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Newbie amp advice

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by phoenixjmw, Jul 9, 2013.

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  1. Jul 9, 2013 #1
    phoenixjmw

    phoenixjmw

    Jul 9, 2013
    Hi all! Hoping some of you much more experienced players can offer some suggestions...

    Just started playing bass after years of 6 string so not to up to speed on bass rigs.

    Basically started playing in a Dead cover band recently and looks like we will be starting to gig out soon. While ok for practice, the 150 watt Peavey keyboard amp has to get replaced at this point. So I'm looking for a good replacement.

    I do have a budget to stay in and it is a bit low considering I am also still not sure how far this will go and what to invest. So looking for an amp fit for practice and an opening set at a dive bar. I am looking at 500-700 bucks to start which most companies do have amps in that range. While not an exhaustive search, seems I like ampeg and mesa boogie sound the best, clear smooth powerfull lows and they do not sound like powered by rubberbands and tin cans (Fender Rumble, lol). I do not see Mesa's around here and what I found were very expensive tube amps. However ampeg has a combo amp and a head/cab (portaflex 350) that seems to match what I am looking for.

    I am iffy on combo amps but I have been assured they are ok...??

    What are your thoughts on the ampeg combo (I think its BAH1-15) and the ampeg portaflex? Any suggestions in general are certainly welcome.

    Very appreciative
     
  2. Jul 9, 2013 #2
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
    GK MB combo amps may be up your alley.
     
  3. Jul 9, 2013 #3
    greengoblin

    greengoblin

    Dec 9, 2007
    Hermitage, PA
    I would stay away from the BA115. Not enough power.. I played through a friends once and I could barely hear it over a loud drummer in a small basement (unless it had issues)...

    The pf350 would be a cool choice. What about a used pf350 with one or two av210 cabs or a svt15he?

    Mesa gear is usually pricey even used.. GK makes some nice combos as Bassgod suggested...
     
  4. Jul 9, 2013 #4
    Nighttrain1127

    Nighttrain1127 Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2004
    Near Worcester MA
    I would look at Used gear . Try to find a Used Peavey Firebass 700 II and a pair of TVX 410 Cabs. Should be able to do all that for right around your budget. make sure you get 4 ohm cabs so you can get the most power out of your rig.
     
  5. Jul 9, 2013 #5
    DocGeorge

    DocGeorge Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 6, 2011
    Indio, CA
    OP- for your stated budget, you could get a wide variety of head/cab combinations. I won't say that there aren't good combos out there, but I've found that when gigging they just aren't enough without PA support, which unless the band already has one, there is no guarantee that there will be one available at the gig location. I recommend searching CL in your area, GC online, and the TB classifieds. There is literally tons of awesome used gear in great shape within your budget. And I've been seeing more and more in the New England area too. Good news for you, bad for me...

    On a side note, I sure hope the Sabres draft picks help out getting more wins next season. I hate watching them lose.
     
  6. Jul 9, 2013 #6
    DocGeorge

    DocGeorge Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 6, 2011
    Indio, CA
    I miss my TVX 410... Awesome sounding cab. It was HEAVY!!!! But damn did it sound amazing!!!!!!
     
  7. Jul 9, 2013 #7
    BenWhoPlaysBass

    BenWhoPlaysBass

    Jun 7, 2013
    VA
    In my opinion, if it doesn't break the bank, instead of the PF-350 go for the PF-500. It's got more EQ options whereas the 350 just has your standard 3 band. Also, the Ba combos are meh. Friend of mine has one and it's good at moving air but doesn't put out as much volume as you'd think. And as everyone else here has said and will say, always look for used. haha
     
  8. Jul 9, 2013 #8
    CL400Peavey

    CL400Peavey

    Nov 7, 2011
    Grand Rapids Michigan
    Shop used, skip the combo's.
     
  9. Jul 10, 2013 #9
    phoenixjmw

    phoenixjmw

    Jul 9, 2013
    Hey thanks for all the advice! Looks like I will stay away from the Ampeg combo, I was actually leaning in that direction but does not sound like a good idea.

    Many of you mentioned buying used... Would used cabs/speakers be advisable?

    Also do you think it would be worthwhile (budget wise) to find a nice head and build a cab myself (I should say buy a box and speakers seperate as I am not going to get into constructing an actual box)?
     
