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Need advice on ampage...please!

L

Lyz

Dec 2, 2008
4
0
Smallsbury
#1
Hey...I'm a fairly new bassist, as far as it all goes..and I was hoping for some advice as far as good brands for a head and cabs. I need something lightweight..because..I am tiny..>.< It sucks horribly, but yeah. So I need something I can lug to gigs and practices and such that won't ruin my not so perfect posture...any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks much!

:help:

Lyz
 
#3
As you are just starting out, I'm assuming you are looking for affordable, reliable, and versitile; if not, I'd advise you do (no sense getting an expensive niche amp when your just starting out)! Avatar probably makes the best bang-per-buck neo (that's a new type of lightweight magnet) cabs, and I'm a big fan of ashdowns MAG series of heads. You should be able to find a good used Avatar 2x10 cab for Ashdown MAG head for cheap, and be able to carry it! Check the classifieds here on talkbass, or even your local craigslist. Welcome to the wonderful world of bass!
http://avatarspeakers.com/


FYI, the Avatar Neo 2x10 weights about 44 lbs.
 
#4
A separate head and cab is lighter, and easier to pack and carry than an all-in-one combo.

It's best to simply list possible choices based on reliability info from TalkBass members. Everyone has a different preference for his tone, so you're going to have to listen to equipment and decide.

But you can make a short list from pricing and reliability recommendations here. As for how an amp sounds, that's like asking me how much salt to put on your food.

You have to give us a budget figure. And I assume Smallsbury is in the US, so we can recommend US-available equipment.
 
#5
What price range are you looking at?

The Genz Benz shuttle series is hideously small, light, loud, and sounds good. The same with iAmp, although I didn't like those as much personally (not enough salt in them, I guess :) )
Both those options are somewhat expensive, though, and other brands have similar products for less...so what price range we lookin' at?
 
#6
Price?? I can't afford very much at the moment. I'm looking more for what I want and then..kinda save the money up for it. Right now, I'm completely broke...so I'm looking for something to motivate me to make some money...but, as Greyvagabond said, I am starting out. Right now all I've got is a no name Aria 4 string bass and a 300watt Behringer combo amp. It's extremely heavy. So..I guess $2000? for everything. I'm definitely looking for used equipment, and I don't need alot of power..just something decent for gigs.

I'm guessing $2000 is pretty cheap as far as equipment goes..again. I'm extremely new to prices and such. :/ Sorry
 
#8
Actually, $2000 is quite good. You can get very good, capable, reliable amp and cabinet(s) for that.

For ease of transport, you might consider a 2x10 cabinet first, then add a second identical 2x10 later. This gives you the best flexibility for small and large gigs, and it packs and carries easily.

"Neo" cabinets can save about 10 pounds on the speakers themselves, which helps. A typical Neo 2x10 will weigh about 40-50 pounds.

There are several good, lightweight bass heads, e.g. the Genz, the Eden WTX-260, and the MarkBass heads. Plus others that didn't immediately come to mind.

There's an active used market here on TB too.
 
#9
When choosing cabinets, if you go for an identical pair of 2x10s, it's good to choose 8-ohm cabinets. This allows you to run a pair with almost any head.

Some may recommend 4-ohm cabs, but when paired you'd have a 2-ohm load, and many heads won't allow that. No sense limiting your future choices.

For two years, I've been running one or two Eden D112XLT cabs, which give me plenty for my gigs. The 112XLT weighs 38lbs (their neo is 32). I usually use the 4lb WTX-260 though I have the 20lb WT550B.
 
#10
Ha, oh man, wish I had $2k to spend on a new rig! ;)
If you're just starting out, I would advise NOT spending that kind of dough on just an amp! Its best to take it slow, get a decent sized amp (Rick's suggestion of an 8 ohm 2x10, then if you need more power, another one, is a GREAT idea), and decently powered amp, and maybe a better bass (Squire VM's are fantastic). But make sure you are playing out/around enough to justify your spending!
 
#14
Lyz said:
Thanks. You guys are awesome. No lie. n.n
:D
Click to expand...

We try.

I find it better to instill knowledge rather than just say "Buy X, it works for me." You become better at evaluating equipment, which prevents you from wasting money on poor choices. There's so much equipment from which to choose.

In general, compact, lightweight gear costs more to build. Reliability also comes at a cost: one company, for example, may advertise an amp at full power; another may conservatively rate. The first one will disappoint, or it will fail when pushed to its advertised specs. Though the first looks like a better value, it may not be in the long run.

And always keep in mind that your music situation can change. What works well for a small gig today won't cut it with a louder band. So you find that you may keep a small and large setup. Over time, your preference for a personal tone may change, forcing a change of equipment.
 
#15
Lyz said:
Hey...I'm a fairly new bassist, as far as it all goes..and I was hoping for some advice as far as good brands for a head and cabs. I need something lightweight..because..I am tiny..>.< It sucks horribly, but yeah. So I need something I can lug to gigs and practices and such that won't ruin my not so perfect posture...any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks much!

:help:

Lyz
Click to expand...

When you can afford it get the Mesa Walkabout Scout combo. 300 watts, 50 lbs. You will be hard pressed to find anything that small and light that sounds so good and still plays loud and still sounds like you're playing a bass.
 
#16
Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass.

I was going to suggest checking used SWR WorkingMan's series combos, I've been happy with my 10", but with Your budget I'd definately buy something more versatile.

62bass said:
When you can afford it get the Mesa Walkabout Scout combo. 300 watts, 50 lbs. You will be hard pressed to find anything that small and light that sounds so good and still plays loud and still sounds like you're playing a bass.
Click to expand...


With a budget of $2K I think she can afford that ;). Not a bad suggestion at all.

Regards
Sam
 
#18
As you're in a bit of a learning phase with rig choice I recommend getting a head and cab separately. You may find you don't like one or other- then its easy to swap the units out individually. There are a lot of factors to consider- how loud are your bands at rehearsals, how loud are they at gigs, do you play live without PA support?

My preferred option is a head with 2 x 1x12" cabs (mine are Aguilar DB112)- I jam with one cab and gig with both.
 
#20
Thanks..I'll definitely be looking into these brands and your input is so helpful. Oi, by the way. I've got an audition Friday for a pretty metal/rock band. Any tips or hints as to how I can impress? I'm playing a solo for them and then jamming with the band as my full audition bit...I'm doing the piece from Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth) - Metallica....
 

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