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Entry-level bass gigging amplifier recommendations.
Posted on 1/16/24 at 7:09 am
Posted on 1/16/24 at 7:09 am
What do the MB's Entwistles recommend? I'd like to keep it under $500.
Posted on 1/16/24 at 7:39 am to Tchefuncte Tiger
I have the Ibanez P5115K Promethean (500 watt) and have been very happy with it. It gives me all the sounds and power I'll ever need. Just read they are discontinuing the 500 watt version and will continue with 200. Got tired of lugging a Fender Bassman amp and a cabinet, this is easy to carry and compact. The one I have cost around 800 U.S., but the new ones should be in your price range.
Posted on 1/16/24 at 8:08 am to razor55red
Thanks. This would match my Ibanez bass.
Posted on 1/16/24 at 12:05 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
Good luck. There's so much stuff out there, though. Try out some amps with your bass; there's something out there for you.
Posted on 1/16/24 at 3:54 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
Posted on 1/18/24 at 12:04 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
Those newer Fender rumbles are great and super light.
Edit: I desperately need to upgrade and it seems like the market is really nice now with well-priced, portable options. If I never have to lug my Hartke 410 cab around again it'll be too soon.
Edit: I desperately need to upgrade and it seems like the market is really nice now with well-priced, portable options. If I never have to lug my Hartke 410 cab around again it'll be too soon.
This post was edited on 1/18/24 at 12:07 pm
Posted on 1/18/24 at 12:45 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
If you are gigging, need at least 500 watts and multiple speakers. 1 15 May get you there, but at your price point, you’d probably get a boom machine. The Rumble 210 combo is a decent option. I don’t personally care for the sound of those, but that’s personal preference.
Will you have FOH support? If so, you might get by with a 350 watt head and single speaker cab. You’ll get a bigger rig going used.
Will you have FOH support? If so, you might get by with a 350 watt head and single speaker cab. You’ll get a bigger rig going used.
This post was edited on 1/18/24 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 1/18/24 at 4:55 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
Important considerations:
1) type of music you’ll be playing
2) band personnel
3) average venue size
4) FOH support (or lack of same)
for me personally, i’ve come around to a less-is-more approach and concentrating on sound quality and portability, but thats in large part due to the band i’m in (one acoustic guitar, one electric guitar, lead vocalist and me - no drummer with which to compete)
if you’re not already on TalkBass, get on there and check out their excellent classifieds forums this is the Amps & Cabs section
lots of great affordable gear there, if you don’t mind dealing with other bassists
1) type of music you’ll be playing
2) band personnel
3) average venue size
4) FOH support (or lack of same)
for me personally, i’ve come around to a less-is-more approach and concentrating on sound quality and portability, but thats in large part due to the band i’m in (one acoustic guitar, one electric guitar, lead vocalist and me - no drummer with which to compete)
if you’re not already on TalkBass, get on there and check out their excellent classifieds forums this is the Amps & Cabs section
lots of great affordable gear there, if you don’t mind dealing with other bassists
Posted on 1/19/24 at 6:57 am to Tchefuncte Tiger
I use a Rumble 500. It loud as hell and has a direct out for a house mix. I've never turned the gain or master past 12:00.
There are so many 2x10 or 1 15 combo options that are under 40 lbs. and sound great. The guys still lugging around fridges are nuts!
Ampeg, Fender, Eden, Hartke, etc all make a version of this in the $500 range or less.
ETA: What kind of bass are you playing mostly? That might help give you a better response.
There are so many 2x10 or 1 15 combo options that are under 40 lbs. and sound great. The guys still lugging around fridges are nuts!
Ampeg, Fender, Eden, Hartke, etc all make a version of this in the $500 range or less.
ETA: What kind of bass are you playing mostly? That might help give you a better response.
This post was edited on 1/19/24 at 7:02 am
Posted on 1/19/24 at 12:09 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
gonna need more info in order to help you out
Posted on 1/19/24 at 12:56 pm to monsterballads
Fender Rumbles are the best sound to unit weight to value
Posted on 1/19/24 at 2:54 pm to carrguitar
Markbass has some small heads and light weight cabs. I'm using a Little Mark III head (500w) and a Markbass 2 x 10 cab. I've played small venues with it and had volume to spare. I save my ampeg 4 x 10 cab and rack mount gear for the big gigs.
Posted on 1/19/24 at 3:11 pm to carrguitar
tbh I don't love the fender rumble tone. ampeg i've found is the best for solid state bass amps. mark bass is another one I'm not fond of. just sounded too sterile to me.
this is an amp I played a while back and liked a lot for smaller type gigs
thing with bass is you still have to move air but you need watts to not make it sound farty.
this is an amp I played a while back and liked a lot for smaller type gigs
thing with bass is you still have to move air but you need watts to not make it sound farty.
This post was edited on 1/19/24 at 3:21 pm
Posted on 1/19/24 at 6:19 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
Guitar player here, but I keep hearing that the Fender Rumble series play above their price range. Mind you, I don't know how long it would be adequate for your gigs, or what kind of music you'd be playing, but I would put them on the list to check out.
This post was edited on 1/19/24 at 6:20 pm
Posted on 1/20/24 at 3:29 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
I've known bassists who didn't even gig with their amps, they had some variety of DI box with some settings and emulators built in, straight to PA. The actual bass amp never left the rehearsal space. That's not practical for all situations though.
Posted on 1/21/24 at 11:42 pm to deeprig9
Yeah, I've done that often enough with my DI box.
Ampeg Portaflex series is a great option OP. Check em out
Ampeg Portaflex series is a great option OP. Check em out
Posted on 1/22/24 at 3:11 pm to Tchefuncte Tiger
I just played a show last week where this was the backline amp. Thing sounded amazing and I was immediately wanting one.
900 new but you might get lucky on the used market, i see a couple on reverb going for several hundred under that.
900 new but you might get lucky on the used market, i see a couple on reverb going for several hundred under that.
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