Members DirtyBird Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 And she wants this purple Peavey Millenium bass, but it's about $300 bucks, not super nice, but for a beginner that's plenty of guitar. and I've always had good luck with peavey {censored}. But now she's going to need an amp. Can you guys suggest some cheap piece of {censored} to get the job done for a year or two? The reason I ask, is because I'm no bassist. I'm a guitarist and my gear-whore knowledge extends pretty through gutiar gear, and when it comes to bass all I know is "hey that sounds kinda crap, but i dont know why" or "hey that sounds good". I wouldn't know {censored} bass tone from good bass tone, and I know my girlfriend wouldn't. I'm only requesting that whatever suggestions you guys have, that the amp have at least a little distortion on it... And that's just because I'm a twat metal player and I know I'm gonna be playing this thing a lot too and I just dont have any fun without any gain.... Although naturally it'd be nowhere near what I get out of my guitar gear. Thanks a lot guys, sorry I'm from the dark side, I hope I dont get chased out of here with pitchforks!
Members moody Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Originally posted by DirtyBird I'm only requesting that whatever suggestions you guys have, that the amp have at least a little distortion on it... And that's just because I'm a twat metal player and I know I'm gonna be playing this thing a lot too and I just dont have any fun without any gain.... Although naturally it'd be nowhere near what I get out of my guitar gear. If you want distortion from a bass rig, plug a pedal into it. Distortion is not a thing that bass amps tend to have built in. The only really worthwhile bass distortion from an amp would be from the amp itself. i.e. valves. Other than that, are you after a gigging rig or just for practicing? What's the price range? Cheap {censored} for bass generally means a power amp and a speaker cabinet. Avatar is well thought of for cabs, any pa power amp with enough power and something to use as a preamp.
Members theoriz Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 +1 for the peavey. Now, concerning the amp, I'd go with a cheap practice rig, maybe a small combo. It might be a flame to be extinguish in a week or so(since we're talking about women), and you probably wouldn't wanna end up with expensive equipment noone will ever use. A behringer perhaps?
Members theoriz Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Oh, and concerning the bass sound. Most bassists I know don't really have a clear definition of the sound they want. It's something that comes after lots of money spent, years and experience. So, just roll with it, and see where it gets you to:)
Members pbass_groovin Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Peavey TNT or Ampeg B100-R
Members M-1 Fan Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 You've seen how she plays? Is she deservant of a rig? If so, I'd start her off with something cheap like Behringer or Yorkville, and nothing over 150 watts. A lot of it depends on how she sticks to it. I've seen a lot of people, especially women, that get infatuated with playing an instrument then lose interest. Hopefully your girlfriend is different.
Members lug Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Something like a used Peavey TNT amp. Cheap and just loud enough to gig with. As far as distortion, Moody is right. Amp distortion comes from valves and valves ain't cheap, get a pedal.
Members megadan Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 any used combo amp + an Ibanez PD-7 would do the trick. Of course, if you like investing in useful music gear, I would +1 the cab/power amp suggestion, as the componants would later be useful to you, and you could just ebay whatever parts you don't need. oh, but you'll need a preamp with that
Members johnny6644 Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Perhaps purchase an SX bass and get a better amp, small Eden. Would she be interested in a short scale bass? Or do you plan to, er, borrow it after an appropriate waiting period?
Members SteveyDevey Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Originally posted by moody If you want distortion from a bass rig, plug a pedal into it. Distortion is not a thing that bass amps tend to have built in. Or if it does, it will sound like {censored}. Like mine. Pure garbage.
Members Thumper Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Originally posted by lug Something like a used Peavey TNT amp. Cheap and just loud enough to gig with. As far as distortion, Moody is right. Amp distortion comes from valves and valves ain't cheap, get a pedal. +1 on the TNT. Check out the basses at www.rondomusic.net The SX models are popular among HCBFers---I think I'm the only guy in the forum who doesn't have one yet.
Members The Aardvark Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Originally posted by Thumper +1 on the TNT. Check out the basses at www.rondomusic.net The SX models are popular among HCBFers---I think I'm the only guy in the forum who doesn't have one yet. No, you're not. I don't have one either, but I just ordered one today!! :D
Members s4001 Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Originally posted by johnny6644 Perhaps purchase an SX bass and get a better amp, small Eden. Would she be interested in a short scale bass? Or do you plan to, er, borrow it after an appropriate waiting period? +1. You can get a real good Rondo bass (the jazz basses in particular) then get a Yorkville or Ashdown or similar combo amp. She'll be set.
Members bigby Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 I really love the Ashdown Blue combo amp; 15" speaker with 180watts. It'll run you about $350 and is an incredible value with plenty of punch and flexibility in tones. I've used this combo amp to record and play average sized gigs.
