Sorry, didn‘t realize you‘re in Brazil. Maybe ordering from the US and shipping to Brazil may cut you a good deal on a new amp.
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Which ~100W combo amp is the best fit for me?
- Thread starter gcdoval
- Start date
All right, anyway I'll repeat my suggestion to get whatever combo you might find locally at a good enough price (I mean, all the brands and models you listed are more or less reputable) and use some sort of overdrive into it. This way, you'll get a high pass filter (since most overdrives have some low-end filtering going on) and some drive/compression (drive will also get you some significant compression) into one.
To further reinforce my point, have a listen to what clean bass might mean in the context of classic rock:
At least older Trace Elliots are also loud and durable. Most amps sound good enough, just wiggle some knobs and if that doesn't do the trick (or even if it does) throw some pedals in front of it. But yeah, Trace Elliots.
I feel for you. Same here in Germany. Nevertheless in some instances it has worked out for me.
I found an Ashdown Original Evo C112 available. It's 300W and only weighs 30 lbs, priced at around $600. That’s about $200 more than the other options I’ve seen, but it’s brand new. Financially, this could work for me.You guys get any Ashdown gear over there? Got a Studio combo (10" speaker) and it's pretty strong for such a little cab. Bigger ones would probably do even better, but not sure what they're priced at over there.
Most any of those would be a decent bet, however I'd make sure you check out both sides of opinions on the Fender Rumble combos. They aren't for everyone
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Ashdown is a good mid-range brand. Can't go wrong with it. Probably a better choice than the others. The higher power of the amp does not mean you will necessarily have more volume (or even headroom, since it depends on the speaker and the cabinet geometry) but usually you do get some more leeway volume-wise.
OP is in Brazil, so a Rumble might well be more than it is in the states. We actually have it pretty good here as far as instrument and amp prices, even with the inflation since Covid. We also have a huge used market, not sure it’s like that in Brazil. It’s true that a used amp is probably the best bang/buck, particularly if you don’t mind heavy gear. Nobody wants the old boat anchor amps and cabs anymore. The other route is one of the newer 200-500 watt micro heads with a newish neodymium cab for a lightweight rig.
Just buy the new unit which has warranty.
A brand new unit of those costs ~$900 here in Brazil and right now there is no second hand available in the market over here.
A special shoutout to @Plucky The Bassist for the tip on Ashdowns.
I ended up grabbing the Original Evo C112T, and it seems like the perfect fit for me. Interestingly, it's one of the few amps with about the same price here in Brazil as in the U.S. coming at $630 with delivery included. It looks neat and it's super lightweight, which is a huge bonus. As for power, it gives some nice flexibility as I learned on another thread here in talkbass because it's rated at 300W, but with the internal 12" speaker, it's actually 180W (hence the lightweight). The full 300W can be reached with an additional cabinet, which will come in handy if there's no PA to plug into at a gig.
Once I get it and have a chance to play, I'll come back to share my thoughts. For now, a huge thanks to everyone who chimed in!
I ended up grabbing the Original Evo C112T, and it seems like the perfect fit for me. Interestingly, it's one of the few amps with about the same price here in Brazil as in the U.S. coming at $630 with delivery included. It looks neat and it's super lightweight, which is a huge bonus. As for power, it gives some nice flexibility as I learned on another thread here in talkbass because it's rated at 300W, but with the internal 12" speaker, it's actually 180W (hence the lightweight). The full 300W can be reached with an additional cabinet, which will come in handy if there's no PA to plug into at a gig.
Once I get it and have a chance to play, I'll come back to share my thoughts. For now, a huge thanks to everyone who chimed in!
I think it just depends upon two main factors ... how loud are the other musicians in your band, especially the drummer and are you going direct or into a p.a. system or other equipment.
I bought a used Rumble 100 V3 for about $180 and I have used it a time or two when I fill in for a local band. We play mostly at RV parks and other outside areas, such as a restaurant. We've also played at some city-sponsored concerts and even at a county fair. At the county fair my gear was connected to a p.a. system but at the other locations I just played direct ... no microphone no nothing.
For most of these I used my old Fender Bassman 150 with 150 watts of power but I've been switching to the Rumble 100 and I've never had to put the volume past 50 percent. I have one more gig with this band in a couple of weeks at a RV park and I intend to use the Rumble 100 but I will bring along the Bassman 150 if I need more power or I have a problem with the Rumble 100.
But to complicate things I see you also have a Ampeg BA-115 listed. Is this the older 100-watt version or the newer 150-watt version? Years ago when I played in another classic rock band I used the BA115, again with no assitance in most cases. But that band was a LOT louder than this band and frankly the BA-115 just couldn't keep up. It may be because it has an older 15-inch speaker. Again, apples and strawberries. One 100-watt combo amp is plenty loud for the band I am and the other 100-watt amp isn't loud enough.
I do like the sound of the Rumble pretty much ... but I have to tell you that the sound of that old Ampeg BA-115 was just wonderful for my playing taste.
I bought a used Rumble 100 V3 for about $180 and I have used it a time or two when I fill in for a local band. We play mostly at RV parks and other outside areas, such as a restaurant. We've also played at some city-sponsored concerts and even at a county fair. At the county fair my gear was connected to a p.a. system but at the other locations I just played direct ... no microphone no nothing.
For most of these I used my old Fender Bassman 150 with 150 watts of power but I've been switching to the Rumble 100 and I've never had to put the volume past 50 percent. I have one more gig with this band in a couple of weeks at a RV park and I intend to use the Rumble 100 but I will bring along the Bassman 150 if I need more power or I have a problem with the Rumble 100.
But to complicate things I see you also have a Ampeg BA-115 listed. Is this the older 100-watt version or the newer 150-watt version? Years ago when I played in another classic rock band I used the BA115, again with no assitance in most cases. But that band was a LOT louder than this band and frankly the BA-115 just couldn't keep up. It may be because it has an older 15-inch speaker. Again, apples and strawberries. One 100-watt combo amp is plenty loud for the band I am and the other 100-watt amp isn't loud enough.
I do like the sound of the Rumble pretty much ... but I have to tell you that the sound of that old Ampeg BA-115 was just wonderful for my playing taste.
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