Author Topic: Amp choices? (Read 127 times)

skydigger · « **on:** December 16, 2007, 04:56:30 PM »

I'm new to the bass, and although i don't own an Alembic, my bass has Alembic P activators.

I'm looking for an amp (under $750) for eventual jamming etc. I'd like an amp with a headphone jack (I'm an apartment dweller), so any recommendations would be welcome.

My first question is do i need an amp with an active input or can i get away with something else?

thanks.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** December 16, 2007, 05:44:08 PM »

There's an Eden Metro on Ebay right now with a BIN of $800.

keavin · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2007, 04:31:18 AM »

Also look at some combo amps before buying one so you'll know what ur getting.....good luck dude! http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=combo+bass+amps

skydigger · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2007, 09:15:39 AM »

Yeah, I've been reading all about them, but the problem is I live in the Yukon so I have to buy w`out trying it out...

matthew90046 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2007, 10:32:12 AM »

What sort of music do you plan on playing? Are you looking for an amp with a clear/transparent sound or something with a little more character?

I personally like some of the older (and sometimes low budget) amps for their own character. Example: I recently changed out my fancy 4x10 Bag End cab for an old 2x15 SUNN from the 1970?s and I couldn?t be happier. (I?m sure some readers will think I am mad).

As far as a headphone out... Don?t make that a deciding factor. You can always get a little battery powered amp for your headphones .

(Message edited by matthew90046 on December 17, 2007)

skydigger · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2007, 11:44:19 AM »

I'm into reggae and classic rock mostly (no distortion or any effects).

I'm gonna check out the 1 pawn shop in town and see what kind of old amps they've got sitting around.

I just found out there is a Yorkville dealer in town, so my fellow Canadians have been recommending the XM200. It comes in a 1 x 15 or a 2 x 10, so I'll give them a test before I'm forced to buy online.

southpaw · « **Reply #6 on:** December 18, 2007, 01:50:44 PM »

I highly recommend the Yorkvilles. I have the XM50 & XM200 and they are great amps with amazing sound, build quality and customer support. Our Canadian friends make a top shelf amp.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** December 18, 2007, 11:52:40 PM »

I've been (guitar) playing on many reggae festivals over the past 3 years and by far the most popular amp I've seen on stage for the reggae bands is Ampeg. Second is Eden. The former bass player from Steel Pulse uses Eden and swears by it.

I know ampeg is not cheap, especially here in the UK.
In the past when I was gigging locally, a lot of bass players found the Acoustic brand of bass amps and cabs to be popular.
Hope that helps
Jazzyvee

tbrannon · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2007, 11:21:05 AM »

I've owned Yorkville amps in the past and always thought they sounded great- they're very reliable as well.

FYI: I think Yorkville has/is merging with Traynor, or is rebranding their amps as Traynor...

hankster · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2007, 04:56:24 PM »

Yorkville Sound and Traynor have been one and the same for many years. Among other things, they are where I get my gear repaired whenever something blows up. Traynor rebranded, in part, as Yorkville quite a few years ago. Not sure why - presumably just to segregate their market a bit.

They make fine stuff - I used a Yorkville for a few years before I switched to my GK micro combo due to back problems. I still use the Yorkville when I need to move some air, it has a 15 that sounds great. They are also competitively priced.

Rick

oujeebass · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2007, 06:47:55 PM »

You can play an Alembic through just about anything and it'll sound good. Thats what they were designed for. I get some great sounds out my lowly Epic through a chinese solid state Ashdown. I can only imagine what the top end stuff sounds like with a Series

rockbassist · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2007, 12:34:56 PM »

I have been using Gallien Krueger for several years and have been very happy. Great tone, plenty of power, dependable, light weight and relatively inexpensive.

danny_bryant · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2007, 04:52:35 PM »

I have been having great luck with a pre Fender SWR Siverado Special combo. It has a very clear tone and has plenty of power to spare. You can find one on Ebay for 650 or less. Happy hunting

bigredbass · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2007, 06:28:18 PM »

I recently broke down and bought the Eden Silver Series N28S: Essentially a 2/3 scale Metro or Super Redhead (2x8+tweeter).

I waited a LONG time to buy a proper practice amp and am very pleased. It handles the 5-strings properly, the built-in (and switchable) compressor is very musical, great tone.

The coolest thing is the headphone setup, carried over from the Metro: You can run your iPod, CD, whatever through it (sounds as good as a mid-priced studio monitor!), and of course play along with it. There's a separate speaker on/off, so it really is a marriage or lease-saving device! 35 lbs, 120w, easily portable. Through the extension speaker out to my 115 Eden, it sounds fabulous.

You could easily gig with it in 'unplugged' type situations. I can't recommend it highly enough. Around $350 USD.

It really reminds me just how sharp Eden's David Norschow is as a designer of top-shelf bass gear.

J o e y

(Message edited by bigredbass on December 21, 2007)