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Need help... fast, if possible

#81
pcake said:
i, too, would suggest going with 500 watts.

how about the fender rumble 500 watt head? maybe with the 4x10, which is in your budget, or the 2x10. peavey is a little more bang for your buck, but i like the rumble voice better.

or if you want more value but less versatility, the fender rumble combo?
Fender Rumble 500 2x10" 500-Watt Bass Combo
it's under 40 pounds, not sure watts without the extension cab, but down the road, you can pick up the extension cab.

and don't worry about the 0% financing - sweetwater does this periodically.
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Thanks for the advice. You are right about SW doing this periodically. I am in a situation where I need a rig at the moment. I never even considered the Fender Rumble Series until a few of you fine folks suggested it.
I was seriously considering the Ampeg Portaflex setup but I have read where some people thought it sounded underpowered. Also, I recently read about them having problems. I understand ALL amps/cabs can have problems, I'm just a little wary of Ampeg lately. It seems that I've been reading more and more negative reviews recently.

What do you think of the Hartke LH-500 head? I was eyeing that also. Not sure what a good cab match for that would be. As you have probably already figured out, I'm a newbie to the bass and everything that goes along with it. This site was one of the best things I've done to search for advice and direction.
 
#83
Kipp Harrington said:
Thanks for the advice. You are right about SW doing this periodically. I am in a situation where I need a rig at the moment. I never even considered the Fender Rumble Series until a few of you fine folks suggested it.
I was seriously considering the Ampeg Portaflex setup but I have read where some people thought it sounded underpowered. Also, I recently read about them having problems. I understand ALL amps/cabs can have problems, I'm just a little wary of Ampeg lately. It seems that I've been reading more and more negative reviews recently.

What do you think of the Hartke LH-500 head? I was eyeing that also. Not sure what a good cab match for that would be. As you have probably already figured out, I'm a newbie to the bass and everything that goes along with it. This site was one of the best things I've done to search for advice and direction.
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I started with Hartke gear and used it for many years, but not this particular amp. I was using the 3500 which is really a great piece of equipment and can be had very inexpensively on the used market. Also had their big 4200 cabinet that I used until about 5 years ago.

Personally I would have no problem using their stuff. In fact, when I think about downsizing my rig a strong candidate is a pair of the Hartke hydrive 12's.
 
#84
Kipp Harrington said:
Ready to pull the trigger on Sweetwater. I think I’m going to go with the Aguilar Tone Hammer 350. Probably be playing small to medium-sized gigs. Looking for a solid, reliable cab that can stand up to a classic rock gig. Nothing crazy loud/powerful, but ample. Looking for a reliable, dynamic sounding cab around $500. Been searching all night and my eyes are crossing! Some insight, please!
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Used AMPEG 8X10. Got one with a soft cover for $350.
 
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#85
Kipp Harrington said:
Thanks for the advice. You are right about SW doing this periodically. I am in a situation where I need a rig at the moment. I never even considered the Fender Rumble Series until a few of you fine folks suggested it.
I was seriously considering the Ampeg Portaflex setup but I have read where some people thought it sounded underpowered. Also, I recently read about them having problems. I understand ALL amps/cabs can have problems, I'm just a little wary of Ampeg lately. It seems that I've been reading more and more negative reviews recently.

What do you think of the Hartke LH-500 head? I was eyeing that also. Not sure what a good cab match for that would be. As you have probably already figured out, I'm a newbie to the bass and everything that goes along with it. This site was one of the best things I've done to search for advice and direction.
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i love my hartke LH500. i've not been a hartke fan in the past, and i don't care for their cabs, but this head is the best sounding head for my taste that i've owned. and its simple controls are surprisingly versatile. that being said, the LH500 and LH1000 had an issue early on. i haven't had it, but some here have. hartke took care of them, and there was also an easy workaround, but i'm not sure if the issue was fully dealt with. still, it's a wonderful head and a great value. it is on the heavy side, and while the tube brings nice tone to the party, it means it takes a minute for the head to warm up. hartke / samson has good phone support.

