ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
- redchapterjubilee
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ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
I find myself in need of finding a budget bass amp in a hurry. Something loud, doesn't sound horrible, and is cheap. Like sub $300 if possible. Normally I'd say Peavey TNT for such a thing but I know there have been amps made since 1980 that might also fall into this category. The drummer I'll be playing with is loud but not stupid loud, and I am likely to leave my 100w amps at home for this project. Thinking a 200w bass amp with an efficient speaker/cab would be enough for said venture? Y'all got any suggestions on solid sleeper cheap bass amps?
- HarlowTheFish
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
The TC Electronic amps are actually really great if you need clean power, sound pretty good, and I've seen them go for super cheap. Might not be in your budget now with used prices rising, but those are really great. Fender Rumbles are also pretty impressive for the budget, and honorable mention to Markbass if you can find anything in the price range you want.
- redchapterjubilee
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
the bassist in my regular band sometimes uses a Rumble 500 and I know it's got the volume. Finding one of those with a cabinet or as a combo for my budget is difficult. I'll look into TC. Thank you!
- stevejamsecono
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
Peavey Mark Series is still the best for cheap bass amps, imo. Easily still found on craigslist for next to nothing so you can get a lot for your money. Other old solid state from that era (Randall, Carvin) should work too. 90s GK stuff as well might work if you're into 'that' sound.
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- Pepe Silvia
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
I was eyeing up the Peavey Bass 400 since Lou Barlow uses one and his tone is great, even if the Bass 400 is one of 3 amps that he uses live and not his whole sound.stevejamsecono wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:06 amPeavey Mark Series is still the best for cheap bass amps, imo. Easily still found on craigslist for next to nothing so you can get a lot for your money. Other old solid state from that era (Randall, Carvin) should work too. 90s GK stuff as well might work if you're into 'that' sound.
It really seems old Sunn amps have gone up in price. I remember Concert Basses being sold on here when I joined for about $200.
- SignoftheDragon
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
I'm brainstorming on a similar line- I've recently come into a couple of Steinberger basses, and want to explore the possibilities of the sub-$500 bass amp range.
I'm a huge fan of 'that 90s GK' sound, so I've been lurking around after something like that, but I'm not sure if I can keep it under the budget for as loud as I want- I'm thinking 200W minimum.
Bloke in one of my hero bands in the 90s local scene had a GK MicroBass 200 watt combo that only had a 12" speaker, but it would punch you in the gut- even on large club stages. I'm hoping to approximate the tonez and balls from my memories of those shows.
I'm a huge fan of 'that 90s GK' sound, so I've been lurking around after something like that, but I'm not sure if I can keep it under the budget for as loud as I want- I'm thinking 200W minimum.
Bloke in one of my hero bands in the 90s local scene had a GK MicroBass 200 watt combo that only had a 12" speaker, but it would punch you in the gut- even on large club stages. I'm hoping to approximate the tonez and balls from my memories of those shows.
- MechaBulletBill
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
i think it's still those old peaveys for the best cost:sound ratio. or, as said above, the new rumbles are very good. old trace elliots are rugged and dependable even if they sound a bit meh.
- DrQuasar
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
It's gonna be hard to beat an old Peavey sub $300.
I was curious so I looked and saw this: https://asheville.craigslist.org/msg/d/ ... 47740.html
It's definitely going to be loud enough. We had one of these at my high school I used to play bass with the marching band sometimes and it was freaking loud. I could drown out the drumline.
I was curious so I looked and saw this: https://asheville.craigslist.org/msg/d/ ... 47740.html
It's definitely going to be loud enough. We had one of these at my high school I used to play bass with the marching band sometimes and it was freaking loud. I could drown out the drumline.
- Beebe
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
Check out Traynor. A quick search turned up a lightweight SB500H Small Block 500-Watt Bass Amp Head on Reverb for $299. And if you are in a big hurry you can try a PA amplifier with a small mixer and/or mic pre in front of it.
Without music, life would be a mistake.
- cestlamort
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
The Peavy Mark series is our equivalent to the great HH amps our European friends enjoy: cheap and sound great.
- stevejamsecono
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
I think the advent of gear forums and the proliferation of doom metal took care of that. Good luck getting a Sunn for anything close to a reasonable price these days.Pepe Silvia wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:18 amI was eyeing up the Peavey Bass 400 since Lou Barlow uses one and his tone is great, even if the Bass 400 is one of 3 amps that he uses live and not his whole sound.stevejamsecono wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:06 amPeavey Mark Series is still the best for cheap bass amps, imo. Easily still found on craigslist for next to nothing so you can get a lot for your money. Other old solid state from that era (Randall, Carvin) should work too. 90s GK stuff as well might work if you're into 'that' sound.
It really seems old Sunn amps have gone up in price. I remember Concert Basses being sold on here when I joined for about $200.
Honestly I bet the 90s Peavey stuff is cheap/good too if you want something more recent. Not entirely sure what they were making for bass amps at that time but I have to imagine it's similar.
Also just word to the wise -- as much as it's a cesspool personally Facebook Marketplace is probably your best bet for a deal now. Craigslist having been thoroughly gamed by people who are watching Reverb too closely. FB is where the proverbial "weird old widow throwing our her husbands stuff" still happens.
And you find out life isn't like that
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam
Resident Yamaha Fanboy
COYS
It's so hard to understand
Why the world is your oyster but your future's a clam
Resident Yamaha Fanboy
COYS
- SignoftheDragon
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
I've got a couple here locally that I'm going to go check out (same dood is selling both of them):
Fender Rumble 200 for $280
Ampeg BA115V2 for $300- this one pricks my interest most, but even the seller admits it's HEAVY and a beast to move.
Fender Rumble 200 for $280
Ampeg BA115V2 for $300- this one pricks my interest most, but even the seller admits it's HEAVY and a beast to move.
- Zork
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
Another vote for Peavey Mark series here, but to suggest something new: I thought the Kustom Deep End delivered a solid rock tone when I had one. The Warwick WA600 is a clean monster that can be had for under 300 brand new. Totally underrated amp, imo, but it literally stays clean forever.
- redchapterjubilee
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
Saw that one. If it didn’t have input issues I’d go get it.DrQuasar wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 12:17 pmIt's gonna be hard to beat an old Peavey sub $300.
I was curious so I looked and saw this: https://asheville.craigslist.org/msg/d/ ... 47740.html
It's definitely going to be loud enough. We had one of these at my high school I used to play bass with the marching band sometimes and it was freaking loud. I could drown out the drumline.
- jthomas
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Re: ISO Advice on Sleeper/Budget Loud Bass Amps
I have considered getting one of these, but have not seen one in the "flesh." Anybody ever try one?
https://reverb.com/item/6340578-trace-e ... ollup=true
https://reverb.com/item/6340578-trace-e ... ollup=true
Last edited by jthomas on Thu Mar 11, 2021 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.