  10. Jul 10, 2013 #10
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
  11. Jul 10, 2013 #11
    phoenixjmw

    phoenixjmw

    Jul 9, 2013
    It case it makes a difference I wanted to clarify on the Ampeg combo. They have a 100W and a 220W combo amp. I was looking at the BA115HP which is the 220W amp. Does the "not as loud as you would think" hold true for this version?

    I saw GK has a couple combos similar to the ampeg, those are reccomended?
     
  12. Jul 10, 2013 #12
    CL400Peavey

    CL400Peavey

    Nov 7, 2011
    Grand Rapids Michigan
    Buying used will extend your budget a lot. Much better for you to get a second hand, but very good cab than to settle for a crappy one because it fit into your budget.

    If you are looking to build a speaker cab you need to do your research. You can get a fantastic cab for a good price that way, but to make it worth your time and money you need to do it right and work from established plans or do a few years of research and trial on the subject. Slapping speakers into a pre-existing cab that was not designed around them is a waste and a stupid idea.
     
  13. Jul 10, 2013 #13
    bassgod76

    bassgod76 bass turd burglar

    Mar 13, 2003
    South Florida
  14. Jul 10, 2013 #14
    paparoof

    paparoof

    Apr 27, 2011
    Minneapolis
    fEARful koolaid drinker
    Used Peavey. So, so underrated.

    No, the name plate won't impress anyone. But that's why the used stuff goes so cheep. Apparently the "vintage" up charge doesn't apply to Peavey. But they have what matters; last-forever-solid-as-hell construction and they sound great. Does a $2500 Genz Benz rig sound better? Absolutely. But can you find a better overall value within your budget? Not in my opinion.

    We have one of those Firebass 700 heads going here locally for $200:
    http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/msg/3922329666.html

    And I see Peavey 410's going for $150 regularly. Hell there was a Peavey 810 going for like 400 recently.

    You could EASILY have a full-stack of punchy-as-hell 10's driven by plenty of watts and still have enough left over to take your kids to the movies.
     
  15. Jul 10, 2013 #15
    paparoof

    paparoof

    Apr 27, 2011
    Minneapolis
    fEARful koolaid drinker

    An emphatic +1 to this. That's really a huge point. I have built speaker cabs before - I've done it wrong (just winging it on my own) and I've done it right (fEARful). Research is your friend here.

    I still say used Peavey is the best bang for the buck in your budget.
     
  16. Jul 10, 2013 #16
    DocGeorge

    DocGeorge Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 6, 2011
    Indio, CA
    +1 and then some on the used Peavey stuff. Great stuff. Virtually indestructible. And their power rating doesn't reflect how LOUD they are. TONS of clean headroom.
     
  17. Jul 10, 2013 #17
    1stnamebassist

    1stnamebassist

    Oct 13, 2012
    Ft Myers Florida
    Carvin MB series combos are great. Should handle most reasonably sized gigs and has a line out with a pre post switch and a built in compressor that works well. Around 30 lbs. The MB15 with an extension 15 cab is what I use and it sounds great. Cost about 600.00 shipped. You could leave the ext. cab home for rehearsals and small gigs. They offer it with a 10",12", 2x10", and 15" speakers and ext. speakers. Their is a thread about them here that can give you more info. Good luck with whatever you choose!
     
  18. Jul 10, 2013 #18
    DLESSING

    DLESSING

    Apr 1, 2010
    The GK MB 212 II is a 40lb combo that delivers 500 watts to its two 12" internal speakers. Cost around $800.

    For live work without a PA 350 watts just gets you in the door.
     
  19. Jul 10, 2013 #19
    phoenixjmw

    phoenixjmw

    Jul 9, 2013
    Again thanks for all the awesome feedback!

    Paparoof: I'l have to tell you I still have the same Peavey 6 string amp I had from 1992. It has a pretty good metal sound which is what it was purchased for at the time. That said it has had to be fixed a couple times and it is acting up again. Maybe it is just me but seems I see a high proportion of roached out Peavey combo's around. Is that my imagination or some other factor?
     
  20. Jul 10, 2013 #20
    jmcorn

    jmcorn

    Jul 4, 2012
    South Carolina
    Praise and Worship bassist member #1232
    The cheapest way out (watts/$) is a pre amp/ power amp combination. I bought a used crown ce1000 for $100 on CL. The last setup I used was a Aguilar tone hammer di running into the crown. I think it would be hard to beat for $280 total with 1000 watts. I have also tried other preamps as well. One of the cheapest best sounding I tried was the peavey max bass preamp. I think they were $249 new. Then buy the cab of your choice.
     
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