Battle of the bass combos around $300

DankStar

DankStar

Her Little Mojo Minion
I might be doing a little project that involves using a bass and while I have a bass I don't have a bass amp.

I'm considering these, probably used if I can find it:

- Eden GC 210

- Roland bass cube 60

- Ampeg BA-115 (w/scrambler)

- hartke kickback 15

- the wild card: Bugera 700-watt combo (seems a bit excessive but the price isn't bad; not sure how reliable it'd be)

Basically I need:
- enough power to jam with folks in a garage type setting, any larger gigs I could come out the line out and/or mic the amp
- nice line out
- small as possible, but not micro
- fairly light
- have onboard OD; onboard compressor a big plus
- I like the idea of an amp that can kickback, which some of the above do

I'm not opposed to the bass equivalent of something like a Peavey classic 30, where with a guitar it's a great stand alone amp, or something you could use with pedals at home or on stage but easily found used at a nice price.

The project is an experimental/industrial/synth and bass type thing where it's sort of a improvisational jam. But, I'll also use the amp at home to record my version of thrash/early metal tunes.

Any thoughts appreciated
 
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Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

Have you checked out any of the Kustom heads? Should be able to find some interesting stuff used...


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Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

What wattage guitar amps will you be competing with? Multiply that figure by four.

t c electronic does some neat 200w combos.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

Another potential option is to use a 20-watt tube PA I have with a cabinet that can handle bass but not sure if that'd get very loud
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

Funkfingers said:
What wattage guitar amps will you be competing with? Multiply that figure by four.
Click to expand...

There's two other dudes - one will do trance like beats and stuff and the other dude will do synth sounds. I thnk they'll go through a PA type setup of moderate wattage (80-100). BUT, I don't think practices will be loud and like I was saying, if we do a show I could do a line out.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

If they're going through a PA, get a Tech21 Bass Driver and call it done.


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Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

Played the hartke a-series 25 and 35. I liked them both a lot. If I can get away with the smaller one, that'd be ideal.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

If you don't mind used, Peavey TNT 130, from the early '80s blue-knob era. Pretty much indestructible, and easy to service if it does get busted. Great range of controls including, OD, comprehensive EQ, effects loop, and a built-in biamp crossover if you want to add an external amp. Downside is, its heavy as hell, which means two things: 1) it's better for guys who stay in one place or only gig infrequently, and 2) you have to find one locally. Shipping them is pointless, since they sell for about $200.

Come to think of it, any Peavey from the blue-knob era is going to be great. They built some monsters.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

That would probably be killer but yes, size and weight are of concern in my search. I've got a $100 amazon gift card. So, if I got a fender rumble 40 v3, I'd only spend $100. I love the clips I've heard with the OD kicked in, and 40 watts is probaly enough for my needs.

I almost got a used hartke 25 for $80 but I'd really like some other voicings available on the amp and a good OD like the new fenders sport. The hartke is a little light on watts and I'd have to use a pedal to get any OD.

Heavy as hell pretty much takes that peavey out of the running but I do understand it'd probably sound more powerful because of that.
 
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Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

Ampeg B100R. It's been my only bass amp since '96 or '97. I've never had a single problem with it, never had to replace a single thing, and it always sounds incredible and gets complimented for its tone at almost every gig. It weighs in the high '60's. It's not really heavy, but a bit stubby and awkward. It only has a top handle, which is a slight pain. Two handing it, like carrying a big box, is the best way to carry it. But it does have inserts for Ampeg wheels. They were only $500 when new, so they are great bangs for the buck used.
 
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Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

DankStar said:
I've got a $100 amazon gift card. So, if I got a fender rumble 40 v3, I'd only spend $100. I love the clips I've heard with the OD kicked in, and 40 watts is probably enough for my needs.
Click to expand...

Think again.

I know somebody locally who struggles to be heard using a 2014 Fender Rumble 200w combo. (Truth be known, this model only achieves the 200w when an extension cabinet is added. By itself, Fender claims only 140w.) Several people tried to convince the guy to spend the extra to get a Rumble 500w model but he wouldn't have any of it.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

DankStar said:
...and 40 watts is probably enough for my needs.
Click to expand...

If you only ever plan to use a 40W amp in your bedroom, either by yourself or with one guitar playing friend, that will do the job. If you ever plan to use it when playing with a drummer and the rest of a band, it simply won't do the job. At best, it will sound like bass farts -- at worst, you could damage the amp or the speaker.

If you are going to spend the money on an amp, do yourself a favor and get something you won't need to instantly upgrade. Bare minimum of 200W, preferably 300+W. If all you need is a practice amp for right now, just go to a pawn shop and get a POS amp for cheap, and save your money to get a good amp.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

Thanks for the info. Most of the POS combos are either too POS (like a gorilla or some crap) or (IMO) too expensive for what they are (i.e., a $300 35-watt amp). If I'm dropping money it better be at least halfway decent. But since I couldn't find anything like that, I made my own cab (see other thread). I understand it won't hang with a band. Neither would my 1 x 12 cabs I use for guitar, but they are perfect for bedroom and recording use, as I'm hoping my bass cab will be.

For what it's worth, I do think the (new line) Fender rumble sounded great and it would have probably worked for my needs. My main concerns were the 40-watt tops handling and the fact it seemed to be made from balsa wood. My cab's like a tank compared to that thing.
 
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Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

I have the Hartke with the half-aluminium speaker. No regrets, no problems.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

uOpt said:
I have the Hartke with the half-aluminium speaker. No regrets, no problems.
Click to expand...

Which one if you don't mind me asking. Is it the A-series? I liked how the two small ones sounded. Seemed like a one trick pony, aside from a limiter. But a good sounding pony.
 
Re: Battle of the bass combos around $300

while I would personally got for the Carvin MB15

probably used

I have a Carvin RL600 2x10 combo that is friggin great
bi-amp
compressor and gate built in
12ax7 and a knob to choose SS or Tube or mix of the two
large EQ
select-able treble/mid/bass boost
can be found on GC used for $299

or a more versatile choice
a powered 15 inch speaker and a Digitech BP series pedal
a drum loop and bass, you'll be the entire rhythm section

this is how I roll to practice
drummer doesnt always show
but them guitarist are ego maniacs, ya know
 
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