VERY FIRST BASS AMP!

Your very best bet is to decide on a budget, then go into the TB classifieds and on Craigslist and make a list of all the rigs (either combos or heads and cabs) that are within your budget. Then start researching those specific rigs. Use the search function to find existing threads about them. If you don't find answers that way, then post a thread here asking "what do you think of these amp rigs" and let people help you narrow it down. Also, when you see an amp FS here on TB, don't be afraid to ask the seller a ton of questions.

 

Get this.

http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...15HPT-1X15-100-Watt-Bass-Combo-Amp?sku=481723

Fred

 

Well, a few years ago I updated my standard recommendation to a minimum of 600 watts, up from 300. However, for a first amp, I'd say 300 watts would do. It'll be fairly loud with the right cabinet (a 410 would be my preference, but if you prefer the muffy, cruddy sound of 15's, it's your choice). A combo would be OK, as long as it has the capacity to power an extension cabinet later on. Fender makes the Bassman 250-210 that compares favorably to the SWR Redhead and the Eden Metro, possibly the best combos built. Also, buy the very best equipment you can afford, so you're not spending money twice after you find out that the cheap one you bought either sucks or is prone to letting the smoke out.

I may get flamed, but avoid Behringer. Rogue is worse. Carvin is OK. Fender Bassman is good, but I'd avoid their Rumble line. Peavey is fairly economical and good quality. Used Hartkes are fairly cheap and good quality. Markbass seems to have a good rep around here, but I've only played it a little bit at GC. It sounds OK. Then you've got the Genz Benz stuff and Mesa's newer offerings. I don't think Aguilar is offering their AG500-112C combo any more, but there's one for sale now in the ads, along with a GS112NC cabinet. That rig would rule for you. It looks like he wants $1,200 for the whole rig, a good deal. Aguilar AG500-112C rig

If you have a wad, you could try Eden, perhaps a WT-550. They pop up used here from time to time. That would be my recommendation if you have the financial bandwidth. Add a D210XST cab, and you're set. When you need more volume and have more money, get a D410XST so you can play out with 2, 4, or 6 ten-inch speakers.

 

That would be fine, but it's your back. Too cumbersome. Don't they make a 410 version of that?

 

Hi faust23.

Can you not visit a local music store and play through every bass rig they have in your price range to hear for yourself what you like?

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Good Lord! An 8x10" combo!

"It's all about moving lots of air. Order the NC810 and dominate."

Nemesis NC810 Bass Combo Specifications:

* Power: 400W RMS @ 4 ohms
* Tweeter: T2004 bell
* Speakers: 8 - ES 1040XL
* Crossover: 3kHz @12 dB
* Power Handling: 800W RMS
* Frequency Response: 42Hz - 19kHz ±2dB <-- What? No exaggeration?
* Sensitivity: 107dB [email protected]
* Impedance: 4 ohms
* Dimensions: 24-3/4"W x 48-3/4"H x 16-1/4"D
* Weight: 120 lbs. <-- Not bad for an 8x10" with a built-in amp.

Wait a minute... An 8x10" with a built-in amp? Why?

This thing isn't on Eden's web site.

 

What's your budget? and where are you located?

My suggestion would be to get a flexible head and a solid, portable 8 ohm cabinet.

If you have a reasonable budget I would go with an 8 ohm Avatar 2x12 and a Peavey Tour 700. Light enough to move easily, powerful enough to shake lots of booty, small enough to fit in a closet.

If you need to do this on the cheap, we need to know your budget.

 

It's an NC series and may be discontinued. (therefore the low price)
The 4x10 combo is an NS Series

 

EDEN RS410

RS410 SPECS

POWER 320 Watts [email protected]&#8486;
SPEAKERS 4-ES 1040
TWEETER T2004
CROSSOVER 4-ES 1040
POWER HANDLING 400W RMS
FREQ. RESPONSE 48Hz - 18Khz ±2dB
SENSITIVITY 104dB [email protected]
IMPEDENCE 4&#8486;
DIMENSIONS 24.75w x 24.75 x 16.25d
WEIGHT 62 LBS

The 8x10" combo offers a w-a-y bigger and 3 dB louder bang for the buck compared to the 4x10".

While being heavier than a 4x10", an 8x10" is often easier to move because most have tilt & roll casters and their height allows them to be levered on & off stages and in & out of trucks (or station wagons).

With a 4x10" more dead-lifting is usually required.

I'd say the 8x10" combo is worth considering IF:

- you have access to a reliable vehicle which is large enough to move an 8x10" (it won't fit in the trunk of a cab), and

- someone to help you move it up & down stairs.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought at first too, but I checked and it's not there: Eden Discontinued Products

As well, the 8x10" combo's MF page states: "Availability: Available: 08-21-2009"

 

This may be a little easier to lug around:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TourTNT

 

+1.

OP, at ~ $500, and given its power, size, feature set, and brand name this is the best rig yet (it's Peavey's top of the line bass combo):

Peavey Tour TNT 115 600-watt 1x15" Bass Combo Amplifier Features:

* 600-watt 1x15" bass combo amplifier with a convenient kick-back design
* Find your sound using the 7-band graphic equalizer and high- and low-shelving
* Crunch switches gives you that sought-after tube-like distortion
* One-knob compressor lets you tighten up your tone
* Headphone output for practicing whenever, wherever

Peavey Tour TNT 115 600-watt 1x15" Bass Combo Amplifier Specifications:

* 600-watts with lightweight class D power
* 15" specially designed speaker
* High-frequency tweeter
* 7-band graphic equalizer
* High- and Low-shelving controls
* Pre-shape contour switch
* Bright switch
* Active/Passive pickup switch
* Crunch switch adds tube-like crunch effect
* Compressor with defeat switch
* Footswitch controls crunch and compressor
* Effects Loop
* Master Volume
* Headphone output
* Tweeter ** on/off switch * **
* DDT speaker protection
* Powered speaker output with Speakon jack
* Convenient kick-back design
* Legendary Peavey reliability
* Blue backlit Peavey logo

 

Your First amp what do you plan to do with it? You don't really need an 810 cab to play most venues a 410 or even a 212 would do the trick if you want more go for the 210 and 212 with a decent powered head like the Peavey Tour 700 or look for an older Peavey FireBass 700 Head used and save some dough then you could run the 210 or the 212 by themselves or the whole rig for bigger places. Sure 810's are cool But so are functional rigs that are easy to move,versatile and sound just as good as an 810.

 

I have a feeling he's looking for an 8x10. so lets help him find an 810.

www.carvin.com

pz