What's the best bass amp for around 600 or less?

[the_Chris]

Hey guys, a really good friend of mine wants to upgrade his 10w solid state practice amp and wants something somewhat decent with atleast enough power to do jamming with.

Since you guys have probably played it all on the road to the highend gear you all have now, do any of you have any recommendations (preferably) in the 600 or less range? I don't think he really has any idea what's out there in terms of different soundscapes for a bass (as do I) and would appreciate any feedback. Thanks :)

[The Golden Boy]

A few months ago I sold a Hartke 7000 for $200.

You also might be able to find an old GK 800RB for not too much.

For a cab- I like 15s. So I'd look for a 1x15 cab without a horn.

That's just me.

[John Phillips]

I would get the best used Peavey $600 will buy.

No, I'm not being funny... it's solid, dependable, loud, reasonably good-sounding gear that doesn't hold its value all that well, so you'll get a lot for your money.

[otaypanky]

I'm a newbie to bass, but playing guitar for 45 years. Since starting in with bass a few months ago, I went through a few amps already. A GK Backline 115 was ok, but left me pretty cold. Then I tried an Ampeg BA115 that I was able to get used for 200 (USA made) that sounded Way better. A pretty nice amp. I saw that Sam Ash online had a few a week ago, B stock, for $279, otherwise they're about $350. I'm selling that to a friend as I heard an Ampeg B 100 R Rocket Bass, and realized THAT was the sound I wanted. I really like it. I found it (USA made) at the Muzic Store, Dobbs Ferry, NY.
I think they still have one left, new in the box, $499, $5.00 shipping
Look up the # online and ask for Jaime ~

[Tarrant]

Peavey Firebass Head + Avatar cab of choice ~$600

Would be a killer rig for someone jsut starting out.

By buying on craigslist I was able to pickup a GK Backline 600 Head (Extremely underated head for not alot of dough if you like the GK sound) for $100 plus a half tank a gas to go pick it up, and an Avatar 4x10 for $250, so for a little over $350 I got a "smallish" but completely gigworthy backup rig. Honestly for $600 i'd probably be looking into a combo something with neo speakers, so it's light and portable, but with enough power that in the future you could drive and additional speaker cab if you needed to expand.

[phatster]

+1.....You sir are Mr. CommonSense!!!:RoCkIn

[RobertUi]

First time that I've chimed in here, but I have to give me thumbs up to the head with an Avatar cab... I've got 3 Avatar Cabs and LOVE them (1x12, 2x12, 2x10) in fact I'm about to add a 4x10 to the mix for complete versatility. I run a GenzBenz GBE600 head that I HIGHLY recommend for the ability to get some vintage tone and some really hi-fi sounds as well. OTOH you just can beat a Peavey head for the value and reliability.

Just thought I'd say :-)

[Antero]

The Ampeg B100R (or the B200R) is an excellent jamming/rehearsing/small gig amp. Far louder than size would suggest.

[teleclarkster]

+1 on the GBE-600. I picked up a very clean one used and love it.

[the_Chris]

Thanks for the "heads" up guys, I appreciate the feedback! :)

[the_Chris]

UPDATE!

Soooo..... I went shopping with my buddy Henry today and had him try out various stuff at Guitar Center (some various 1x15'' combos, a Line 6 300w SS and 220w Ampeg come to mind), but they weren't really all that loud for what he wanted (and that was something I was concerned about and pointed out to him).

We ended up taking a trip to Daddy's Junky Music and I was floored at the amount of used bass stuff they had. Everything from Ampeg to Hartke to Crate to Gallien Krueger to Dave Eden. Out of the corner of my eye, what do I see? A Peavey 700w Firebass amp (I was ecstatic because I couldn't find any for sale online - they were discontinued)! As soon as he plugged in, he was floored (as was I for the price - he got it for only $370). What took the longest amount of time was finding the right cabinet. He tried a few Hartke 4x10s and wasn't real thrilled with them (seemed a bit muddy and lacked some punch), tried a Peavey 1x18 (too muddy and way too woofy) and finally settled on a Hartke 115TP 1x15'' cab. The cab I don't think is rated for too much (150w or so I think), but it moved air extremely well, had a really killer lowend punch (which is perfect for his hard rock style) and kept its composure for quite a while (as much as the 400w and 300w rated Hartke 4X10 cabs - still trying to make sense of that, but that's another story). Man, that Peavey had a lot of really usable tones in it and it was great to see him end up with an amp that runs cool and had loads of power on tap - I think he'll be able to hold his own in a loud rock band now :AOK

Sure enough, walked out with a halfstack for $610. We jammed afterwards and I gotta admit, I was pretty impressed with the tone. For right now, he's on cloud 9, but in due time I think I'll have to talk him into trying some Eden cabs (or maybe step up to an Ampeg - one of those baby steps sort of things) :D

Thanks for the advice guys! The Peavey really seems like a heavy duty piece of equipment and reliability was a huge concern so it looks like this one'll work out perfect (I was looking at some Hartke stuff due to the lower prices, but saw too many overheating issues with them discussed on the net). Henry is thanking you all right now :)

[Tarrant]

Awesome finding gear that meets exactly what you want is always a great feeling :BEER

You did good, the Firebass is a literally a freaking' tank that just won't quick and should give you plenty of power and options for the future. There are a myriad of cabs out there for the future, some of my favorites are the Markbass, Bag End, Avatar, and Eden.

[The Golden Boy]

As the Kool Aid guy would say "oh yeah!"

[jzucker]

markbass blows everything else away

[Mudder]

Would the Markbass have met the $600 budget? I've only heard about them, never seen or heard one in person. Good reputation.

[jzucker]

Would the Markbass have met the $600 budget? I've only heard about them, never seen or heard one in person. Good reputation.

got mine for $599 shipped from guitar center in arlington, IL

[Earth Machine]

markbass blows everything else away


Jack...have you had any experience with the Eden Nemesis NC210? I've heard nothing but good from the talkbass crowd on these....and at 47 lbs., and $730 it seems comparable to the Markbass combo.

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/regular/8/4/8/228848.jpg

[jzucker]

i haven't tried the eden combo but I did have a WT-550 and it was way overrated in terms of power. It was more like 1/2 it's rated power whereas the markbass seems to have 2x it's rated power. However, I've heard mixed results about the markbass cabs and combos. I haven't had a chance to try the cabs myself and since I'm very happy with my epifani cabs, I'm not in much of a hurry to try the markbass but I am curious. Which eden head is in the combo?

[Earth Machine]

I'm not sure - I assume it's based on their "Nemesis" line of heads (the amplification unit on the combo is not available by itself as an actual head unit.)

[Garbanzoman]

UPDATE!

snip....
and finally settled on a Hartke 115TP 1x15'' cab. The cab I don't think is rated for too much (150w or so I think), but it moved air extremely well, had a really killer lowend punch (which is perfect for his hard rock style) ....snip

He might need another cab if he's going to get very loud in a band situation. I've fried a few under powered bass cabs while out on the road (thank you, backline guys!). He could be ok, but it's something to keep and eye on. The Firebass is 700W into what ohm load?

[Mr. Mandolin]

700 watts @ 2 ohms / 475 watts @ 4 ohms / 275 watts @ 8 ohms