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Rig under $1300 question - New to the board

#22
Welcome to TB!

For what it is worth, the more info you give, the more better your advice we can try to give... do you live in dorms, rehearsal space where your gear lives, play in several bands (so you move your gear often), nightly gigs, band house, lots of set ups and breakdowns in living rooms, effects, pick, fingers, slap, etc?

Based on what you've said, i'm guessing that you are playing metal or at least some heavier music (b/c of the guitarists' gear).

No matter what, i'd look for a used cab on ebay, craigslist, and the used talkbass amps section. For heavier stuff, i'd look for an 810, like an ampeg. you can get'em pretty cheap on craigslist if you have a little patience. A older 215 would also be pretty rad (especially a mesa diesel)! The new ones are even better, but they are expensive for your budget. I also play heavier music, and don't really like the sound of cabs with tweeters. Most cabs you mentioned have tweeters. This is just my own bias. The orange 410 is the only one i know of without a tweeter.

Next, get the best head you can for the $$$.

One other consideration, what do your favorite players use? As i see it, there is a reason why more of my favorite players use ampeg 810's. it took me over 10 years of playing, and a good bit of $ before i realized this... then said, i use to drive a toyota carolla, and i don't think i an 810 would have fit.
 
#23
thombo said:
Welcome to TB!

For what it is worth, the more info you give, the more better your advice we can try to give... do you live in dorms, rehearsal space where your gear lives, play in several bands (so you move your gear often), nightly gigs, band house, lots of set ups and breakdowns in living rooms, effects, pick, fingers, slap, etc?

Based on what you've said, i'm guessing that you are playing metal or at least some heavier music (b/c of the guitarists' gear).

No matter what, i'd look for a used cab on ebay, craigslist, and the used talkbass amps section. For heavier stuff, i'd look for an 810, like an ampeg. you can get'em pretty cheap on craigslist if you have a little patience. A older 215 would also be pretty rad (especially a mesa diesel)! The new ones are even better, but they are expensive for your budget. I also play heavier music, and don't really like the sound of cabs with tweeters. Most cabs you mentioned have tweeters. This is just my own bias. The orange 410 is the only one i know of without a tweeter.

Next, get the best head you can for the $$$.

One other consideration, what do your favorite players use? As i see it, there is a reason why more of my favorite players use ampeg 810's. it took me over 10 years of playing, and a good bit of $ before i realized this... then said, i use to drive a toyota carolla, and i don't think i an 810 would have fit.
Click to expand...

The band I'm playing with is death/thrash metal so it's very loud. We rehearse in a basement where neighbours aren't an issue. I play with both a pick and my fingers mostly pick though. They were playing shows prior to me joining so that's something that is going to continue and hopefully will be more of a regular thing.

My favourite player is Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) and he uses SWR heads and cabs. He used to be with ampeg and played with the SVT 4 PRO with a variation of cabs. Another favourite is Justin Chancellor (Tool) who plays with both Mesa and GK heads with Mesa cabs.

Needless to say that they are out of my price range.

My rig will mostly stay at our rehearsal space and will only be hauled when we gig. But that's not an issue anyway.
 
#24
Metal? I second the Mesa 400+ suggestion or maybe the Sunn amps then. Of course, with their matching 215 cabs!

Outside that range, maybe a Marshall VBA400 or an Orange sounded great for metal, but I personally don't like excessively grindy tones.

If you think you can make do with 200W then maybe a VB-2, and save yourself a couple bills.
 
#26
You can find a used LH1000 on the Talkbass classifieds for $400 or less. Two weeks ago I got one for $325 shipped and it made my Acoustic 4x10 come alive. Anyhow, with one of LH1000 at $400 or less you'd still have $900 to find a couple of used 4x10 or a 6x10. Those are my 2cents. Good luck, that's a pretty nice budget to get started with!
 
#27
#30
DwaynieAD said:
GK 700 RB II $600 new

you could get the pair of 410 cabs and the head for your price range new, or get one 410 and get the 1001 RB II for $750 new and roll your pennies for a month or two and get the second 410
Click to expand...

