Some help please...

[matb]

Alright, I've been playing bass for about 9 months but I've been playing guitar for almost 3.5 years. I want a better amp (I use my old peavey rage 158 for bass but i keep the volume low in fear of blowing the thing up) but I'm not sure what to get. I was told Hartke makes a reasonably sized and priced amp. I have a 50 watt tube amp so I was thinking of something that will work ok with that.

[skyneverclaimed]

Originally posted by matb
Alright, I've been playing bass for about 9 months but I've been playing guitar for almost 3.5 years. I want a better amp (I use my old peavey rage 158 for bass but i keep the volume low in fear of blowing the thing up) but I'm not sure what to get. I was told Hartke makes a reasonably sized and priced amp. I have a 50 watt tube amp so I was thinking of something that will work ok with that.

got a price range?

[Crash]

hmm, I swear I posted here an hour or two ago.

What kind of music do you play? Combo or Stack? The more you tell us the better advice we can give you.

Other than that I'd say check out some ampegs, they sound really good, but probably looked for used ones as they can get pricey. Fender makes some good bass amps too, as well as mesa/boogie but the mesa's are bloody expensive.

[Phyrexian]

If you're on a budget I recommend Peavey amplifiers. Hartke is also okay, but Peavey sounds warmer.

Ampegs are nice, but they're quite expensive though. The same counts for SWR, Mesa-Boogie among others.

What's your preferred playing style/music?

[Crash]

You can pick up a used Ampeg V-4B head off of Ebay for $300 US or so. Add an Avatar cab at around $400 to that and you've got a good and unexpensive rig. All told maybe $700 which is about is good as you'll get when it comes to stacks. You could probably pick up a used cab for less than that too.

Combo wise, the solid state Fender Bassman amps are fairly good, and I was impressed by the SWR Workingman series amps although from what I've been told they don't cut through the mix very well.

[Dongalonga]

Fender bassmans are fine amps. Mines a 300 watter and no complaints at all. Worth a look. Also Trace Elliot are blindin but wherever i have a gander, they seem real pricey.

[matb]

Sorry for the lack of info, I totally forgot about the post. I was thinking of maxing out at about $350. Combo or stack: I would prefer a combo (easier to move around) but if I can get the cab and head for under $350, That'd be cool. I was thinking speaker wise, nothing huge. 2 10s or 2 12s. Music wise, stuff from The Smashing Pumpkins to My Bloody Valentine to the Beatles.

Also, quick question, what kind of amps did bassist use back in the 50s and 60s? I know most people say guitar amps will blow up if you use bass with them but I don't think I've ever seen 50s or 60s vintage bass amps.

[jackass]

Some were just PA heads, others were fender Bassmen. It think Vox may also have made bass heads.

[Crash]

Alot of players used ampeg's back then.

[thetikiman]

If you go head/cab, make sure you get a Hartke cab. Also check out ashdown bass heads...

[special k]

Hey,

The Hartke kickback combo amps are pretty inexpensive and have a good tone with some decent features. I played in a band with a guy who used one and it sounded great. Easy to load, too! :)

Look at Gallien-Krueger amps, too, in addition to the SWR ones. Personally I've found SWR to make some excellent amps. Their lower models have good features, too. My buddy has an acoustic amp by them and it sounds great.

I think its' SWR... strawberry blonde?
anyway it's a good company regardless.

Peavey will give you a goodly amount of bang for your buck, though. all depends on budget. if you can afford a better brand it might be a good investment. just pick what you think sounds the best for your playing style.

peace,

-k.

[matb]

Ok, I think I know what I'm after:
Either a 2x10 combo or a 2x12 combo that's 150-200 watts and that costs less than $350. Tube would be cool but I can stand solid state.

Style: As I think I mentioned before, "Alt rock" or something.

suggestions?