Should I buy an amp now or wait?

[somebrains]

I'm primarily motivated to purchase things bc they do a specific task better than anything else I could buy, given the range I'm willing to spend.

Have you gone hunting far and wide with your new outlook to demo amps and cabs with your bass?

If the Rumble is the top contender after exhaustive searching, fine. But a GC sale is only good if they mismark a used item and you steal it from them.

 

[Sunset Shalom]

Many bass amps work good with guitar as well. Assuming you only have 1 solid guitar amp getting a bass amp will let you set up a stereo rig which is a ton of fun for guitar.

Personally I would start by looking into used stuff though, even with a sale a new GC amp will probably be less bang for your $ then a lot of great used amps, plus when you buy used you help out other musicians who may really need the money.

That said I got my Carvin BR510 used from GC becouse they have a better warranty then the ebay seller who had the same amp when I was looking. Local is a good place to start though, I have seen tons of great used bass amps lately...

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

I'm primarily motivated to purchase things bc they do a specific task better than anything else I could buy, given the range I'm willing to spend.

Have you gone hunting far and wide with your new outlook to demo amps and cabs with your bass?

If the Rumble is the top contender after exhaustive searching, fine. But a GC sale is only good if they mismark a used item and you steal it from them.

It's basically he amp I've come to the conclusion I wanted to get after hearing it and weighing its price, size weight and sound. Pretty much ticks off all the boxes for my wants/needs.

 

[somebrains]

It's basically he amp I've come to the conclusion I wanted to get after hearing it and weighing its price, size weight and sound. Ticks off pretty much ticks off all the boxes for my wants/needs.

Then get your best deal on one.
I'd work GC like a coupon junkie at a Toyota dealership.
I don't mind used amps as long as I can play them first.

 

[Jeff Sarsippius]

Right on: as long as you've heard it and dig it, all best and congrats!

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

Just to clarify, the $500 out the door price is for a new one, not used.

 

[Manticore]

That is a fairly inexpensive amp, so if the money isn't an object do what makes you happy. I'd wait if funds are tight and you're not in a band. Once you're in a band, then you can decide whether or not to buy an amp. Bass players really don't need a dedicated amp on stage. You'll get a better sound both on stage and in the house by going through the PA and either wedges or IEMs. Once you're in the band you'll need a decent bass and a good interface with the PA (DI or modeler). The band has a PA, so let the PA do the heavy lifting...

 

[Bassquest]

I will pay cash. $500 out the door seems like a good deal. Plus it would cost more in the long run to buy a smaller amp, sell it for a loss later to upgrade, etc. don't you think?

Well if you got the cash, go for it!

 

[BassmanPaul]

Now all you have to do is to remember you are a bass player and no longer a guitarist. It really is a different mind set. If you have a brother who plays bass, milk him for everything he knows. Shamelessly steal his licks. Have sessions together where you do "questions and answers" on the bass. He plays a lick, you play it back. Keep on doing this until you get to the position where you can play something in answer to his “question” that is still in the vein of his but different from it. You’ll improve vastly from the interaction and so will he!!

 

[OldFunBass]

Go for the Rumble 500c, that is a good price. It is a great amp for the money that will let you get great tones practicing and be ready for playing bass in a band when you are ready. Years from now, if you still focused on bass, you can spend thousands on a dream rig if you want. But the Rumble will serve you well until then.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

All great points. I already have a Radial Active DI box and a great bass, so all I need (eventually) is a decent sounding, lightweight, mid-size combo that sounds good and can double as a practice amp at home.

Financially I could even afford a "better" and bigger amp but don't want to shell out for one and don't want to eventually lug around something bigger.

The band I used to play in had 2 guitarists, drummer, pedal steel and two singers and the bass player used an older Rumble 350 that most people hate and his tone was awesome and always sounded great and he loved how portable that rig was.

 

[neo 7]

For $500 I think you could do better if you bought used and looked around a bit. But if you want a shiny new combo amp the Rumble is a good choice.

