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Stack or Combo - Budget $1000

Stack or Combo

  • Total voters
    21
R

riffsonbass

Feb 6, 2010
7
0
Ottawa,ON
#1
Here's my story. I have an old Yamaha 55B combo (55 watts/15" speaker) pretty much near the end. The amp just acted as a monitor on stage as I always DI'd the bass.

YAM4226_1.jpg

I am looking at getting a new amp and I am wondering if I should go stack or combo. Budget $1000 (can/us)

I have tried a B2RE head with a B410HLF cab. To my virgin Ampeg ears it sounded great!

I also tried a Behringer BX4500H Ultrabass Head with a Behringer BB410 1200W 4X10 cab. It was not bad but a lot of pickup noise. The Ampeg, none at all. That should tell me something there right...

I have also been reading up on the Acoustic amps and cabinets on MF. Like the Behringer, I'm a little concerned about the pricing... cheap usually means cheap.

I haven't tried any combo's yet. I wanna give the stack market a shot first before I decide if I go the combo route.

I will be playing small to medium sized venues, lets say 100 to 500 people rooms. Band has a good PA. Gigging once a month. Maybe some outdoor gigs in the summer.

What would you recommend fellow bassists?
 
#6
For me stack usually beats combo, I have both and my combo is used for solo practice. I tend to be able to find a tone I like more in a stack then a combo, more versatility IMO. Personally Id find a 410 and a nice head, easily doable for $1k, and you'll be set for most situations, including solo practicing or small gigs.
 
#8
Go stack and used. You can pick and choose the individual components to taste. Here's one suggestion:

SansAmp RBI (BBE, whatever) - ~$225

RMX 1450 Power Amp - ~$250

4 X 10 Enclosure - not sure but you've got $525 to blow....and that will buy a lot of cab!

Riis
 
#10
with a PA and not a huge venue, you're better off with your budget going for a decently loud, very high quality combo

For instance a MarkBass or, depending on what you want for sound a really nice amp (such as a tube amp or something) and a decent sized cab (4x10 or something)
 
#12
Sounds like stack and go used is the consensus. I really appreciate the feedback.

So basically going new is not worth it because I could get more ummph for my dollars going used...

I've heard that 4X10 cabs are better for 5 string bass'es to get that low B out there and audible. A 1X15 may be too muddy. I play both (5 string active Jazz and a passive P-Bass circa 1980's).
 
#13
riffsonbass said:
We play classic and current rock. I'm not big on effects, just a straight shooter. I like the John Paul Jones and McCartney sound (SGT Pepper). I know McCartney used VOX and JPJ Acoustic. All tube for them mind you.
Click to expand...
I recommend the Invalid Link Removed. Its not a combo, but 1/2 way to a stack. I just got one and its very good!! Very versatile. I wasnt expecting it to be as good as my MarkBass LMII rig was. I love the tube preamp!
I plan on adding another Genz Benz Shuttle STL-210T or Shuttle STL-12T. Thus becoming an awesome mini stack! Your budget is $1000 and these run $1299. Try the Invalid Link Removed thing for 5 ez payments of $259 to spread out the hit to the wallet.
Another point with this rig is the light weight. 600watt. 3.75lb head and 37lb cab. It packs the punch of a rig weighing 4x its weight.
My 2 cents!!
 

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