Any thoughts on a good bass amp for under $500.
I have an old Acoustic 118 solid state 15" that still works but I have never goten the deep thumping sound that I crave.
Thanks
Any thoughts on a good bass amp for under $500.
I have an old Acoustic 118 solid state 15" that still works but I have never goten the deep thumping sound that I crave.
Thanks
Under $500 New - or used?
Do you want a head, or rig? (Tie head into existing Cab?)
Combo or head/cab?
How much power do you "need"? Playing live, running to board and use for stage volume?
Jam at home, just for fun? Play out for money - justify a bigger rig?
Just a few thoughts
Kenny Belmont
>:^{I)>
Like to get a new one sound is more of what Im after I would pay more too but $500 is the ballpark on cost.
I just got back into playing again and would like to gig again so I would want somthing that can be moved easy but play loud enough too. But right now Im jamming at home.
The Ampeg BA 115 series (several choices) combos are around that price range and have a good sound with thump. Perfect for home with the headphone tap, and loud enough for small gigs while being very portable.
Thanks for the info!Originally Posted by javlib
What about Peaveys the local music shop has a few nice ones but like I was saying its been awhile since I have looked at something new and I remember Peaveys being crap.
"Deep thumping" and "moved easily" sorta pull in opposite directions in my limited experience.
I've got a Roland bass cube 100 that I like very much as an "at home" amp that is easy to lug out when required, and while it is very loud (easily overpower an unamped drum kit), and has a great range of sounds, the "deep thumping" that you get with a big cabinet is the one missing element.
Fortunately, I don't have the craving. But I know bassists that do... and generally, they have big cars.
-Mark
I picked up a Nemisis 2 x 10 several years back for under $300
light, 200+ w and a very useful amp
David Eden's cheap line
do I look like I know what I'm doing?
fwiw: I suggest saving a couple more C notes and buying a used power amp + a Tech21 RBI pre.
Then add inexpensive Avatar cab(s) with whatever's in your budget.
With two compact cabs you and reduce or expand your rig to fit the venue.
For $700 you should be able to build a complete, flexible rig with thump and portability. It's been working well for me for quite a while now.
my 2cents
Ayatollah of Dumbassollah
facebook: Stephen Doc Watson
Hey - thats the rig I have....I wonder where I got the idea (Doc.....Your my hero!)
Seriously, I think Doc is right, if you go used and take your time.....you can do it price wise. Otherwise......about 2-2.5 times that.......
If I could get a Peavey Classic 400 head .....now that would be something!
BTW Sarge - you should email me off line - I am here in Delaware...not REAL far from you........
Kenny Belmont
>:^{I)>
theres your power amp now.......
http://www.thefenderforum.com/forum/...ad.php?t=36252
Kenny Belmont
>:^{I)>
good price, but only if you're young and have a strong back ;)
Ayatollah of Dumbassollah
facebook: Stephen Doc Watson
thats why i use the QSC PlLX line (Asstated by some guy called Doc)...it is one of the lightest power amps out tody in this category......
Kenny Belmont
>:^{I)>
Thanks for all the great advise guys. The guy who runs the local Music Shop said the same thing about building my sound system with a head and cab set up. I never thought of breaking it down into 3 parts but it make s more sense then a big combo. After the holidays Im going shopping!
The component route is the way to go. If a part of it fails it's a lot easier to beg, borrow, or steal a part than a whole amp. Should be easier to keep yourself running. Plus you can try our different bits and fine tune your rig to your taste.
VM
If aliens listened to our current top 40, they'd think that the entire planet was populated by sexually ambivalent robots with ethnic insecurity.
Call Chuck Levin's for a price on the Tech21. 301.948.8808
Bet'cha ten bucks they beat everyone in the known world.
You can surf Ebay for deals on QSC PLX series amps and Avatar cabs, or just buy the Avatar's directly from Dave. Hard to beat
Good luck!
Ayatollah of Dumbassollah
facebook: Stephen Doc Watson
Well the old amp gave up the ghost last night I don't have the heart to trash her so I put it in the basment with all my other crap I can't throw out.
I got a nice deal on a Fender 100 wattt combo with 2 10" speakers
($285.00) and it sounds nice too. I still plan to take your "2cents" and build a head and cab system. I have few guys at work that want to try and put something together if it works out I'll need something with more boom!
Again thanks for all the great info and I hope you all have a Great and Happy Holiday Season!
Are you playing a 5-string through it? How does the 2x10 handle the lower notes?
-Mark
I have a 4 string Fender J Bass with active E
The 2X10 set up is alittle brighter then I'm use to, and quicker too. But I get a much cleaner bass sound then I ever got with my old amp and for around the house its seems to be just fine.
5 string was on my Christmas list I got alittle cash and with my Bday coming up I think there will be one in the stable before the end of Jan. Just don't tell my wife..lol
I just played a Fender Rumble 60 (60w 1x12) last weekend in a small club. It held it's own on the low end of my 5-string SR405, but I had to goose the bass boost a bit on both guitar and amp. Still, with those adjustments, I was surprised how well it sounded for a bass amp I can easily carry with one hand. That was perhaps the best part!
...I mean I love my "big rig", but I hate to schlep it around - and in a smaller venue it just looks stupid.
You might try and find one of the OOP Fender "Spectrum" bass cabinets. It has an 18" and 2x10s with a crossover. My brother gave me one that was surplus to his stage needs and it kicks out pretty good for a small package -- easily good for a coupla hundred watts of your favorite head or rack-mount amp. His regular rig is a vintage Acoustic 370 with two speaker bottoms or a SUNN Coliseum with a pair of 200S cabs stuffed with K140s. He called this Spectrum his "training cab". But it really does sound pretty righteous.
HTH
Might just be talkin' heresy here, but I'll take my chances.
I'm all for taking Doc's advice.
My son just went through the same thing and for just a little over $500 he got the Behringer bass head, the 350 watt one (450s weren't out yet) and a couple behringer speaker cabs with the bugera speakers in them. It's been a good solid gigging rig for the past 4 years.
Would he upgrade? Yep! in a heartbeat ifn he had the cash but he'd never get rid of this rig, it's been too good to him.
If, at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving.
Two leaps per chasm is fatal!
I know this was posted a long time ago...
But these days, outrageous amounts of SS power are available in lightweight packages. My old 1980s Seymour Duncan 600w amp is around 35 pounds. My newer SWR 900w amp is a little more than half that.
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Man Of The Year" Award*
Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you
still can’t help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
I saw some of the new Eden stuff too........almost 4 lbs.....350 watts at 4 ohms.....
Kenny Belmont
>:^{I)>
I hear those Walter Woods amps are supposed to put out like 1200w and weigh like 4 pounds.
From what I understand he's the H.A.D. of the bass amp world.
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Man Of The Year" Award*
Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you
still can’t help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.
I need a new bass head too!
I need a head to go with a 1x15 + horn Cab. 8 ohms.
Last edited by MMP; 02-14-2008 at 06:40 AM.
Then Play On
You really can't go wrong with the G-K, Hartke, Peavey, Ampeg Stuff. Stay away from the backline/starter series (My opinion)
What are some of the opinions on new under $500?
Kenny Belmont
>:^{I)>
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
