Hello. I need a bass amp.

Andrew Lamprecht

Andrew Lamprecht

Minion of One
What would you guys recommend is the best budget amp for gigging in a metal band. For what its worth, the other two amps in the band will be a 100 watt Mesa Mk II and a 100 watt Peavey Valveking. I know absolutely nothing about bass amps.
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

Firstly, multiply the wattage of the guitar amp by at least three.

Secondly, "stage presence" will demand that your amp be physically large. A Phil Jones Bass combo is gonna look like the Stonehenge scene from This Is Spïnal Tap.

Acoustic and Ampeg come to mind. A big ol' Peavey might do. I like tc electronic. An RH450/RS410 would suffice. The RH750 on two cabs would be better. Their 1600w Blacksmith head on a full range loudspeaker array would be - literally - stunning.
 
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Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

Also, a good used SWR rig would serve you well - a Workingman head on top of two 4x10 cabs will work well.

Also, check out the Mark Bass stuff.
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

I'd go with an Acoustic B450 2x10 combo for now. 450 watts, DI out to run to the PA, and an extra speaker output for a future 1x15 cab that bumps the power up to 600 watts. Very affordable for the features you get.
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

If mainly playing live you don't really need a super high output bass rig (over 500 watt) unless you need the bass rig sound (don't like the Bass DIed through the PA). If the PA is not powerful enough for DI'ed bass it will struggle keeping vocals in check over a loud Bass amp (same goes is your guitarists are cranking those 100 watt amps). As a sound guy I always have to tell the bass player to turn down because even if it seems quiet when they are standing next to the amp as bass wavelengths are so long it travels to the back of the venue better then vocals and unmiked drums. If you are playing big venues and want a rock bass amp sound that is a different story then 8x10 Acabs are totally fine but for small venues I'd go something portable (2x10 or 1x15), light and in about the 400-500 watt range with a DI out (if you need some of the preamp sound) and an extra speaker out (the Acoustic b450 suggested above is right in that alley). What kind of metal do you play?
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

i can only endorse GK, I've used SWR, Fender, Ampeg and Crate. GK does it all, any style of music, any tone and it does it deeper and louder. Sure, you spend a bit more but you'll never need another amp, especially the RB series
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

A 100 watts Mesa Mk II?

I don't think that exists.

In any case there is no budget bass amp that can really compete with a 100 watts guitar amp on either EV speakers on 4x12s.
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

jtougas said:
Also, a good used SWR rig would serve you well - a Workingman head on top of two 4x10 cabs will work well.

Also, check out the Mark Bass stuff.
Click to expand...

He said "budget."

But I agree with your SWR recommendation. But I'd recommend a 15" Workingman combo. Those can be found fairly cheap and it's a good stand-alone unit. It also allows expansion -- get an 8 ohm cabinet later on, and it will drive that as well. And it sounds very good, full, and strong that way. I guy I know borrowed my amp one time for a jam, and he hooked up a 410 box to it, and it sounded fantastic.

I have two of those amps. At my last gig, I used both of them. They stack very well when you turn them on their sides.

(edit) I should add that my amps are the older model. I picked both of mine up for under $200 (each). Apparently they're a little harder to find now, but I did find one here for about $300.

Ooh! Here's another one for $200, if you're anywhere near Boston.
 
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Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

+1 for the early-gen SWR. I'm an Ampeg guy from way back, but the Workingman's 300 I borrowed from a friend was surprisingly good.

Be careful with the cheap stuff, however. The price may attract you, but the sound and durability of the MIA gear is inconsistent (some good, some :wrf: ).

What's your budget?
 
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Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

He said budget, and you said Mark Bass, and my head exploded.

I'm with you on the SWR recommendation. One thing I would advise for the OP is to get his amp wherever he finds the deal online, but get the cab locally. I got a great 410 Fender cab on Craigslist for $150. Some of the larger internet music companies might offer free shipping on speaker cabinets, but nobody on ebay or talkbass will.

IMO, the tweeter is unnecessary. Good for causing tired ears and headaches, but they add nothing to a bass tone that can be heard when the whole band is playing.
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

BlueTalon said:
He said budget, and you said Mark Bass, and my head exploded.
Click to expand...

Ah. Fair enough. I haven't looked at their prices in years, but I remember hearing people across the spectrum digging their sound. I figured used might be available by now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

Andrew Lamprecht said:
What would you guys recommend is the best budget amp for gigging in a metal band. For what its worth, the other two amps in the band will be a 100 watt Mesa Mk II and a 100 watt Peavey Valveking. I know absolutely nothing about bass amps.
Click to expand...

I have no idea where in Michigan you are, but here's what a quick perusing of Craigslist turned up for me.

Grand Rapids http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/msg/3957594478.html -- Gallien Kruger head and 115
Cedar Springs http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/msg/3903471653.html -- Ampeg combo
Westland http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/msg/3957355727.html --- 410 cab
Walled Lake http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/msg/3945805628.html -- Peavey TNT combo
Harper Woods http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/msg/3929223135.html -- Peavey TNT combo
Downriver http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/msg/3908886581.html --- Peavey combo
Saginaw http://saginaw.craigslist.org/msg/3956418156.html ------ Peavey TKO combo + 5-string
Davison http://flint.craigslist.org/msg/3940004147.html <-------- SWR combo!
Lake City http://centralmich.craigslist.org/msg/3945098350.html -- Two 410 cabs and Peavey head
Grand Blanc http://flint.craigslist.org/msg/3942049380.html -- Peavey TNT combo
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

One word regarding bass cabs - for small venues, smaller speakers are your friend.

Granted, more often than not, the sound man will take a DI feed from the bass before it gets to the amp, but smaller speakers (8 - 12"s) will allow you to hear what's going on closer to the stage.
 
Re: Hello. I need a bass amp.

GK and Hartke make great heads and combos on a budget. They have graphic EQs and compressors built in to gel nicely with the guitars and not get lost. I'd search elsewhere for a good cab. Maybe something used? I built my own 2x10 and found a decent 1x15 and replaced it with the best bass 15 money can buy.

Scour the 'bay!
 
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