Im a bassplayer and looking to buy a bass cab/combo unit and not looking to spend lots of money because i dont have it,and was wondering what the best route would be to go. If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated, i just cant seem to get approved for credit anywhere so its like i have to come up with all cash so is there a cheap way of going or no. thanks
Travis
recomendations for playing out
Give us an idea on how much you can scrape together to pay for a rig. If you're not playing with others (just practicing), you can get away with a small combo. If you practice with a band or play out, you'll need something bigger.
The thing to consider is the amp's WATTS. That determines its power & loudness. But be aware that a 200 watt amp is not twice as loud as a 100 watt. It follows a curve.
After we hear about your situation, I sure everyone will be glad to help. I'd start with a used amp (in good condition) from a reputable dealer. Have someone else who knows a little about them help you out.
What kind of guitar do you have?
The thing to consider is the amp's WATTS. That determines its power & loudness. But be aware that a 200 watt amp is not twice as loud as a 100 watt. It follows a curve.
After we hear about your situation, I sure everyone will be glad to help. I'd start with a used amp (in good condition) from a reputable dealer. Have someone else who knows a little about them help you out.
What kind of guitar do you have?
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bassist_25
- Senior Member
- Posts: 6815
- Joined: Monday Dec 09, 2002
- Location: Indiana
I believe that when you are trying to keep a rig affordable, you must strike a balance between volume and good tone. A pro-level rig is going to start around $2000 if you buy brand new. $2000 would go a long way if you were looking on the used market. But I assume you're not trying to put together a high end Epifani or Glockenklang rig. I would allow yourself a budget of about $800 - $1000 to get something professional.
If you're looking on the brand new market, the best head solution you would have would defiantly be the Kustom Groovebass. http://www.musiciansstorehouse.com/Merc ... OOVE1200HD $600 for an amp that produces 800 watts at four ohms with a powerful EQ section is a deal. The Groovebasses have a very fat tone too.
The Carvin B800 is also a good contender. http://www.carvin.com/products/single.p ... 00&CID=BRX Don't worry. This isn't your daddy's old Carvin Red Head or Pro Bass. These things are pro-level heads that can hold their own against an SVT or Time Traveler.
Or if you're like me, you prefer seperate commponents. For the price of the Groovebass, you could purchase either a BBE Bmax or a SansAmp RBI with a Qsc RMX850.
For a cabinet solution, I have to keep plugging the Aguilar S 4x10. Aguilar will soon be coming out with the DB series, so Musician's Friend is blowing out the S series at a goofy price. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601034 Aguilar is a top-end brand on par with Eden, SWR, Ampeg, etc. These cabs have punch for days and one of the best horns/crossovers I've ever played.
These are just suggestions for buying brand new. If you look on the used market, then you have all kinds of options from Eden to G-K to Ampeg to Trace Elliot to Mesa Boogie to SWR to Ashdown.
There's also a few other things you should take into consideration. If you're working with a limited budget, I would suggest splurging on one component so upgrades will be more simple. Don't buy two mid-level components. Instead, get a high-end cabinet like an Eden XLT and then a lower end head like a Hartke HA3500. That way, you still have a great cab but only need to upgrade the head. Or it could be the other way around. If you get an Avatar cab, be sure to buy a high-end head like a Thunderfunk or something.
Also, take a look at how many watts you are going to push, how many cabs you want to eventually use, and then consider impedance. My general rule is if I'm buying a cab rated under 1000 watts, I go 8 ohms. That way I can get a volume increase by adding another cab. Most cabs rated 1000 watts or more, even with inefficient speakers, are loud enough to stand on their own, at least in any club around here.
Next, you have to decide which speaker size you like. I personally like the punch of 10's. Some guys like a fat sounding 15 and 12's are really becoming popular.
Hope some of this helps, and happy amp purchasing.
If you're looking on the brand new market, the best head solution you would have would defiantly be the Kustom Groovebass. http://www.musiciansstorehouse.com/Merc ... OOVE1200HD $600 for an amp that produces 800 watts at four ohms with a powerful EQ section is a deal. The Groovebasses have a very fat tone too.
The Carvin B800 is also a good contender. http://www.carvin.com/products/single.p ... 00&CID=BRX Don't worry. This isn't your daddy's old Carvin Red Head or Pro Bass. These things are pro-level heads that can hold their own against an SVT or Time Traveler.
Or if you're like me, you prefer seperate commponents. For the price of the Groovebass, you could purchase either a BBE Bmax or a SansAmp RBI with a Qsc RMX850.
For a cabinet solution, I have to keep plugging the Aguilar S 4x10. Aguilar will soon be coming out with the DB series, so Musician's Friend is blowing out the S series at a goofy price. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601034 Aguilar is a top-end brand on par with Eden, SWR, Ampeg, etc. These cabs have punch for days and one of the best horns/crossovers I've ever played.
These are just suggestions for buying brand new. If you look on the used market, then you have all kinds of options from Eden to G-K to Ampeg to Trace Elliot to Mesa Boogie to SWR to Ashdown.
There's also a few other things you should take into consideration. If you're working with a limited budget, I would suggest splurging on one component so upgrades will be more simple. Don't buy two mid-level components. Instead, get a high-end cabinet like an Eden XLT and then a lower end head like a Hartke HA3500. That way, you still have a great cab but only need to upgrade the head. Or it could be the other way around. If you get an Avatar cab, be sure to buy a high-end head like a Thunderfunk or something.
Also, take a look at how many watts you are going to push, how many cabs you want to eventually use, and then consider impedance. My general rule is if I'm buying a cab rated under 1000 watts, I go 8 ohms. That way I can get a volume increase by adding another cab. Most cabs rated 1000 watts or more, even with inefficient speakers, are loud enough to stand on their own, at least in any club around here.
Next, you have to decide which speaker size you like. I personally like the punch of 10's. Some guys like a fat sounding 15 and 12's are really becoming popular.
Hope some of this helps, and happy amp purchasing.
"He's the electric horseman, you better back off!" - old sKool making a reference to the culturally relevant 1979 film.
