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What amp for a 5 string?

5

5 String Noob

Apr 5, 2010
7
0
#1
Hi

I'm about to purchase a 5 string but I can't decide what kind of amp to buy.Will a 1x15 combo be able handle the B string? I'm not in a band right now so I'll be mostly playing in my bedroom but it has to be good enough to gig with.

Ive been looking at a Hughes & Kettner BK300. I've downloaded the manual but it doesn't tell you what the frequency response is. It says the cut off frequency is 5Khz. That's pretty low right?

Anyway if there's any experts out there I'd appreciate your advice, also you can tell me what kind of gear you are using if you feel like it.

Thank you

5 String Noob
 
#3
I don't really see that any 15" combo's will be LOUD enough to gig with..... It's not that they are not GOOD enough to gig with... what kind of music are you playing? if you are playing Jazz then maybe a 15" combo would be loud enough but if you are playing Hard Rock/ Metal then you may wanna think about something bigger..... just my opinion.... This is keeping in mind the gigging part to save you money down the road.... buy something you won't have to replace in a year or two because you have outgrown it....
 
#4
Thanks for your comments guys

I like to play lots of styles: jazz,prog, a little bit of metal etc.. I'm looking for a versatile amp but my main concern is will it handle the deep deep bass? I'd prefer a combo because cabs and heads confuse me and they're expensive. I'm not planning on playing any stadiums just pubs and small clubs. I thought 300w would be loud enough if not it can always be miked up.

How low can I go?
Hopefully I'll be able to reach the depths of oblivion.

Anymore comments would be most welcome.

5 String Noob
 
#5
300w will be enough for small gigs like you said, but a single 15" speaker won't do you. the deep tone will be there but the volume won't. at the very least a 300w 15 combo would need an extension cab to cut through at a gig.
your best bet would be to get something like an ashdown mag 300 115 combo and when you need the extra oomph for a gig, get an extension cab for it.
 
#6
A Markbass LMII or LMIII is about the easiest amp to use and get a great tone out of, and is very reasonably priced. Should be no confusion with this amp. Simple, effective, reliable, and quite loud.
One of these and 2) Bergantino HT112ER cabs will give you the lows, volume, portability, clarity, quality, etc. Yes it will cost more than going with most combos, but would handle most any gig within reasonable volumes. Otherwise, it would be a tough rig to beat in its price range. There's other good choices out there, but in terms of simplicity, quality, portability etc and handling a 5 string bass in spades....this is one very good option IME/IMO. :D
Whatever route you go, good luck!!
Listen to everything you can.....

A MB and a good 4x10 is also a good straightforward solution.
I know you mentioned combo....but just thinking about limits, etc.
take care
 
#7
+1 Volume is more to do with having enough, (and good quality) speakers, than just watts. Sure, 300 watts is plenty, IF you have the speakers to handle it. Same goes for going low and deep, again, it's the speakers. A single 15 will run out of gas long before you get to being deep and loud. Think more like 2x12's, or 4x10's. If you insist on a combo, get a 2x10 combo that's able to add another 2x10 ext cab. Oh, and btw, 5K Hz's is way up in the realm of treble, not bass. 40 Hz is a low E.+
Not many cabs can go that low, but that's alright, 'cause those low notes are hard to hear anyway, what you hear are the harmonics of those low notes.
 
#8
I've gigged solely with high passed bass in the monitors before, and I've seen dudes with 50w solid state Vox guitar combos for bass. What's giggable varies widely by what kind of tone you expect and how you eq and how loud your band is on stage.

300w 1x15 combo would fit 95% of my needs personally.
 
#9
Well that's given me a lot to think about. I'll go & check out the amps you mentioned. These are two amps I'm also interested in. Would be cool to get a 2nd opinion. The H&K will drive a cab not sure about the Warwick.

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I'm a guitarist who dabbles in bass, got my Hz mixed with my Khz. Thanks for clearing that up & thanks for all the replies.
 
#15
I really wish I had skipped the combo and just gotten a separate head and cab when I started playing. It would have saved me some money and it's only got one more cable involved than a combo.

Your best bet might be to find (preferably used) a MarkBass or Gallien Krueger head and a good cabinet (2x10, 2x12, or 4x10). Keep in mind that the efficiency of the cabinet will have as much impact on your available volume as the wattage of the head. Also keep in mind that a larger diameter driver (i.e. 15") will not necessarily go any lower or sound any deeper than it's smaller counterpart.
 
#17
rpsands said:
I've gigged solely with high passed bass in the monitors before, and I've seen dudes with 50w solid state Vox guitar combos for bass. What's giggable varies widely by what kind of tone you expect and how you eq and how loud your band is on stage.

300w 1x15 combo would fit 95% of my needs personally.
Click to expand...


Exactly. People seem to assume that their gigs reflect others... not necessarily true.

The Ampeg BA115 combos are nice and easily handle a low B. They can be found used for reasonable prices. Will it be loud enough? Depends on who you're playing with.

A head and cabinet(s) rig really isn't much more complicated than a combo. If you plan on being at this for awhile you might as well learn what the differences are.

Budget?
 
#18
Maybe a head & cab is the way forward, I'd rather have the extra volume & not need it than need it & not have it. My budget is about £1000 and I'm not interested in buying 2nd hand.

I'm gonna have to go to London & try a bunch of amps.
 
#20
5 String Noob said:
Maybe a head & cab is the way forward, I'd rather have the extra volume & not need it than need it & not have it. My budget is about £1000 and I'm not interested in buying 2nd hand.

I'm gonna have to go to London & try a bunch of amps.
Click to expand...

I'd suggest rethinking your no secondhand stance. Your money can go ridiculously farther. For £1000 I'm sure I could get a rig that would cost upwards of £2000 new. Maybe more.
 

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