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Yeah, amp noob question (here we go)

K

Kenjuku0530

Jun 7, 2009
18
0
#1
Ok so I'm getting more serious on the matter of my playing. (Learning my theory, composing some songs, etc) But in reality I'm the type that likes to be on stage playing his heart out (even though I haven't been able to do that much lately). So Im looking around for more pressense on stage. I had upgraded my amp from a 10" rumble to a 18" GK (I don't remember the model) and it was all fine and dandy since I didn't do much but school concerts with that. but lately I can tell I have pushed my amp pretty much too much, with having to play outside gigs, some indoors, and the travelling (75 pounds isn't exactly confy to carry since I dont own a hand truck).

And now I was able to get my hands on my ideal bass thus far my Music Man HH 4 string. So Im looking to upgrade my combo amp and finally go with cabs.

I went ahead and did what I think was smart and tested some cabs out. So here I am in guitarcenter I sat down with a bass from the shelf and the guy plugged me into a markbass, liked it then I turned the tag on it. It went off my list pretty fast.
Then I sat down in front of an acoustic cab they had set up. Loved the tone since I got my sound pretty quickly plus it was affordable but I knew it wasn't going to be enough for the eventual gigs I would play. Other than that I wasn't able to check any others because of time constraints.

Well enough babble, to my understanding I need a head and two cabs that are 115 and 410,that can accommodate for the lows and the highs of my eq settings specially when I use my older than me five string and its high a$$ output level. And has a separate effects loop.

As for its uses its pretty much to be every genre under the sun (I'm not kidding) Jazz, Rock, Funk, Classical/Ballads, Blues, Alternative, Metal, etc. Along with every common way of hitting a string, except with using a pick.

So what brand/model do you guys suggest.

-----------------------------------edit----------------------------------------
Well maybe its time to reform my wants just a bit.

Well then here is what I came up with Im going to need a head that can handle my GK 250w amp and a 410 cab. Because I'm a guy who loves shaping my sounds around the low mids/bass and then messing with the treble depending on the stage. plus if I get a 410 I can mess with the combination of speakers depending where I'm going to play.

Note that I'm going for solid state since I don't want to start looking around for tubes when an accident happens (which is pretty often unfortunately), so I would love explanations on why your suggesting a particular rig. Oh before I forget, I'm bringing down my budget since 2k is not going to happen unless I have no living expenses for a long time. My new limit is going to be around 1.2-1.4K depending on what I set my sights on.
 
#3
You might reconsider all those cabs, a 4x10 and a 115 is a lot of weight, though if you don't have the luxury of plugging into a PA and do outdoor gigs you might just need all those cabs.

Get a hand truck, your back will thank you for it!

Your budget and preference will determine the advice given, so definitely elaborate on these so we can better help you. And what kind of bass do you have?
 
#4
Kenjuku0530 said:
Well enough babble, to my understanding I need a head and two cabs that are 115 and 410,that can accommodate for the lows and the highs of my eq settings specially when I use my older than me five string and its high a$$ output level. .
Click to expand...

One doesn't have to be the 15 and the other the 410. Also try it with a pair of 15's and again with a pair of 410's. Turn the thing up loud like you would gig it and see what sounds best to you. And bring your own bass to try it out with, that is afterall the one you'll be playing with it.
 
#5
You don't need a 115 and a 410. In fact, many would tell you that that is not a great idea.
Most likely, a 410 OR a 115 will be enough for you - if you need to be louder than that, your band should be getting PA support. If you feel a need for massive stage volume, 2 410's or 2 15's will do it. Needing "bigger speakers for lows, and smaller ones for highs" isn't true when you're talking about full-range cabinets like you are. If you want more mids and highs than you get from a 115, get a 115 with a midrange (like the Fearful cabs that people are building here).

Get yourself a head with 300 watts or more of power into the ohmage of your desired speaker cab (e.g., if you get an 8 ohm 410, the amp should drive 300 watts into 8 ohms, if you get a 4 ohm cab, then into 4 ohms). There are lots of good heads on a budget - GK makes some, or you can buy used and get Genz Benz ( a NeoPak, used, will totally thrill you).
 
#6
Well forgot to mention that, 2K is my limit on it.

But bits at a time, so for example I pick my suggested rig, so if I buy the head first and plug my GKs speaker into it (since it just happened to be made in a way where I can plug different cabs into the head of the combo or vice-versa.) if not then I buy the 410 cab and use both at the same time, then slowly get the rest. But still it stands 2K is the maximum.
 
#8
Kenjuku0530 said:
Well forgot to mention that, 2K is my limit on it.

But bits at a time, so for example I pick my suggested rig, so if I buy the head first and plug my GKs speaker into it (since it just happened to be made in a way where I can plug different cabs into the head of the combo or vice-versa.) if not then I buy the 410 cab and use both at the same time, then slowly get the rest. But still it stands 2K is the maximum.
Click to expand...

2K is the max? That leaves you with TONS of options. I just bought my Avatar212/Peavey Tour 700 for just about a grand, I wish I had 2K to use on an amp.
 
#9
Well it would be desireble to spend less but thats the projected maximum Im putting in.

So its bad idea to get a 410 and 115? Hmm well I picked that set up because I was blown away by the tone quality Victor Wooten was getting from his HyDive set up when I saw him live, I just happen to be where the sound I was getting was from his rig and not the house speakers so yeah.

