Stumper Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 OK, sorry, first time poster and probably an old question, but here goes anyway. I play in a pub band - pretty middle of the road rock covers - five middle aged guys having a good time. But I need a new amp. The huge and heavy Carlsboro i got from a mate ten years ago is just getting too huge and heavy, and needs to be replaced. Any advice on the best bass combo amp for predominantly pub gigs with a few larger halls thrown in? Any help would be massively appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) How much do you have to spend? Does it need to be a combo? Separates will give you more flexibility... Does it have to be new or would you be happy to look at used gear? How loud do you need to be? Lightweight gear tends to be expensive... Edited October 14, 2013 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) there is so much out there at the mo, it would be best to narrow the field, do you ahave a prefered budget? and would you prefer new or are you happy to buy used? ha ha just my thoughts you beat me to it....... Edited October 14, 2013 by winterfire666 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) Great minds.... etc. etc! But it is definitely a buyer's market at the moment. Some great deals to be had if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket... Edited October 14, 2013 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) Ampeg BA115HPT on casters - the 200W one with the valve in the pre-amp and 15" speaker - has filled this type of job for me for years with no probs at all. [url="http://www.ampeg.com/products/bassamp/ba115hpt/"]http://www.ampeg.com...ssamp/ba115hpt/[/url] Not sure if they still make 'em but you can pick them up for about £270 max. second hand. Edited October 14, 2013 by Jazzneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumper Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Cheers guys for such swift replies. I'm OK with new or used. As for price, I really am starting from a position of no bleedin' idea to be honest. I guess ideally no more than £300, ideally a bit less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 [quote name='Stumper' timestamp='1381764118' post='2243321'] I guess ideally no more than £300, ideally a bit less. [/quote] That probably rules out "lightweight" then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumper Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 So what should I realistically be looking at spending to get something half decent that won't make grimace when I have to load it in the back of the car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) maybe a tc BG250 £345 brand new, not silly heavy, great tone. and just over 15kg [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/TC_BG_250_115.html"]http://www.bassdirec...BG_250_115.html[/url] just spotted this too, awesome deal on either the 115 or the 2x10, more power, still light though around 22kg [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Contour_Combos_210,_115.html"]http://www.bassdirec...s_210,_115.html[/url] genz stuff is bieng discontinued so these bargains wont last long. Edited October 14, 2013 by winterfire666 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowender Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I don't understand why, in 2013, anyone would want a combo. They're, in general, much heavier than getting a speaker and a micro head that can go in a gig bag. I use 2 speakers, each with a 12". In that way if it's a really small gig I just need to take one cab and if there are stairs I can do one cab at a time. That makes more sense than lifting a big cab with a built in head attached to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumper Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 I guess I'm saying combo as a result of not knowing what I'm on about and seeing a combo as the easy option. Is there a good source for finding out more about the pros and cons of combo over separate heads and speakers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 (edited) BG 250 is right on your budget and is loud enough for any pub gig. Nice and light as well at 16kg. The older model with one toneprint available for £300. [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=12031312324332"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_amps_detail.asp?stock=12031312324332[/url] Edited October 14, 2013 by jezzaboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 [quote name='Stumper' timestamp='1381765705' post='2243360'] Is there a good source for finding out more about the pros and cons of combo over separate heads and speakers? [/quote] These are the first one's that sprang to mind: [b]Combo:[/b] Pro: All in one unit that's easy to transport. Pro: Simple to use - plug it in and away you go. Con: If the amp or speaker blows then you're stuck. [b]Amp & Cab[/b] Pro: Easy to beg\borrow one part if something should blow. Pro: Easy to add extra cabs if you play larger venues. Con: Two boxes to carry instead of one. Con: Higher price. Con: Need to be connected to each other prior to use. I don't think you can just do a straight pro v con comparison on this though. You need to decide how big the pros and cons are given your needs. Given your budget, I'd say your best bet is going to be a new combo or a used Amp & Cab - take a look in the Marketplace forums and feel free to ask for opinions here on anything that catches your eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumper Posted October 14, 2013 Author Share Posted October 14, 2013 Thanks icastle, that is a help. The BG250 that jezzaboy