POLL: Help me choose my first amp

POLL: Help me choose my first amp

  • Ampeg PF800

    Votes: 19 9.3%

  • Markbass Little Mark III

    Votes: 36 17.6%

  • Quilter BB800

    Votes: 40 19.5%

  • GK MB500

    Votes: 67 32.7%

  • Fender Rumble 500 Head

    Votes: 37 18.0%

  • Aguilar TH350

    Votes: 21 10.2%

  • TCE BH800

    Votes: 6 2.9%

  • Ampeg PF50T

    Votes: 12 5.9%
  • Total voters
    205
#21
Stumbo said:
You'd be better off with less watts and more speakers, like a 6x10. Gotto move more air to make more noise.
500 watts into 1x15 won't do it for you.
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This is sort of like an investment. I would buy more cabs or just a bigger cab, if I had the money, but as of rn it's not an option. I want to buy enough headroom to buy an additional cab for later and of course a good enough head to sound good.

But thanks, although I'm aware that more speakers > more watts.
 
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#22
matante said:
As rule of thumb you should spend a lot more on your cab(s) than on your amp. Also you're better off with a used amp and new cabs. First figure out which cabs you want to use, are able and willing to transport, and what you can afford. The amp is really far less important.
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Really? Didn't know that. I mean, I wanted quality cabs as well, but I wanted to spend around the same amount for both parts. Still, I want a head that will last me as long as it has to and that will do what I want it to do, so I'd rather buy a great amp, a good cab, and then, after I've saved (in a year maybe), buy a better cab or two.

Also, I'd probably go for the cab that goes with the amp, like Ampeg PF500 - PF115HE or GK MB500 - GK CX 115 etc. I thought that's a good idea if I like the sound of the amp?
 
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#23
Michal_Toth said:
Really? Didn't know that. I mean, I wanted quality cabs as well, but I wanted to spend around the same amount for both parts. Still, I want a head that will last me as long as it has to and that will do what I want it to do, so I'd rather buy a great amp, a good cab, and then, after I've saved (in a year maybe), buy a better cab or two.

Also, I'd probably go for the cab that goes with the amp, like Ampeg PF500 - PF115HE or GK MB500 - GK CX 115 etc. I thought that's a good idea if I like the sound of the amp?
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A cheap amp won't sound much different from an expensive one, or rather, it will sound different but not objectively worse. A cheap cab will sound bad compared to a better, more expensive one. It's a waste of money to play a good amp through a cheap cab, but a cheap amp through a good cab will sound good. It's a waste of money to buy gear with the intention of upgrading later. Save up what you need to and buy what you really want to use.
 
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#27
matante said:
A cheap amp won't sound much different from an expensive one, or rather, it will sound different but not objectively worse. A cheap cab will sound bad compared to a better, more expensive one. It's a waste of money to play a good amp through a cheap cab, but a cheap amp through a good cab will sound good. It's a waste of money to buy gear with the intention of upgrading later. Save up what you need to and buy what you really want to use.
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Okay, total budget 800-1000 - how much for an amp how much for a cab? I know it's a stupid question, but at this price range I can't really spend too much more on a cab.

Edit: and is it a good idea to buy the cab that is paired by default with the amp? As I said an example - Portaflex to Portaflex
 
#31
Michal_Toth said:
I'll be using this amp for my band, we play prog rock;

I play with two guitarists and a drummer, who likes to go wild;

I'll be using a 2x10 or a 1x15 cabinet with it;

FYI my budget is ideally around 500, but 600 is the limit;

I included all amps in this price range I was interested in and that were available in my region, but feel free to leave any additional suggestions;

My expectations are - versatility for solos, melodies, but also sitting in the groove; reliability; mostly a clean tone.

Thanks

P. S.: Sharing your experience with any of these amps is very welcome
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Buy my EBS Reidmar 750, I have listed on Reverb, great amp!
 
#32
Michal_Toth said:
Isn't there a stigma against combos? And getting so much for so little....even if it's a Fender, there must be a compromise in sound and quality.
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I suggest posting your concerns and questions in the Fender Rumble Club

As far as stigma, once you stack a couple of cabs and blast away, no on cares.

If you can swing the budget, a Rumble 500 combo(more for your money) and put the difference down on another 2x10 cab. A 500w 24x10 vertical stack, no matter what the format is, head or combo, will do just fine. Put a cover on them and no one will know what you have and when you set up, blow them away.

FYI, when you turn up the amp, turn the bass tone down a bit. Also, be sure to adjust your gig tone for the FOH mix and the venue. It will be different than your rehearsal or bedroom tone. If you have a long cord or go wireless, go out front and hear how you sit in the mix. Adjust from there.

You'll also want to possibly, probably add a High Pass Filter (See Broughton Audio always on adjustable). It cuts out extraneous frequencies generated by your bass that your amp has trouble reproducing and that can damage your speakers at high volume. See the link in my sig. for more info.

