decent new head for £250ish?

[stubass]

A while back, I posted here about an ash down eb head I picked up cheap. New to the live gigging game, I didn't realise how much power I needed to compete with a live drummer and everyone was right, it just didn't have the balls! I've flogged it on and now have a budget of £250 ish. I want to buy new as I'm miles from any reputable repair guys and just don't want the hassle of couriers and sh*t. The drummers bro has a 4ohm 410 that I can borrow so could anyone recommend a suitable head in my budget. I've spotted the likes of the little mark and the tc electronic but would 250w be enough for smallish gigs? Any advice appreciated!

[charic]

Hartke LH500 is only just outside your budget from Digitial Village available here in budget
[url="http://www.musik-produktiv.co.uk/hartke-lh-500.html?gclid=CJfF49z9wLkCFcKR3godXh4AIw"]http://www.musik-produktiv.co.uk/hartke-lh-500.html?gclid=CJfF49z9wLkCFcKR3godXh4AIw[/url]

Then call digital village and ask them to price match
[url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/hartke-lh500-bass-guitar-amp-head--49122"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/hartke-lh500-bass-guitar-amp-head--49122[/url]

[Salt on your Bass?]

Depends how loud your band are and how efficient that 410 is, as well as venues. 250w should be ok, but maybe on the cusp. 300 is the standard guide for gigging - circumstance dependent.

Second hand on here is a good way to go and if guys have feedback then safe. You could have the same probs with something new if it fails.

As well as the above, Hartke provide good bang per buck, and gk.

[stubass]

Genius! Thanks, I'll check that out

[Salt on your Bass?]

Great option!

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1378821446' post='2205087']
Hartke LH500 is only just outside your budget from Digitial Village available here in budget
[url="http://www.musik-produktiv.co.uk/hartke-lh-500.html?gclid=CJfF49z9wLkCFcKR3godXh4AIw"]http://www.musik-produktiv.co.uk/hartke-lh-500.html?gclid=CJfF49z9wLkCFcKR3godXh4AIw[/url]

Then call digital village and ask them to price match
[url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/hartke-lh500-bass-guitar-amp-head--49122"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/hartke-lh500-bass-guitar-amp-head--49122[/url]
[/quote]

[badboy1984]

Can't go wrong with the Hartke. Is 500watt and plenty enough for gig ...... You can always XLR output to the PA system for larger place.

[charic]

[lefrash]

Cant really go wrong with the LH500.... incredible amount of power from a reasonably cheap amp. I've got one and gigged for a while. If your still looking in a month or two i may have mine up for sale.

[3below]

Try Peavey Tour 700 - s/h at about £200 to £250. I preferred mine so much the VBA 400 went on elsewhere.

[Lozz196]

250 watts should be fine through a good 410. That said, I`m yet to read anything bad about the Hartke LH500, so putting that with the 410 stated would be plenty enough, and virtually within budget new.

[stubass]

Thanks guys! Its great to get advice on here. My local crappy music shop only stocks "kustom" so its really difficult to even try some amps out. I use an ampeg pf350 at rehearsal, its OK but I'm sure there is better to be had. I've sent out some price matches on the hartke so fingers crossed! The cab is a hartke too (never used it but drummer says its mighty). Can't wait to finally get out there, first gig in 5 weeks time, been playing for years but I've never gigged. I'm sure I'll be nervous as hell but excited too!

[6v6]

I'm facing the same decision, currently gigging a Hartke kickback 12, with PA support, planning to get an LH500 for bigger gigs where we've only got a small PA, I can't find anything else around which looks better for the price.

[dudewheresmybass]

The tc bh250 is probably worth a look.
Comes in around £230 new.
There are a few guys on here that own them.
The Hartke has superb bang for the buck too.

[Conan]

[quote name='stubass' timestamp='1378821046' post='2205078']
I want to buy new as I'm miles from any reputable repair guys and just don't want the hassle of couriers and sh*t. [/quote]

In my whole playing life (over 30 years) I've only ever had to have one amp repaired, so I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect.

Re couriers... how do you think your new amp will get to you?

Seriously - used (bought from on here) is the way to go, unless you know exactly what you want and it is not currently available on here.

