Topic: Need help choosing a good amp (Read 4981 times)

dfwkeys · « **on:** July 06, 2007, 05:08:32 PM »

I need an amp that will play for about 500-1500 people at the max. I ran acroos Ampeg BA-210 SP , and there was nothing but good reviews. I'm looking for punch, volume and tone. The price for this is $649.99, although pricey i'm will to make the investment. Is this worth getting and investing the funds. I know Ampeg is like the Mercedes of all the cars so quality is usually built into it.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2007, 05:41:28 PM »

I'm not sure if that will help if you use it alone. Once you add the band, you might get drowned out. I would suggest at a 4x10 cab and a head. BTW, if Ampeg is the Mercedes, than Eden is the Rolles Royce.

(I had to say that because I love my Eden)

mjl422 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2007, 06:15:25 PM »

Yeah, I'm not sure a 2x10 would cut it unless you get an amp with a DI out and run a line to the house.

dfwkeys · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2007, 07:49:17 PM »

What is a good amp and head that i can get for a max of $650.00, i need something with good tone.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2007, 08:18:04 PM »

will you have PA support?

ddwilkins · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2007, 08:19:41 PM »

for the amount of money you want to spend and the size of audience you're playing with, you might need to search the used market for a good setup.

dfwkeys · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2007, 08:27:47 PM »

Quote from: ddwilkins on July 06, 2007, 08:19:41 PM

for the amount of money you want to spend and the size of audience you're playing with, you might need to search the used market for a good setup.

Well i have goals, right now i'm just starting at with around 100-200 people, but i plan to move up by faith... so eventually i know that i will need a better set, so i figured why not get the best right now.

So let's start with 100-200 people then, i'm looking at some heads, gallien -krueger backline 600 for $299, and a nice cab.

the equipment i'm playing with is a Sketcher custom bass, and a 180 watt peavy combo amp 1x15... is it possible to run a cab through the 180 watt peavey combo amp... (just curious)

fluteminstrel · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2007, 08:32:36 PM »

i use a ampeg ba 210 sp at church and yes it will push a room the size of a warehouse
and i dont have it turned all the way up i use a active 5 string ibanez bass and i have no
problem at all being heard and my church has 600 member and drums and keyboard ,guaitars,horns and flutes it will do the job and will sound very good also best
combo i have ever played on

dfwkeys · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2007, 08:43:30 PM »

Quote from: fluteminstrel on July 06, 2007, 08:32:36 PM

i use a ampeg ba 210 sp at church and yes it will push a room the size of a warehouse
and i dont have it turned all the way up i use a active 5 string ibanez bass and i have no
problem at all being heard and my church has 600 member and drums and keyboard ,guaitars,horns and flutes it will do the job and will sound very good also best
combo i have ever played on

That's all i need to hear is a good testimony. Amen!!! now i'm will purchase this, of course after playing... GuitarCenter is like the Toys R Us for musicians

ddwilkins · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2007, 09:26:43 PM »

There's your answer.

DWBass · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2007, 06:12:02 PM »

My suggestions...........

$299 @ Avatar. Make sure to get a 4ohm cab.

$439 @ Musicians Friend

DWBass · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2007, 06:16:35 PM »

This is a nice deal here, too. Click on the pic.

ssabass · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2007, 07:39:31 PM »

my suggestion would be the gallien-krueger 700rb, or the 1001rb. I just purchased the the 1001rb for a very good price & there is alot of tone & power. I looked at plenty of heads, (edan, ampeg, epifani, hartke, fender, swr, etc). to me not one of them stood up to the gallien-krueger, when your are talking getting most for your $. the 1001rb gave me more of a natural tone, not much coloring. now i'm lost on the cabinets. I'm looking for A cabinet myself. I'v heard good things about the avatar & dr. bass cabinets, but it's all hear say. Since you really can't go to any store to try one. Now for the gallien-krueger, wayman tisdale & norm stockton, endorses gk prouducts. I think they both use the 1001rb or the 2001rb & the neo 212. the neo 212 suppose to be one bad cabinet. The rep from gk said that maurice fitzgerald picked up the neo 412. now that is some pretty good endorsing, wouldn't you say. well thats my 2cents.

