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Need help choosing an amp.

Help me choose an amp

  • Fender Rumble 350 amp

    Votes: 11 8.9%

  • Hartke LH500

    Votes: 18 14.6%

  • GK MB500

    Votes: 48 39.0%

  • Genz Benz 6.0 amp

    Votes: 46 37.4%
  • Total voters
    123
  • Poll closed .
#4
What kind of music are you going to play? Are you gonna be gigging or practicing. I have a Rumble 350. Pretty versatile (doesn't get a lot of love on TB). I've used it in a small club and bar situation and it had plenty of headroom. I might recommend the 350 head and a cab over the combo though--more opportunity to use different cabs and such. The Genz Benz 6.0 run $600-$700, so that's out of your stated price range.
 
#6
atomicdog said:
What kind of music are you going to play? Are you gonna be gigging or practicing. I have a Rumble 350. Pretty versatile (doesn't get a lot of love on TB). I've used it in a small club and bar situation and it had plenty of headroom. I might recommend the 350 head and a cab over the combo though--more opportunity to use different cabs and such. The Genz Benz 6.0 run $600-$700, so that's out of your stated price range.
Click to expand...

I like to play rock, classic and modern. I'm going to practice but want something that I can use to gig with when the time comes. I tried the Fender 350 amp with a Rumble 2x8 cab and really liked it. I liked the Hartke a lot, but it does not come with a headphone jack. I live in a house with other people and a headphone jack is important but not a deal breaker.
 
#7
I used to own a Shuttle 6.0 and have played all the heads you have listed, I would suggest also looking at an Aguilar Tone Hammer......all of these are quality amps, it really comes down to what sounds best to you. Good luck!
 
#19
Shop the sales and coupon deals...

I pounced on a 15% sale at MusiciansFriend and picked up an LH1000 for $425.
They're showing the LH500 for $350 and they've always got some kind of '1-item' deal going (today's is 12%). Yes - no headphone jack. There are lots of solutions to the quiet practice problem for not a lot of money. Here's an 11-page thread that talks about _many_ of the available options... --> TalkBass Thread: headphone practice options

The ToneHammer gets a lot of love here but it does have a 'vintage tubey' sound I wasn't sure I'd like. I can always add the effect later if I decide I must have it. If you want that sound, it's another great option. It's small and light, which the LH amps aren't. I can't tell if it has a headphone out but - this is your research project, not mine ;). And as mentioned, there are solutions to that issue.

Watch the classifieds for cabs - guys here are moving up and down all the time. Be prepared to pounce with cash for the right deal.
 
#20
I voted for the GK and here's why- Not only is it very portable and a good value for the power and features- but it is also EXTREMELY easy to dial in a good sound on it. The GK active EQ is different from those on most amps. It's really hard to get a bad sound out of it, and easy to be heard in the mix with the way that it's voiced. I think the Genz Benz is at least as good or better on build quality, but with GK- just set the eq knobs at noon, makes some (very slight) adjustments, and you are set. Easy fast setup every time. The song in my signature was recorded with a GK MB-800 (similar to the 500) that has been mic'd with no effects on it- if you need a reference. good luck.
 

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