+1 on this, just got a G-K 1001RB II on here for less than they sell used 700RB II at my local music store. Get a 4X10 and add another later.

I dislike disposable amps, I like to get a good head that will be money well spent and will last for a long time to come. Go down to a music store and see if you like the G-K tone, or MESA tone, or Ampeg tone. Then come back with a better understanding of what you are trying to achieve! All the best to you in your choice. Cheers.
 
#31
Hartke LH1000 = $499.00 (750 watts @ 8Ωs bridged), then you'll have around $800 for a fEarfull Kappalite 3015LF / midrange cab. Don at Low Down Sound ought to be able to build you one for that price. All done, and pretty easy to schlep around, too.
 
#33
I'm a Carvin man when it comes to Amps and cabs(BRX), I've never played one of their basses yet, but I will come on here and say that Hartke is a great setup for "Metal". The Hartke LH1000 paired with a HX410 would be awesome.
 
#34
Monotheist said:
So you wouldn't recommend the Hatke cabs if I'm looking for very good sounding low end?
Click to expand...

I wouldnt say that. Listen to Eddie Jackson, bassist of Queensrÿche. Songs like Jet city woman has a killer bass tone. I always liked my Hartke and Spector setup i used 15 yrs ago. Killer punch. I guess the bass you use would contribute to the tone also. Stu Hamm is a big Hartke user and sound nothing like Queensrÿche.
 
#35
VT Bass used $100. Or, a BDDI for more low end, the VT is my pick.

Peavey IPR 1600 $300 new, or Crown Drivecore.

$900 to spend on a cab and cables. Example; Peavey 810 $800 new. Or shop around for a used SWR Megoliath.

Not counting tax, you have $100 for cables.
 
#36
You are getting a lot of good input here, but I will throw in my 2 cents.

1st, buy used. You can get a KILLER rig for $1300 if you buy used.

"metal" /hard rock? snatch up a used ampeg 8x10... they still go cheap, and you won't get a much better pure rock cab.

2 heads I strongly suggest you try...

Mesa m6 carbine. No growl or grind, but my lord at the pure power and the tone. It has more power than my 8x10 can handle. Built like a brick.

Traynor Dynabass 800h. Canadian made, cheap price, even new. Tons of power, versitility, and very easy to use. Built like a tank. I dropped my yorkville version out on a SUV, broke the skb case, and it still worked.

Just some ideas. good luck, and enjoy talkbass.
 
#38
thombo said:
Welcome to TB!

For what it is worth, the more info you give, the more better your advice we can try to give... do you live in dorms, rehearsal space where your gear lives, play in several bands (so you move your gear often), nightly gigs, band house, lots of set ups and breakdowns in living rooms, effects, pick, fingers, slap, etc?

Based on what you've said, i'm guessing that you are playing metal or at least some heavier music (b/c of the guitarists' gear).

No matter what, i'd look for a used cab on ebay, craigslist, and the used talkbass amps section. For heavier stuff, i'd look for an 810, like an ampeg. you can get'em pretty cheap on craigslist if you have a little patience. A older 215 would also be pretty rad (especially a mesa diesel)! The new ones are even better, but they are expensive for your budget. I also play heavier music, and don't really like the sound of cabs with tweeters. Most cabs you mentioned have tweeters. This is just my own bias. The orange 410 is the only one i know of without a tweeter.

Next, get the best head you can for the $$$.

One other consideration, what do your favorite players use? As i see it, there is a reason why more of my favorite players use ampeg 810's. it took me over 10 years of playing, and a good bit of $ before i realized this... then said, i use to drive a toyota carolla, and i don't think i an 810 would have fit.
Click to expand...


I would like to thank you all for your input and advise. Thanks to you guys I am able to make a decision on what I am going to be purchasing.

I decided to go with the Hartke LH1000 and an Avatar B410 NEO.

What do you think?
 

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