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Wondering about a decent, inexpensive amp for practice and maybe some small gigs?

S

suitlandkid2005

Sep 23, 2008
146
0
#1
I am about to get a new amp. I am currently playing my ATK through a beginner ibanez amp. I was looking on musician's friend for combo amps in the price range of $150-$250 because that's all I can spend at the moment. I was thinking about the
Acoustic B20 1x12 Bass Combo Amplifier or Behringer Ultrabass BXL900 90W 1x12" Bass Combo or Peavey MAX 110 Bass Combo. I just want something that has good tone, can get pretty loud if need be, and is overall good for my ATK. Here's a link to the combo amps in that price range on the site:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/bass-combo-amps?N=100001+338534+8

I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance...By the way, I plan to get a Zoom B2.1u Bass Effects Pedal if that helps any because I'm thinking it would boost the new amp.
 
#4
Check out the Nemesis N15 combo, which GC has for $250 new. It has 200 watts going into a 4 ohm 15" that has a voicecoil on it for nice mids and decent highs. It's very loud and kickbackable, the only thing you might not get are sizzling highs because it doesn't have a tweeter, but for the power, volume, and portability (only 45 lbs), it can't be beat. I have one for practice and I like it; it's overkill for a practice amp actually.
 
#5
I guess I will be the one to say it. For $150-200, you are pretty much looking still looking at beginner combo amps. Your best bet is to go used like mjwhit said or save up at least another $100 to expand your options. You've got a good bass, save up and get a quality amp to match.
 
#7
john nam said:
Check out the Nemesis N15 combo, which GC has for $250 new. It has 200 watts going into a 4 ohm 15" that has a voicecoil on it for nice mids and decent highs. It's very loud and kickbackable, the only thing you might not get are sizzling highs because it doesn't have a tweeter, but for the power, volume, and portability (only 45 lbs), it can't be beat. I have one for practice and I like it; it's overkill for a practice amp actually.
Click to expand...

Would it come in handy for like a small gig?

maggot_me said:
I say Peavey because I have a Peavey bass and 2 Peavey speakers and they work miracles for me and plus when I went to buy my bass I tried the Peavey MAX 110 bass amp and it sounded nice. I say Peavey.
Click to expand...

Is it good for gigs?

msiner said:
I guess I will be the one to say it. For $150-200, you are pretty much looking still looking at beginner combo amps. Your best bet is to go used like mjwhit said or save up at least another $100 to expand your options. You've got a good bass, save up and get a quality amp to match.
Click to expand...

I totally understand what you are saying. I guess I could spare another $50 to $100 dollars. Do you have any recommendations? I'm trying to go over $250 at the moment if I can help it. By the way, I plan to get a Zoom B2.1u Bass Effects Pedal in the near future so I think that should boost whatever I get. What do you think?
 
#9
+1 on a used Peavey

For under $250 you should have your choice. Built like tanks, plenty of power and decent sound. I've had 2 old Peavey amps. They both sounded fine on their own and they both took pedals very well.
 
#10
suitlandkid2005 said:
Would it come in handy for like a small gig?



Is it good for gigs?



I totally understand what you are saying. I guess I could spare another $50 to $100 dollars. Do you have any recommendations? I'm trying to go over $250 at the moment if I can help it. By the way, I plan to get a Zoom B2.1u Bass Effects Pedal in the near future so I think that should boost whatever I get. What do you think?
Click to expand...

For small gigs... plus it has more volume than most amps so =D
 
#12
suitlandkid2005 said:
I am about to get a new amp. I am currently playing my ATK through a beginner ibanez amp. I was looking on musician's friend for combo amps in the price range of $150-$250 because that's all I can spend at the moment. I was thinking about the
Acoustic B20 1x12 Bass Combo Amplifier or Behringer Ultrabass BXL900 90W 1x12" Bass Combo or Peavey MAX 110 Bass Combo. I just want something that has good tone, can get pretty loud if need be, and is overall good for my ATK. Here's a link to the combo amps in that price range on the site:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/bass-combo-amps?N=100001+338534+8

I would appreciate any help. Thanks in advance...By the way, I plan to get a Zoom B2.1u Bass Effects Pedal if that helps any because I'm thinking it would boost the new amp.
Click to expand...
in most states the law requires pawn shops to stock at least one used peavey.....
 
#14
I'd used one of these for many, many years with excellent results. As long as you don't need to be super loud (i.e. a drummer who knows how to play with finesse) it is a decent sounding combo, about 45 or so pounds. I have one with the paper cone speakers. It seemed to sound a little bit smoother to my ear than the aluminum cone speaker, nothing dramaticly different. I'm sure you could find a used one for pretty cheap.

Cheers,
Dennis
 
#15
suitlandkid2005 said:
By the way, I plan to get a Zoom B2.1u Bass Effects Pedal in the near future so I think that should boost whatever I get. What do you think?
Click to expand...

You've said this twice - so I have to respond. I don't think you can make any amp louder by using any pedal. The amp will get as loud as it can get all by itsself, so if you max it out and then increase the input gain with some sort of boost, you'll just drive a solid state amp into clipping and it will sound like poo. I'm not familiar with the pedal you are talking about, but in general, a boost pedal gives you two different volume settings that you can toggle between by stomping on a pedal to turn boost on and off. It doesn't make a quiet amp become a loud amp.

I agree that your price point is too low to get anything big enough to gig - IF YOU ARE BUYING NEW.

Buy used - you can get something that will work great. IMHO - You need over 100 watts minimum, 200 and you can gig in most rooms with almost any drummer. I have a 250 watt TE head and I've never had the stage volume above 4.

last thought - That Eden Nemisis sounds like a great deal. I don't need a new amp, but I want to go buy it. Eden stuff is great and that amp would really fit the bill.
 

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