep your cost down to $400 total you'll have to buy a used speaker cabinet. Used Peavey is good. Also look for Yorkville Sound if any are available where you are. Either a 2x10 or a single 15. Pick a good speaker that can handle the power the Backline puts out. Don't cheap out on this part of the signal chain. Avoid the entry level cabinets.

I'd say, get the head then go around with it and your bass, auditioning speaker cabinets. You'll find something that'll sound good.

 

[Transverz]

Hmm. $400 retail is a tough cookie to bite. I was gonna try to steer you into a portable / compact direction since you mentioned mostly home and jamming, but more portable and compact usually also = more $$$. For $400, I say go for partly or fully used gear. Right off the bat, there are those budget combo amps. That'll get you going fast and cheap. And are somewhat portable. Won't really give specifics because if you find one of those around $100-300, go for it.

I was trying to think of something creative to get you a better cab + amp rig for some improvement and control in sound. Start with a used 2x10, 1x12, or 1x15 cab of almost any name brand. Max around $200. You'll have about $200 left over. The better deal you get, the more you can spend amp side. If you could somehow find an amp-head of any halfway respectable brand, pick it up. Or you can maybe pick up a used lead-sled (older, heavier) poweramp and then get a used or new Behringer BDI21 or some other line-level, tone-shaping cheap solution. With a small single cab, anything around 200-300w @ 8 ohms will get the job done.

Sorry I wasn't more specific. Going used will open you up to tons of stuff. Waiting around for a specific piece could go on for a while. Lastly, for what it's worth, an Avatar SB112 (1x12) is $249 + shipping. Cheaper if you find it on eBay or used on TB. Something like that... Best of luck!

 

[fenderhutz]

Buy an Ashdown B-Stock cab for http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363285. It's 169.00 right now for a 2x10 or 1x15. You usually can't even tell them have a blem and it's free shipping. Now you have 230 to spend on a head. Check Guiter Centers website for used gear. I have successfully gotten them to cut prices by about 20% AND pay shipping on alot of their used stuff due to them hardly giving anything on trades.

Or you could just search through the used stuff on Guitar Centers website and lowball them.


EDIT: BUY THIS HEAD!!!! USA MADE CRATE FOR 125. Not trying to get a sale for Bob or aything but it's a pretty darn good deal.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363285

Get this head AND the Ashdown 15 or 2x10 and you are sitting at roughly 315 bucks or a respectable setup.

 

[Transverz]

Buy an Ashdown B-Stock cab for http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363285. It's 169.00 right now for a 2x10 or 1x15. You usually can't even tell them have a blem and it's free shipping. Now you have 230 to spend on a head. Check Guiter Centers website for used gear. I have successfully gotten them to cut prices by about 20% AND pay shipping on alot of their used stuff due to them hardly giving anything on trades.

Or you could just search through the used stuff on Guitar Centers website and lowball them.


EDIT: BUY THIS HEAD!!!! USA MADE CRATE FOR 125. Not trying to get a sale for Bob or aything but it's a pretty darn good deal.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363285

Get this head AND the Ashdown 15 or 2x10 and you are sitting at roughly 315 bucks or a respectable setup.

Word. Something like this combination of gear would be the way to go.

 

[Turboswede]

Oh, I just wanted to clarify, I am thinking $400 for a head unit (new or used) as I still feel competent to pick out a cabinet set (thinking 2X10 and a 15). The last time I was looking for gear I don’t think GK was around (I could be wrong) and I had never herd of a Beringer when I bought it.

The last time I made a purchase like this the brands I looked at were Fender, Ampeg, Ibanez, Peavey and Crate (I think).

 

[62bass]

GK has been around for a long time. They're my favourite. But there are others that are good too. Just don't buy cheap just because it looks good on paper. If you want something that will sound good and stand up to playing out, you need to pay a bit more for the good stuff.

The Backline 600 is an entry level head in the GK line. It's a good amp for a very low price. Out of all the B ackline series it's the only one I'd buy. I'd avoid their other combos and speaker cabinets if you want high quality gear.

 

[bradjonesbass]

Okay, so $400 for the head. For that you can almost get into a used Eden. Small, compact, great sound, great reliability. Keep your eye on the classifieds here because they go quick when they're posted. Might be $50 or so over your budget, but not much more than that. Depending on your speaker cab budget, be sure to at least look into Neodymium magnets as they will save a lot of weight. Also don't be afraid to try 12's (they're not just for guitar anymore) A single 12 now will go a long way, and you could easily add another down the road. I gig with a single 12" loaded 3 way cabinet and have no problems with volume. Would probably not work for loud metal, but for medium sized gigs and certainly friendly jams it will be plenty. You can pick up a used NEO 12 for pretty reasonable on here too.

 

[cathal]

sorry to derail this but Tranzverz i love your picture

 

[Transverz]

sorry to derail this but Tranzverz i love your picture

lol...thanks! What can I say, when I'm feeling it, I'm feeling it.

Oh, I just wanted to clarify, I am thinking $400 for a head unit (new or used) as I still feel competent to pick out a cabinet set (thinking 2X10 and a 15). The last time I was looking for gear I don’t think GK was around (I could be wrong) and I had never herd of a Beringer when I bought it.

With $400 for just the head, you are definitely gonna get something good. And speaking of GK, I'm GASing for one too. Great prices on those. Even new, but especially used! Give those a whirl at your local shop if you can.