Newbie advice please

[SmokinJoe992]

As other have mentioned the head and cab are the way to go. Not only would they be the loudest of the three choices, but you would have the option to add a second cab or a bigger cab down the road and be twice as loud. BTW I didn't start playing bass until I was 46. I am now 48 and playing in two bands one of which plays paying gigs regularly. Do not limit yourself, and Welcome to talk bass.

 

[SadowskySteve]

Some really good advice here. Nothing wrong with a good quality used combo or head and cab to meet current and potential future needs. 200 watts is generally a minimum with "energy" ie loud drummers, at least for me as I want to hear myself.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

The head and 115 Cab is your best bet.

 

[danosix]

So to a newbie like me the stack seems like a good deal, but is it? Assuming it's all working as it should.

Yeah, the only "real" amp of the bunch (as in bandworthy - even in a garage) is really the Peavey.
The only downside of the old Peaveys (out of that group) is they're not as heavy as modern equivalents - but if you're not planning on gigging you won't be moving it much anyway - but it WILL happily gig if you change your mind - many of us gigged with equvalents for decades.
The Ampeg is a WONDERFUL practice amp - but not a real contender with a loud drummer.
The newer Peavey is frankly kindof a toy.
EDIT - they are not a LIGHT as modern equivalents (but I think you figured that out).

 

[Monzo]

I've been learning bass for about 8 months now and am loving it.

Last weekend a mate came over with his acoustic drum kit and we had a little jam session in my garage with my 16yo son on electric guitar - At the tender age of 46 this was my first ever experience playing in a "band" hahaha... was amazing and I'm still pumped from it 3 days later. We played a bit of everything, some RHCP, Nick Cave, ACDC, Dinosaur Jr, Beatles, Curtis Mayfield, WAR and The Meters etc. Lots of fun for about 4 hours.

Trouble is I have a rubbish little amp that was nowhere near up to the task so I've started the hunt for a practice amp that will double as a garage jam amp. No plans to ever gig.

My guitar is a brand spanking Squire Vintage Modified PJ like the one below - made in Indonesia job but I really like it. It's beautifully finished and has a nice feel and tone (when played through a half decent amp)

Now I know the golden rule is to try before you buy as it's my ear that will ultimately decide what's right for me, but given my VERY novice standard I dare say my ear isn't anywhere near developed enough to help me make an informed decision......hence my question here.

My budget is tight - about $300-$400AUD and space is limited. Portability is preferable so I've been looking at things like:

1. Ampeg BA-110 40w at around $350 brand new seems to fit the bill - The 110 would be a great practice amp however I'm not sure it will cope with the drummer who gets a bit excited. The Ampeg 112 would be better suited but at $550 plus it's well out of my budget range. Love the look and versatility of this amp but no idea how it sounds as I haven't had a chance to get out an audition any yet.
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2. A 2nd hand Peavey Nitro Bass head with Matching 15 inch Cabinet that is within my budget. Seems like a pretty good deal. It's well worn and showing its age with plenty of "character" from years of gigging but according to the seller plays very well - Made in the USA. Can get this for $300 - seems a bargain??

3. There is also a 2nd hand Peavey Max 110 for under $200 - even better for the budget and from all accounts is a decent little combo - at 100W I would think it would serve it's purpose for me.

Would love some general advice about value for money, versatility and suitability with the amps that I've listed here. I live in Australia btw.

Thanks in advance

In my past experience you need at least 3 to 4 times the wattage that the guitar player is using. I would not go less than 300W which is hard to come by at your price range. You may be able to find something used at your range. Just be careful when buying used especially private seller. It may sound great at first but once warmed up it may begin to over heat or crackle. Make sure not to have a meeting place other then where the seller lives. That way if there are any issues later, you can contact them.

 

[OldPlucker]

I may be biased; but, used Rumble Combos might fit into the price range. Unfortunately, the one I'm selling is only 100 watts and may not keep up with a loud drummer.

 

[Session1969]

Head and cab. The new peavey combos left a bad taste in my mouth after buying one that was used and began failing after a month of having it. They don't even fix them, anymore. If it's under warranty, they just send out a new one. If it's second hand or out of warranty, you're screwed.

 

[wjl]

Welcome to the low end.

That Squier was a great decision, the Peavey stack which is recommended by most seems to be your way to go.

I got a Squier Fretless VM P myself some two weeks ago, after a 35 year hiatus. And believe me: you will be giggin' in no time. It's just too much fun to not simply do it. I've been to the record studios at 19; never dreamt of that while I was 17 or so ;-)

Cheers,
Wolfgang

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

You might want to check out the Fender Rumble 100 combo. Runs about $299, less for a used one. They are very loud for their size and wattage. I've used this amp in the exact setting you describe and it holds up it's end quite well.

 

[InhumanResource]

I've been learning bass for about 8 months now and am loving it.

Last weekend a mate came over with his acoustic drum kit and we had a little jam session in my garage with my 16yo son on electric guitar - At the tender age of 46 this was my first ever experience playing in a "band" hahaha... was amazing and I'm still pumped from it 3 days later. We played a bit of everything, some RHCP, Nick Cave, ACDC, Dinosaur Jr, Beatles, Curtis Mayfield, WAR and The Meters etc. Lots of fun for about 4 hours.

Trouble is I have a rubbish little amp that was nowhere near up to the task so I've started the hunt for a practice amp that will double as a garage jam amp. No plans to ever gig.

