Searching for the right amp for reheasal and small club gigs.

[cram]

I'm in the middle stages of getting a band ready to play out and the best part is we're a trio made up entirely of brothers. Neither of my brothers playing drums or bass have played out and I've been taking the lead in getting them outfitted with the proper gear. We're writing music and it's a thrill to be jamming with good people...

On to the gear.

The drumset has been secured by the fortunate timing of his birthday and passing the hat for contributions. He's very happy and we've been playing more.

Now turning bass... He's gotten himself a bass that he is quite happy with and things are working out on that end, but he's still playing out of a spare amp I've had for years - Peavey KB300. It produces the bass nice enough, but I've been thinking it's time to get something with more punch.

I've been checking local craigs and going to local shops, but nothing's catching me. Anyone have any suggestions of where to search for the right amp?

We play rock based music. We cover songs, but primarily write music and jam out. We'd like something to really fill the room, but hoping for something sub $400..

Anyone happy with something in that criteria that would like to weigh in??

much thanks for any discussion..

marc

[Swampash]

I'm probably going to get pounded by the "real" bass players here for this suggestion....but here goes: Check out one of the Line 6 Lowdown series amps. The tones are very good, and the D.I. is excellent. It'll give you enough volume for smaller venues, and through a decent PA, work for larger gigs as well.

The other "intangible" they offer is the ability to - in a live situation - "audition" different brands of bass amp to see how they fit your style. Yeah, I know the models aren't perfect; but that's not the point. They'll get you 90% or more of the way there - enough to be able to discern the difference between several different options. If, at some time, you decide that you've "outgrown" the Line 6, you'll have a better idea what you'd like next. My bet is that you'll find it plenty good enough.

When I was at NAMM, I went to the 65 Amps party where Mike Cambell and The Dirty Knobs were playing. Mike's bass player was using the largest Line 6.

I found this curious, suprising even, as Mike himself is a tone freak and a real perfectionist regarding all aspects of the band's sound. So, I went and talked to the bass player (who's name I've since forgotten), to see why he'd made that particular choice. It turns out that he was one of the beta-testers for Line 6 (not an endorser though), and just really liked what it brought to the table. He has other rigs; but said that he uses the Line 6 about 80% of the time. He mentioned that he really like the D.I.'s, and how good the amp sounded through the FOH - I had heard that too - and the performance it had, given it's size.

BTW, as we were talking, Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow's guitar player/music director) came over to talk some. It turns out that he and the bass player had been out on tour for 6 months or so together. Peter had nothing but good things to say about him.

[dillonfiore]

Ashdown makes some decent stuff for under $400.00. Very light weight too.