Okay so, I've never had to bother with heads and cabs cause I play in a music group where we have the amps and a PA system and such, so I know nothing about anything 'cept there's heads and cabs. But I'm planning on making a band this summer when school's out, so I need an amp cause the one I use to practice at home is only 35W, I heard from people at a music store that a bassist should have 300-500W to cut through. Since I'm just starting a band, were not gonna be playing anywhere big, there's a few small venues around, like coffee shops and the like. So I need to get a new amp(head and cab I guess), what are your thoughts? We'll be playing classic stuff like Van Halen, Journey, Boston. Oh and I'd love it if it wouldn't cost me more than like $750, I'd prefer more around $500
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What amp should I get?
- Thread starter TheJacoBaco
- Start date
In my opinion, since you said your not playing any large venues. I think you could get away with 150 - 200 Watt amps. Dude there are tons of great amps in this range. Where in Michigan are you at? Motor City Guitar in Waterford has a great selection of new and used amps you can check out. Good Luck
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
A good place to start is the classifieds here on Talk Bass I would buy used so you can stretch your dollar a head and cab give you more flexibility but a combo can still pack a punch in a nice tight package.
Agreed. But if your looking to expand your rig in the future, then a separate head and cab is the way to go. You can't expand a combo
Thanks for getting back to me everybody! And I live near Lapeer, I just bought a Classic Series '70s Precision Bass at Huber & Breese in Fraser. Best guitar shop I've ever been in!!! Anyway lol so happy, but now I need an amp! And yeah I'll definitely look at used amps then, and maybe just a combo amp if that'd be cheaper. I don't think I really will need a head and cab, and you can connect direct boxes into combo amps too right? I'm almost 100% positive you can, but hey I never have before so I'm not sure lol
What is your budget, and how loud do you need to be? IMHO combos are a collection of compromises to great for me to be interested in them.
Well right now I'm saving up again, but I'm gonna get a job this summer hopefully. My budget will be around $500, but I mean honestly, I'd like the cheapest possible amp that is decent, I'm not looking for a spectacular amp, just not a crappy one. Just one that is reliable and can play loud enough for small shows like in a coffee shop
Take a good hard look at one of the older GK 115 combos. They can run a 115 extension cab too which will get you enough volume for just about anything before you need a PA.
Buying used will definitely stretch every dollar but if you want to shop new make sure to check out what Carvin has to offer. I gigged on my bx500 for years and it now is a great back up to keep around for when my nicer stuff is getting serviced. For the money you can get a brand new half stack for around 600 bucks and know the build quality will be top notch.
+1 for the Carvin. They are affordable, good quality, and have a good tone too. should be plenty loud enough for the gigs you're describing and more.
