ilovefuzz.com

So this is like the eighth time I've asked something like this.....but I might be able to get some money for Christmas, so I'm asking again....

I'm looking for a cheap ($300-500) bass amp (head, preferably) that takes pedals decently, isn't huge or hard to maintain, and doesn't weigh 1000lbs. I like the idea of portability, and I can find cheaper cabs around at pawn shops and thrift stores until I find one that I really like.

The practice space my friends and I use has drums and amps, so all I've ever played bass through (since I'm fairly new to it) is what they have. Which is cheap stuff, but generates tones I like pretty good and takes the dirt I use pretty well.
The stuff they have that I've liked so far:

Ampeg B2R (through some kind of Ampeg cab in which I honestly never bothered to check what the speakers are )


acoustic B450 MKII (I know I asked about heads but I feel like these sound pretty good )


Any suggestions?

If you can find some old GK heads, 400RB, 800RB, etc. for cheap those will probably do you well.

rad, thanks dude!

Mesa Subway D-800
These just got released for a retail price of $699. So above your budget but TBers have been drooling over them since they were announced. I am guessing you might be able to find them popping up used for you upper price point.

Peavy Mini Mega
Another head that was just released retailing around $599. Again, a lot of people have been looking forward to its release but I haven't been following the feedback. Again, might be able to be scored used in your price point.

Ampeg Portaflex PF800 / PF500 / PF350
All great heads that are very portable and all come up used in your price range. All depends on home many watts you need really.

And if you wanted to go combo:

GK MB212-II
Its the gold standard of bass combos. 500w, 212 neo speakers, 41lbs. These fall right in your price point used.

I'm a fan of GK for good solid tone, reliability and compact size. You could get a used RB series, 400RB or 800RB are both great and easy to find used for a good price. The new MB series amps are also fantastic if you like to get your tone from pedals and want the most volume for the smallest size. You could probably find a used MB800 or MB500 for $500 or under used or possibly new if you look in the right places.

Old GK 400RB.

Stay the FUCK away from older Ampeg heads that start with B. They're Ampegs for people that don't like Ampeg. As for Acoustic it's just Chinese made GC brat entry level fodder. The newer ones sound a bit better. But if weight is a serious issue AVOID an Acoustic combo like the plague. The cabinets are made with particleboard/MDF makes em twice as heavy as a plywood cab.

waltdogg wrote:Old GK 400RB.

Stay the FUCK away from older Ampeg heads that start with B. They're Ampegs for people that don't like Ampeg. As for Acoustic it's just Chinese made GC brat entry level fodder. The newer ones sound a bit better. But if weight is a serious issue AVOID an Acoustic combo like the plague. The cabinets are made with particleboard/MDF makes em twice as heavy as a plywood cab.

noted about the Ampegs.....
I was only posting the stuff I played through that thought sounded alright to hopefully give you guys an idea of what sounds I think I like. I haven't played through many bass amps yet. But based on what you guys are saying, GK seems like a good place to start....

400rb all the way. They're between $100-$200, if you can't find one locally then check talkbass. But if you find a nice deal on 700rb/1001rb, those are great too. GK has always made good stuff old or new.

kbit wrote:If you can find some old GK heads, 400RB, 800RB, etc. for cheap those will probably do you well.

Personally I'd like to hear more about that old GK you posted in the amp thread not so long ago.

Dat 400B! I haven't had a cab since I bought it so I don't feel like I can really give an accurate impression.

But just running it direct, I like the way the eq sounds, more than any other amp I remember having & running direct. I don't think the driven/distorted sounds are that good direct, but that's generally how I feel about direct fuzzies. But it's not too heavy, seems solid after all these years.

I'll be stoked to actually play it through a proper rig sometime soon, then I'll give my thoughts again

Sweet. Thanks man.

I recommend the new Ampeg Portaflex heads.

untilshewokeme wrote:Mesa Subway D-800
These just got released for a retail price of $699. So above your budget but TBers have been drooling over them since they were announced. I am guessing you might be able to find them popping up used for you upper price point.


Ampeg Portaflex PF800 / PF500 / PF350
All great heads that are very portable and all come up used in your price range. All depends on home many watts you need really..

Agreed on these, the mesas look really impressive, the portaflexes are WAY better than they have any right to be at that price. Only ampeg I haven't seen Al Csisneros blow at least one up during a set.

waltdogg wrote:Old GK 400RB.

Stay the FUCK away from older Ampeg heads that start with B. They're Ampegs for people that don't like Ampeg. As for Acoustic it's just Chinese made GC brat entry level fodder. The newer ones sound a bit better. But if weight is a serious issue AVOID an Acoustic combo like the plague. The cabinets are made with particleboard/MDF makes em twice as heavy as a plywood cab.

These too. I'd even go so far as to put the rackmount SVTs (except the really old 3) in that category. New Acoustic stuff is absolute rubbish. If you're lucky you could find an old 370 for around that price but like, you're not going to get headroom with it. Turn it up to about three and suddenly it's that beautiful acoustic grind and nothing else. Killer amps for what they do, kinda wish I'd kept mine, but that's all they do.

I'd back GK as well, personally I find the 400rbs a little underpowered but that's just me.

Aguilar! You can get a TH350 or 500 for your budget. They sound awesome, and they weigh nothing.

Christmas update: got a PF350
Can't wait to find a cab to play it through
I have an awesome family.