And yes, another vote for the LH500 here. Loads of clean, clear power (although the tonestack does take a bit of getting used to!).

[solo4652]

There's the Redsub head. I've no idea how good it is, however. [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/RedSub-BT500H-500W-Bass-Head/B1D?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Product+Listing+Ads&utm_content=WlfiSmxu|dc_pcrid_32000002159_plid__kword__match"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/RedSub-BT500H-500W-Bass-Head/B1D?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Product+Listing+Ads&utm_content=WlfiSmxu|dc_pcrid_32000002159_plid__kword__match[/url]__

[xgsjx]

I'd try some out. Thomann do a 30 day money back, I'm sure other shops do similar.
Ignore the watts, it doesn't dictate how loud an amp will go.

[stubass]

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1378882289' post='2205832']


In my whole playing life (over 30 years) I've only ever had to have one amp repaired, so I wouldn't worry toworking uch about that aspect.

Re couriers... how do you think your new amp will get to you?

Seriously - used (bought from on here) is the way to go, unless you know exactly what you want and it is not currently available on here.

And yes, another vote for the LH500 here. Loads of clean, clear power (although the tonestack does take a bit of getting used to!).
[/quote]

Yeah well I'm maybe unlucky but I've had a couple go. Always output transistors. I'm wary as hell about s/h stuff coming via courier. It would be too easy to say it was working before. Then you have the hassle of postal insurance, nah, too busy for that. Also digital village do a 4yr warranty which is nice. I noticed the red sub head but its difficult finding reviews etc. Same with the Promethean 300h, I love ibanez basses but not sure about their amps. DV do a 30 day money back guarantee so I'll return it if I don't like it. The tc sounds good with its toneprint function so I might try that if the lh500 doesn't live up, I'm doing a wide mix of styles so it could be handy.

[Conan]

Cool. Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of what you want!

I hear your comments about buying new versus used, but if you buy from a trusted member on here with good feedback, it can be nearly as good as a guarantee!

Edited September 11, 2013 by Conan

[tonybassplayer]

Conan, just seen your avatar....awesome film !!

[pietruszka]

Former hartke user here, loved them. As others have said, you really can't go wrong with them.
As for what's enough, as lozz says it really is dependant. I've played an outdoor festival on a big stage with 250w and had no problem hearing myself. But I did have an 800w 410. I currently use a 400w 210 and the same head and have never thought 'I need more', it's been used with loud drummers to!

Hope this is of use to you!


Dan

[stubass]

Thanks Dan, and thanks to charic too! DV have (reluctantly) price matched the hartke and thrown in their 4 year warranty so I've went for it. Should be here Friday. Happy! Now, how do I break the news to the wife! Seriously, thanks guys, a 500w hartke for £250! Sick!

[charic]

[quote name='stubass' timestamp='1378904974' post='2206291']
Thanks Dan, and thanks to charic too! DV have (reluctantly) price matched the hartke and thrown in their 4 year warranty so I've went for it. Should be here Friday. Happy! Now, how do I break the news to the wife! Seriously, thanks guys, a 500w hartke for £250! Sick!
[/quote]

Yeah DV will always price match

In all honestly they've probably made a loss on that particular unit. They made a loss fairly often when I dealt with them apparently. When we got my singers microphone they actually said they'd 1p profit on it

[solo4652]

[quote name='stubass' timestamp='1378904974' post='2206291']
Thanks Dan, and thanks to charic too! DV have (reluctantly) price matched the hartke and thrown in their 4 year warranty so I've went for it. Should be here Friday. Happy! Now, how do I break the news to the wife! Seriously, thanks guys, a 500w hartke for £250! Sick!
[/quote]
Oooh - nice job. 4 year warranty too.

[stubass]

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1378906296' post='2206311']


Yeah DV will always price match

In all honestly they've probably made a loss on that particular unit. They made a loss fairly often when I dealt with them apparently. When we got my singers microphone they actually said they'd 1p profit on it
[/quote]

Yeah, the guy kinda alluded to that on the phone! Can see them taking some more hits in the future now hehe!

[charic]

Congrats mate

Chuck a review up when it arrives!!