Have a 100 watt peavey bass head and 2x15 cab and amp just can’t keep up with my band. I need to crank it all the way to be heard and it’s gets too muddy and looses clarity. Looking for affordable amp head options preferably under $500 that are over 250-300 watts. Play 70s hard rock mostly. First gigs outdoors so I need something loud enough to keep up.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Need new affordable amp suggestions
- Thread starter WillStrick
- Start date
Warwick Gnome iPro is 600 watts and under $400 new.
Peavey MiniMax is 600 watts and about $400 new.
Hartke LH500 is 500 watts and about $480 new.
Not that I recommend it, but the Bugera Veyron offers exaggerated watts under $500.
What 215 cabinet is it? It may not be able to take more wattage.
Peavey MiniMax is 600 watts and about $400 new.
Hartke LH500 is 500 watts and about $480 new.
Not that I recommend it, but the Bugera Veyron offers exaggerated watts under $500.
What 215 cabinet is it? It may not be able to take more wattage.
I played many times with 100 watts into a 215 cab and didn't push that hard? You need to know if the cab is actually "good". If one speaker is bad the volume loss will be massive and a more powerful head will kill the remaining speaker. Just a word to the wise.
Should be a capable cab with both functioning speakers and most any head between 200 and 500 watts at 4 ohm load will do. GK RB or MB series, Mesa, Ampeg, can be easily had in your price range.
Peavey MiniMax fits the bill, $400 and 600 watts. I have the original 500watt version and have never had a lick of trouble with it.
Hartke 3500 can be found for cheap and it is loud for it's wattage rating.
Fishheadjoe
Fishheadjoe
1. Check wattage on the cab. Watch how much 'lows' you are pushing into it. For some reason you need another cab, check marketplace, i see really big cabs cheap. We all get older and cant handle a 150lb cab like we used to!
That cab is 500watts at 4 Ohms.
I liked it a lot. Had a pair of them and over time used a 350 Hartke, 500 Hartke and 400 watt Marshall VBA. All sounded great.
Change the head and don't sell the cab. Paid $200 each new for mine. Wish I'd kept one. They never come up for sale as I have a permanent search set up on my phone.
I'll also recommend the Peavey Minimax. My loud rock trio played an outdoor gig on Saturday. I used this amp with my 4x12 cabinet. Started with gain at 3 and master volume at 2.5 and had to turn down 
.
.
I'll probably get dinged for mentioning it but I have a basically new Hartke LH500 listed here for sale for $375. Great head. I'm just not using it.
If you are really on budget consider a Bugera BXD15. Not the peak but pretty good. Depends on your requirements.
What is the Wattage and ohm of the cab. If the cab is rated at say 200 watts RMS, you don’t want to be powering it with a 250-300+ watt head which could lead to an expensive repair. Replacement speakers are not cheap.
