Upgrading to a new Amp...

What kind of cab are you going to be using? What is your budget? How loud do you need to be? Do you have any size/pack restrictions? Do you have any weight restrictions?

My personal rig is one of these amps:

Peavey Classic 400
Carvin B1500
Ampeg PF-500
ART/Crest Pre/Power rack set up

Through one (some times two) of these cabs:

fEARful 1515/66/1
fEARful 12/6/1 x2
greenboy DuallyT


If I was on a real tight budget, I would be looking to get a used 810, 215, 610, or (bass) 412 and pair that with an older GK or Peavey amp.

 

I asked the same question a while back. It helps if you're really specific about your needs, budget, etc., as CL400 said.

If you want to see what others had to say to me about my question, click here.

There are other posts like mine out there, too. Just be specific and this community will spring to action!

My rig is detailed in my sig, but here are some more specifics:

GK 700RB-II: 480 watts at 4ohms (320 @8ohms). Purchased used at GC for $299+tax+$25 warranty. Headroom to spare.
Ampeg SVT-15en: 200 watts @8ohms. Front-ported. No tweeter. F----g crushes ... I got one for $159+tax at GC and the other for $180 on CL. They're somewhat abundant, and there are a few other varities (210he, 410he). Note that the SVT-15en is the same as the SVT-15e.

I love the GK/Ampeg combo (so much, in fact, that I started a club!). I can get modern or vintage tones, although no one is going to hear me and think, "Ampeg V4B!" And the power is enough to handle pretty much any situation I think I'll find myself in as a musician.

Good luck!

 

How loud do you need to be?

 

If you're looking for a killer combo amp check out the GK MB 210 ii. It's awesome but maybe a bit over your budget. If money is really a concern, I used to own a Yorkville amp (Yorkville XM 100) - great amp for the money!

 

I have been of the same mind - in the past. But if you need to get loud, there are few combos designed for that purpose. A separate head and cab are more portable, and you can buy a head with extra power and leave the option to upgrade or add cabs. I'd recommend looking at separate units.

 

If you don't mind going used, I just sold a GK MB115t for $250, which is about the going rate. Same for the 210 someone else mentioned. They're 200 watts, and only about 35 pounds. I gigged a few times with mine, and it's a great combo.

 

What gear do you have now?

For that price range in a nice combo, keep an eye out for a Fender Bxr300c.. Also the GK rigs Dave mentioned are nice.. Another suggestion is an Ampeg Micro VR (or pf350) with the 210av cab. Then add another cab later on, but the first pair is more money at around $400..

 

O K.... not trying to rain on your parade but IMHO 100 watts just aint enough for a bass player........ especially if you are playing metal or other loud stuff... so if you waqnt new stuff you might be a little under budget. If used is O K with you there are all kinds of possibilities. A few years ago I picked up an old Peavey mark 6 head (250 to 400 watts depending on the speakers) and an 18 - 20 cab for $225. Sounded O K and thunders loud enough to be heard over just about any gui**** and skin bangers. Over a period of time I also picked up a 2 10 cab for about 100 bucks (great for practice but not quite enough for a gig) I also scored a Peavey 4 10 cab for about $150. This thing was adaquite for just about anything and a whole lot lighter than that 18 20 monster. I like the Peavey heads because they are pretty bullett proof. Hartkes are nice too but not quite as indestructable. If you are going to be schlepping this stuff around a lot , the more indestructable the better.I gigged with this setup for a while and finally upgraded to a fridge cab which the mark 6 handled just fine. Good luck .