Question for a friend

stubby · Post by **stubby** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:07 pm

Hi everyone-my first post on the bass forum I think. I have a friend who's son just bought a Fender Jazz bass. He's looking for a bass amp head (looking to spend $600/Cdn or less-that translates into about $500 US). He'd also like some input into possible cabinets. I'm way out of my ken with bass gear but, fortunately, I know a great place to get sage advice! What are your thoughts?

loendmaestro · Post by **loendmaestro** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:08 pm

A couple of nice Canadian options....
I have the XS400 & think quite highly of it.

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?id=247&cat=15&type=32

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?id=263&cat=40&type=32

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 6:30 pm

You're gonna hear a lot of Ampeg talk here, but, for the money, and my experience, GK can't be beat. I've had my GK400RBIII for 4 years now, and I never have to worry about it, PLENTY of power and it's solid as a rock. And you can get one well under $500.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 7:13 pm

A used Ampeg SVT-3 Pro could be had for $500-600USD and would be a real performer.

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 8:10 pm

Don't be afraid to look into the used market as well. So many people get buyers remorse and end up having to sell lightly used stuff on craigslist or back to Guitar Center for nothing....great way to take that next upgrade step without spending the $$$.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:58 pm

for valves-Traynor

icabod · Post by **icabod** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 1:23 am

Check Dave at Encore Music in Toronto..416 691 2686..I've seen old ampeg v4b brains for 375.-400., you should find a speaker cab there also...R

basse · Post by **basse** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:03 am

If you're in Toronto the 2 best used gear shops are Capsule Music and Songbird - both on Queen West, west of Bathurst.

If you're looking for something absolutely killer and don't mind paying "new" prices you might want to check out Dave at Club Bass - his website is www.clubbass.ca - and you can see everything that he has in stock. He's the only guy in town that carries the real, high-end stuff.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:18 am

Quote ... "You're gonna hear a lot of Ampeg talk here"

that's because Ampeg is a very good bass amp ...

my advice ... go to the music store and try them out in person ... SWR, GK, Ampeg, and others will all get the job done ... I went into guitar center determined to buy a GK but after trying everything I came out with ampeg ...

for a discount price a good choice is crate or beringer ...

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 3:58 am

A GK 400 served me well for many years before I got my Ampeg rig.

ricosound · Post by **ricosound** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 4:14 am

I'm using SWR now but I agree, get a GK RB400 and a 2 10" cab to start. Later the kid can add a 15" or more 10's. Probably the most versitile way to start and build a system. Ampeg can come later if he's going to do stadiums.

Although the Ampeg Portabass looks cool. Coupled with some of the new light NEO 10" speakers, now you're talking portability + tone. I may give something like this a try next. Probably priced out of reach for a kid starting out though.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 7:37 am

The only reason I said that was because of his price range. It's hard to get anything decent in the Ampeg line for that price. I'm not dissing Ampeg at all.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:04 am

GK makes good stuff ... I just like ampeg a little more ... SWR is good too ...

gothbin · Post by **gothbin** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:36 am

I bought my Eden WT 300 second hand for about 500 dollars seversal years ago, and I still like it. Later on I bought a Mesa Powerhouse 2 x 10" cab for it. I also own a Peavey 4 x 10" for use on stage with the before mentioned rig. All not to expensive, yet good......

bobcat · Post by **bobcat** » Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:26 pm

I'm one of the few people who probably doesn't like Ampeg . . . I've played several (though most extensively on one of those 100W combos that I was considering buying) and didn't like any of them. I dunno, maybe I'm EQ challenged, but they were all very boomy and thumpy to me, no matter what I did. However, tons of people love them, so I'm sure the problem's on my end somewhere.

Personally, I'm looking into Ashdown right now. For not much money, you can get some very nice-sounding amps, and for a bit more, you can get one of their higher-end cabinets too.