Bassmidget209 Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 Hello, Bit of a weird one here. In my current (and previous band actually) I haven't had an amp. Up until very recently I have been getting on just fine with my sansamp into the PA and either using house amps for monitoring or the PA monitors. However I've had two gigs now where I've had issues. One in a place in Workington were there was a PA but absolutely nothing on stage so I had to rely on my sound bounicng off the back wall, which just about worked and everyone was too drunk to care anyway. Second was more recent at a charity gig in a function hall where the PA turned out to be minimalist to say the least. So I have decided to not get caught short again and just get an amp setup. The only issue is I have no money. So my question to the great bass wizards is this: what is the cheapest but passable amps out there. I'm aiming for second hand and 200 watts or more I would say. I've managed to score an ashdown 1X15 for 31 quid that's the level I'm dealing with! Im a fan of ashdown in general bit I'm not holding out for much there. I've heard good things from Peavey's but what other brands should I be on the lookout for? Currently also looking at trace Elliots bit none are showing up on eBay in my location this far. All suggestions welcome and yes I'm well aware I'm taking the fosters with the budget restraints but getting the cab has given me some faith In my miserly endeavours! Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 I was going to say a used Behringer BX4500H, but their prices are now a lot higher than they used to be - so people seem to have cottoned on to them. Still, you should be able to get hold of one for between £70 and £100 if you're patient. They sound as good as most bass amps on the market. It's a tribute/clone/ripoff of the Ashdown 300W head - so that might appeal to you. The BX4500 has a reasonable reputation for reliability but their fan is a bit loud for home use. Otherwise, I'd be happy to gig with one, and indeed have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 You'll pick up a used combo - Trace elliot or Ashdown Mag - even an ABM for under £200. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 If you keep an eye on eBay or make a few cheeky offers, you will pick up an Ashdown mag head to go with your cab , they are great amps 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 (edited) A while ago my amp died on me and to get me by I used an old Traynor power amp I had lying around and a Behringer graphic eq pedal to drive it with. I was surprised at how good it sounded and you could buy something similar for peanuts. I have an old power amp that you could have FOC but I've just noticed that you're about as far away from me as you can get without crossing a sea. Edited November 26, 2019 by bertbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 You can pick up a Trace Elliot, from the days dinosaurs walked the earth, for next to nothing these days. They're great amps, that were hewn out of a solid block of iron. They're a bargain - If you're man enough to be able to actually pick one up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 I'd also add old Peavey stuff into the ring - I recently got a T-Max 2x10 combo for £100 to leave at my band's rehearsal space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 59 minutes ago, Reggaebass said: If you keep an eye on eBay or make a few cheeky offers, you will pick up an Ashdown mag head to go with your cab , they are great amps 🙂 Yep, and go nicely with the 115 already scored. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 You've got two components already - the Sansamp and the cab - you could always just look for a power amp? Failing that, you can always find bargains on Gumtree (more so than ebay I find). Older Fender Rumbles sell for peanuts for example. If you don't mind heavy stuff, and travelling a bit to collect, you can always score a bargain. Otherwise, you're probably looking at trying to save up maybe £150-200. For example £150 could get you this currently for sale in the For Sale section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmidget209 Posted November 26, 2019 Author Share Posted November 26, 2019 Thanks guys, power amps were another thing o wanted to ask about. I don't really know where to start. If you search on eBay for power amps all sorts show up. So stupid question number one, would any power amp (ie a PA amp) work out, apart from looking a bit mad? Are there good brands to keep an eye out for. Thanks for all your replies so far this is exactly what I'm looking for, I'm basically playing the long to medium term game on eBay and keeping an eye on different brands so just wanted mark sure I hadn't missed out on some options. I'm really hoping for a trace elliot to show up that's not the other end of the country but it's early days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted December 1, 2019 Share Posted December 1, 2019 Pmd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted December 2, 2019 Share Posted December 2, 2019 (edited) Ashdown Mag 300 2x10 combo in Scotland (Penicuik) here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BassPlayersMarketUK/permalink/2856123461065930/?sale_post_id=2856123461065930 £80, I'd get on if if I were you! Has a speaker out so you could have a massive rig for not much money. Edited December 2, 2019 by lemmywinks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.