Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I'll be playing the bass in an actual band again (!) and I need to get a decent amp to go with my 4003.

I've got about $600 to spend. We play indie pop - people say we sound like Belle and Sebastian, the Smiths, the Lucksmiths, the Housemartins, and so forth. So we aren't too loud ourselves, but we will need to play shows. (Got a show at the Crocodile in Seattle in December, and a number of indie labels interested in our demo!)

I'm thinking...combo amp, 12" or so, DI out to the PA, quality build, great sound... I prefer American made, but I'm not sure that's possible in this price range.

any recommendations?

Try a Carvin! I used to have a Carvin combo and it was amazingly versatile, right in your price range, and it THUMPED!
http://carvin.com/products/group.php?CID=BA
And....Made in USA!

I have heard good things about the carvin amps but have never tried one.

Yorkville Bassmaster 200 combo - your choice of 2x10s or 1x15.
Great amp for a great price, and...made in Canada!!

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?id=197&cat=15&type=32

I've got a Carvin RL 1000, tons of power and tone for the bux.

I recently bought a used Gallien Kreuger 700RB 1x15 combo amp on eBay, and I'm quite pleased with it. Plenty of power, bi-amp feature that independently feeds a hi-freq horn for plenty of snap. The tilt-back cabinet, roller wheels, and pull-up luggage handle almost makes me want to see if it will fit in under the seat in front of me ;^). It's heavy, though, about 75 pounds, but there are four handles and I can still fit it into the back seat of my '95 Accord. I paid around $600 for it in good used condition, but list is about $1,200. Me likey!

Sam Ash is running a close out special on a Hartke combo... 2x10 aluminumn cones, 140 watts, EQ.....$279.00

I've liked the Ampeg B100's I've played through (although I've never owned one) or heard with other bands (including a friend who plays a 4001 with tapewound strings through one). I'm pretty sure they can be had for well less than $600, and would definitely work well for that indie-pop sound.

A brand new B100R is $499 at GC. Plus, GC is running a 14 months same as cash financing promotion right now. That would help your cash flow a bit or even allow you to go up to a larger model.

You should be able to score a used Ampeg B-100R for $350 on a bad day. Less if luck and timing are on your side. Not a personal favorite, but good bang-for-buck ratio.

You might find an SWR Redhead in the $600 range. Also look into Peavey and Eden's lower price lines.

On the tube side, you may find an Ampeg B-15 for that kind of cash. Keep in mind this is not a very loud amp, so you may want to pass if stage volume is a problem.

Also be on the lookout for a cheap head to match with an Avatar cabinet. Most start at under $300 shipped, leaving you a decent amount of cash for a stand alone head.

In that same topic, anyone tried the Peavey Bam 210 with their Rick ????

Let me know, I seriously consider buying one, but need opinions. I am used to play with 15" drivers, and want to know if the 210 will give the low end but also give me better definition. I currently play with a Peavey Combo 115, which is good, but not enough powerful and definition.

This looks to be a pretty good deal.
http://www.gbase.com/gearlist/guitar_picture.asp?guitar=591545
I have one it’s a great combo – use it along with a 2x10 Mesa Powerhouse cab.