Well going with that does anybody have experience with hartke's hydive?
 
#10
410 and 115 are a great combination, just not absolutely necessary. I had two 410s for a while and that combination could not be beat in medium sized clubs and outdoor venues. People could say they could "feel" me even in the bathrooms... ha ha ha.

Just make sure the two cabs you get are the same ohm rating and work well with the amp you get - I'd imagine 300-500 Watt range is good.
 
#11
I suggest trying the Ampeg SVT-410HLF cab- It's their bigger 4x10, ported. Has more than enough low end IMO. I was playing 15's for years, then switched to the HLF. It moves waaaaay more air and the low end is solid and much cleaner. Not to mention (relatively) light and easy to move around. They go for $750 new, so 2K gives you lots of options to get the rig that really makes your sound.
 
#13
well I did a bit more playing around and ampeg and hartke seem to be the ones selling it to me. Now Im going to have to walk into SamAsh with my GK and both of my basses, since Im going to go for the head that can take my amp and a 410 at the same time for now. Since we came down to that. I thank all your guidedence thus far. So what Im really going to ask is your experience with both Hatke and Ampeg's durability, tone, drawbacks/strengths.
 
#14
Kenjuku0530 said:
Ok so I'm getting more serious on the matter of my playing. (Learning my theory, composing some songs, etc) But in reality I'm the type that likes to be on stage playing his heart out (even though I haven't been able to do that much lately). So Im looking around for more pressense on stage. I had upgraded my amp from a 10" rumble to a 18" GK (I don't remember the model) and it was all fine and dandy since I didn't do much but school concerts with that. but lately I can tell I have pushed my amp pretty much too much, with having to play outside gigs, some indoors, and the travelling (75 pounds isn't exactly confy to carry since I dont own a hand truck).

And now I was able to get my hands on my ideal bass thus far my Music Man HH 4 string. So Im looking to upgrade my combo amp and finally go with cabs.

I went ahead and did what I think was smart and tested some cabs out. So here I am in guitarcenter I sat down with a bass from the shelf and the guy plugged me into a markbass, liked it then I turned the tag on it. It went off my list pretty fast.
Then I sat down in front of an acoustic cab they had set up. Loved the tone since I got my sound pretty quickly plus it was affordable but I knew it wasn't going to be enough for the eventual gigs I would play. Other than that I wasn't able to check any others because of time constraints.

Well enough babble, to my understanding I need a head and two cabs that are 115 and 410,that can accommodate for the lows and the highs of my eq settings specially when I use my older than me five string and its high a$$ output level. And has a separate effects loop.

As for its uses its pretty much to be every genre under the sun (I'm not kidding) Jazz, Rock, Funk, Classical/Ballads, Blues, Alternative, Metal, etc. Along with every common way of hitting a string, except with using a pick.

So what brand/model do you guys suggest.
Click to expand...

First, you don't neet a 410 and a 115. A good 410 will do just fine. Most of the time, the 410 will produce lows much better than a 115, which is better for low mids. Even though you say the Markbass is out of your price range, you need to consider how long you'll hang on to it. If you buy something cheap and underpowered, you'll be spending more money soon to get what you really need. This is the concept of "buy once, cry once," meaning spend more money now so you don't have to take a loss and cry again to buy something else.

Markbass is highly regarded around here, as are GK and Mesa. I personally like Eden and Aguilar in the 500-watt class, but they will be even more expensive.

Anyway, I'd hold a car wash and a few bake sales, maybe sell a sibling, and get enough money to buy a long-term rig. To me, this means at least 500 watts and a 410. Forget the 15. There will be plenty of folks who will chime in on recommended heads and cabs. Resist the temptation of any products whose name begins with B, even though the prices are lower.
 
#16
Ampeg all day man, i have a 810 and the cl and they are perfect for me, the 810 with 300 watts moves tons of air, you can proably pick up a 810 and cl fairly cheep if you get em used check your craigslist, there is a drawback thow the 810 and cl are heavy, 2 410 would move the same amount of air and might be a little easier for you to get around. The rule of thumb is you nedd 3 times the wattage of the guitar so if theres a guitar player in you band see what they have and its wattage, but i sugest at least 300, maby even move up in the 500 range, with 2 grand you have a lot of choices but i strongly sugest tryen the 810 and 2 410 with the cl
 
#18
Munjibunga said:
Jeez, for $2K, you could get a used Aguilar DB750 ($1,350) and GS410 cabinet ($650) and dominate the world. Ampeg is for rockers and is not versatile enough for all your intended genres.
Click to expand...

I can see what you're saying but it would be awesome to spend a lot less.

well then so far Im getting that:

Ampeg is for rockers
And that GK, Mesa, Markbass, etc are good.

Well maybe its time to reform my wants just a bit.

Well then here is what I came up with Im going to need a head that can handle my GK 250w amp and a 410 cab. Because I'm a guy who loves shaping my sounds around the low mids/bass and then messing with the treble depending on the stage. plus if I get a 410 I can mess with the combination of speakers depending where I'm going to play.

Note that I'm going for solid state since I don't want to start looking around for tubes when an accident happens (which is pretty often unfortunately), so I would love explanations on why your suggesting a particular rig. Oh before I forget, I'm bringing down my budget since 2k is not going to happen unless I have no living expenses for a long time. My new limit is going to be around 1.2-1.4K depending on what I set my sights on.
 

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