Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hello,
I have just ordered my first Bass (Ric 4003 in Montezuma Brown) and I need recommendations from experienced Bass Players. I am looking to purchase a bass amplifier with a budget no higher than $500.
1. What brands go well with a Ric? I am considering Yorkville(I play my 360 thru a Traynor YCV 80 2x12)& Ampeg to start.
2. Currently I mainly play at home. How big of a combo? Small combo under 100 watts or larger 200 watts +? Eventually I hope to play with others.
3. If I went with a larger combo is it best to start with 2x10 or 1x15??
4. Last, Are their any brands/models to avoid. I would rather pay more up front for quality.
Thank you for your time.
MURPH

Murph - welcome.
I'd have to throw my recommendation towards an Ampeg BA 115 combo. It is 100 watts with 1 15" speaker. I play with a 4 piece band in small bars and have never had a problem with volume. I rarely get above 3. This combo also has an XLR line out so if we ever do an outdoor festival I can run a line to the board and keep the amp as a monitor. I believe Musician's Friend has them for under $500. That is where I got mine.

Well... I can tell you that I play most clubs in my band with a 4003, a Carvin 60W 1x15 combo amp and an Aphex Punch Factory. We play pop-based rock and are not super loud but loud enough anyway.

I also have a 300W Behringer head and a GK 1x15 cabinet that I use for bigger places but I don't like that thing very much.

I generally don't need much more than that though because if we are being mic'ed then the PA fills the room and my Carvin is just there as stage monitor/sound.

If you are playing at home or in cafes or smallish clubs you really don't need more than 100W absolute max - the volume knob will never get past 2 or 3.

Alan, the Punch Factory is a comp, right?

A nice used Ampeg SVT-3 Pro head can be had for around $500.

B2R, and a 4X10.

Personally, I'm an Ampeg guy- especially a nice old SVT head and cab but that's a whole lotta lugging around and the 8x10 won't fit in a car. I would try out some transistor and tube amps-if you don't think tubes are better sounding, you could enjoy the advantages of transistor amps-increased reliability and lower maintenance costs. I'm getting ready to dodge the impending arrows right now for this statement. For tubes-again I agree--Ampeg. For transistor amps, I like SWR, Line 6, Gallien Kruger although the Gallien doesn't like being bounced around.I say invest in a good road case too if your amp is going to be bounced around. Personally, I haven't liked anything Peavey i've tried. I have found they color the sound and impart a "Peavey" sound of their own. Whenever I plugged into one with my Ric, I thought "sounds more like the Peavey than the Ric"-here come more arrows!

If you go combo, I recommend you find one with an effects loop if you plan on using any effects. Also for maximum longevity, I recommend you stay away from any speakers that have a foam surround-they deteriorate over time, unlike rubber surrounds.

I agree with Greg ... I also use an ampeg b2r and 4 10s ... and I put the bass pod between the bass and the amp ...

John,

Alan, the Punch Factory is a comp, right?

Yes, it is an optical compressor.

My Carvin combo has an effects loop. It's a decent solid state unit and is very competitively priced.

I just recently joined the B2 & 4x10(Hartke tho, I like the aluminum cones)club. I haven't figured out the Bass Pod Xt live yet, and I love the sound I'm getting without it. Go figure!

First, Buy a van . Then Buy an old SVT with the full 8 -10 cab . Add one roadie and your set for life . Or his wich ever comes first

FWIW

1. Marshall Major w/KT88's! And prerequisite hearing aid.
2. Ampeg SB-12 w/JBL K120
3. Fender Bassman 10 w/D110's

IMHO-keep in mind I never play these thangs...

$500 range guys... Isn't an Ampeg 8x10 something like $1200 for the cabinet alone! Really, all the suggestions are good ones. Getting an amp is always a pretty complicated consideration.

I've seen/played through a few Ampeg 1x15 cabs...the only thing about that is the wattage. There's a hi-power version that has *I think* 220 Watts...the ones I've seen are 100 W. From experience, 100 W gets lost in the drums and guitar(s) pretty quick. If you are supporting with a PA you practically get away with almost anything with a mic or DI.

And speaking of a DI, the Ampegs have one I think. That could be a big factor in an amp.

$500 is a tough range, since the better stuff is a bit more (the Eden Nemesis 2x12 combo I lust for is about $800), and there's some low end stuff that has a speckled reputation for a reason.

The Behringer heads were disparaged (kidding a little...they don't sell the 300 W head now (which was about $200), they have a 450 W version for about $260. You can find folks flipping these on eBay new, so you can sometimes do better than the regular price.

These Behringers are copies of Ashdown heads, and are good bang for the buck. I have a 300 W model, been beating it up regularly for a couple years, and it's showing no signs of wear. A solid unit...it's a good unit after you GAS for a better amp to have around as a BU. And it serves pretty well as a power amp section for a pre-amp.

But I have to agree it's a pretty lifeless sound. I keep the EQ just slightly bumped off flat to help cut through the band, and rely on the bass to make a good sound...

With a head you'll need a cabinet. Take in consideration what sort of dimensions you have to transport it with, because the more speakers the better (not necessarily bigger speakers). A 1-15" will work, but IMO it will not give an especially good bass sound by itself, and the physics of the sound waves you'll hear on stage will be poor. 2x15's will move more air, which automatically makes things better, but they are a bear to move...

2x10's are a common starter (I have a Carvin RL210) cabinet...two speakers move a decent amount of air, the 10"s do a good job reproducing all the frequencies the bass guitar makes, they're not too big. They're also not going to grow with you and take a 1000 W amp very well. There are sometimes deals to be found on 2x10's, certainly within your budget you can get a low end that will work OK with the cheap head in the $200 range...

So viola! After all that blubber my recommendation is a cheap $260 Behringer head and a cheap off-brand from eBay 2x10...heck you could get 2 decent 10's from carvin for $150 and install them in an empty 2x10 (probably about $100 off the 'bay), spend $10 on a soldering iron and a little wire, and have a cheap cab that would at least have good speakers...

If you could find a 4x10 Ampeg Cabinet with a 700 W Peavey Firebird (I think) head for $500, grab it! Something like that would be a great rig (although a fairly big cabinet) that could stay by your side for years of different situations. But that's more likely going to push $750 even for a good used set like that...

An Ampeg B100R 100watts combo maybe could fit the budget...small, vintage style, 15 inch speaker...
I am trying to fine one here