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Moving house, new amp.

Y

ybn

Feb 20, 2012
23
0
#1
So,
For more then 10 years, i've been using a 30w (disgusting) amp just for practicing (Brazilian brand). There was no need for a bigger amp, because even if the volume was turned almost all the way down, parents/neighboors was always complaining about it. (Sometimes just slapping with the amp turned off people could hear it).
Therefore, i'm moving house.
So, i will improve the noise insulation in my new (way bigger) room so i can build a home studio. Also, it may be the new spot for my band's rehearsal.
So, all in all, i need an amp for:
-recording
-rehearsal/small venue concerts
-practicing

I have an american fender jazz bass, and a some pedals effects (ehx enigma (envelope),dunlop wah, boss eq and boss overdrive).
I usually play hard rock, punk, ska, funk rock and reagge.
My budget is around $500 dollars.
So, it's a big change for me and I really need help.
Feel sorry for having thousand of posts like mine, but i have no idea what to do.
And sorry for any english mistake. it's not my native language.
Any help will be appreciated.
 
#2
Go used, not sure where you're living but check reliable music stores and ads. Also, TB here is a reliable place to buy and sell.

Your best values used are makes like Peavey, GK, Ampeg, Hartke, and some others that people will chime in on shortly. Solid state, not tube, is where it's at for your price point. If it were me I'd do a used Gallien Krueger 800RB and a 2-12 or 2-15, nothing fancy.

Rule of thumb for gigging is 300 to 500 watts for the amp (don't use a combo) and for cabs a 4-10, 2-12 or 1 (or 2)-15. Try to get 8 ohm cabs so you can add another cab later if needed.

Also check the stickies here in the Amps section for recommendations.

Good luck :bassist:
 
#3
ybn said:
And sorry for any english mistake. it's not my native language.
Click to expand...

It's just fine. It's my language, and I still mess it all up from time to time :p

What kinds of music stores do you have in your area? Are the brands available to us in the states all available where you are? Or are you looking at having something shipped in?

We can make a lot of recommendations, and half of them will go out the window if it turns out it costs as much to ship the amp as it does to buy it.
 
#4
JimWasHere said:
It's just fine. It's my language, and I still mess it all up from time to time :p

What kinds of music stores do you have in your area? Are the brands available to us in the states all available where you are? Or are you looking at having something shipped in?

We can make a lot of recommendations, and half of them will go out the window if it turns out it costs as much to ship the amp as it does to buy it.
Click to expand...

all good points, try to source locally if possible, esp given your budget.
 
#5
Well, locally (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) speaking it is very difficult to find good amps (used or new). That's because the price are extremely abusive. I mean, for example, i am buying almost all my music stuff from ebay/amazon (only boss/roland stuffs have acceptable price). Most of those things you can't even find them here.

Besides that, there is no reliable company here to fix any amp problem, so buying used equipment can become a headache (so i really need an durable amp, that doesn't break easily).

But it still a good idea, so i just though:
I can buy the head and ship it, and buy the cabs here (easier to find than heads), as they are heavy and the cost to ship would be huge.

And about the budget, i suppose i can try raising more $100, $200...

So, i think i am going for GK heads... I've been reading some threads here, and they look like very popular and everyone have good reviews of them.

(Just a non-related topic: I don't know how music stores here sucks so much...It's a big business opportunity. Only cables and pedalboards that are made here are good/okay.
When people that play some instrument goes to USA, their luggage come back full with all sort of things.)
 
#6
I've read a few threads of some of our South American bass playing brethren having issues w/importation due to import duties/customs/shipping costs, alas :(

GKs are hard to argue with in terms of reliability and ruggedness, but then I'm a big fan of them and own a few. That's not a bad way to go if can you find what you're looking for here in the US. Others have their equally reliable and great sounding favorites, though and hopefully they'll chime in.

As far as cabinets, it might be more economical (from a shipping cost standpoint) to source the actual speakers (drivers) and then build your own. But then that means you'd have to, well, know how to build the correct cabinets w/your speaker choices.

Looking locally makes the most sense, but building your own may be an option if you have the inclination, facilities and willingness to do the homework to get it right.
 
#7
dhsierra1 said:
I've read a few threads of some of our South American bass playing brethren having issues w/importation due to import duties/customs/shipping costs, alas :(

GKs are hard to argue with in terms of reliability and ruggedness, but then I'm a big fan of them and own a few. That's not a bad way to go if can you find what you're looking for here in the US. Others have their equally reliable and great sounding favorites, though and hopefully they'll chime in.

As far as cabinets, it might be more economical (from a shipping cost standpoint) to source the actual speakers (drivers) and then build your own. But then that means you'd have to, well, know how to build the correct cabinets w/your speaker choices.