that being said, i like the rumbles, too. they have a lot of warmth, and while you can dial most of it away if you want a bright sound, i'd think the rumble would be good for all sorts of music that doesn't need tons of super clear brightness. check out the rumble club here on TB - a lot of people love their rumbles. and the combo is pretty inexpensive for what you get. i think you can get a hint more clarity out of the LH500, but the rumbles have more features when you get to the 500 watt range, and they do sound sweet. btw, i've found that fender has good phone support if you have questions.

i liked the sound of the PF500 better than the PF350, and i liked the adjustable mids in the PF500, but i liked the sound of the LH series better, which is why i bought one.
 
#88
pcake said:
i love my hartke LH500. i've not been a hartke fan in the past, and i don't care for their cabs, but this head is the best sounding head for my taste that i've owned. and its simple controls are surprisingly versatile. that being said, the LH500 and LH1000 had an issue early on. i haven't had it, but some here have. hartke took care of them, and there was also an easy workaround, but i'm not sure if the issue was fully dealt with. still, it's a wonderful head and a great value. it is on the heavy side, and while the tube brings nice tone to the party, it means it takes a minute for the head to warm up. hartke / samson has good phone support.

that being said, i like the rumbles, too. they have a lot of warmth, and while you can dial most of it away if you want a bright sound, i'd think the rumble would be good for all sorts of music that doesn't need tons of super clear brightness. check out the rumble club here on TB - a lot of people love their rumbles. and the combo is pretty inexpensive for what you get. i think you can get a hint more clarity out of the LH500, but the rumbles have more features when you get to the 500 watt range, and they do sound sweet. btw, i've found that fender has good phone support if you have questions.

i liked the sound of the PF500 better than the PF350, and i liked the adjustable mids in the PF500, but i liked the sound of the LH series better, which is why i bought one.
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The more you talk about the Rumbles, the more I am entertaining them. If I go that direction, I would be getting a separate head and cab. Is there a cab that would be better suited for the Rumble 500 head other than the Rumble 410?
 
#89
Tone Hammer is a great sounding amp. Clear mid range controls and can get gritty if you need it.
I prefer 2x12", no tweeter for ideal cab match. 10s are punchy and lack the low end that a 15's has. 15" cabs are bulky and heavy. I found a 2x12" or 1x12" fits nicely between punchy and low end reproduction. Find one with neodyms for light-weight loading.
Smaller venues "coffee shop" gigs don't want a large cab. Bigger venues will go direct and a large cab is not needed. Save your back and some $$$ too on that cab purchase. Go as small as you can and still have "the sound" or "the feel" you are looking for.
 
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#93
JimChjones said:
Well personally, if I wanted 10in drivers and had a sane volume band I'd get an 8ohm 2*10, and then if it wasn't enough volume with a future band I could get another 8ohm 2x10. But I'm a mile away from the apparent consensus here...
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This is a very sensible way to look at the issue. The modern 10" drivers are amazing, two of them are awesome and 4 of them are delightful!:)
 
#98
CharlieMac said:
Hartke 1x12 - Can switch from 4 ohm or 8ohm 300Watts
45 pounds. . .but worth it
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That's what I did (among other configurations...)
Bought a second Hartke 112 and that (2 12's) is my favorite "medium venue" setup.
(The 410 is still my backline cab because it's a little more bulletproof, but that's the only reason I keep it around now...)
Be aware, I believe the 4/8-Ohm flavor is being phased out to be replaced by the 112B that is 4-Ohm only and $100 cheaper...
300W in a single cab means you need to be aware and careful with power levels, but with 2 in 8-Ohm mode being driven by 500W at 4 Ohms you have a bit of margin. At 350W you have a lot of margin. I did buy one of the 112's new after looking on the used market for about a year. No regrets.
 

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