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Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:03 am
by Wes Mantooth
So now that I finally have a nice guitar coming. I need to start thinking about an amp.
I've been using a VHT Special 6 10" combo for a while and I want something meatier and louder. I live in a condo and there's no audience for doom/drone stuff here (that I know of) so it doesn't need to be extremely loud, but if it is, that is fine.
All my stuff will be set up in my basement so I'll still be able to get pretty loud.
I want to get started on a nice wall of cheap, loud amps and cabs. Don't have a ton of money left after the guitar purchase so I'm looking at around 300 for each. There's a Sunn Beta Lead and a Concert Bass on sale in the area for $350 and $250 respectively. There's an old Ampeg 2x15 that looks pretty rough for $250 as well. Should I look into these? Also watching a couple old Kustom ss PA and Bass amps on eBay.
Any other ideas? I've played on such a measly amp for so long and I'm craving some power

Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:34 am
by D.o.S.
PVY KVLT.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 12:44 am
by Wes Mantooth
Any models I should look at specifically? I know a lot of people here dig on a few different Peavey models but I don't remember which ones.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 2:34 am
by D.o.S.
The 80's Butchers are great for heavy stuff. It's a 6L6 JCM-alike, same zipcode as the SovtekMIG100 and the Red Bear.
Also, Conky's got a RedBear60 in the BS/T
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 2:43 am
by Wes Mantooth
There's a Peavy Mark IV 400 bass head with a 2x10 1x18 cab for $400 on CL, worth a look?
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 2:53 am
by D.o.S.
Yes!
I've had a Mark VI forever--those things are indestructible. The Black Widow speakers are better than the Scorpions, but both are more than adequate.
You should also buy an 18 rack for the friend you're going to need to help move that cab.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 3:47 am
by Wes Mantooth
D.o.S. wrote:Yes!
I've had a Mark VI forever--those things are indestructible. The Black Widow speakers are better than the Scorpions, but both are more than adequate.
You should also buy an 18 rack for the friend you're going to need to help move that cab.
Thankfully I have a friend with a gutted conversion van that could probably fit two of those in. Otherwise, yeah, I'd be fucked.
I emailed the guy about it and it is just what I need, clean, durable and loud, with plenty of eq flexibility.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 8:36 am
by t-rey
I would hit up conky for that red bear 60 if I was in a position to have a big loud amp
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 1:06 pm
by odontophobia
t-rey wrote:I would hit up conky for that red bear 60 if I was in a position to have a big loud amp
dropping in to give red bear love.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Thu Oct 17, 2013 1:44 pm
by LOCOPELAND
+1 on the Red Bear 60.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 12:17 pm
by Wes Mantooth
Yeah I might hit him up for that Red Bear I just need a powerful.
Don't really have a way to get that Mark IV with the 1810 cab. Also heard mixed reviews on the cab, it appears to not be the larger 1820 model and it seems a bit overpriced.
Can't seem to find great cabs in my area. Would the Red Bear be suitable for bass as well? I'm done trying to look for bandmates and I'll be doing guitar and bass and programming drums myself. Even if it isn't I might just snag this Sunn Concert Bass head on my local CL for $225, is that an ok price?
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 12:36 pm
by skullservant
I had an 1820 for about a year when I was in college. Paid way too much for it, but when I had it I NEVER needed to be mic'd.
I will say it is THE SINGLE HEAVIEST piece of gear I have ever moved in my entire life. Ever.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 12:52 pm
by Wes Mantooth
skullservant wrote:I had an 1820 for about a year when I was in college. Paid way too much for it, but when I had it I NEVER needed to be mic'd.
I will say it is THE SINGLE HEAVIEST piece of gear I have ever moved in my entire life. Ever.
That's what I've heard
Since there's no audience really for doom/drone or black metal here, I'm fairly positive I'll never play out so I wouldn't need to move the cab a lot but I'm also thinking there's better options than the 1810, I've heard the enclosure is much too small for the speakers in it and that was changed in the 1820. Just have to wait for them to pop up. Ideally I'd like at least one 15 inch speaker in my set-up and a 12 or two.
I'll need something that works for guitar and bass so 'm thinking I'll just go with bass gear. Are any of those high wattage compact bass heads good? I just need a clean pedal platform with a solid EQ.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 12:54 pm
by skullservant
Yeah.... I dropped while unloading it out of my hatchback once and it almost ripped the bumper off....
I really liked the Acoustic b200h when I had it, was cheap and loud.
You should look into Delta Pro 12a's for your speakers if you can find an empty cab. They are 12" bass drivers, but are pretty hifi/full range for being bass speakers. That's actually what I use on guitar and I love it.
Re: Need Amp Suggestions!
Posted: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:04 pm
by Wes Mantooth
Put in an order for an Emperor just for a price idea, a 2x12x1x15 bass cab. Exactly what I want and if the price is ok I might save up and just get one of those
