Amp head + cab combo help and recommendations

E

eropt07

Jul 30, 2024
11
9
436
#1
Hello TalkBass world, I’m looking to buy both an amp head and cab with a budget of $2000 AUD, but I’m clueless.

I have no idea how to pick either, or what I should or even how I should pick this kind of gear.

I’m looking for something around 500 watts, and something that can handle lots of high gain distortion without sounding like poopie, but having feedback is welcome.

The genres I usually play with very high gain and distortion is very fast and very slow hardcore punk, Sunn O))) style worship drone, and screamo (listen to CombatWoundedVeteren). But having something that has a good mid punch or nice low end with a clean tone for genres like funk and reggae is part of what I’m looking for.

Was thinking of buying a Fender 410 cab because I like the sound of the rumble series, and also because it’s cheap ($920). What amp head do you think would match it considering the genres I play?, or maybe I should get a different cab?
 
#2
eropt07 said:
Hello TalkBass world, I’m looking to buy both an amp head and cab with a budget of $2000 AUD, but I’m clueless.

I have no idea how to pick either, or what I should or even how I should pick this kind of gear.

I’m looking for something around 500 watts, and something that can handle lots of high gain distortion without sounding like poopie, but having feedback is welcome.

The genres I usually play with very high gain and distortion is very fast and very slow hardcore punk, Sunn O))) style worship drone, and screamo (listen to CombatWoundedVeteren). But having something that has a good mid punch or nice low end with a clean tone for genres like funk and reggae is part of what I’m looking for.

Was thinking of buying a Fender 410 cab because I like the sound of the rumble series, and also because it’s cheap ($920). What amp head do you think would match it considering the genres I play?, or maybe I should get a different cab?
Click to expand...
Why don't you buy the Fender Rumble 800 head?

You shouldn't worry too much about 500W VS 800W - the difference is very small in terms of loudness (SPL) and budget. If you like the tone of the Fender Rumble, it would be a very logical solution.

Or you can replace the head+cab by a Fender Rumble 500 combo, more affordable than the separate elements.
 
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#4
Honestly for what you play, you could get a lot of things and spend some money on a couple pedals that will get you in that genre realm. That's how my brain works anyway.

Something like a Peavey or Ampeg rig. Then add a good dist/OD to it with a preamp. Maybe even an Orange amp.
 
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#5
You might look into a used:
Aguilar tone hammer 500 (a very "standard" amp for working bassists these days, covers all styles as you mentioned and has some built-in dirt)
Darkglass alpha omega 500 (have not used, but "heavy" players seem to gravitate towards DG?)
Orange terror bass 500 (actual 12ax7 preamp, great gritty or old-school tones, also cleans up plenty for funk/reggae, I like it)

These are somewhat known/popular, not sure how the bass amp stock is in Australia, but buying used can soften the blow should you choose to sell it and move on.
 
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#6
If you like the rumble sound, my vote is to keep things simple and get a rumble head & cab or a high wattage rumble combo + cab. I'm assuming it would be pretty easy to sell if you find something better in the future, and you may be able to find some stuff used (especially if you go with a combo+cab approach)

One thing to consider is that wattage of the combos is a little misleading. Rumble 500 combo is 350 watts if internal speakers only, 500 if you add a cab.
 
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#9
You're in the right part of the world to be looking for a Labsystems VP600HP, VP600S or SS600 amp. All three are conservatively rated at 600 watts at 4 ohms and you can't go wrong with one or two of their awesome 410 cabs but these amps will pair up nicely with most cabs; I use mine with: Markbass 215, GK 212 neo ii, Aguilar DB115 and Labsystems 115.. if you're on the east coast, you'll have better chances of snaring the elusive 212 and 610 cabs..
Keep an eye out at Melbourne Bass Centre.
 
