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Tips for a beginner's purchase

#21
Bang for the buck? Find an old Trace Elliot (AH250, GP7, GP12) and couple it with an Avatar 212.

There is a 200 watt GP7 series head on Ebay right now for $200 plus $15 s&h.

There is a 250 watt GP7SM on Instrument Exchange thats at only $50 currently!

Either of those heads will give you plenty of volume with a 410, 212, or even a 115.
 
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#22
First of all, is your guitar player using a tube or solid state 50 watt amp? A 50 watt tube amp is much louder than a solid-state. To increase power, you don't necessarily need to buy a bass amp. Get a bass DI of some kind (a Hartke Bass Attack runs around $100 USD new), a 1000 watt power amp (Samson makes a nice one) and either bass cabs or PA cabs. The purists will say you can't do it, but I've seen it done well right here: Link Removed

Link Removed
 
#23
I would say you could get by with some honors with 300 watts and a 2x10 if you don't like boomy lows.

I'd definitely gives things a test drive. If your guitarist is willing to give a little volume-wise, you could go with a 15 inch 100 watt combo.

Here's a tip, EQ the opposite of a smiley. Lows rob you of watts when you're needing to be savy, so this cuts the lows and increases the mids, which make you cut through.

Basically, you could go super loud with a normal smiley (if you have the watts and speaker) or you could go not so loud with a super punchy, cut through opposite smiley.

It might sound not so pleasing on its own, but it'll work with the band great.
 
#24
bonscottvocals said:
First of all, is your guitar player using a tube or solid state 50 watt amp? A 50 watt tube amp is much louder than a solid-state. To increase power, you don't necessarily need to buy a bass amp. Get a bass DI of some kind (a Hartke Bass Attack runs around $100 USD new), a 1000 watt power amp (Samson makes a nice one) and either bass cabs or PA cabs. The purists will say you can't do it, but I've seen it done well right here: Earl Thibedau's Bass rig
Click to expand...

Of course he could make a rack, but it definately wouldn't fit his budget.
 
#25
Plain Old Me said:
Of course he could make a rack, but it definately wouldn't fit his budget.
Click to expand...

A rack doesn't have to be exactly what I showed. It can be relatively inexpensive. Most metal players aren't going to give up volume, so lower cost options run quickly out the door when competing with his guitar player. He'd be best off just buying the loudest used rig he can find and going with it. I'm just throwing out another option.
 
#26
Look for a used Peavey Mark III head. I used one in a very loud metal band and it was perfectly loud enough. They're only 150W, but easily louder than a SWR Bass 350. They don't sound bad, and you can probably get a used one for around $100-150. Then use the other $200-250 of your budget to get a used 410 cab. Might wanna check out eBay for a SWR's Workingmans 410 or look for a Genz Benz 410 of some sort. Not to spam this thread, but I'm selling a Genz-Benz 115 cab if you'd rather play through a 15. A 410 will move more air though, and will be louder because of it.

Jake
 
#27
Puarija said:
Look for a used Peavey Mark III head. I used one in a very loud metal band and it was perfectly loud enough. They're only 150W, but easily louder than a SWR Bass 350. They don't sound bad, and you can probably get a used one for around $100-150. Then use the other $200-250 of your budget to get a used 410 cab. Might wanna check out eBay for a SWR's Workingmans 410 or look for a Genz Benz 410 of some sort. Not to spam this thread, but I'm selling a Genz-Benz 115 cab if you'd rather play through a 15. A 410 will move more air though, and will be louder because of it.

Jake
Click to expand...
I think you could find a Mark IV fairly easily as well, it has a few more watts than the Mark III. Either would do though.
 
#28
Plain Old Me said:
I think you could find a Mark IV fairly easily as well, it has a few more watts than the Mark III. Either would do though.
Click to expand...
Yep, any of the Mark series amps would work well. I was just naming the Mark III because I've owned one.

From Peavey, I've also had a DPB300, a SessionBass head, and a Firebass 700. All were bargains, and all were very adequate. I got the Firebass for $275 and it was loud as hell. Definitely worth checking out if you can find one cheap.

I just now noticed that the budget went up from $350 to $500. For that amount, you could definitely come up with a decent used rig.

Jake
 
#29
I will second the Firebass. I'll bet you could get a firebass and a tvx410 for around that $500, and it would definitely be a good start as well as be within your price range. I threw a 15 under the 410 and I was never drowned out by 2 guitars playing peavey xxx's and a loud drummer. That was all without a PA as well. Didn't make too much when I sold it to upgrade though :spit: . Oh well, it was a real workhorse and I recommend it.
 
#30
Ok, I'll check locally to see if I can find a decent cab...

I went to a store today and found a used Peavey TNT 115 (2OO W) for $400... That seemed interesting.

I don't know about buying a cab. I am thinking a 200 W would do if we are just 1 guitarist, 1 drummer and 1 bassist, and that both aren't too loud.

Also, what is the rule with mixing cabs with heads? I know this may sound stupid, but how can I know, if for example I buy a 200 w cab, which head should/could go with it? I mean, are there some brands that aren't compatible when it comes to heads/cabs?

Finally, is music123 good to buy from, and do some deals come around on eBay concerning amps?

Thanks,

R.
 
#32
If you're located in Quebec, try Steve's music in Montreal. They deal with Peavey a lot and should be able to find you something used in the 200-300 watt range for the price you want. I'd go with a 4X10 cab for the type of music you play.

If you can get to a Long and McQuade store the Yorkville sound gear is great. You should be able to find one of their older 400 watt combos at the price you want. Both Peavey and Yorkville give good sound for the price and they're both very reliable.
 

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