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Noobie help...Guitar and amp suggestions!?!?

H-Gray
Posts: 11
Hey Guys
Its my first time posting on here, just got a few questions which I would like to run by you

Started teaching myself bass around 8 months ago, I purchased a basic bass starter pack to get myself up and running with. The starter pack only came with a 15w amp and its really not that good, which is expected I guess.

Just wondering if you guys have any suggestions on good amp combos for around £200.

I have found this one on amazon, the link is below. Its a 300w Behringer, I've heard bad things about the brand but it seems to have a good write up and they are getting better. Purely just practicing at the moment and want something with a bit more noise than my 15watt amp.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-BXL3000A-Ultrabass-Channel-Amplifier/dp/B000LAWEDK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432054712&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+bass+amp+300

My second question is what bass guitars would you suggest?. I like to play hard rock/ metal songs, so is there any stand out basses which have that edge in these genres for around £450 or less? I would like something which is quality, reliable and sounds good! I heard the Ibanez SR500 or the Epiphone Thuderbird are some of the best?

Thanks for reading guys, sorry that its a bit long winded
Also thanks for the guys who are putting the tabs up for the songs, they are really useful, great site!

Harry


IamMark
Posts: 1103
Before you lay down 200 quid on a new amp/combo you need to know what you're wanting to do first. Sounds like you're on your way to playing with others and playing small venue shows? Right? Where do you see your playing in the next 2 to 3 years?

The only reason I say this is because if you're going to limit your budget for something like this, you need to get the most out of every pound for what you plan on using it for.

If your goal is to play small room gigs, or just jam with friends in the garage, then a combo amp with 150W should be plenty.

Wanting to buy a separate amp head and speaker cabinets isn't really necessary, in my opinion, unless you're playing large venue shows and want to use your cab to hear yourself play.

It's been my experience that you can get away with plugging in to a PA system with some effect pedals and keep things “light” for you. If you're playing with a band that doesn't have a good PA system and you need to have your own set up, anything larger than 300W may not be needed. Unless your guitarist is a douchebag and drowns everyone out with his Marshal stack.

I've heard mixed reviews on Behringer products. They're on the lower price point, but the old adage of “you get what you pay for” seems to ring true with Behringer.

Ampeg makes a nice combo amp http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BA115v2. I'm not a fan of 15-inch speakers, but I've heard great things about this amp.
H-Gray
Posts: 11
Thanks for the reply Mark, I guess the only reason I was drawn to the Behringer was due to the 300watt power, I stupidly thought maybe the bigger the better. The plan is just to mess about in the garage and turn it up. I was just unsure about the size of the combo amp I guess, but if 150W is plenty I will look around for that size and the Ampeg brand!
You mentioned effect pedals? What type of pedals do you find useful as I have been looking into them recently but I don't know a great deal about them?

Thanks
IamMark
Posts: 1103
I am new to effects pedals. I was anti-effects for a long time, because I thought I was a bass “purist” and only used EQ and compressor. But I recently bought the Digitech BP355 and I'm diggin it. I bought it mostly for the recording capabilities on my computer, but it has XLR outputs that allow me to plug right in to my buddy's PA system. All I carry around now is my bass and pedal board.

I also own a 400W solid state amp (Yorkville) and 4x10 speaker cabinet (Eden). I have yet to turn the volume knob past 4.

Bigger is not always better. Buy what sounds good to you, and what you think is better suited for what you want to do.
Marko1960
Posts: 3143
Ibanez bass, Fender Rumble amp. Bosh
MotorMog
Posts: 809
That's a pretty decent budget for a garage band type set up

Epiphone thunderbird pro-iv gets my vote I've had it for over 18 months now and it's definitely a keeper

I was using a rumble 75 and the overdrive channel produced some nice gritty tones but in the end it wast enough to compete with the other two noisy guitarist

So went with a kustom 2x10 cab and the tc electronics BH250 head which has tone prints so no need for a separate effects pedal

By the look of your Amazon link your in the uk/Europe so I would suggest having a look at the thomann website as you can save a lot of ££££ on your gear http://www.thomann.de/gb/index.html





Marko1960
Posts: 3143
Line 6 Lowdown 400 watt head, great value modelling amp with power to spare
H-Gray
Posts: 11
Hey guys
Thanks for all the replies, you have definitely given me a lot of food for thought!!
I shall check out the website which you posted MotorMog, if I can save some pennies even better

Thanks again!!
H-Gray
Posts: 11
Hey guys its me again!!

Finally decided to go with a Fender Rumble 75W as I think it would suit me down to the ground for what I want, and the reviews on it are solid. But… it seems to have been discontinued and I cant find it anywhere available for sale in the UK!!!!

Is there any similar alternatives you guys would suggest! Im gutted that I cant find it for sale, im still searching about for the Fender Rumble but a back up idea would be ideal!

I have found this one, link below.
http://www.thomann.de/gb/laney_rb3_richter_bass.htm#bewertung

Thanks again!
Marko1960
Posts: 3143
Theres a 100 watt Fender Rumble on ebay right now,57 quid starting bid, no bids and two days to go, pick up from London only though
MotorMog
Posts: 809
I have a pretty much mint 75 with a roqsolid cover and could perhaps part with it for the right price!
only problem is that its a bit on the heavy side to post without costing a small fortune so you would have to pick up from West Sussex so probably not ideal

Not sure about the Laney,up your budget slightly and you can get a more power than you will probably ever need with a head and cab

Ashdown Toneman head and a matching 1x15 will set you back about £240 plus a tenner or so for speaker cable

Only thing to watch out for buying from thomann is the euro to pound exchange rate as it can be a few pounds either way depending on the market

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