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Rig suggestions

kernowthumper

kernowthumper

Sep 18, 2014
69
29
50
Cornwall, England
#1
im looking for a new rig to replace my current disaster. I play in a cover band playing classic rock, nineties hits etc. I have an ibanez sr600. What I'm looking for is -

Portability - amp head and two fairly light cabs?
Simplicity - I don't want a modelling amp
Reliability - must be suitable for regular practicing and gigging
Output - loud enough with one cab for practice, two cabs for pub gigs(?)
Tone - I play finger style and prefer a mellow round bass tone but need a full range for some of the covers.
Price - £500 - £600 new or used.

Any suggestions? I'm no expert bass player so cant justify pro gear but at the same time could do with something half decent.

Cheers,

Pete
 
#3
Thanks shawshank. To be honest I'm not a big fan of combos but I guess my budget might mean I need to be a bit more open minded! I currently have a rumble 150 head and marshall mbc115 cabinet which is killing my back! I'm a bit stuck with this combination as I thnk the head is underpowered really. I have a thought about getting a pair of 210s or 212s and seeing how the head copes.
 
#4
kernowthumper said:
Thanks shawshank. To be honest I'm not a big fan of combos but I guess my budget might mean I need to be a bit more open minded! I currently have a rumble 150 head and marshall mbc115 cabinet which is killing my back! I'm a bit stuck with this combination as I thnk the head is underpowered really. I have a thought about getting a pair of 210s or 212s and seeing how the head copes.
Click to expand...
You will be a fan when you grab your bass in one hand and your amp in another and your not killing your back and you have enough power for anything your going to do. ;)
 
#5
Since you don't want modeling, skip the TC heads, and get an ampeg PF-500 and a PF115 or PF210. Add a second cab when funds permit. The GK combo is nice, in a light combo-ish sort of way, but it is still a combo. A trap, IMHO.

To save money, you might try the TC electronics cabs.

OR...

Buy a new cab first—get the best you can for your budget. Sell current cab. Save. Then get a new head. Even later, add another cab. Modularity rules.

BTW, the Marshall MBC115 is 32 Kg and the Ampeg PF115 is 20 Kg.
FYI US readers, the Marshall 115 weighs over 70 lbs.!
 
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#9
I'm liking the ampeg idea! I've been thinking about picking up a new cab and seeing how it goes with my rumble head. The head puts 160w into 4 ohms so I'm guessing with one 8ohm cab it would be in the region of 80 - 90? In theory I suppose that isn't much use but in the nineties I used to gig using a badger 70w pa as a bass stack and was loud enough.
Would one 8 ohm cab with a rumble 150 head be useable in practice rooms and small gigs with two guitars, vocals, drums etc??

Thanks,

Pete
 
#10
kernowthumper said:
...Would one 8 ohm cab with a rumble 150 head be useable in practice rooms and small gigs with two guitars, vocals, drums etc??...
Click to expand...

Should be. If not, lug the MCB115 along for bigger venues until you can get another lighter PF115. BTW, Ampeg has two versions of the PF115. I believe one has a tweeter, and the other does not. Eventually you will probably want to get a head with power in the 500-800 watt range. They are not that costly and will be all you ever need. I am digging my GK mb800 a lot. If you find a used MB800 or a GK MB500, go for it. Simple, tons of slam.
 
#14
scottfeldstein said:
I'd get a micro solid state head (like my own GK MB500) and a pair of good 112 cabs. Avatar, maybe. Definitely get them used.
Click to expand...

The thing is that the OP is in Cornwall, England (the lucky Kernow lad), and I suspect that Avatar's shipping to the UK would absorb quite a bit of his budget. As always, there is a significant probability I am mistaken. :cool:
 

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