• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

My Very First Bass Head Purchase Ever! Also I Need Advice! (Pics Inside)

D

de la mocha

Aug 20, 2005
1,488
16
NEW JERSEY
#1
Bass003.gif


This is my first head! It's used, obviously, but it gets the job done! It's rated as 250 watts and in the mom and pop shop I bought it from, it was powering a used Hartke 8x10 cabinet. It's an old model but I'm on a budget so hey...


Now speaking of Budget I need cabinets! I was at Guitar Center today and I tried two rigs I was interested in buying





Bass002-1.gif

Now the first one was this GK set up 1x15 and 4x10 and it sounded too muddy to me. Very growly, boomy, yet undefined in my opinion. It was kind of in my price range but stretching my wallets a bit. I was sad about this GK rig because GK is my very first brand I ever had as a bassist as I play a 15 GK Combo.





Bass001-1.gif

Suprisingly, the behringer gear sounded much more articulate and had crisp, clean highs and well defined lows, but not as deep as GK but more cutting yet remaining bassy. The price is more then right but Behringer has a negative stigma about their products and I don't want this to break down on me. But it's what I can afford right now!


I went across the street to Sam Ash and played this
VX215-web.jpg

And was pretty impressed as a stand alone rig until I can afford to put Hartke 2x10s on the top.
VX210-web.jpg


So really, it's between the Behringer (which allows me to save a lot more money) VS. the Hartke 2x15 and adding a Hartke 2x10 later on. Which should I do? All advice will be taken into strong consideration since I'm spending hard earned $$$$ and a lot of you guys gig and have more experience!

Is Behringer really unreliable and too good to be true? Should I take a chance and get the full rig at once? Or play it safe with Hartke? I really liked both rigs!
 
#2
I'm not sure what kind of materials are used to make the behringer cabinet(1/2" or 3/4", good plywood or particle board)
But if the cabinets are good and the price is right go for the behringer since it's more in your price range. Now when and if the crossover, speakers, wires or whatever else that can be replaced easily goes bad, put an upgrade part in to make the cab a little bit better. If the speakers go out, replace them with what ever speakers you desire, so on and so forth. Now if the cab is a shatty built cab then save your money for a better built cab that will last for a good while.
 
#3
TyronPotamkin said:
I'm not sure what kind of materials are used to make the behringer cabinet(1/2" or 3/4", good plywood or particle board)
But if the cabinets are good and the price is right go for the behringer since it's more in your price range. Now when and if the crossover, speakers, wires or whatever else that can be replaced easily goes bad, put an upgrade part in to make the cab a little bit better. If the speakers go out, replace them with what ever speakers you desire, so on and so forth. Now if the cab is a shatty built cab then save your money for a better built cab that will last for a good while.
Click to expand...

Cool. The guy at GC said they'd replace the cab if anything goes wrong under the two year warranty.
 
#4
I gotta chance to hear that berhinger cabinet combo mated with a berhinger 450watt head. I think the head was from the same model line as the cabs. I must admit I was pretty impressed by it. I even took into consideration that it was a 3/4 stack in a small venue hall. I'm with you on the reliability issue, how long will the parts last. But here lately I've been reading a lot of good reviews on all of berhingers equipment, maybe they stepped up quality control to better there rep. as good low priced equipment.
 
#11
Idk why u people think behringer is as reliable. I love behringer. My recording equip and P. A system is all behringer. Behringer has the same parts as the top of the line stuff like Mackies and hartke n etc. They just sell it cheaper. There made in the facotry on some things as top brands. I know this because my bro is a sound tech. Behringer is good stuff. Ive never had a problem with it.
 
#15
:bassist: :) if u can try ampeg 4 10 cabs i have always had great luck with my sound and i use Gk heads also remember you get what you pay 4 when it comes to sound you can find them used also at a good price they hold their value well also
so good luck and happy hunting
 
#19
There is a rock club here that has this exact Behringer rig but with paper cones,the BB model.The most bassists who play through it they just crank it all the way up.And i mean harsh distortion because the speakers can't keep up with the volume but i've never seen a problem yet.

IME it is reliable.The overall sound is pretty good (and warm with the matching head)in lower to normal volumes but for loud rock i think it's not enough.
Personally i play loud and want a full fat sound so when i had a gig there i took my lovely Schroeder 410 with me.There was no comparison between my sound and the others bass players sound.

But if you don't like to play real loud i say the Behringer rig is a very good buy for the money and is a good option.
 
#20
BUY USED!!!! You can get a lot more bang for your buck. If you're in northern Jersey, keep an eye on NYC craigslist.

Bass cabs are big and heavy and expensive to ship - if you can buy used gear locally, directly from a person (not a shop) you can save close to 50% in my experience. Or get gear that's twice as nice.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back