Opening a studio in Brazil. Possibly buying GK mb800 head. Suggestions around same price range?

Frndmoretti

Frndmoretti

Jun 17, 2017
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#1
I live in Brazil, soamp s are a lot more expensive around here. i'm helping my band's guitarrist with the studio he's planning o opening next year. It'll be for recording and also for renting the room for other bands' rehearsals.

He's buying a Vox AC30 and probably a fender of similar power for guitars.

he will possibly buy a GK mb800 head and a matching cabinet.

Do you have any suggestions arounth the same price range?

It needs to be versatile, but if we have to choose, we'll always choose a more vintage/classic sound.
 
#2
Frndmoretti said:
I live in Brazil, soamp s are a lot more expensive around here. i'm helping my band's guitarrist with the studio he's planning o opening next year. It'll be for recording and also for renting the room for other bands' rehearsals.

He's buying a Vox AC30 and probably a fender of similar power for guitars.

he will possibly buy a GK mb800 head and a matching cabinet.

Do you have any suggestions arounth the same price range?

It needs to be versatile, but if we have to choose, we'll always choose a more vintage/classic sound.
Click to expand...
Hmm... if amps are expensive and if the amp will be staying put in the studio, you might consider some "classic" class AB amplifiers. I don't know what the used market is like in Brazil, but in the U.S. fewer people are into the heavier amps these days, which means that many excellent amps are available at relatively low cost if you're willing to put up with an amp that weighs 15-50 pounds (7-23 kilos). Some new ones, too. I would, for instance, rather put one of the GK RB series heads in a studio than one of the MB series heads. They are bigger and heavier, yes, but they are also less likely to "walk away" or to be accidentally pulled off of a cab, they are easier to repair if you have a competent amp tech in the area, and, in my opinion, they sound better, too.

Speaking of sound, as much (or more) of that will be determined by the cab as by the amp -- further, some combinations of cabs and amps play together better than others. Do you think you might be mic-ing the cab as well as running from the DI? Speaking of the DI, do you want to rely on the amp's DI (some are very good, others just okay) or do you plan to run a separate DI box?

"Vintage/Classic" suggests certain Ampeg and/or Fender rigs, but there are many other viable options... I'll think on this for a bit. Meanwhile, I am sure others will chime in.

If you will be recording and renting the space (and equipment) for other bands' rehearsals, I'd want to make sure that the gear is durable, that the bass rig can keep up with the guitar amps and drums without straining unduly, that it can be maintained reasonably, and then, yes, of course, that it sounds good and is reasonably versatile.
 
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#3
MarkA said:
Hmm... if amps are expensive and if the amp will be staying put in the studio, you might consider some "classic" class AB amplifiers. I don't know what the used market is like in Brazil, but in the U.S. fewer people are into the heavier amps these days, which means that many excellent amps are available at relatively low cost if you're willing to put up with an amp that weighs 15-50 pounds (7-23 kilos). Some new ones, too. I would, for instance, rather put one of the GK RB series heads in a studio than one of the MB series heads. They are bigger and heavier, yes, but they are also less likely to "walk away" or to be accidentally pulled off of a cab, they are easier to repair if you have a competent amp tech in the area, and, in my opinion, they sound better, too.

Speaking of sound, as much (or more) of that will be determined by the cab as by the amp -- further, some combinations of cabs and amps play together better than others. Do you think you might be mic-ing the cab as well as running from the DI? Speaking of the DI, do you want to rely on the amp's DI (some are very good, others just okay) or do you plan to run a separate DI box?

"Vintage/Classic" suggests certain Ampeg and/or Fender rigs, but there are many other viable options... I'll think on this for a bit. Meanwhile, I am sure others will chime in.

If you will be recording and renting the space (and equipment) for other bands' rehearsals, I'd want to make sure that the gear is durable, that the bass rig can keep up with the guitar amps and drums without straining unduly, that it can be maintained reasonably, and then, yes, of course, that it sounds good and is reasonably versatile.
Click to expand...

Those RB heads are beautiful, but go a lot over the budget. The MB series is already a stretch (sadly)

If possible, i would rather have an amp whose DI I can trust. I'm not sure what's the guy's position about a dedicated DI box for the bass amp, and decent ones are expensive.

We are possibly getting the MB head for about R$5000,00. With the cab, things get really expensive.

It doesn't necessarialy need to be GK, though (but brand names help because of people who judge studios just by the logos on amps. He's going to keep those guys happy too, if possible. This is not the most important thing by far, though)
 
#4
There's no point in getting a micro head if it's going to sit in a studio, not being moved around. And a micro head is never going to get you a vintage or classic sound. It's useless for recording; better to just use a good DI than some class D. Why not get a vintage or classic amp if that's what you want? You also have the advantage of not needing to be particularly loud; a 50 watt tube amp into a 2x12 in a typical rehearsal or drum room is plenty. Something like a vintage Bassman or Sunn or even Musicman will not set you back terribly far in terms of $$ and I am always delighted to plug into one of those. Maybe even a V4 if you can find a good deal.
 
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#5
Frndmoretti said:
Those RB heads are beautiful, but go a lot over the budget. The MB series is already a stretch (sadly)
Click to expand...
Hunh. Here, a new MB800 is more than a 700 RBii (which would be plenty for studio use unless the cab is very inefficient or the volume is insane) and only a little less than a new 1001 RBii.

Frndmoretti said:
If possible, i would rather have an amp whose DI I can trust. I'm not sure what's the guy's position about a dedicated DI box for the bass amp, and decent ones are expensive.
Click to expand...
Makes sense.

Frndmoretti said:
We are possibly getting the MB head for about R$5000,00. With the cab, things get really expensive.

It doesn't necessarialy need to be GK, though (but brand names help because of people who judge studios just by the logos on amps. He's going to keep those guys happy too, if possible. This is not the most important thing by far, though)
Click to expand...
Is there a decent used market in your area? Good amp techs? What other brands are available to you new? I realize that the relative cost of different brands might vary over there. I'm afraid that I don't have a good idea of the value of a Brazilian Real, but looking at the exchange rate... that's almost $1600 -- a little more than twice the price of a new MB800 here, I am sorry to say.

If you're not in a big hurry, I'd take some time to research your options (which I get is what you're doing here, but vis-a-vis your local market as well) before making a decision.
 
#7
No need for 800 watts in a studio. If you want a GK MB head I'd go with the 500, but I'd prefer to look for a used Eden or GK or other larger head.....Mesa Walkabout...or a preamp like an Eden WT or Mesa Subway and a power amp.
 
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