 

[fhm555]

I've got a Rumble 500 and it's a lot of amp for it's size weight, but I waited until one floated up on the used market before I got one. I traded a bass for it and had just over $250 in the bass so I'm completely satisfied with the deal. That said, you can get a nice Carvin BX500 head and a couple of 112 cabs for not much more than what you are going to pay for your combo. I got exactly that and bought used and got it for just over $500. New you could start with the BX and a single 112, then add another if needed later on. Both rigs have their place but the head and two cabs is by far the most versatile.

 

[mikew31]

I've got a Rumble 500 and it's a lot of amp for it's size weight, but I waited until one floated up on the used market before I got one. I traded a bass for it and had just over $250 in the bass so I'm completely satisfied with the deal. That said, you can get a nice Carvin BX500 head and a couple of 112 cabs for not much more than what you are going to pay for your combo. I got exactly that and bought used and got it for just over $500. New you could start with the BX and a single 112, then add another if needed later on. Both rigs have their place but the head and two cabs is by far the most versatile.

Now, this is thinking like a bass player! Combos are for guitarists Bass players use a head with one or more cabs for options.

I'm a recovering guitarist and when I first switched to bass I got a GK 500 watt 2x10 combo. I almost immediately regretted it. I switched to the head and cab route as soon as I could afford it and am much happier. I've now got options for any sized gig I might have.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

There is a Rumble 112 on sale right now on TB classifieds. Good deal too.

 

[WardEarth]

If you are in or near a large city, you may want to look for a nice used combo or amp + speaker. I always buy used and I almost always make my money back when it is time to part with the gear. You'll prob be able to afford something even better as well. Get something awesome.
But if you're restricted to your credit card, new may be the way to go.

 

[ThePresident777]

Heres my story...guitar player for 20 years or so. dabbled in bass a couple years ago and the guitar took over again. Recently bit by the bass bug again. Have a great CIJ P bass. Determined to do it right this time, learn proper technique and do the instrument justice instead of being a guitar player who plays bass like he plays guitar. Have a pretty basic working knowledge of theory knowing my major scales, major and minor pentatonic scales, etc. Also learning to finally read music.

Right now I'm just practicing through a Yamaha THR10 10watt coffee table amp. Guitar Center is having their anniversary sale that ends tomorrow 8/2 and I can get $100 off a new Rumble 500 V3 with the he sale.

Should I take advantag of this sale and pick up an amp, or just suck it up and keep trucking away with the THR10 until I improve as a reward for my progress, until the next sale, etc.?

Get the amp so you can hear bass as it's supposed to sound when you play. Or get a nice direct/PA/studio setup.

 

[Vinnie Boombatz]

If you are in or near a large city, you may want to look for a nice used combo or amp + speaker. I always buy used and I almost always make my money back when it is time to part with the gear. You'll prob be able to afford something even better as well. Get something awesome.
But if you're restricted to your credit card, new may be the way to go.

All great points from everyone. Not restricted to my credit card at all. Just usually use it for a big purchase for cash back rewards/points and pay it off right away but also have cash.

I do like the way the Rumble sounds. I've also seen some decent SWR 2x10 combos used but what people here in the Bay Area seem to be asking for them is a bit more than prices I've seen on Reverb and used on GC's website. I also tend to like a more "vintage" type sound. Listen to a lot of Neil Young, Wilco, Jayhawks, Son Volt, Ryan Adams, etc.

Even though I could afford a big rig like an SVT for example, I live in a 405 sq. ft. cottage so space is a concern. That's another reason I thought the Rumble would be a good compromise. I used to have an Ampeg PF500 and both the 15 and 10" cabs. They sounded great but had two blow up on me and had issues that I am now reading they have since resolved. Still, I think the Rumble 500 sounds darn good. Obviously Ampeg and Fender are two totally different flavors!

 

[seanm]

When I first started playing bass I really wasn't going anywhere, just noodling. Then I bought an expensive new amp/cab. I could afford it... but now I thought "Oh poopie, I have this expensive amp, I better use it." So it motivated me to start playing out.

In my mind, it was a great investment.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

You can learn using that little practice amp but if you want to experience why most of us play bass you need a better amp. The Rumble series has a good reputation so if the price is right and you have the cash go for it.

And we Rumblers advocate buying two Rumbles