Looking locally makes the most sense, but building your own may be an option if you have the inclination, facilities and willingness to do the homework to get it right.
Click to expand...
Well, it is a good idea, but i really don't have any knowledge about making one, so i will search locally. Fortunately, brazilian people finance everything they buy, so my budget will appreciate this.

Oh, and I already bought some stuff from USA and never had any problem...
But never had bought anything so important and so expensive.
And well, it is a real problem buying an amp that you can't hear. That's why i was asking for help.
Couldn't find it in the TB classified, all sold out.
i'll have to ebay, but still scared.
thanks for your help anyway.
 
#8
ybn said:
Well, it is a good idea, but i really don't have any knowledge about making one, so i will search locally. Fortunately, brazilian people finance everything they buy, so my budget will appreciate this.

Oh, and I already bought some stuff from USA and never had any problem...
But never had bought anything so important and so expensive.
And well, it is a real problem buying an amp that you can't hear. That's why i was asking for help.
Couldn't find it in the TB classified, all sold out.
i'll have to ebay, but still scared.
thanks for your help anyway.
Click to expand...

No worries, GKs are one of the gold standards so if you're shooting for something that's pro in sound and quality that's a good target.

Try to wait on the TB classifieds, 700RBs and 800RBs come up all the time and can be had for less than US$400. I've found eBay tends to overcharge and there's a code of honor here on TB.
 
#9
dhsierra1 said:
No worries, GKs are one of the gold standards so if you're shooting for something that's pro in sound and quality that's a good target.

Try to wait on the TB classifieds, 700RBs and 800RBs come up all the time and can be had for less than US$400. I've found eBay tends to overcharge and there's a code of honor here on TB.
Click to expand...

Maybe the 500mb fits better in my budget.
I will wait for it in the classified...
 
#10
ybn said:
Maybe the 500mb fits better in my budget.
I will wait for it in the classified...
Click to expand...

great amp, should be low cost to ship, but you may be waiting a while for that one, people seem to be hanging onto them, but w/the recent intro of the MB800 you may be seeing them pretty soon, sorry to sound like a politician, just trying to be realistic w/my limited knowledge of the marketplace :D
 
#11
Soli for price and volume I'd say go with the Acoustic B200h and 410 cab. I've never owned one, but I've heard and seen great things about them. I myself use an Ampeg PF500 head into a PF115he cab, but that set up runs about $800. Also check out some used 90's Peavey amps. Built like tanks, cheap, loud (especially for as mamy watts as they have) and as for sound...well, they sound.
 
#12
tjnkoo said:
Soli for price and volume I'd say go with the Acoustic B200h and 410 cab. I've never owned one, but I've heard and seen great things about them. I myself use an Ampeg PF500 head into a PF115he cab, but that set up runs about $800. Also check out some used 90's Peavey amps. Built like tanks, cheap, loud (especially for as mamy watts as they have) and as for sound...well, they sound.
Click to expand...

Guitar center ship those ones to Brazil.
Definitely my plan b!
Thank you for your help.
 
#14
dhsierra1 said:
Go used, not sure where you're living but check reliable music stores and ads. Also, TB here is a reliable place to buy and sell.

Your best values used are makes like Peavey, GK, Ampeg, Hartke, and some others that people will chime in on shortly. Solid state, not tube, is where it's at for your price point. If it were me I'd do a used Gallien Krueger 800RB and a 2-12 or 2-15, nothing fancy.

Rule of thumb for gigging is 300 to 500 watts for the amp (don't use a combo) and for cabs a 4-10, 2-12 or 1 (or 2)-15. Try to get 8 ohm cabs so you can add another cab later if needed.

Also check the stickies here in the Amps section for recommendations.

Good luck :bassist:
Click to expand...

Okay, so i have a question:
For the MB500, I have to choose a Cab that also is 500W?
Or should i stay around 400W (at 8hm right?)?
 
#16
The mb is small, light, should be cheaper to ship. If you're only doing small gigs, the mb200 might be enough. If speakers are more common there, try to find those locally. I'm not so sure about guitar center Acoustics. They have a warranty and all, but I don't know how that would work for you in Brasil. They are a budget brand. Haven't heard any horror stories about reliability though. GK and Peavey have outstanding reputations for being very reliable.
 
#19
Guys, thank you so much!
I already found some stores here that sells cabs at average prices. 8hms about 300/400W, that's it!
As the head, they are way to expensive, so i'm definetely buying and shipping. I know there is a risk, but i'm going through it.
Oh, and thank your for praising my english! I lived in CA for about 3 months, but i'm still making some mistakes (and i just can't "lose" my latin accent)!
 

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