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#11
Maybe this:

Siege Engine Bass Amplifier : Wounded Paw Audio, hand built amps and effects

Wounded Paw Audio Siege Engine Bass Amplifier - Lay siege to your enemies with the successor to the Bass 701 amp. The Siege Engine is a compact but powerful bass weapon with a TON of overdrive on tap and massive flexibility to shape your tone. The pre amp features a 6 band overdrive and eq...
www.woundedpawaudio.ca
And a pair of Avatar SB126’s?
I reckon it would smash faces in the way you are seeking…
 
#12
Don't buy new, $2000 will get you fk all here in Oz. If you scour Facepalm marketplace, for two grand, you will find a couple old Trace Elliot full rigs and you will be in big, loud, PHAT high precision heaven....depending on how muscle-y ya feeling.... OR Ashdown, for sure, but get the ABM and run at 4 ohms (ie, 2 410 cabs).

Basically buy older and second hand and if you see something with potential, ask question and search here, as there will be an answer.

Second hand 410 cabs you will find way cheap, esp Hartke are awesome, ask Larry! BUT GET THE OHM RATINGS RIGHT.

You can go lightweight, but from experience, im guessing that you are looking for a bit more massive sounding. Cheap, loud and fast = heavy.

POWER. Peace.
 
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#13
Just a heads up.
There is a Labsystems VP600HP amp (virtually brand new build by Tim about 18 months ago) and 410 HPX cab coming up for sale on the Labsystems Facebook page, today.
Not sure on the price but it'd well worth investigating.
 
#14
gtirard said:
Why don't you buy the Fender Rumble 800 head?

You shouldn't worry too much about 500W VS 800W - the difference is very small in terms of loudness (SPL) and budget. If you like the tone of the Fender Rumble, it would be a very logical solution.

Or you can replace the head+cab by a Fender Rumble 500 combo, more affordable than the separate elements.
Click to expand...
I might do that, buying the combo is very viable. For a head I’ve been thinking the Ampeg PF800, love the sound of it and it’s in my budget.
 
#15
gtirard said:
Why don't you buy the Fender Rumble 800 head?

You shouldn't worry too much about 500W VS 800W - the difference is very small in terms of loudness (SPL) and budget. If you like the tone of the Fender Rumble, it would be a very logical solution.

Or you can replace the head+cab by a Fender Rumble 500 combo, more affordable than the separate elements.
Click to expand...
I might do that, buying the combo is very viable. For a head I’ve been thinking the Ampeg PF800, love the sound of it and it’s
gregmon79 said:
Honestly for what you play, you could get a lot of things and spend some money on a couple pedals that will get you in that genre realm. That's how my brain works anyway.

Something like a Peavey or Ampeg rig. Then add a good dist/OD to it with a preamp. Maybe even an Orange amp.
Click to expand...
I have pedals already that I get my tone with, I use the preamp on my bass to boost my mids and treble, full neck pickup, and actually lower the volume on my pickups with the volume knob. I then run it through a Turbo Ray with the filter at 1oclock, distortion at 2, and volume at 11, which then goes into my preamp where I just boost some lows and treble, which then finally goes into my amp where i boost gain to 2, bass to 6, mids to 4, and treble at 5.
 
#16
Tim de Martino said:
Don't buy new, $2000 will get you fk all here in Oz. If you scour Facepalm marketplace, for two grand, you will find a couple old Trace Elliot full rigs and you will be in big, loud, PHAT high precision heaven....depending on how muscle-y ya feeling.... OR Ashdown, for sure, but get the ABM and run at 4 ohms (ie, 2 410 cabs).

Basically buy older and second hand and if you see something with potential, ask question and search here, as there will be an answer.

Second hand 410 cabs you will find way cheap, esp Hartke are awesome, ask Larry! BUT GET THE OHM RATINGS RIGHT.

You can go lightweight, but from experience, im guessing that you are looking for a bit more massive sounding. Cheap, loud and fast = heavy.

POWER. Peace.
Click to expand...
Much love
 
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