Amp advice needed to get me back up and gigging **Updated with Shortlist***

[bagsieblue]

Hy BC Illuminati,

I've just posted this in the wanted section:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/212096-bass-amp-combo-head-cab-needed-as-i-will-shortly-be-gigging/"]http://basschat.co.u...tly-be-gigging/[/url]

I am completely out of the loop when it comes to ampage

Can you please point me in the right direction?

What are the best deals around at the moment on new and used amps?
Any great deals to be had in the BC marketplace?

Will be playing a range of covers from 70's to stuff that is so modern I've not even heard of it!!!!!
Small to medium sized venues.

Line up, 2 vocals, 2 guitars, drums and bass.

Ideally looking for one, lightweight solution to fit into boot of my saloon car. Big sized boot but obviously not the best shape for bass amps.

Thanks

Edited July 14, 2013 by bagsieblue

[gary mac]

I'm amazed this thread isn't already up to three pages of us all recommending what we use.

[gary mac]

For me, being one of the slightly more senior members, I have gone down the lightweight route, having ditched all my lovely Trace kit.

So, two x Markbass 2.x 10 cabs with tweeters.
Genz Benz shuttle 6 amp.

I've used this set up with a classic rock line up, depping for an indie rock lot and with the current band doing a bit of everything old and new.

Sound wise I've been very happy with it in all of the above situations and it's an easy load in and out of the house/car.

Good luck in your search.

[hamfist]

The key, key question, is whether you will have FOH support for your bass or not. If you do, then anything loud enough to hear yourself on stage as a monitor will be fine. So any 200W plus, 2x10 combo should be fine.
If you are going to be needing to produce all the bass sound for the room, then you are seriously underestimating what you might need. In that case I'd be looking for a 500W plus amp and at least 4x10 or 2x12 speakers minimum. Ideally more, for a medium sized hall with a loud band.
What's the budget ? If you can afford something like BF cabs then it makes the whole thing much more portable and potentially fewer speakers needed.

[bassmachine2112]

All comes down to how much you want to spend.
I,m surprised as well that there isn,t half a novel been posted so I,ll start.
Orange terror bass 500 or 1000,volume isn,t a problem.Small and lightweight,I use the sp212 cab but use any cab you fancy
An old Roland combo that they don,t make anymore,I,ve got a db700 and it,s loud and fabulous sounding but needs PA support for some gigs.
Loadsa makes that all have their fans.
Good S/H gear keeps the budget happy or you can get top notch kit for less outlay.
No doubt others will weigh in soon

[Lozz196]

Markbass gets my vote, but unless going used it`s expensive gear. If looking to do this on a reasonable budget, I`d take a look at this:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/210401-gallien-krueger-mb212-ii-500w-combo/

The write-up looks good, a 212 500 watt combo that weighs 40lbs.

[bagsieblue]

Thanks for the input so far.

Further info - budget, lets say £500 max or I could sell/trade a bass to strectch this a little.
Size and weight is important as I would be loading into a saloon boot. Saloon boot is a good size but the boot has a high sill and the 'apperture' is not the widest.
I think best to plan on having no FOH support.

Ones that have already attracted my attentions are:
Various Markbass
Gallien-Krueger MB212-II 500W
TC Electronic RH450 - not familiar with the TC Electronic name - what are the general opinions?
GK MB500 - but then that leaves the question of what cabs to pair with it.

Also, Peavey BAM 2 x 10 that Geddy'snose on here is selling looks great but will probably be too big and heavy.

Edited July 11, 2013 by bagsieblue

[stingrayPete1977]

Funnily enough someone posted about the Genz Benz contour amps the other day, I had never tried one at that point but I went to a jam on sunday and the resident bassist had one, it was bloody ace! really good solid versatile bass sound, reasonably portable, sounded better with his Squier P bass than my £2200 Stingray Classic5 which I have now had to order a John East preamp for to try and sort it out

Edited July 11, 2013 by stingrayPete1977

[bagsieblue]

Any other suggestions please?
Any bargains in the For Sale section on here?

