My band needs a bass amp!! less than $500

[ddp]

Hi all

I've put together a band recently and it needs a bass amp.

The band does concerts for kids and therefore does not need to play loud on stage.

Ease of transport is also an issue. Small = Good,

The Bass player is using a Fender P-bass.
The band plays a variety of styles from Reggae, Metal, Jazz, Funk.

I think an combo or head/cab with a 4x10 is more than I need.
I'm also wondering about what speakers I need.
Should I go for a 2x10 speaker setup or a 1x15?

As far as budget I'd like to keep it under $500 and I don't mind getting something used.

Suggestions?

[ddp]

Hey guys no suggestions?

[Wes Kuhnley]

Check your local Craigslist. Lots of stuff under $500 there.

[richiepalooza]

Used Peavey TNT.

[richiepalooza]

i love ampeg, but I don't think 100 watts will be enough, especailly if your band has drums.

[ddp]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

From the op:



And it sounds very loud and punchy for 100 watts.

I think that would be loud enough. We have to keep out shows under 100db as there are kids under 5 years old there.

I like the pricepoing ont eh B-100R however. . . for definition of bass tone would not a 2x10 be better than a 15 inch speaker.

What about this puppy:

Ampeg BA300/210

300 watts and 2x10 in speakers. It is a bit more money but if it sounds better ? ?

[richiepalooza]

I stand corrected.

[ddp]

I was just talking to a friend of mine who fixes amps and is a bass player. He confirmed what I was thinking about 2x10 speakers having more versitility and articulation than 1 15 inch speaker.
So now I am thinking a 2x10 combo is the way to go. I like the look of the ampeg ba300/210 but what is more important is how they sound!!

Unfortunately the two big retailers don't have it in stock now.
While I'm waiting for them to get one in I'll keep searching. . .


How about this guy:

A 2x10 combo from Hartke

Hartke HyDrive 210c

Or This one from Traynor:
Traynor DynaBass 200

[Pasta4lnch]

Acoustic just came out w/ a head/cab for around $500-ish. I was playing one of the little combo's at GC and it was surprisingly good sounding.

also what about Carvin . . .

[Pasta4lnch]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

I had a Carvin combo prior to the Ampeg. The Carvin does NOT deliver the goods, at least the one I had, which also had a 15" speaker. The Ampeg eats it for lunch, volume, tone, and low end.

I've never tried one personally, they seem to be popular for cheap/good.

that new Acoustic amp is peaking my interest. The sound of the little combo was kinda nice for such a cheap price . . . I wonder how they hold up structurally?

[ddp]

Ok I went local and bought a Traynor Dynabass 200T:

Purchased it from Long and Mcquade here in Toronto. Got the price down from 6$15 to $550 once I told them the same amp was selling in California for $550 which is so wrong. Long and Mcquads owns Traynor and makes them in Toronto. So why are the selling cheaper in the states?

2x10 speakers and about 200 watts.
The amp is very solid and compact. I got the version that also tilts back which is very sweet to monitor on stage.
We played our first gig today in a very small room with it and it was more than enough. We did not turn it past 1.

We have some gigs booked later in the month in larger venue so that should be interesting to see it perform in a bigger space.

[nedorama]

For larger gigs, throw a DI on the bass and let the main system get you beyond the stage volume. We've found our bass player can use his Ampeg B50R onstage and let the subs in the system carry bass to taste for the entire mix; his Ashdown 8x10 rig stays in storage.

[the_Chris]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Get this Ampeg, you will love it. thumbsup


I think you can get it for close to $500 if you shop around a little. Definitely less if you get a used one.


Ampeg B-100R Rocket from zZounds.com!

Great suggestion!

[ddp]

Originally Posted by nedorama

For larger gigs, throw a DI on the bass and let the main system get you beyond the stage volume. We've found our bass player can use his Ampeg B50R onstage and let the subs in the system carry bass to taste for the entire mix; his Ashdown 8x10 rig stays in storage.

Actually the Traynor Dynabass has a direct out on it that works as a DI and it sounds really good. I've used it that way already. This way we are keeping the stage volume down and the sound man has all the bass he needs upfront.

Works killer.

[Number_47]

In regards to getting your sound out front, wouldn't an aural exciter work too?...something like an Aphex Aural Exciter?...just asking as my bass player is looking to enhance his sound, but he doesn't want to do the "bass overdrive" thing...what else can be done to push his sound past our very "bionic" drummer? (I don't really have that problem going with the 2x12 cabinet from TruTone and a Peavey XXL Head!!

[matt thomas]

since you are playing for kids, is the bass going through the PA?

Is the PA made for bass?

narco