gemdids Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 I've just had a clear out and am upgrading my equipment, I've recently just bought an Ibanez BTB470 which is the first active bass i've owned. I've always been one of these bassists who seem to aquire equipment when people are having clear outs so consequently I don't know a whole lot about amps. I'm after a combo amp that suited to rehearsals and smaller gigs but I'm wondering, do I need something specific now i'm using an active bass? Apologies if this seems like a daft question but I'm going to play the, 'I'm a girl', card and bat my lashes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 No. An active bass just gives you more tone. The tone controls on a passive bass just take away but an active will let you add tone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 No, but you may have to trim the gain control to stop the signal over-loading. Also, remember that batteries die...so if the bass has no passive option, you'll have a dead bass when this happens. Also, for actives...get into the habit of unplugging the lead when not in use as this will complete a circuit and drain the battery. This will happen over time...you just don't want it to happen at important times. Batteries can last a year if looked after properly, this way, but if the gig is important have a spare for an easy and quick swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. Now, just to find an amp that won't break the bank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 What amp are you using now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='Doddy' post='1298116' date='Jul 9 2011, 11:57 AM']What amp are you using now?[/quote] I am currently ampless! I was using an old leech amp and speaker setup which was fine but took up too much room. Prior to that I just used to DI into the mixing desk at gigs or use the in-house backline. I'm just after something sturdy and loud which I can chuck in the boot and not worry about, hence I'm thinking a second hand combo amp. Don't want to spend more than £100, are my expectations unrealistic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 If you can stratch to £170 then the Orange Crush 50w bass combo is superb. I have one both for practice and pub gigs. If you run out of steam, it has a line out to put it through the PA. It also has a built it tuner! You might be able to get one second hand for less. I think mine is great and I have yet to find anything at that price which sounds as good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='Blademan_98' post='1298182' date='Jul 9 2011, 12:49 PM']If you can stratch to £170 then the Orange Crush 50w bass combo is superb. I have one both for practice and pub gigs. If you run out of steam, it has a line out to put it through the PA. It also has a built it tuner! You might be able to get one second hand for less. I think mine is great and I have yet to find anything at that price which sounds as good![/quote] I wish I had £170, they are beautiful things. None on eBay second hand, to be honest I'm just looking for something a bit rough and ready, I'll keep my eyes open for one though, cheers for the pointer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MatthewKeys Posted July 9, 2011 Share Posted July 9, 2011 [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid9467/cid687/ashdown-electric-blue-eb12-180-watt-1x12-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid...=GoogleShopping[/url] These are good amps for the money! Should be able to pick one up secondhand too for about £100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 [quote name='MatthewKeys' post='1298238' date='Jul 9 2011, 02:21 PM'][url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid9467/cid687/ashdown-electric-blue-eb12-180-watt-1x12-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid...=GoogleShopping[/url] These are good amps for the money! Should be able to pick one up secondhand too for about £100. [/quote] Cheers mate, had my eye on one of these a while back. If I can find one for £100 or near enough I'll be happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 [quote name='MatthewKeys' post='1298238' date='Jul 9 2011, 02:21 PM'][url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid9467/cid687/ashdown-electric-blue-eb12-180-watt-1x12-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid...=GoogleShopping[/url] These are good amps for the money! Should be able to pick one up secondhand too for about £100. [/quote] +1 Yes I have one and they are cheap n cheerful n loud n bulletproof too. You may even get one of the later ones with a built in compressor for £100 2nd hand. Oh and I have one.............but I'm not selling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GЯДИКФЯ Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 The pickups in that bass are passive, it just has active tone controls so with them in the middle position it wouldn't be boosting anymore than a normal passive bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 10, 2011 Share Posted July 10, 2011 You don't need an amp for an active bass rather than passive, but I have a rough and ready amp with a minor power supply problem at the moment, but when I get it sorted I'll probably be prepared to drop it down to £100 for someone whose done me a service in the past like yourself! It's a 200W Laney, PM me if you'd potentially be interested! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 Cheers for the reply, just PM'd you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Laney amps are good too! My first amp was one of their 2x10 combos and it served me well for years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clauster Posted July 12, 2011 Share Posted July 12, 2011 For a touch over £100, I'd recommend an Ashdown Electric Blue. You see them in the FS section here for about £120.00 Like you I often DI straight to PA or use provided backline. The Ashdown has been great for rehearsals, jams and smallish gigs though. Had it 5 years with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 13, 2011 Author Share Posted July 13, 2011 [quote name='clauster' post='1300669' date='Jul 12 2011, 09:37 AM']For a touch over £100, I'd recommend an Ashdown Electric Blue. You see them in the FS section here for about £120.00 Like you I often DI straight to PA or use provided backline. The Ashdown has been great for rehearsals, jams and smallish gigs though. Had it 5 years with no problems.[/quote] The electric blue's certainly loom good....I'm holding out for dc2009's Laney now, will be pleased if that one comes off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted July 13, 2011 Share Posted July 13, 2011 [quote name='MatthewKeys' post='1298238' date='Jul 9 2011, 02:21 PM'][url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid9467/cid687/ashdown-electric-blue-eb12-180-watt-1x12-bass-combo-evo-ii.asp?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/bass-combos/pid...=GoogleShopping[/url] These are good amps for the money! Should be able to pick one up secondhand too for about £100. [/quote] another recommendation for the Ashdown EB series. I sold an older model (no compressor) on here before christmas for £100. Used it for ages for gigs and rehearsals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gemdids Posted July 14, 2011 Author Share Posted July 14, 2011 [quote name='rOB' post='1302737' date='Jul 13 2011, 07:06 PM']another recommendation for the Ashdown EB series. I sold an older model (no compressor) on here before christmas for £100. Used it for ages for gigs and rehearsals[/quote] Cheers for the recommendation, just had a quick eBay trawl but only one with a reserve of over a ton, i think BC is always better for reasonably priced gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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