[bagsieblue]

I'd prefer to buy used off here to get more bank for my buck but is this a good deal:

GK MB212 for £449

[url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Gallien_Krueger_MB212_Combo/GK-MB212?CAWELAID=1830894785"]http://www.soundsliv...LAID=1830894785[/url]

Edited July 11, 2013 by bagsieblue

[xgsjx]

I was in your position about 5 years ago. Tried loads of rigs & ended up getting a Markbass 2x10 combo. New band is a 2 deaf gutarists & a shed building drummer & I have no problems being heard (& also hearing what my fx actually do! ).

[BassBunny]

You won't get more "bang for your buck" than the deal Bass Direct have on the Genz Benz Contour combo's.
£349 for thew 1x15 and £399 for the 2x10. 300w lightweight combo. add an extention and get a full 500W and a guarentee.
Mark will explain why they are so cheap.
[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Contour_Combos_210,_115.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Contour_Combos_210,_115.html[/url]

[hamfist]

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1373573428' post='2139266']
I'd prefer to buy used off here to get more bank for my buck but is this a good deal:

GK MB212 for £449

[url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Gallien_Krueger_MB212_Combo/GK-MB212?CAWELAID=1830894785"]http://www.soundsliv...LAID=1830894785[/url]
[/quote]

That is a decent deal. Also the Genz contour combo's mentioned already are good value. Anything that cheap will have limitations though. That is the reason they are built down to a price, obviously.
Personally my choice would be for the Genz 1x15 and a used 8 ohm extension cab. You'd be getting the full 500W from a 4ohm total load with plenty of speaker area, maximizing dB and potential volume. There have been concerns about the build of that era of GK MB cabs/combos and I'd be a bit more confident of the Genz build quality. Having said that, I own a GK MB500 (same amp as in the GK combo) and I would highly recommend that part of it.

I will also mention that I have neither seen nor played either combo !

[BassBunny]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1373615195' post='2139569']
That is a decent deal. Also the Genz contour combo's mentioned already are good value. Anything that cheap will have limitations though. That is the reason they are built down to a price, obviously.
Personally my choice would be for the Genz 1x15 and a used 8 ohm extension cab. You'd be getting the full 500W from a 4ohm total load with plenty of speaker area, maximizing dB and potential volume. There have been concerns about the build of that era of GK MB cabs/combos and I'd be a bit more confident of the Genz build quality. Having said that, I own a GK MB500 (same amp as in the GK combo) and I would highly recommend that part of it.

I will also mention that I have neither seen nor played either combo !
[/quote]
They aren't built to that price, they should sell for £600, but there is a reason Mark has them on special. he can explain.

[The Dark Lord]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1373526860' post='2138512']
.......If you are going to be needing to produce all the bass sound for the room, then you are seriously underestimating what you might need. In that case I'd be looking for a 500W plus amp and at least 4x10 or 2x12 speakers minimum.....
[/quote]

I disagree with this. I mostly play an Ashdown MiBass 550 bass amp through a single Barefaced Compact 1 x 15 cab at the moment. Play in small to medium pubs and clubs. As it's an 8 Ohm cab, I must only be getting something like 300 watts. There is no circumstance where I would be able to turn my rig up full whack. It would deafen anyone and would be unworkable on a small to medium stage. The amp is tiny in size and the cab is .... well, very compact. And it does me fine. I think the days of monster back-breaking rigs are over.

[bagsieblue]

[quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1373581150' post='2139419']
You won't get more "bang for your buck" than the deal Bass Direct have on the Genz Benz Contour combo's.
£349 for thew 1x15 and £399 for the 2x10. 300w lightweight combo. add an extention and get a full 500W and a guarentee.
Mark will explain why they are so cheap.
[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Contour_Combos_210,_115.html"]http://www.bassdirec...s_210,_115.html[/url]
[/quote]

Thanks for this - similar price on GAK and they appear to have the 1 x 15 and the 2 x 10 in stock - not both in stock at Bassdirect?
Any input on either the 1x 15 or 2 x 10?

[charic]

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1373539641' post='2138735']
Ones that have already attracted my attentions are:
Various Markbass
Gallien-Krueger MB212-II 500W
TC Electronic RH450 - not familiar with the TC Electronic name - what are the general opinions?
GK MB500 - but then that leaves the question of what cabs to pair with it.

