Need help buying an amp.

[njsuccessstory]

Hey everyone. I recently switched from guitar to bass to accommodate the needs of my band. I need a giggable amp and I was wondering what amp I should go after. I have about $400-$600 (depending on how some of my guitar stuff sells) to spend. Right now I am a cash strapped teenager without time for a job. I've been looking the used route and I can't decide what to get.

My first question is should I go for high wattage first? I've seen a cheap Fender 300 watt amp for about $200. I was thinking about getting that and then using a Sansamp Bass Driver as my preamp. I was thinking of doing this because it is loud and cheap. I've looked at Behringer heads with similar intentions.

One other option is looking out for a GK 800RB. I've heard nothing but good things about it but I don't know if I can afford to buy it and a cab. Another option is a SWR Workingman 4004 half stack at my local store. It will be about $400 for it. I am strongly considered it but I've heard it is underpowered. Is this true? Should there be something I should get?

 

[Let It Fall]

All you'll ever need is about 500 watts.. He'll 300 watts is fine, if you need more volume go for more speakers and not more watts

 

[njsuccessstory]

All you'll ever need is about 500 watts.. He'll 300 watts is fine, if you need more volume go for more speakers and not more watts

What would you suggest then?

 

[Bouigha123]

Id say check your local craigslist, you can find tons of great deals, on mine theres a ampeg 15E and 350 watt head asking price 400, deals can be made right now because times are tough so people are letting go of there old gear

 

[njsuccessstory]

Id say check your local craigslist, you can find tons of great deals, on mine theres a ampeg 15E and 350 watt head asking price 400, deals can be made right now because times are tough so people are letting go of there old gear

I've tried. Nothing really good or if it is it is pricey/overpriced.

 

[Let It Fall]

Craigslist, eBay and talkbass classifides. If you want to do a better search on craigslist go to craigslook.com.. It can search nearby locations.

Depending on your style of music, you can get a ampeg 410 or 115 for 200$ and a 810 for 400$

As for heads, you can get gks pretty cheap, ampeg b2-r or b2re can be had for around 200$

 

[JxBass]

Carvin is a reasonable choice for good value and decent tone. That price range will get you a 500w 1x15 or 2x10 combo.

 

[njsuccessstory]

Craigslist, eBay and talkbass classifides. If you want to do a better search on craigslist go to craigslook.com.. It can search nearby locations.

Depending on your style of music, you can get a ampeg 410 or 115 for 200$ and a 810 for 400$

As for heads, you can get gks pretty cheap, ampeg b2-r or b2re can be had for around 200$

Thanks for the advice. I haven't been able to see any of those for that amount of money. And how good are the B2-R and B2re? Can't say I've heard good things about them.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Carvin amps are a great value. Here's a link to their combos:

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[Let It Fall]

There fine amps, reliable and sound great over rated in power is all

 

[B-string]

Let me see if I understand. You are going from Bass to guitar and your asking about guitar amps on a Bass forum? But then you mention some bass amps?
Did you mean your going from guitar to bass? I have seen a couple G-K 210 combos in local pawn shops (and I live in a small town). Both are going for less than $300, add a 115 cab and you'll be good for quite a while.

 

[njsuccessstory]

Let me see if I understand. You are going from Bass to guitar and your asking about guitar amps on a Bass forum? But then you mention some bass amps?
Did you mean your going from guitar to bass? I have seen a couple G-K 210 combos in local pawn shops (and I live in a small town). Both are going for less than $300, add a 115 cab and you'll be good for quite a while.

Oops typo. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[njsuccessstory]

There fine amps, reliable and sound great over rated in power is all

Yeah I've read that they are severely underpowered. How much so though? I am worried it won't keep up.

 

[Gus Borden]

Ok. The obvious questions need to be asked here. Where are you gigging? This is important. Big venues or smaller ones? Do these places have PA's in house? Do you bring one with? I gigged in small to medium sized bars and clubs (occassionally outdoors) with a Fender Rumble 100 (2x10) for 3 years (gig 3 to 6 times monthly). 100 watts - never put the thing more than half way, hell I never put the thing more than a third. And played for two of those years with two guitarists and a loud drummer. The point is, there are a lot of options out there for reasonable prices used. 100 watts. Plenty, any more and you can run it through a PA. Buy used - when you decide that this is definitely what you want to do (as in really giving up guitar to play bass) you can sell and recoup your cash b/c you bought used and upgrade to a bigger amp when more funds are available. Go to the local Guitar Center. I've seen many a fantastic used deal go through my local GC. And the best thing about that is if you have problems or aren't happy, you are covered by their 30-day return policy.

As far as suggestions for reasonable prices? Gallien Krueger's Backline series are solid workhorses. Built well, GK tone, take abuse well. The afore mentioned Fender Rumbles are great - and fairly versatile, take abuse (I know from experience). I've heard great things about the new Acoustic amps too.

Anyway, hope this helps. And good luck!

 

[JxBass]

Another option is the new Gallien-Krueger MicroBass series. They're new to scene but are getting some buzz for their light weight to power ratio. The GK MB210 is 33 lbs and puts 350w into the 8 ohm cab, 500w with an extension cab. The MB115 is also 33 lbs, only 200w, but also only $399! An MB212 is imminent.