Building a new bass rig - need reccomendations!

[sloop_john_b]

It's now been fourteen months since my relentless gigging schedule commenced. For the first four months, I used the old Peavey 75-watt combo amp that i'd owned for years. Then, in January of this year, I graduated to an Ampeg B200R that I picked up from forumite Scott Doseck.

I've been quite happy with the Ampeg thus far, but we recently got a new drummer (good friend of mine) who is a *very* loud player. This isn't a bad thing, as we previously had very little "oomph" as a band, but I'm starting to feel as if the Ampeg is really stuggling to keep up. I have to seriously push it to get it to the volume I need it to be, and the tone suffers a bit.

After last night's gig, i've been considering my options in possibly building a new rig. One thing i'd change is that rather than a combo, i'd go with a head/cabinet combination. To take it one step further, i'd also be interested in having a smallish rack with at least the amp and a rackmounted tuner, like a Korg. Not sure if i'd need anything else in there, but at least having a couple more spaces would be nice, in case I ever find another cool toy for in there.

As for a cabinet, i'm a bit torn at the moment. I do want something lightweight, but I also want to push more air then I ever have with my amps before. I don't know if I can get both. I also have no idea whats best for me - 10's, or 15's (My tonal preference is a lot of "thump", not even close to the Squire/Lee thing, just barely enough treble so that the tone cuts through the mix).

I like Ampeg stuff, but mainly because I haven't ever used much else. My B200R has been extremely reliable. Tubes are not necessary.

I'm looking to spend around $1500 for the whole shebang.

Any suggestions?

[jps]

MARKBASS!

[rictified]

SVT! (vintage)

[86kubicki]

What Jeff said - MARKBASS!
It's powerful, lightweight gear that sounds fantastic. The LittleMark/LMK heads can be rackmounted and the LMK lets you blend two channels which it's great for running Rickenbackers in stereo.

[gray]

Three guesses what I'm going to say... MARKBASS! You totally won't regret it. Plus, the clarity you get out of them is amazing.
And, my cab is a Markbass too (106HF) and it moves a LOT of air; a breeze.

[86kubicki]

Plus the Markbass Standard 15" cabinets come with a tweeter so you can get a liitle crispness with your thump.
I still need to find a Markbass cabinet to go with my LMK head. I'm thinking of a Standard 2X10 or 1X15 as I don't play large venues. Anyone have either of these cabinets?

[aceonbass]

John, I'd suggest an Ampeg PortaBass 250 and PB212 enclosure. Together they only total about 50 pounds and can usually be had for a good price on the Bay.

[blueflamerick]

I just got a Markbass LMII head yesterday. I've been playing through it at Guitar Center for a couple of weeks. I'm going to be hooking it up to an Ashdown ABM 2 * 10 and a Rick Transonic 2 * 15 cab tonight.

I'd be more interested in the Markbass cabinets if they weren't covered with carpet.

[jwr2]

It is hard to go wrong with Ampeg and 10s ...

[aceonbass]

Come to think of it, at this years SoCal RIC Fest when everyone went to Malone's and set up for the jam, the bass rig that was used was my Ampeg PortaBass 250 head and Portabass 2X10 cab. It sounded really good and I didn't even realize it was my stuff being used until later.

[charlyg]

I have both a Portabass 250 and a B2RE. I tend toward the B2RE cuz I've had it longer, except for the short foray with the SVT... The newer B2s are 450 watts. I would think the Portabass wouldn't be enough difference from the 200 watts yer using now.

A B2RE and a 4x10 would be well within your budget. And Jeff R will agree!!

[86kubicki]

Any updates John? Have you had a chance to give anything a test drive?

[sloop_john_b]

Any updates John? Have you had a chance to give anything a test drive?

I'm going to Guitar Center tomorrow morning to check out some Markbass stuff and some basses! I really like the looks of the LMK head. I can't seem to find any prices online though - any hints here guys?

[jps]

The prices will be the same at all GCs, the only place in the US to get Markbass, so just pick the one you want and pay for it. Simple.
Something different from GC for a change!

[charlyg]

AMPEG!!!!!!