[Eggma Blowtorch]

What's up low end guys? I need help choosing an amp. I am going to be playing in a 4 piece band (Guitar, Bass, Drums and Synth). We won't be doing large gigs, the biggest will probably be a high school talent show.

My price range is $200-$300; here are some amps I've been considering:

Behringer ULTRABASS BXL3000 300W 1x15" Bass Combo
http://www.musicians...ombo?sku=481097

Behringer Ultrabass BX1800 Bass Combo 180W
http://www.musicians...ombo?sku=481102

Gallien-Krueger Brat Pack Half-Stack Bass Amp Package
http://www.musicians...kage?sku=482546

Now as you probably noticed, none of these are great. The Ultrabass amps seem to have a speaker that is rated too low, and the Gallien-Krueger amp supposedly distorts horribly when cranked.

Please, help me out GTU--there's got to be an amp out there somewhere that does not suck and will fit my needs & price range. In my opinion, the selection above isn't great. I wish my price range was more flexible but it just isn't. If it's impossible to get a decent amp for this price, I will just save up until I can afford something like a Peavey TNT.

Thanks!

[kkatarn327]

I would definitely go with the GK, they make exceptional bass amps. Even their low-end ones are pretty sweet amps. I've played the one you posted above myself at the GC around here, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that it is a great amp, especially for the money. Definitely better than those Behringers (never been a fan of their bass amps, tbh).

[Eggma Blowtorch]

Thanks. Will 125W really be loud enough for my situation?

[randallflagg]

Thanks. Will 125W really be loud enough for my situation?

Probably not, unfortunately.

Bearing in mind your price range, I would recommend used gear. GK over Behringer any day of the week, but I personally don't care for GK stuff.....Behringer is (for the most part) junk.

As a "general" rule, 350 + wattage in "most" band situations......




RF

This post has been edited by randallflagg: 04 December 2007 - 12:48 AM

[junior01]

Well at the very least 200 watts. But in bass amp the bigger the better. You may want to save some more and get a better amp or go used if you can. Good luck

[Eggma Blowtorch]

thanks everyone. i'm thinking saving up would be the best option.

[Eggma Blowtorch]

just thought i'd chime in and say that i went ahead and bought an ampeg ba 115t by recommendation of a good friend of mine

great amp, the only downside is the really noisy tweeter--if anyone knows of a solution other than disconnecting it i'd be interested in knowing what to do. even with volume, master and treble at 0 it's still noisy

[GoDrex]

Is the thing new? Take it back and get another.

[Eggma Blowtorch]

Is the thing new? Take it back and get another.

yes it is new, however i did research before posting here and found out that it is typical for it to be noisy, unfortunately. so returning it wouldn't do anything.

[GoDrex]

Oh I didn't realize it was a feature.

[Eggma Blowtorch]

hahaha. i sent an email to ampeg tech support, maybe it can be fixed with different wiring or something. who knows!

[junior01]

Yeah sound like there is some bad wirings in there... Is there a seperate volume control for the tweeter?

[Eggma Blowtorch]

Yeah sound like there is some bad wirings in there... Is there a seperate volume control for the tweeter?

I emailed them about the problem, and they responded saying that it's a known problem, both because of how the amp is voiced and the fact that it's a piezo tweeter. since there's no crossover, it won't have any negative effects if i just disconnect it, so that's what im going to do

[junior01]

If you don't mind it, that'll solve all the bad noises you're getting but it will also affect the sound you are getting out of that amp...

[Eggma Blowtorch]

If you don't mind it, that'll solve all the bad noises you're getting but it will also affect the sound you are getting out of that amp...

i disconnected it. to be honest, it sounds better without the tweeter; the 15 inch produces the higher frequencies just as well without the tweeter.

great amp for the money.

[randallflagg]

Congratulations on the new amp!

I am a Ampeg guy. Started out as a Acoustic guy, moved to Sunn, then Traynor and now Ampeg.

Unfortunately, Ampeg has moved their production overseas so there (are) problems being reported at a somewhat "alarming" rate. I don't know if your problem is typical, but I can tell you that (for my money) I am not a happy guy. I have spent a great deal of cash on my equipment (before the overseas move) and have had no problems whatsoever with it. However, when, in the course of time, it becomes necessary to replace it, I will be purchasing gear from another company.....and that's sad. Ampeg USED to be top-notch gear......




RF

[gregsguitarsdotnet]

the Fender bassman ,hands down...the best,ampeg seems to be a choice a lot of bassers make also.