Recommend me an amp

[Hyde]

I'm planning on upgrading to either a halfstack or a 410 combo pretty soon, but I'm having trouble finding one that I really like in my price range. Basically, I'm looking for enough volume to keep up with two electric guitarists and a very enthusiastic drummer, and as crisp and clear a tone as possible. I don't want a harsh, clicky, bright tone, I just want to be able to hear each note clearly. There's nothing that annoys me more than when I'm playing a good bass part mostly on the low E, and it just sounds like mud. About the most I can possibly spend is $1200-1400.

 

[Willem]

Ashdown baby

 

[Kenny Allyn]

Well 1st of all ... a separate cab and head is probably your best bet ... my first choice in a head is Ashdown but they are kinda pricey ... atleast for the ABM series Ampeg is good too and are more reasonable if you get the say the B2 series ... but dollar for dollar I like the Gallien Krueger maybe a 700RB II.

A 4x10 cab is kinda the standard now and ther are lots of good ones out there. Carvins are pretty good for the $$$ and lots of folks talk well of Avatar ( I have never see one ) I mostly use SWRs and always buy them used.

As a total package ... I like to use a 2x10 cab on top of a 1x15 ... something like the Carvin RL-610 system .

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=RL610&CID=BA

Good luck ... and remember advice is worth just what you paid for it ... use your own ears and trust your own judgement.

 

[Tony G]

I'm planning on upgrading to either a halfstack or a 410 combo pretty soon, but I'm having trouble finding one that I really like in my price range. Basically, I'm looking for enough volume to keep up with two electric guitarists and a very enthusiastic drummer, and as crisp and clear a tone as possible. I don't want a harsh, clicky, bright tone, I just want to be able to hear each note clearly. There's nothing that annoys me more than when I'm playing a good bass part mostly on the low E, and it just sounds like mud. About the most I can possibly spend is $1200-1400.

I had the same exact situation as you, and chose my rig accordingly. It is even exactly in you same price range.

I decided on the SWR WorkingPro 700 paired with and Avatar B410 Neo. Best decision I've ever made in regards to best bang for the buck.

 

[Richard Lindsey]

Another possibility. This:

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=B1500&CID=BRX

with this:

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=BRX10.4Neo&CID=BRX

and request a system discount. They'll usually do something for you on a system if you ask. Or, for somewhat less power (and $$), consider this:

http://www.carvin.com/products/single.php?ItemNumber=BRX810.4&CID=BRX

I'd go for the extra power if I were you, though. It never hurts.

 

[canadian*eh]

I would have to say go with a GK1001 rb head...No mud there.I am running the 1001 rb head through a SWR goliath jr.III and an SWR SOB 115.......BOY DOES IT KICK BUT!!!!!!
pluse it is not to bad for price and very eazy to move around.I have finely got the punchy full rounded sound i have been looking for ...for a very long time.Can't go wrong with a 210 115 setup.Best of luck on your sure though Cheers Mate!!!

 

[PinkTelephone]

Mesa Boogie impluse series maybe. expensive, but in your price range.

 

[Hyde]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. The Avatar cabs intrigue me, do they actually sound as good as the reviews I've read would indicate, or do you really get what you pay for?

 

[Robbiethebassis]

Ampeg SVT. 100%. I just bought an Ampeg SVT-CL, and an Ampeg SVT-410HE. they are amazing.

 

[Plain Old Me]

I'd go for an Avatar cab with either an Ashdown, GK, Mesa (if you can afford it), Kustom, or Traynor head. A rack system may be in your price range as well. And, as always, look used. I got my Mesa 400+ with a 215 cab for just $1000 used.

 

[Matt Call]

G-K. Or...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bass/Amps?sku=487596

played through...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Bass/Amps?sku=601034

I'm an Aguilar guy. I played through one of these heads today and... wow. I almost bought this cab too.

If you go used... even cheaper.

 

[FireBug]

Traynor yba200 and your choice of a cab. That would leave you very well off.

 

[FireBug]

Or pick up a piece of vintage Sunn gear. You'd be surprised at what 60 tube watts can do.

Paging The Ox.

 

[Hyde]

I've been able to play through most of the amps that have been mentioned so far, and while I like some of them (especially the Ashdown and the Traynor) I still haven't found quite the right sound. How does Aguilar compare to the other amps that have been mentioned in terms of tone? I've heard it described as "SVT with less mud", is that pretty accurate? I also haven't gotten the chance to play through a Carvin, what with them being factory-direct, can somebody compare the tone of the B1500 head to the other amps that have been mentioned so I'll have some idea if it's worth me looking into more?

 

[Richard Lindsey]

I also haven't gotten the chance to play through a Carvin, what with them being factory-direct, can somebody compare the tone of the B1500 head to the other amps that have been mentioned so I'll have some idea if it's worth me looking into more?

Do a search on Carvin B1500. SMASH has posted a lot of material on his recent experience with it.

 

[Hyde]

After reading SMASH's review of the B1500, I'm quite impressed (although for financial reasons and the fact that I really don't need that much wattage, I would be inclined to go with the B500). I was browsing Musician's Friend today, and I found the Aguilar S410 cab pretty cheap. Has anyone played the B500 or B1500 through Aggie cabs before? If so, did they sound good together, or would it be a better idea to stick with, say, all Carvin?

 

[Stanley Design]

I say Avatar cab(s) then putting the rest into a good head used.

 

[greenboy]

I think the B500 has been replaced by the B800.