simwells Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hi I'm after a portable practise bass amp, budget of £350 (can be pushed but only a very small amount). Will be playing a 6 string Ibanez BTB406QM through it. And I'm just wondering what people recommend, after looking at all sorts of other reviews threads online I'm leaning towards an Ampeg BA115T (or just the 115 depending upon how noticable the tube preamp actually is). Second hand is also an option. I'm not a fan of Hartke or Fender amps also from using them so would rather steer clear of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Just found a Gallien Krueger RB700II on here pretty locally, think I'll go with that actually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Good call. And welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Thanks for the warm welcome. Right turns out that combo's not available in the end, so all advice would indeed be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeS Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Are you after an amp just for practicing on your own, or would you be using it in a band context as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Would be good to be able to use in a band context as a practise unit yeah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 What do people think of this [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trace-Elliot-7210H-SM-Combo-and-1153T-Extension-Cab_W0QQitemZ160256157372QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item160256157372&_trkparms=72%3A638%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trace-Elliot-7210H-S...id=p3286.c0.m14[/url] I've not used much Trace Elliot I know it comes with the extra 1x15" but I don't exactly have to keep it. Also just to let you know rigs I've seen that have interested me so far: SWR Workingman 15" Gallien Krueger RB700II - sadly just missed out on one on here Ashdown ABM C115-500 EVO III and Ampeg BA115(T) - can't connect an external cab to it though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeS Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Out of that list I'd recommend Ashdown, although I'd be more inclined to go for the 2x10 combo rather than the 1x15. I'm not a big Trace fan, but if you like the tone that looks like a pretty good deal to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Ashdown is a bit marmite. Never heard a bad word about GK or SWR. Ampeg can have reliability problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I have to agree with bass ferret. If you're not gonna get to try any I would lean towards the GK & SWR stuff. Ashdown stuff looks great but it is a case of love or loathe. Ampeg is pretty pants unless you're going for the higher end stuff & then it seems to be either you love it or it's just not quite there. Try & get a blast on as much stuff as you can, it will help you decide what sound you're after. I saw that Trace rig & it seems like a good deal & the 15" would come in handy later for gigs. I've used a few Trace rigs & the earlier ones are better than the new ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Managed to snag one of the SWR Workingman 15s in the end Surprising to hear so many pro SWR, I always seem to hear sh*t about them but have always liked them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lo. Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 (edited) Try Roland combo's - they're great. I have a DB700 that's I use as a subwoofer for the big soul band PA - it was super-reliable as a bass combo, but I upgraded to a PJB Suitcase +4B rig (which is awesome but in a different price bracket!) Oops - late post....hope you like the SWR - I got a Big Ben 1x18 cabinet that I love and can't bring myself to sell! Edited July 2, 2008 by Lo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Good advice Lo. But did you not see the post where he said he had got an SWR Workingman 15? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I guess it's a case of "one mans meat...etc", but among other things I've had my Trace Elliot GP12SMX combo (1x15) for about the last 12 years and it handles my 4, 5 & 6-stringers just fine. Fretless too. The 12-band graphic is certainly better than the 7-band if you're using a 6-string - it has the low 30hz band for that B string (assuming you're tuning to low B?). xgsjx is correct, though, when he says earlier models are better. Good luck and hope you find the right one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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