Need a cheap bass amp recommendation

[hamerhead]

It's not the ideal amp, but I've been using a Power Block for the bass (4x10 cab) at our jams and now it wants to shut down after 45 minutes or so. It comes back to life after a bit, but I'd rather not destroy it (haven't checked the wiring in the cab yet either, but don't think that's the issue).

Not looking for anything fancy, and cheap wins. In my brief search I've found several decent heads at reasonable prices.

Anything on the used market you'd recommend?

[Steve Haynie]

Peavey made some really good stuff at low prices. Find one of their bass amps at a good price and you should have something reliable.

[hamerhead]

Clarification: NO PEAVEY STUFF. Ever.

Sorry Steve. After that assclown and his ultradouche stepson f**ked their employees, I vowed to never again own their gear regardless of how cheap it is or how good it might be. Total classless sh!tbags.

In my opinion.

[SSII x 2]

How 'bout Carvin? Low price, and US built...

[serial]

Used Trace stuff was the gear to get when I was gigging bass 10-15 years ago.

[kenwald]

I dont know how the market is in the states but back here in sweden there are a lot of cheap used EBS heads for sale. I'd recomend the classic 450 head if you can find one, solid state all the way but sound very vintage (if thats what youre looking for). Otherwise i can recomend Hartke LH-series, they are cheap to buy new, have lots of power and sounds decent. In my opinion old peaveys are killer amps, dont know bout the newer stuff but the older stuff are also cheap and very reliable.

Best amp ever is the mesa bass 400, plus or non plus depending on your needs. Not cheap but prices are pretty low nowadays so bargains can be made. If you get one of those you'll never need to look further

[Steve Haynie]

Clarification: NO PEAVEY STUFF. Ever.

Sorry Steve. After that assclown and his ultradouche stepson f**ked their employees, I vowed to never again own their gear regardless of how cheap it is or how good it might be. Total classless sh!tbags.

In my opinion.

Not even used? You can take off a Peavey logo. The point is that when Hartley still ran the company, refused to use Asian outsourcing, and resisted selling to Musician's Fiend, Peavey put out good gear that could have been priced higher. That gear is floating around used. The current company makes no money off of used stuff.

[crunchee]

Any amp with a good clean sound, good headroom, and a sturdy speaker should do the trick. Also, it's a good excuse for buying a 4x10 Bassman reissue.

[chromium]

Used Genz stuff can provide pretty decent bang for the buck.

[Michael_B]

Clarification: NO PEAVEY STUFF. Ever.

Sorry Steve. After that assclown and his ultradouche stepson f**ked their employees, I vowed to never again own their gear regardless of how cheap it is or how good it might be. Total classless sh!tbags.

In my opinion.

Not even used? You can take off a Peavey logo. The point is that when Hartley still ran the company, refused to use Asian outsourcing, and resisted selling to Musician's Fiend, Peavey put out good gear that could have been priced higher. That gear is floating around used. The current company makes no money off of used stuff.

I see it the same way. Peavey enjoys some indirect benefit from its used market, but treating used Peavey gear as radioactive only hurts someone who had no hand in Peavey's policies.

[mathman]

Woot.com has a pignose bass amp in the electronic section. 89$ I think

[hamerhead]

Clarification: NO PEAVEY STUFF. Ever.

Sorry Steve. After that assclown and his ultradouche stepson f**ked their employees, I vowed to never again own their gear regardless of how cheap it is or how good it might be. Total classless sh!tbags.

In my opinion.

Not even used? You can take off a Peavey logo. The point is that when Hartley still ran the company, refused to use Asian outsourcing, and resisted selling to Musician's Fiend, Peavey put out good gear that could have been priced higher. That gear is floating around used. The current company makes no money off of used stuff.

I see it the same way. Peavey enjoys some indirect benefit from its used market, but treating used Peavey gear as radioactive only hurts someone who had no hand in Peavey's policies.

I still won't shop at Sears after they screwed longtime employees near retirement out of their pensions maybe 20-25 years ago. Or Little Ceasar's Pizza after they closed their stores here without warning and with no notice to their employees. You don't f**k the people making your yacht payment. The current Peavey family can suck it. Nothing against owners of Peavey gear or those selling theirs. I guess it's a principle thing. And yes I know it happens everywhere all of the time. I'm just not a big fan. YMMV

On the plus side, I ran into a SWR Working Pro 400 head for under $250 that I think will work out.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[killerteddybear]

SWR is good stuff. Go for it.

[Jakeboy]

If I was gigging a bass, I would go with a Tech 21 vt SVT model direct into the PA.....or a plain Jane power amp onstage.

[unfun75]

I bought a scratch & dent Hartke 3500 head for $279 from AMS. It looked new to me. Heavy as heck, though. Bought a used Avatar 1x15" cab from a GC for $150. Tons of headroom.

Tech 21 BDDI is always a good choice. You can get a Crown XLS1000 power amp for $179 at MF. Just add cab.

[veatch]

SWR. Trace Elliot. GK. All have reasonably priced gear that is good, depending on the sound yer looking for. Especially used.

Good luck.

[hamerhead]

The SWR arrived in one piece and works really well. Waaaay too many knobs and buttons for a bass dealie, but they all seem to do something. It's got some real punch, and a good usable EQ section. The fan is a little loud, but at less than $250 to the door, I'll live with it.

Thanks for the help!

[Tres Aardvarks]

I've still got my SWR Electric Blue (the head version of their Baby Blue combo). While it lacks power, the thing is ridiculously versatile. Once you get your settings figured out, mark 'em and stop fiddling. I always run it with a Tech21 BDDI to add some grit. Good stuff! If I could find a SWR Redhead for cheap, I'd be all over it!