Why are bass cabinets so expensive?

[Reno Guy]

I'm looking for something small, maybe a 110. This is for our cabin and will just be used for practice and to jam with 1 or 2 people with acoustic guitars.

I searched the local used market and there's nothing small. Someone mentioned the Ampeg SVT210, it's $500+ up here. The BC208 looks promising, $300 Cdn. I can afford either one (or something else) as long as I feel that the value is there.

I guess I was just shocked that there are so few cabs under $500.

 

[Wasnex]

Plenty of used cabs you can find cheap.

I went to Guitar Center's website and selected bass cabs and organized the results by price.

Bass Amplifier Cabinets | Guitar Center

The cheapest stand alone cab was a Peavey Headliner 210 at $299.99 USD. GC does not have them in-stock, but I found other webpages that show them available.

I have no idea how good of a cab this is. In my experience, you tend to get what you pay for and I have no interest in a cab at this level of the market.

Here are the results from Full Compass
Bass Guitar Amp Cabinets | Sweetwater

and Sweetwater
Invalid Link Removed

 

[basss]

Take a look at the Warwick Gnome cabs

 

[5StringBlues]

I've been experiencing some glitches with posting the last day and today. I edited a post and wound up posting it 3 times. Patience helps.

New TB feature.



Twice the content with half the info.

 

[5StringBlues]

capitalism

 

[DJ Bebop]

Back break included free of charge with the old ones, too

 

[jimmydean]

Bassist tend to be better educated and make more money and hence have little to no problem paying such high prices because they can afford it .

 

[Reno Guy]

I just bought a new Markbass Pure 104 cab on sale for about $800. No, that’s not cheap, but for a 4x10 that weighs only 35lbs and can put out the volume it does it’s, IMO, a very good value.

I had a Markbass 104 cab years ago but sold it and went smaller. My gigging rig is a Markbass mini CMD121 plus extension cab.

I found a new Markbass AMD 110 cab for $500. 200 watts and just 12.4" x 12.4", I might get that.

 

[InkCow]

Take a look at the Warwick Gnome cabs

Highly doubt you would be able to find one, and certainly not for the budget.

 

[singlemalt]

I can’t seem to find it, but Duke had a thread on an inexpensive 1-10 DIY project. I’ve built a couple 1-10’s, and they sounded very nice at low volumes.

I wish I could find those plans again. Simple builds.

If DIY is your thing, a ported 1-10 is easy.

 

[Ric5]

As the title asks, why are bass cabinets so expensive? I have a TC Electronics mini bass head that I keep as a backup. I'm taking it to the cabin with my backup bass for the summer and I was hoping to find an inexpensive bass cab to use it with.

There's nothing under $500 (CDN) except for a tiny 20 watt Orange for $150, yet I can buy 20 different combo amps for less than $400. For example, I can buy a Fender Rumble 25 for $180 or an Orange Crush 25 for $300 but can't find a basic bass cab for $200 or less.

Am I missing something?

here in Denver Co USA there are a ton of bass cabs from $100 to $400

Check Craigslist or Music go round

 

[DuluthDank]

Did you look at the Trace Elliot Elf 1X10?

 

[MrLenny1]

Go used.

 

[LHbassist]

I'm guessing you are in Canada- but I do not know where.. it's a big place! lol! Do you use Kiiji? It's the craigslist up there. I did a quick search, and got these results. Yes, expensive- but this is only one search, in one area.

Bass Cabinet | Find Great Deals on Guitars , Pianos & Other Musical Instruments in Edmonton | Kijiji Classifieds

 

[Kmrumedy]

Lots of stuff like this...not sure where in the prairies you are...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[SJan3]

 

[DaveParker39]

Only the light and efficient ones.
You can get a Peavey 2x10 NEW for less than $300. I paid $280 for mine a year ago when everything was out of stock and I needed a cab in a pinch. It's 55lbs, though. So now it lives in my closet, although it sounds decent.

 

[zon5string]

Good.
Lightweight.
Cheap.
Pick two.

 

[chaosMK]

GC Used has a full selection of cheap bass cabs. In the super budget range ($100-200) I like SWR Workingmans 15.

 

[5StringBlues]

Only the light and efficient ones.
You can get a Peavey 2x10 NEW for less than $300. I paid $280 for mine a year ago when everything was out of stock and I needed a cab in a pinch. It's 55lbs, though. So now it lives in my closet, although it sounds decent.

When you consider that the original Markbass front ported 210 cab is 49.8 lbs., 55 lbs isn't that heavy for a 210.