Also, Peavey BAM 2 x 10 that Geddy'snose on here is selling looks great but will probably be too big and heavy.
[/quote]

Markbass - Light and Loud but they've always been a little too clean for my liking
GK - I've not ever played one in earnest but I quite like the "rock" sound I can coax from them
TC Electronic - Light, Loud and Versatile... I could go on but I'd be considered more than a little biased

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1373571942' post='2139240']
Any bargains in the For Sale section on here?
[/quote]

Yup but we've already spoke about that

[bagsieblue]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1373616727' post='2139600']
Markbass - Light and Loud but they've always been a little too clean for my liking
GK - I've not ever played one in earnest but I quite like the "rock" sound I can coax from them
TC Electronic - Light, Loud and Versatile... I could go on but I'd be considered more than a little biased



Yup but we've already spoke about that
[/quote]

Agreed - , just doing my due diligence.

If it makes any difference to any suggestions I have a Zoom B9.1ut that I could well make use of.

[BassBunny]

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1373616472' post='2139597']
Thanks for this - similar price on GAK and they appear to have the 1 x 15 and the 2 x 10 in stock - not both in stock at Bassdirect?
Any input on either the 1x 15 or 2 x 10?
[/quote]
GAK ALWAYS SAY have things in stock, when they actaully don't. Just speak to Mark at BD.

[hamfist]

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1373616211' post='2139594']


I disagree with this. I mostly play an Ashdown MiBass 550 bass amp through a single Barefaced Compact 1 x 15 cab at the moment. Play in small to medium pubs and clubs. As it's an 8 Ohm cab, I must only be getting something like 300 watts. There is no circumstance where I would be able to turn my rig up full whack. It would deafen anyone and would be unworkable on a small to medium stage. The amp is tiny in size and the cab is .... well, very compact. And it does me fine. I think the days of monster back-breaking rigs are over.
[/quote]

Lol. You conveniently fail to quote my very next sentence, where I say that Barefaced cabs (and in fact any other "newer generation" driver cabs) will enable you to downsize considerably as they are (depending on which particular model) significantly more sensitive (ie. louder).

[The Dark Lord]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1373620524' post='2139674']
Lol. You conveniently fail to quote my very next sentence, where I say that Barefaced cabs (and in fact any other "newer generation" driver cabs) will enable you to downsize considerably as they are (depending on which particular model) significantly more sensitive (ie. louder).
[/quote]

Dammit. Hamfist. I apologise. You are right. I am guilty of not reading your whole post. Sorry.

[borisbrain]

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1373573428' post='2139266']
I'd prefer to buy used off here to get more bank for my buck but is this a good deal:

GK MB212 for £449

[url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Gallien_Krueger_MB212_Combo/GK-MB212?CAWELAID=1830894785"]http://www.soundsliv...LAID=1830894785[/url]
[/quote]

Just FYI - and sorry if you know this already - but this is the series 1 version of this combo and it was plagued with problems (dodgy speakers and a rattling plastic grille). There are many threads on Talkbass about it, where there are many more Americans who've tried it in its native market. I recently bought the series II version, which seems to have ironed out these problems, but is disappointingly more expensive by about £150. However, it's a cracking combo.

BB

[hamfist]

[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1373620842' post='2139677']
Dammit. Hamfist. I apologise. You are right. I am guilty of not reading your whole post. Sorry.
[/quote]

No probs DL. We all skim read at times.

[bagsieblue]

Any more input please?

I've got options on:

Orange OCB115
TC ELECTRONIC Classic 450 head
TC electronic[b] rh4[/b]50
Hartke AK410
Ashdown Mag 400-the one with a red face
EBS HD350
Accugroove tri110l
EBS proline 300
Ampeg B2RE
Ashdown Mag 300 (combo)
GK MB500
GK MB210 Combo
Ashdown 5 15 100w
Ashdown EB 15 150w

[xgsjx]

I'd say get yourself to a shop & try them all out as they are all different sounding rigs. Some of those are completely different from others (tone & volume).

Do yourself a favour & add MarkBass to your list & try it before you buy.