Deciding on which amplifier/head would be best for my punk band

[Payge Hollett]

I'm the bassist in a punk band and I am looking for a decent, not pricey amplifier or bass head. I've narrowed it down to three different options. I figured I can buy a mediocre cabinet later on, but this is what I've found so far. I want to know which is the best deal.
Peavey 300 watt bass amp head, 4 ohms, 2 inputs, foot pedal switch. $175

Ampeg SVR450 bass amp head, 450 watt at 4 ohms or 250 watt at 8 ohms. $375

Yorkville bass amp, detachable head, 400 watt combo amp, 1x12 speaker. $300

I can't really afford too, too much because I'm a university student living alone so I'm trying for under $400. My band mate has a bass cabinet at 4 ohms that I could borrow, other than that, I'm trying to see which of these three deals are the best. I'm most attached to the Ampeg bass head, but I wanted another bassist's/musician's opinion on it. Thanks, let me know!

 

[PunkRocker33133]

Buy the Century, get a couple of Peavey 215's if you can find them for cheap (you should be able to), and have a killer rig for really cheap. Those older Peavey solid state heads are awesome.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

That Peavey, by a large margin, great amps. Ad saves the most to put toward the cab, that will determine how loud you can go.

 

[The Regulator]

Have you considered a GK 800RB?

 

[chaosMK]

If you can find a beaten up Ampeg fridge you'd be all set. Depending what your guitarists are using if you have an 8x10 (throw at least 300w at it) it probably wont matter what they are using.

 

[Eminor3rd]

For punk, especially on a budget, clean volume is your first priority. Your tone is going to come from your bass and your technique. Fresh strings will get you 90% of that brightness you want. Don't splurge on that Ampeg, it doesn't sound any better than the others. The 1x12 with the Yorkville just isn't enough speaker. If those are your only options, get the Peavey and put the rest of the money toward the best 4-ohm 4x10 cabinet you can find. That should give you plenty of volume, and you can tweak your setting without running out of headroom.

 

[Freightshaker]

I vote the cheapest Peavey you can find. Punk venues are notorious for gear theft. Don't turn your back for a second. Chain gear to other gear when not in use so it's hard to walk off wtih.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Ordinarily I would jump on the Peavey.

But the Yorkville makes a practice amp at home and just take the amp to use with your buddy's cab. Lots of EQ on that to get the mids screaming loud without blowing it up with lows. Ie NOT what is set on in that photo! You will have that bottom EQ slider much closer to the bottom than the middle.

 

[BigBobbyBass]

I've played in the same punk band since 1996 if that means anything, and I vote peavey. Then grab a 2-15 and you're set.

 

[Linnin]

For punk, especially on a budget, clean volume is your first priority

Nooooooo! Filth! Absolute Filth. You want the worst sounding rig you can find, and dirt cheap. It should should like dirt and cost as much. That ampeg is absolutely horrendous, and worth about $5 Canadian. Buy that one.

 

[BigBobbyBass]

Y

Nooooooo! Filth! Absolute Filth. You want the worst sounding rig you can find, and dirt cheap. It should should like dirt and cost as much. That ampeg is absolutely horrendous, and worth about $5 Canadian. Buy that one.

yeah..no.

 

[Eminor3rd]

Nooooooo! Filth! Absolute Filth. You want the worst sounding rig you can find, and dirt cheap. It should should like dirt and cost as much. That ampeg is absolutely horrendous, and worth about $5 Canadian. Buy that one.

What does that have to do with volume and clean headroom? Should he get a Rogue practice amp so no one can hear him?

PUNK BY THE BOOK!

 

[BigBobbyBass]

I vote the cheapest Peavey you can find. Punk venues are notorious for gear theft. Don't turn your back for a second. Chain gear to other gear when not in use so it's hard to walk off wtih.

Where are these venues? Worst thing I've had stolen is a cord and a wall wart, in 26 years.

 

[CatSquare]

Just get the Peavey already!

 

[Korladis]

Get the Peavey. It'll probably be loud and take pedals well.
And it's cheap.

Pair it with some big loud cabs.

 

[deathness]

Im gonna go out on a limb here and recommend you give serious consideration to peavey. Srsly you can pick up a good model (marks, centurions, 400, etc, etc) for under $200 then spend the rest on the most cab you can get. Beat up ampeg fridge as mentioned above is a good un. Peavey 2x15 is another.

 

[arai]

Out of those I'd totally get the peavey

 

[Steve Dallman]

The Peavey Century is only 100 watts.

https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/80306001.pdf

 

[Down_Low]

For punk, especially on a budget, clean volume is your first priority. Your tone is going to come from your bass and your technique. Fresh strings will get you 90% of that brightness you want.

Need a clean and bright tone? A 'priority'? In punk? Surely you're thinking of some type of pop punk Blink 182 sh*t, and not real punk? There's no rules in punk - do whatever works for you. Doesn't mean it has to sound bad or cheap - I play a Fender Bassman, but there's no set rules.

Oh and if I were in your position I'd get the Peavy. But as always, if you can try them all and see what YOU like the tone of best.

 

[BadExample]

Wow. Armageddon is near. @Linnin posted without saying "Fender."