DWBass · « **Reply #13 on:** July 07, 2007, 09:02:58 PM »

RE: Avatar cabs............

I currently own 2 (sold a 1x15) and have been a user for 5 years now! Excellent cabs for the money. Great customer service and fast shipping (less than a week)! I'm an experienced musician with over 30+ years of playing and have tried everything under the sun. Avatar can hang despite all the negativity from gear snobs! In addition, I don't think the original poster is looking to spend a ton of money. The 1001RB typically goes for $750 and the 700RB goes for $600. He won't have anything left for a cab!

6stringapprentice · « **Reply #14 on:** July 07, 2007, 10:02:20 PM »

Quote from: fluteminstrel on July 06, 2007, 08:32:36 PM

i use a ampeg ba 210 sp at church and yes it will push a room the size of a warehouse
and i dont have it turned all the way up i use a active 5 string ibanez bass and i have no
problem at all being heard and my church has 600 member and drums and keyboard ,guaitars,horns and flutes it will do the job and will sound very good also best
combo i have ever played on

Dude you are pushing a warehouse size church without reinforcement with just a 2x10. Man that is awesome. My church at college was an old airplane hanger so it is wide I am pushing 1500 watts rms into 6 10's all of which are getting a good workout. I might have to pay ampeg's website a visit. I would recommend a 4x10 with eminence speakers or my personal favorites the madison speakers. avatar seems to build a pretty superior cabinet for not that much money. As far as heads you need to find something to match you cabinet

ssabass · « **Reply #15 on:** July 07, 2007, 10:35:04 PM »

dwbass, no disrespect. But the initial statement was he would be willing to make the investment if needed. for the head he mentioned at 649.00.The reason why the 1001rb usually sales for 750.00 & the 700rb sales for 600.00, is because most people do not do there homework before purchasing anything, they buy on inpulse. The reason I know is because I have been in sells for over 20 yrs. I personelly bought the 1001rb head for 625.00 including taxes, brand new in the box. & the store still made $125.00 profit. you do the math, that should tell you dealers price. Before you buy anything of any value, always do your homework, & never pay what there asking for. It's your job to save as much money as possible when buying & it is the sales persons job to take as much money out of your pocket as they can. you should always be a smart shopper.

ssabass · « **Reply #16 on:** July 07, 2007, 10:46:23 PM »

dwbass, my apologies, I read it wrong, he was looking at a combo. still he should go into the store with his mind set, that he will get what ever, for the amount he wants to spend.

ddwilkins · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2007, 07:02:24 AM »

I would go the route that DW suggested because you'll be able to expand in the future. That's a wiser investment in my opinion.

dfwkeys · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2007, 01:56:18 PM »

Quote from: DWBass on July 07, 2007, 06:12:02 PM

My suggestions...........

$299 @ Avatar. Make sure to get a 4ohm cab.

$439 @ Musicians Friend

I gues i need to educate myself about cabs, what isa 4ohm, in fact, where is a site i can learn all the specs about cabs/ amps etc...

DWBass · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2007, 02:41:48 PM »

Most amps function optimally at 4ohms. Many amps have a rating on the rear panel stating how much wattage is output at 8ohms and at 4ohms. Most amps do not go below 4ohms but there are a handful that go down to 2ohms. So basically, if you only wanted to buy and use 1 cab, you would want to get a 4ohm cab. If you planned to buy another cab and use both, you would get both cabs at 8ohms. 2 8ohm cabs coupled together creates a 4ohm load ensuring the amp outputs it's highest wattage.

Author Topic: Need help choosing a good amp (Read 4981 times)