My guitar is a brand spanking Squire Vintage Modified PJ like the one below - made in Indonesia job but I really like it. It's beautifully finished and has a nice feel and tone (when played through a half decent amp)

Now I know the golden rule is to try before you buy as it's my ear that will ultimately decide what's right for me, but given my VERY novice standard I dare say my ear isn't anywhere near developed enough to help me make an informed decision......hence my question here.

My budget is tight - about $300-$400AUD and space is limited. Portability is preferable so I've been looking at things like:

1. Ampeg BA-110 40w at around $350 brand new seems to fit the bill - The 110 would be a great practice amp however I'm not sure it will cope with the drummer who gets a bit excited. The Ampeg 112 would be better suited but at $550 plus it's well out of my budget range. Love the look and versatility of this amp but no idea how it sounds as I haven't had a chance to get out an audition any yet.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

2. A 2nd hand Peavey Nitro Bass head with Matching 15 inch Cabinet that is within my budget. Seems like a pretty good deal. It's well worn and showing its age with plenty of "character" from years of gigging but according to the seller plays very well - Made in the USA. Can get this for $300 - seems a bargain??

3. There is also a 2nd hand Peavey Max 110 for under $200 - even better for the budget and from all accounts is a decent little combo - at 100W I would think it would serve it's purpose for me.

Would love some general advice about value for money, versatility and suitability with the amps that I've listed here. I live in Australia btw.

Thanks in advance

The Nitro stack, hands down. Plenty of horsepower for what you are doing now and flexibility to expand later with another cabinet or upgraded head (though adding a cab is probably a better choice for upgrades) if you want more down the line.

 

[Jim Carr]

So to a newbie like me the stack seems like a good deal, but is it? Assuming it's all working as it should.

The Nitro head/cab rig, if in good shape, will blow the other rigs away for volume and flexibility. A way better value, IMHO.

Getting a rig that has a separate head and cabinet allows you to add a cabinet, upgrade the cab(s), replace the head, and sell either part if it becomes redundant. Modular rigs are free of the "combo trap" problems, such as: if the amp dies, the speaker is useless, or if the speaker dies the amp is either useless until the whole thing comes back from repair, or you get to lug a combo with a dead speaker as an amp head for a different cabinet.

Oh yes, the combo lover will tell you "it is so much easier," and yes, if plugging in a speaker cable is too hard, your life will be golden. The combo fans also say "moving a combo is easier," which is fine, if it is actually true. Many combos are huge and heavy, though new lighter ones are more portable that the old ~70 lbs. combos like the SWR workingman's 15 or Acoustic 136 I used to schlep.

I have an 800 watt head that fits in my gig bag and weighs about 4.5 lbs. Add a good 30 lb cabinet, and I can load-in in one carry—and I am 67 years old! That said, I am much happier with a large rig with tons of power, but that discussion is for another day.

Welcome to TalkBass!

 

[wintremute]

OP, I know you've already made your decision, and I hope when you try it out it works well. However, I just want to jump on the bandwagon: Peavey Nitro. I think at $300 Australian, that's a very good price for both the amp and the cab. In the US, just the amp runs $150-$200, so that's $190-$250 AUD.

I think all the people suggesting Fender don't realize you're in Australia. Sometimes the Kool-aide makes it difficult to see.

 

[Munjibunga]

hahaha dude, I get where you're coming from but seriously, right now I can not EVER see myself gigging.

Famous last words. If you were pumped for three days after a garage jam, imagine how you'd feel after a gig in front of a crowd.

 

[Stumbo]

up 'closer' to ear level. Actual ear level is way too high unless you are a midget.

Hey, no disrespecting vertically challenged people allowed.

Thing is, they don't need no stinkin' vertical stack.

 

[Paul LF]

I'll have to add another vote for the Peavey Nitro stack. I use to have a Peavey Mark IV half stack with a Black Widow 15" cab and that was 210 watts (it could go down to 300 watts at 2 ohms, but I never had an extra cab to do it,) and it could definitely keep up with a relatively loud band. Those old Peavey amps are work horses. If you can get an extra 15" cab down the road, that would be extra sweet, especially with that P Bass.

 

[wjl]

I once had a Peavey 130W combo even *after* I sold my Ampeg SVT with its two "fridges". Good stuff; never let me down. A bit heavy for a 15" 130W combo, but light compared to those SVT cabs ;-)

 

[ObsessiveArcher]

Option #2) Peavey Nitro Bass head with Matching 15 inch Cabinet
In addition to fitting your budget and current needs, this will give you options to upgrade/swap later and plenty of power to grow into.

 

[FerK]

One more vote for the overwhelming majority of head and cab. Hands down.

 

[Big Hoss]

You can always turn down a higher power amp. If you can afford one, I would get a Fender Rumble V3 500 combo, or an Ampeg BA210 v2. I lean heavily toward the Fender but YMMV...

I'm going to be the contrary voice here to many. A combo amp is less stuff, less complication etc.. compared to a head / cab rig. Consider boom box vs component system with similar specs. Do you really want to be futzing with all those cables etc? Combos tend to cost less, are easier to move, are easier to set up / take down. A good combo will never leave you lacking for sound, and output power.

Use what is most comfortable for you, and if that is a combo great, if that is a head / cab rig, great.

 

[red_rhino]

Of the three choices, go with the Peavey Nitro and matching cab, absolutely.

I use a Gallien Krueger MB115

If you can find one used in good shape and in your price range, then this instead. It's also a lot lighter. However, the Nitro stack would serve you very well.