Bass amp time - mission accomplished, thanks everyone

[DarkAxel]

True... I need a budget amp right now, of course I'd prefer something bigger, but all in good time

plus with the employee discount, I should not probably lose anything when I resell

[Tristan]

I like the older non Class D amps more but still even the newer GK's are better than lots of other modern amps.
You have to get a good (preferably non neodymium) cab with it though.

[DarkAxel]

Tried it with loads of cabs today, and you are right, it sounded like shit with the GK Neo cabs. The absolute best result was the Orange 115 because it has a great bassreflex, really amazing tone. Another great cab was one of the cheaper 115 Markbass cabs.

I am aware of the fact that the Behringer I'm borrowing is shit, but that's actually the next planned purchase - either a better cab or a better speaker for the Behringer (it's sturdy, but the speaker is not good)

[D.o.S.]

I love my Orange 115 -- but you know that's a TL606, right? You might be able to find one of those used.

[DarkAxel]

Thanks for the tip, mate I'm too new to the bass world to know this ish

[coldbrightsunlight]

GKs are good, if you like it no regrets. Gotta say I'm not a big fan of neo speakers either, at least the ones I've tried don't sound nice with fuzz. Probably even more so with a fairly bright amp like GKs.

[DarkAxel]

One last thing I want to try before I buy is to compare it with the Markbass Little Mark 250. To me, they sound similarly modern, but the Markbass has a bit rounder sound from what I remember and many more features

Hopefully I'll be able to arrange that this week

edit: welcome to another one of my signature topics where i throw around ideas, listen to suggestions, then throw around more ideas, change my life philosophy thrteen times and in the end up not getting anything... the last feature hopefully won't happen this time, but at this point, i can't promise I won't bite the fucking bullet, sell a pedal and go a bit more expensive... i'm really drawn to those Ashdown ABM heads... or some sudden used bargain option which will still be great

[Tristan]

I don't know, I'm not sure those Ashdown things are all that awesome, from what I heard ampwise they're all pretty shit too in my opinion, same goes for Markbass, they all sound kinda weak, Gallien Krueger or Ampeg just has more balls.
If you're gonna bite the bullet it's probably better to either go for a tube bassamp (or at least not a Class D one) and/or maybe thinking about getting a good cab instead of putting money in your Behringer dingalingadingdong.
That's just my opinion of course.

[DarkAxel]

No, I agree, it's just that right now I need to get started by getting a decent amp (still about the 500 bucks mark USED for example) and then soon get a better cab... I am looking at used GKs and Ampegs mainly, because from what I've tried, those I like. I'm trying be sure that I will have enough power and won't have to push it to the max. It's always better to have the possibility to go louder if you needed to Also - I do have a basic rig to play through, but I'm trying to stand on my own feet. However, I can't do it all at once, so I decided to go with the head first (TWSS)

so i'm looking around, doing furious research and shit... contacted a few people who are selling amps locally, there are some decent looking used amps, just waiting for their responses... If I buy an amp, i'd rather try harder and avoid having to resell and buy another amp any time soon

[DarkAxel]

Alright, went deep into used amps sold around me, have two serious contenders (both pending offers sort of)

a) Gallien Krueger Backline 600
b) Ampeg PF500

My main concern is, obviously, the power. Of course I plan to get a new cab/cabs, but right now, I'd be running one 8 ohm cab. That would give me around 180W out of the GK and 350W out of the Ampeg.
Ampeg and GK are generally the amps with the voicing I like. There's a big difference in the price, because the Ampeg is still under warranty - which is definitely a good thing, because I'Ve heard it can be a bit unreliable. The GK is older, a bit beat up, but still fully functional and much cheaper (about a third cheaper, the price difference between the two is about 150 bucks), which means I could get new cab sooner. Can't try them side by side.

so, tl;dr - do i get a more powerful Ampeg which can be unreliable bt is still under warranty or a less powerful GK which is cheaper? No idea how loud the Backline 600 is, so will it be enough in a band with one guitar (Mesa Caliber .50 combo) and a not-too-loud drummer? I suspect it should be, but better ask for your experience with that amp, since I'm more familiar with the MB/RB amps

[Tristan]

Out of those two I'd definitely get the Gallien Krueger, since it's not a Class D amp it's probably going to feel more powerful than the Ampeg I think, I've had good experiences with the Backline 600, it sounds great.

[DarkAxel]

Ah, good point about the class

I must say that it's a very nice price due to the visual state of the amp. I might be even able to pick it up personally in Prague with a little discount for the trip. Thanks for the advice! I'll wait for detailed photos of the amp and i might set up the meeting for sunday

[Deltaphoenix]

Agreed on the GK. In your playing situation it will be just fine.

[Hacken]

I would go for a Ashdown Mag 300. I have played them a lot and it´s a good cheap loud amp. Works with any dirt you got and gets a solid drive with just the amp if you are in a pinch.

[DarkAxel]

true, the Ashdown is not bad at all in my opinion... but can't find any used and new it's quite more expensive than the used GK

I'll set up the pickup for sunday I've got a feeling I'll be quite happy

thanks for the advice, everyone