highlights also looks appealing. I guess the next step is a matter of finding a guitar shop with a decent range on offer, then going along and plugging in to a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Something like a Laney DP150 or Trace Elliot AH150 and a Laney 4x10 cab should come in around the £300 mark, whilst the cab isn't exactly lightweight it is manageable and you could always add a 1x15 cab to the mix in time if you were playing bigger venues....just ask before buying as you will need to make sure the speaker cab ohm's are right for the amp head you buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 [quote name='Stumper' timestamp='1381768840' post='2243431'] I guess the next step is a matter of finding a guitar shop with a decent range on offer, then going along and plugging in to a few. [/quote] Where do you live? You will probably find that there will be a few Basschatters local to you who would be quite happy to give you a try-out of their set-ups. There may even be a "Bass Bash" somewhere near you where you could try out dozens of different rigs! If you are in the North East you are welcome to have a try of mine. What bass do you play and what kind of sound do you usually prefer? Is your band generally loud or "sensible"?! Here are TWO quality speaker cabs (fairly small and manageable) at a fantastic price- [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219172-bfm-omni-2x10-1x10-dorset-bristol-area/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/219172-bfm-omni-2x10-1x10-dorset-bristol-area/[/url] Shouldn't be too difficult to find a reasonable amp head for around £100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1381772006' post='2243544'] Something like a Laney DP150 or Trace Elliot AH150 and a Laney 4x10 cab should come in around the £300 mark, [/quote] I doubt these would be any lighter than what the OP currently uses (although he doesn't say what that is, other than the fact that it is made by Carlsbro... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 Judging by the gigging situation you are in , I would say you would need around 250 watts.(you won't turn up to the max , but you'll always have power in reserve). Because of the budget, I would say something like gallien krueger. Light and loud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowender Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1381766789' post='2243381'] These are the first one's that sprang to mind: [b]Combo:[/b] Pro: All in one unit that's easy to transport. Pro: Simple to use - plug it in and away you go. Con: If the amp or speaker blows then you're stuck. [b]Amp & Cab[/b] Pro: Easy to beg\borrow one part if something should blow. Pro: Easy to add extra cabs if you play larger venues. Con: Two boxes to carry instead of one. Con: Higher price. Con: Need to be connected to each other prior to use. I don't think you can just do a straight pro v con comparison on this though. You need to decide how big the pros and cons are given your needs. Given your budget, I'd say your best bet is going to be a new combo or a used Amp & Cab - take a look in the Marketplace forums and feel free to ask for opinions here on anything that catches your eye. [/quote] Yeah, but it takes 10 seconds to connect a head to a speaker and heads are so small and light these days that they can go in the same bag as your wires. It also offers more options in regard to liking certain speakers and liking certain heads -- which can also result in a savings, depending on what you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 I don't normally recommend combos over separates but them genz contour amps sound great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 [quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1381776328' post='2243634'] Yeah, but it takes 10 seconds to connect a head to a speaker and heads are so small and light these days that they can go in the same bag as your wires. It also offers more options in regard to liking certain speakers and liking certain heads -- which can also result in a savings, depending on what you get. [/quote] Yep, that's why I said: [i]I don't think you can just do a straight pro v con comparison on this though. You need to decide how big the pros and cons are given your needs.[/i] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 [quote name='Stumper' timestamp='1381768840' post='2243431'] the next step is a matter of finding a guitar shop with a decent range on offer, then going along and plugging in to a few. [/quote] Spot on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 And listening to some local bands and looking into whichever bassists tone you like to see what they`re using. In the mix and out of the mix can be two different sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I would definitely go second hand with a £300 budget. Anything you buy new for that amount will be worth £150 by the time you get home. You could probably pick up a decent Trace or Ashdown 300W combo in that price range and they will have probably bottomed out at £300 price-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollywoodrox Posted October 15, 2013 Share Posted October 15, 2013 I have the bg250 , combos seem to work out cheaper as the micro head is about same price as a combo plus you have to pay the same again for a speaker cabinet I would have liked a tc gk or ampeg pf but they cost more than the £ 269 I paid for a brand new bg250 which has got great writeuos in 2 threads on talkbass for what the iriginal poster required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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