PBG

More great advice - cheers! ...and great profile pic!

Wow! As a newbie to this forum I thought I'd get some help - but you guys have been AWESOME! Thanks so much for all the really valuable advice - my quest for volume shall begin! Rock on!

Apologies for the ignorance but I could use some good advice! I am an ex-guitarist who has been playing bass for a year in a classic rock band (covers + original material) who has outgrown his 165 watt Laney bass combo (1x15). It has been just about OK for small gigs and rehearsal - but the gigs are getting bigger and the Laney is at max most of the time - even with decent PAs. Even for rehearsal it is struggling with the Blackstar and Marshall combos that the guitarists play. We have a new MUCH larger rehearsal space and frankly the Laney's 165 watts isn't enough for this. So what should I get? I have a USA P bass which I love and all I want is an amp that I can plug in and play. I don't want a huge variety of sounds. We play fast and loud and I don't see much need for fancy EQs or footswitches to change channels. (I dont wish to offend anyone by my simple needs!!). I think that I might need to depth of 15 speakers and have tried a Marshall MB 4210, which wasn't for me - just not loud and bassy enough! I hear talk of "headroom" of 4 or 8 ohms (means nothing to me!). Also valve or transistor? So first question is whether a combo is a possibility (Laney RB8? GK backline? Fender Rumble 350?) or should I look for a seperate rig? (Laney RB9? Ashdown head? + suitable cab?). Or do I go for a combo that I can add a cab to?? Cost is important - so what should a rocker get for £400/500?? I would rather buy new, but recognise my budget is limited. A big thanks in advance to anyone who can give me some advice! I just want something solid and loud!