New to bass and looking for a cheapish amp for small gigs. What do you recommend?

[Shire]

Afternoon all,

Well I might as well admit to being a guitarist for 8 years or so but I've been playing bass now for around a year in a band. I have been using my s/h Peavey TNT 115 which was great to start with but now I feel the need for something better. My budget is £300-400 but anything cheaper would be great. As I'm still getting used to the world of 'bass' I could really do with some suggestions please. Here are my requirements:

* Smaller the better - I don't have a lot of space to store it
* Lightweight - I have to lug this bad boy about and I'm not exactly 'stacked'!
* Reasonably loud for small gigs - I used a SS Fender something 160W so anything about 200W should be ok? (or am I wrong)
* Price £300 ish, £400 is the absolute max at the moment (current economic crisis and all that)

Thats about is. In terms of the bands sound, well its not exactly intense basslines I'm afraid, give me another year or two but it a rock/blues sound. Myspace if you want to listen:
[url="http://www.myspace.com/theemptyvesselsband"]http://www.myspace.com/theemptyvesselsband[/url]

Basically I'm a n00b so any advice would be very much appreciated

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[Merton]

Shameless plug time, have a look [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34809"]here[/url].

Trace Elliot V-Type 1x15 combo, 250W, very loud and pokey (keeps up with 2 Marshall 4x12s) and a great rock/blues sound

2nd hand is always a winner when buying on a budget.

[waynepunkdude]

I think the rule is 300W minimum for gigging, secondhand will get you more bang for your buck, I think for that money you could get a 2 X 10 Ashdown combo and have the option of putting an extention cab later.

I'm sure other can help you more than I have.

[Shire]

[quote name='Merton' post='377668' date='Jan 12 2009, 01:41 PM']Shameless plug time, have a look [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=34809"]here[/url].

Trace Elliot V-Type 1x15 combo, 250W, very loud and pokey (keeps up with 2 Marshall 4x12s) and a great rock/blues sound

2nd hand is always a winner when buying on a budget.[/quote]

I'll have a look now, thanks for the plug!

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377674' date='Jan 12 2009, 01:42 PM']I think the rule is 300W minimum for gigging, secondhand will get you more bang for your buck, I think for that money you could get a 2 X 10 Ashdown combo and have the option of putting an extention cab later.

I'm sure other can help you more than I have.[/quote]

I was thinking of a 2x10 Ashdown combo, possibly this one:

[url="http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product.php?itemid=22442"]http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product.php?itemid=22442[/url]

Thanks for the replys

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Shire' post='377694' date='Jan 12 2009, 01:55 PM']I'll have a look now, thanks for the plug!



I was thinking of a 2x10 Ashdown combo, possibly this one:

[url="http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product.php?itemid=22442"]http://www.turnkey.co.uk/product.php?itemid=22442[/url]

Thanks for the replys [/quote]


You could do a lot worse than the V Type.

If you want an Ashdown how about [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=27600&hl=ashdown+combo"]this[/url]? you could sell the 15 on if you didn't need it.

[Merton]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377707' date='Jan 12 2009, 02:03 PM']You could do a lot worse than the V Type.

If you want an Ashdown how about [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=27600&hl=ashdown+combo"]this[/url]? you could sell the 15 on if you didn't need it.[/quote]
Good call on the Ashdown and cheers for the +1 on the V-Type Even you'd like it I think, it's nothing like the SS 7-band head you had

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Merton' post='377713' date='Jan 12 2009, 02:11 PM']Even you'd like it I think, it's nothing like the SS 7-band head you had [/quote]


I've played through a V Type and it was a world apart from my old Trace.

[Merton]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377720' date='Jan 12 2009, 02:18 PM']I've played through a V Type and it was a world apart from my old Trace.[/quote]
Huzzah, indeedy! Very different beasties. Beginning to get all misty eyed about mine now, hmmm.....

[Shire]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377707' date='Jan 12 2009, 02:03 PM']You could do a lot worse than the V Type.

