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New amp suggestions?

Stranger Danger

Stranger Danger

Feel Like A Stranger
Jan 3, 2010
14,549
14,124
Denver, CO
#1
I have been forced by Uncle Sam to sell off most of my expensive bass gear. I'm keeping one bass (Ibanez SR1000 Prestige) and need a new amp. I'm not opposed to combos but would prefer a micro head and 210 cab. I am also looking for used to get the most bang for the buck.

What I need is something that has a flexible EQ but sounds good flat, fairly transparent, good DI, headphone and auxiliary jack for mp3. It would have to be able to handle an active bass at gig volume without farting out or distorting. Budget is $500-$600 used.

Any suggestions?
 
#2
The kicker is "able to handle an active bass at gig volume without farting out". Not many 2x10's are up to the task. I think you might want to re-think the spkr cab portion of this new rig. Any decent 300+ watt bass amp will do, but for the important part, the spkr cab, you may want more than 2 10's.
 
#3
RickenBoogie said:
The kicker is "able to handle an active bass at gig volume without farting out". Not many 2x10's are up to the task. I think you might want to re-think the spkr cab portion of this new rig. Any decent 300+ watt bass amp will do, but for the important part, the spkr cab, you may want more than 2 10's.
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Yeah its a quality vs quantity thing for me. I guess I need to clarify what I mean. 410 is my favorite cab configuration but a good one is out of my budget so I was thinking I would rather have a quality 210 than a crap 410. My preference is 10" speakers.

Now as far as gig volume, I would expect that any gig that I would be taking a micro/210 combo or stack to would be one where I would need PA support. Thats why I was saying a good DI.

I'm kinda thinking Genz Benz Shuttle or maybe SWR headlite? TC Electronic would also be an option but I know TCE stuff isnt very transparent. Although the EQ on the RH450 is VERY flexible.
 
#4
StrangerDanger said:
I have been forced by Uncle Sam to sell off most of my bass gear. I'm keeping one bass (Ibanez SR1000 Prestige) and need a new amp. I'm not opposed to combos but would prefer a micro head and 210 cab. I am also looking for used to get the most bang for the buck.

What I need is something that has a flexible EQ but sounds good flat, fairly transparent, good DI, headphone and auxiliary jack for mp3. It would have to be able to handle an active bass at gig volume without farting out or distorting. Budget is $500-$600 used.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...


Don't tell us you're selling the Fender Bassman t-100!!!!!!!!Say it's not so.....
 
#12
StrangerDanger said:
I was thinking about a briefcase.
Click to expand...

It's a great amp for sure and does pretty much everything you outlined. Question is though, when you say "gig volume," how loud are we talking? If you have polite stage volume and PA support you should be good. If you're playing in a metal band, it definitely won't work.
 
#14
One Bad Monkey said:
It's a great amp for sure and does pretty much everything you outlined. Question is though, when you say "gig volume," how loud are we talking? If you have polite stage volume and PA support you should be good. If you're playing in a metal band, it definitely won't work.
Click to expand...

No metal but definitely rock and funk. From Grateful Dead to The Meters. 3-5 piece bands.
 
#18
I ended up finding a used TCE BG500 for $350. It's not "transparent" but the baked in sound is quite good. The 500 watts through 2 10's is plenty loud and it will be portable enough once I put some casters on it.

Thanks all for the input.
 

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