Good luck.
 
#33
This is all useless without knowing what your guitarists play through. People mostly just vote for what they own.

That said, it's highly likely a 2x10 or 1x15 won't be nearly enough vs. two guitarists for any kind of rock.

Markbass is very reliable. Ashdown has had extensive problems, maybe in the past now. I've owned many amps of both brands, only have the Markbass left. I'd suggest a used Little Mark II vs. a new III since you're budget conscious.

You won't notice any difference from 500w to 800.

You can always play quieter with your attack, while setting the amp for your loudest passages.

Having owned and gigged the GK, Aguilar, Rumble Markbass and demo'd the TC, I suggest avoiding the TC and that the TH350 probably wont be sufficient. The GK has a more wet/hyped sound, arguably great for rock. I've used the Little Mark a lot for heavy rock. The Big Bang might be a better choice though.

I wasn't a fan of the Rumble but given you will need more cones the best suggestion by far so far is the Rumble 2x10 combo with 2x10 extension cab stacked vertically. Very versatile too.

Good luck with your new band!
 
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#34
They're all great. I voted MB500 because a friends has one.... and it just sounds fantastic. I love my big, heavy heads. But when I hear that little GK, it doea make me wonder why I drag them around.

Also, factor two cabs in your budget later on..... or at least more money for a one-cab solution.

One "regular" 2-10 or 1-15 won't get it done in a prog rock band with a drummer "who likes to go crazy". Not even close.

Good luck with your hunt.
 
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#35
two fingers said:
They're all great. I voted MB500 because a friends has one.... and it just sounds fantastic. I love my big, heavy heads. But when I hear that little GK, it doea make me wonder why I drag them around.

Also, factor two cabs in your budget later on..... or at least more money for a one-cab solution.

One "regular" 2-10 or 1-15 won't get it done in a prog rock band with a drummer "who likes to go crazy". Not even close.

Good luck with your hunt.
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So, maybe a couple of 6x10s? :)

Threads like this come up regularly. What do think is the minimum in a volume war?

Maybe a topic for another thread.
 
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#36
if i were getting a combo, i'd consider this:
Gallien-Krueger MB212-II - 2x12" 500-watt Bass Combo
don't know if it falls in your budget but it's $879.00 here. i have a GK 112 cabinet, and my ears just love it. and it's got the MB500 head you were interested in.

the fender rumble 500 would probably also be a good choice, and probably cheaper than the GK, too.

as far as a compromise? well, sometimes you might want to match a different speaker and head, which you can't do with a combo. sometimes with smaller cars it's easier to pack in a head and cab as you can put one in the back and the head in the foot area of the front seat. and some people prefer a config with a head and 2 cabs for big shows, the same head and 1 cab for smaller ones.

but overall i think combos are great value, and i would happily play a MB212-II if i hadn't gotten my LH500. i love the MB500 head AND the BK 112, and a 212 is more of a good thing. and rumbles are reliable and sound good.
 
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#37
pcake said:
if i were getting a combo, i'd consider this:
Gallien-Krueger MB212-II - 2x12" 500-watt Bass Combo
don't know if it falls in your budget but it's $879.00 here. i have a GK 112 cabinet, and my ears just love it. and it's got the MB500 head you were interested in.

the fender rumble 500 would probably also be a good choice, and probably cheaper than the GK, too.
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I think @StayLow has it right. I mean, a volume war with two guitars and a super loud sand pounder ON A BUDGET?

Probably used equipment will get you closer to winning the volume war.
 
#38
Stumbo said:
I think @StayLow has it right. I mean, a volume war with two guitars and a super loud sand pounder ON A BUDGET?

Probably used equipment will get you closer to winning the volume war.
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the OP is in slovakia, and i could be wrong but i don't believe there's a wealth of used gear there. is he going to win a volume war with a 500 watt combo? no, of course not. but on the other hand, maybe his bandmates don't want to take part in a volume war (one can always hope). 500 watts isn't quiet, and he's going to come closer with a 2x12 than some of the other options.
 
#39
pcake said:
the OP is in slovakia, and i could be wrong but i don't believe there's a wealth of used gear there. is he going to win a volume war with a 500 watt combo? no, of course not. but on the other hand, maybe his bandmates don't want to take part in a volume war (one can always hope). 500 watts isn't quiet, and he's going to come closer with a 2x12 than some of the other options.
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Yeah, I have trouble buying a cheap practice bass at a used market, let alone a specific amp I'd want.

We're all intelligent people (yes, guitarists can be intelligent) so volume wars don't often take place. And since I'm heard through a 250w hartke amp, I don't think I'd have much trouble with a 2x12".

Edit: Just had a look and the GK MB212-II combo goes for 735€ here. Nice value, damn...choices are hard
 
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