Members Zeromus-X Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 pics you guys have let me down
Members DirtyBird Posted December 30, 2005 Author Members Posted December 30, 2005 Well I know on the HCAF hotlikning pics is now illegal... And guys, I'm just wanting to get her something that will work, and continue working until she's good enough that we both know she'll stick with it. If she gets good enough, eventually she's gonna have to compete with my Peavey 5150, but for now that's a moot point, and I was thinking as cheap as possible. I mean there are tons of practice guitar amps in that $70-$200 range that sound like ass, but tehy work, and if I were a beginner I wouldnt know they sound like ass... and that's what I'm thinking would happen here so I'm just gonna let her peacefully oblivious to the dangers of gear whorage... lord knows it's sucked enough money out of my wallet. And I agree about the whole distortion without valves is a waste of time.... I just didn't think that carried over into bass-land that much since it seems like there's no clear element of "superiority" for valve bass amps to SS bass amps. But yeah, the cheaper the better, and I mean cheap. I'm thinking her first "real" bass amp I'll just get her a Peavey MKIV head for cheap and some random cabinet somewhere that will work well enough.... I have an avatar cab myself so I'm definitely familiar with, and a fan of their work.
Members SimsburyKid Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Crate has some nice bass amps with distortion on them, and I mean NICE distortion.
Members Bluescout Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 I picked up a (free) used peavey TKO 80 with a 15 Scorpion speaker in it and it's incredible. They are super cheap used and Peavey is good reliable stuff.
Members moody Posted December 30, 2005 Members Posted December 30, 2005 Originally posted by DirtyBird If she gets good enough, eventually she's gonna have to compete with my Peavey 5150, but for now that's a moot point, and I was thinking as cheap as possible. If she gets good enough? Get her playing straight away or she'll lose interest (bass is boring to practice). I was in a band within a week of starting bass. Originally posted by DirtyBird And I agree about the whole distortion without valves is a waste of time.... I just didn't think that carried over into bass-land that much since it seems like there's no clear element of "superiority" for valve bass amps to SS bass amps. I like clean bass, so I use solid state. Distortion tends to rob the low end a fair bit (which is a put of for bass), so if you want distortion on bass you have to do it right. That tends to mean big valve amps, sometimes biamped with solid state low end. On the other hand a lot of bass players can't figure out why guitarists need valve distortion all the time when solid state has come so far. (the guitarist I work with uses solid state equipment, sounds incredible). Originally posted by DirtyBird But yeah, the cheaper the better, and I mean cheap. I'm thinking her first "real" bass amp I'll just get her a Peavey MKIV head for cheap and some random cabinet somewhere that will work well enough.... I have an avatar cab myself so I'm definitely familiar with, and a fan of their work. A peavey mkIV will do fine for a bass rig, I've used a mkIII in rehearsals quite a lot and it has enough power and low end for most situations.
Members DirtyBird Posted December 31, 2005 Author Members Posted December 31, 2005 yeah, but I'm thinking the MkIV is for a year or two from now after she gets started... I'm gonna look at the cheaper crate practice bass amps... and that's good advice about having her playing with me ASAP... my 5150 does have a volume knob. And trust me guys, SS guitar amps just sound like ass for distortion compared to a nice tube one.
Members oldivor Posted December 31, 2005 Members Posted December 31, 2005 Originally posted by DirtyBird Well I know on the HCAF hotlikning pics is now illegal... well they can hotlink my ass
Members bottomfeeder Posted December 31, 2005 Members Posted December 31, 2005 I think I will need a pic before I can give advice on what would be good for her:D
Members DirtyBird Posted December 31, 2005 Author Members Posted December 31, 2005 Originally posted by bottomfeeder I think I will need a pic before I can give advice on what would be good for her:D You're not seeing the rest of her...
Members Phantasm Posted December 31, 2005 Members Posted December 31, 2005 Originally posted by DirtyBird You're not seeing the rest of her... Wow, that's quite sporting of you... I applaud you sir. Putting the thread back on the rails, if money is an issue (it's gotta be under $300-$400) I've noticed a lot of guys in the French Quarter have been using these little Behringer combo amps right now. They sound decent, are cheap and light, and if someone steals them then oh well. Since you have more experience, you should probably play through a few and determine which one is the right one. Get one that can keep up with a drummer. If the money is midrange, like $400-$600, look for a decent used head and a decent used cab. Inexpensive reasonable bass heads used would include the Ampeg B2, the GK 400RB (or the 800RB would be better if you can find one.) I've seen the Ampeg B2's for as cheap as $200-$250. For cabinets, look locally used. I've always had really good luck with used cabinets. for example, I bought an Eden 210T for $225 or so and a SWR Henry 8x8 for $300. The rule is play through it first (ALWAYS!!!) and make sure there are no buzzes or dead speakers. I play notes and listen to each speaker and play a variety of notes on the E and A string to make sure I don't find a buzzy cone at a "resonant frequency." If she has the interest and you can get her playing in some sort of band capacity, I think she's got a better chance at sticking with it. Others have said this too, but for bass it's particularly important. Good Luck!
Members DirtyBird Posted January 1, 2006 Author Members Posted January 1, 2006 I guess no one expected me to actually post a pic did they? Unless you meant a pic of me? Ah! Well ehre ya go guys!
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