Cheap first gigging amp - advice needed

[YellowLedBetterBass]

Morning folks.

 

After a changeup in band lineup I am back to playing bass, which I am really excited by.

 

However, having played guitar in this band for 2 years, and mostly playing guitar for the 4 years prior to that, I am without a giggable bass amp. For some of our gigs, that'd be fine as I have a Tonex One and DI box to run into the desk, and they provide backline for us as stage monitoring.

 

However, some gigs we have to supply our own PA. Our PA set up is fairly basic - 12 channel mixer, 2 tops and 4 foldbacks. No subs. Our band consists of a loud-ish drummer, 2 guitars, vocals and bass.

 

So I'm looking for a bass amp for these gigs. Nothing too expensive, the more I can shave off £250 the better. It's not unreasonable to find a quality guitar amp for that sort of money (Boss, Peavey, even some Marshall DSLs can be had for that kind of money).

 

Doesn't have to be mega lightweight, but so long as I can move it on my own (so none of your ancient 410s made of solid lead thanks). Having an inbuilt DI out would also be useful I suppose. 

 

I have scoured eBay and Facebook marketplace and found:

- Peavey Max 115 300w for £50

- 2 separate Ashdown Mag300 115s. Each £90.

- Ashdown Mag300 210 £130

- Bugera BXD15 £180

 

Fwiw, I did once own a Fender Rumble 500 and Orange 410 cab. I had to sell that as I was going to Uni, didn't have the space for that rig and needed the money. I wish I'd have kept that rig because it sounded excellent. That being said, I still don't have the space or the money to justify it.

Edited yesterday at 10:50 by YellowLedBetterBass

[snorkie635]

Have you checked the for sale amp section on here? Worth a look.

[Lozz196]

I don’t know about the Bugeras but the Ashdowns & Peaveys will be fine. Of the two brands Peavey are virtually indestructible, Ashdown are UK based with great customer service so any problems they can sort so that’s where I would be looking to put my money.

[Skybone]

Indeed, you can't really go wrong with an Ashdown (no experience of Peavey or Bugera).

 

If they're local to you, then get out and try them.

[gjones]

My experience, over the years, is that you can go cheap on a head but you can't really go cheap on cabs, if you don't want the cab to fart out.

 

If you could find a ancient, 1990s, Peavey TNT combo that would do the trick. Ashdown heads are cheap as chips. I had an Ashdown combo which served me well but needed an extension speaker to get the best out of it.

 

Good luck with the search.

[StingRayBoy42]

There's a fine looking Ashdown combo on here at the mo

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/512727-ashdown-abm-300-1x15-combo/

I have no links to the seller, but I have no doubt he's a fine upstanding fellow - he's a Basschatter.

 

[YellowLedBetterBass]

Cheers for the advice folks.

 

I'm going tomorrow to look at a Peavey Max 115. One of the 300w ones from about a decade ago. Allegedly weighs no more than my Marshall DSL40cr did (which is about as heavy as I'd comfortably lug across a car park and up a flight of stairs), and the guy only wants £50 for it.

 

EDIT: bloke has pulled out of the sale because "his son wants it" - I think he just doesn't want to let it go so cheap

Edited yesterday at 15:22 by YellowLedBetterBass

[HeadlessBassist]

I'd also look for a used TC Electronic BG250 combo. They definitely punch well above their weight. The 2x10 is the best of the bunch, but the 15 and 12 are very capable in a band situation too.

[rushbo]

31 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

I'd also look for a used TC Electronic BG250 combo. They definitely punch well above their weight. The 2x10 is the best of the bunch, but the 15 and 12 are very capable in a band situation too.

I agree - I had a BG250 15" and it was excellent. I think people have woken up to how good they are as the secod hand price has crept up from £150 to closer to £200. 

[Elfrasho]

I'll be honest... if you really need a basic and loud amp these days, i dont think you can go wrong with anything! You could get a trace elliot 1x15 combo for £100, anything ashdown will do the job. Peaveys will do it too. As you say, weight isn't a problem therefore the amps all the guys want rid of now are on the market and are dirt cheap.

[crazycloud]

Can't go wrong with the older Peavey gear - my BW15 and Mark VI head have seen maybe 1000 gigs and 40y of use.

I hardly use it now as I use my rig for bass, guitar and baritone so I'm building a large FRFR rig to cover everything. However, I could put it in the car in a minute's notice and use it happily for a bass gig. Living in the sticks now, there's little point in selling it as it's not worth much and shipping would kill that.

[YellowLedBetterBass]

20 hours ago, rushbo said:

I agree - I had a BG250 15" and it was excellent. I think people have woken up to how good they are as the secod hand price has crept up from £150 to closer to £200. 

Stay tuned. I might be making a trip out this evening to pick one up...

[prowla]

Trace Elliot gear is pro-level and beginner-priced.

[HeadlessBassist]

1 hour ago, YellowLedBetterBass said:

Stay tuned. I might be making a trip out this evening to pick one up...

 

TC Electronic is a great choice if you can bag one. Good luck! 😎👍

 

The suspense is killing me... 

[YellowLedBetterBass]

Back home now with the BG250 115 combo. In almost unused condition, came with a lovely padded leather cover and I think I got it for a great price too.

[rushbo]

56 minutes ago, YellowLedBetterBass said:

Back home now with the BG250 115 combo. In almost unused condition, came with a lovely padded leather cover and I think I got it for a great price too.

Good work!

[HeadlessBassist]

1 hour ago, YellowLedBetterBass said:

Back home now with the BG250 115 combo. In almost unused condition, came with a lovely padded leather cover and I think I got it for a great price too.

 

Congratulations! What bass are you playing through it?

[SimonK]

That was quick - less than 48 hours between OP and coming home with something!

 

Mind you still gave me the opportunity to check out the most recent Trace Elliot bargains out there... as someone said above it is pro gear at beginners prices so long as you don't mind the age and weight (I will stick what I found on the TE thread instead of here now you have an amp)!

Edited 2 minutes ago by SimonK