Members rsilverst Posted October 9, 2005 Members Posted October 9, 2005 Hi- I'm new to the forum, and I'm actually posting for the bass player in my band (I'm the guitar player). Right now, he's been playing a SWR Basic Black combo, and it's been fine enough for rehearsal but we're about to start gigging, and he knows it needs to be replaced. The budget is $1500 but that doesn't mean that he's set on spending that much if a good rig can be had for a little less. The music is moderate-to-hard rock. Not funk. Not metal. Not country. He uses several different basses, but his main ones are a Fender Mustang, and a Jazz Bass. For portability reasons, not considering anything larger than a 4x10" cabinet. So far, he's tried out the SVT 3-PRO, SVT 6-PRO, an Eden Traveler series, and an Aguilar single channel (think it was model number 500). For cabs, he's tried Ampeg 6x10, Eden 4x10, and Aguilar 4x10. I welcome any suggestions you can provide. I know diddly about bass gear, and he seems to know only a little. We were both a bit daunted by the sales person in the store because they asserted that "unlike guitar amps, you really can't judge a bass amp by playing it in the store without the whole band". They felt he should just give them $1500 and take something to rehearsal and then exchange it if we didn't like it. But that sounds like a load of junk. Or is it? Apologies if this type of general question has been asked before. I checked back through recent postings and didn't find a comprehensive answer to my question. Thanks!
Members Gruven Posted October 9, 2005 Members Posted October 9, 2005 Your bass player should be safe with about 350 watts and a good 410 cabinet. This is possible for close to your $1500 limit. The Hartke HA3500/Ampeg SVT-410HE setup that I've been using for years cost a little over $1000 and has never let me down. I've never had to turn the master volume past 5 to compete with a pretty loud drummer playing heavy rock. If you need the bass rig to fill the room with low end, a ported cabinet is a better choice. If you're going to run the bass direct into a sound system with good low end reproduction, a sealed cabinet will do the job quite well. Hope that helps a little.
Members illidian Posted October 9, 2005 Members Posted October 9, 2005 This is simple. For a head, a Genz-Benz GBE600 or a Gallien-Krueger 1001RB-II will work. The G-B will cost about $800, the G-K about $600. Add this to a solid speaker cabinet and it's golden. What's a solid speaker cabinet? With $700-900 to spend, Schroeder may be a good place to start. A Genz-Benz NeoX 212 may work well, too. Another option would be an Ampeg SVT410HLF, or a Genz XB-2 cab (4x10 or 6x10). This would be plenty for most any gig.
Members ezstep Posted October 9, 2005 Members Posted October 9, 2005 Keep in mind that he can use the line out feature on any good bass head to run the SWR combo as well, so he could definitely get by for a lot less money. 1x15" + 4x10" is a great combo. He already has the 1x15. . . .
Members timmerz Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Please also keep in mind that SWR made an extension speaker for that Basic Black Combo, so if you like the sound it puts out (and I know you do!) look on ebay and Craig's list and anywhere else bass stuff is sold for a Basic 2-Way Extension....it's a great-quality 15" and tweeter exactly like the Combo has, and it pops the rms rating (when connected to the Basic Black) from 120 to 160, and the sound will fill ANY club up to about 450 seating capacity....one of the best-sounding small amps SWR ever put out, tube preamp with solid-state power-amp.It's what I use for all small to medium gigs, and I get a bunch of compliments every time I go out...
Members no-logic Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Schroeder 1210 ($659) and Ampeg B2R (Used $300). Works for me.
Members ARES Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 if he likes the SWR rig, go with the extension cab or check out other SWR rigs. i have a 350x head and goliath III 4x10 cab and love it.
Members 4string Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 I've used my current set up (see below) and a Eden 2x10xlt with a Eden 400 Time Traveler head. Both are plenty sufficient. Keep in mind it all depends on the type of menu your playing and if you are going into the house speakers.
Members megadan Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Originally posted by rsilverst We were both a bit daunted by the sales person in the store because they asserted that "unlike guitar amps, you really can't judge a bass amp by playing it in the store without the whole band". They felt he should just give them $1500 and take something to rehearsal and then exchange it if we didn't like it. But that sounds like a load of junk. Or is it? It's pretty rare that musicstores would give you good advice like that, imho... they're absolutly right... you should be taking advantage of return policies, etc., and trying out gear with the band... cause it will sound different. It's really hard to tell, sometimes, whether a particular amp/cab combo will cut through with the band or not.
Members Guy Who Plays Bass Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Tell him to buy my Genz Benz 410XB-T for $300+shipping. It will make him sound fantastic.
Members Assumer Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Have a GK1001RBII with two Aguilar 1x12s sounds great. The GK seems to go well with the aguilar stuff.
Members oldivor Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Originally posted by Guy Who Plays Bass Tell him to buy my Genz Benz 410XB-T for $300+shipping. It will make him sound fantastic. That and a nice head would work well together IMO.
Members zachoff Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Used... SWR 750 or 500SWR Goliath III.
Members 4string Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Originally posted by megadan It's pretty rare that musicstores would give you good advice like that, imho... they're absolutly right... you should be taking advantage of return policies, etc., and trying out gear with the band... cause it will sound different. It's really hard to tell, sometimes, whether a particular amp/cab combo will cut through with the band or not. I always try my gear live. If the store doesn't have a 100% exchange / return policy I go elsewhere.
Members Emprov Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 It sounds like everything that he's looking at will work in his sitch. Bottom line, he's just going to have to take his bass into the store and try as much stuff as he can and pick what he likes. Here's Genz Benz stuff is pretty highly regarded. I have a GBE 500H head and I like it a lot, the 600 is the current model and paired with a good 410 cab, it's pretty hard to beat.
Members chris dax Posted October 10, 2005 Members Posted October 10, 2005 Originally posted by ARES if he likes the SWR rig, go with the extension cab or check out other SWR rigs. i have a 350x head and goliath III 4x10 cab and love it. Same here - I have an SWR 350 (not x) driving an Avatar 210 and Avatar 112.... we play small to medium clubs, mostly blues rock type stuff..... works great for me although I have had some reliability issues with the SWR... if you haven't checked out the Avatar website it will be worth a couple of minutes of your time....you'll find many users of their cabs here and the company enjoys an excellent custormer service reputation.... www.avatarspeakers.com good luck...c-d
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