If you want an Ashdown how about [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=27600&hl=ashdown+combo"]this[/url]? you could sell the 15 on if you didn't need it.[/quote]

Ohhh thanks for the link but the seller lives too far away and doesn't look like he's willing to post. I'll keep my eye on ebay

Also I need to find som samples of Merton's Trace to see what the general consensus is on that

Edited January 12, 2009 by Shire

[Merton]

[quote name='Shire' post='377758' date='Jan 12 2009, 02:53 PM']Also I need to find som samples of Merton's Trace to see what the general consensus is on that [/quote]
Click the album links in my signature - Everwished was recorded Bass -> V-Type miked. Lots of different tones

[Shire]

[quote name='Merton' post='377762' date='Jan 12 2009, 02:58 PM']Click the album links in my signature - Everwished was recorded Bass -> V-Type miked. Lots of different tones [/quote]

Just had a listen and it does sound good! I've tried to find some more info on it but obviously the company went tits up so its proving difficult. The one thing that puts me off is the weight. This is a big factor for me as I have to lug the bitch up and down 30 odd stairs every week to practice and then move it a fair old distance when I get there (the other guys will help but its at home thats the problem)

Just having a look at what else is out there atm but tbh I thought it would have been snapped up a while ago! Must have cost a a fair whack new? How old is it by the way?

[Merton]

Not sure on new price I'm afraid. This was built in 1995 IIRC, it's an early model before they facelifted the V-Type range to have the carpet covering and metal grilles, plus a power board change from 250 MOSFET to 280W "BiPolar Bear".

The weight isn't too bad, but then again I had the 4x8 version for a while too (now residing at Overwater#1 Towers) and that was a hugely heavy lump

[waynepunkdude]

If you are really concerned by weight don't buy an Ashdown I use an Ashdown 4 X 10 and it is the heaviest cab I've ever owned.

[Shire]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377890' date='Jan 12 2009, 04:16 PM']If you are really concerned by weight don't buy an Ashdown I use an Ashdown 4 X 10 and it is the heaviest cab I've ever owned.[/quote]

So there probably isn't such a thing as a 'lightweight bass amp' then. Suppose I'll just have to start going to the gym more often lol

Anyone rate the Marshall?

[url="http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=MB4210"]http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=MB4210[/url]

Cheers

[waynepunkdude]

There are lightweight amps but they are quite pricey.

I have just bought [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/f145e45042b4027c86a7446a7a682ab9.jpg"]this[/url] head and I think it is the only low priced lightweight head there is.

[Shire]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377909' date='Jan 12 2009, 04:30 PM']There are lightweight amps but they are quite pricey.

I have just bought [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/shop_image/product/f145e45042b4027c86a7446a7a682ab9.jpg"]this[/url] head and I think it is the only low priced lightweight head there is.[/quote]

Thats not too bad for £199, at least with a head and cab combo I can split the weight up a bit

What cab will you be running it through? The 4x10?

I wonder what it would sound like with a 1x12 or 2x10? Would it be loud enough to gig with or are you really looking at using a 4 speaker cab?

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='Shire' post='377936' date='Jan 12 2009, 04:43 PM']Thats not too bad for £199, at least with a head and cab combo I can split the weight up a bit

What cab will you be running it through? The 4x10?

I wonder what it would sound like with a 1x12 or 2x10? Would it be loud enough to gig with or are you really looking at using a 4 speaker cab?[/quote]


I'm going to use it with a 1 X 15" but I'm using it as a practice rig and for when I'm playing smaller gigs when we take the car and not the van when I take my racked Ampeg.

I think that with a 2 X 10" would be lovely.

Edited January 12, 2009 by waynepunkdude

[Shire]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='377942' date='Jan 12 2009, 04:48 PM']I'm going to use it with a 1 X 15" but I'm using it as a practice rig and for when I'm playing smaller gigs when we take the car and not the van when I take my racked Ampeg.

I think that with a 2 X 10" would be lovely.[/quote]

Ahh cool, thanks for the reply's. I'm just trying to get peoples experienced views on what sort od wattage/amps I'll need to keep up with the rest of the band.

I'll start having a look at 2x10 cabs now.....Not been a very productive day at work!

[Paul S]

When I was trying out stuff in PMT in Southend mid December they wheeled out an Ashdown combo that they were calling a MAG115 EVO III 300. It was an advance tester for a new range - or some other such thing - styled in the same vein as the ABM range with vinyl covering (ie not carpet), chrome corners, cream piping round the front grille. But the main thing was that it was lightweight and smaller compared to the EVOII - it had a handle in the centre of the top, rather than side handles. I think it was around £330 though.

It was nice but, in the end, I preferred the sound of the 210.

[lemmywinks]

There was some Hartke 2x10s in the for sale not so long ago IIRC, they're not too heavy and you could always get another for gigs and just use one for practice. There's also this which is a steal at the moment:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=28311"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=28311[/url]


I used to practice up 2 flights of stairs in a building with very high ceilings (we also used to store all our PA there....). Small and light is DEFINITELY the way to go if stairs are involved!