Ampage Required

Bridgehouse

So I'm looking out for a reasonably high quality bass amp setup.

Needs to be good quality, reasonably robust and lightweight. 

Currently interested in:

Mesa Subway D-800 + cabs
Bergantino b amp + cabs


What else should I look out for/try?

guitarfishbay

If you have any interest in overdriven bass tones then definitely have Darkglass on your list too.

Bridgehouse

guitarfishbay said:

If you have any interest in overdriven bass tones then definitely have Darkglass on your list too.

Good call - what cabs go best with the darkglass amps? 

KKJale

The ones I'm most into are the D800, like you, and the Quilter BB800. 

Cab... would be be upgrading from my old Barefaced Midget to a new Super Compact. Look at TKS though.

Bridgehouse

Couple more to add to the list there - thanks!

Shark_Eyes

Probably not as high quality as you want but the Fender rumble series are the lightest bass amps I've used for a long time.

Bridgehouse

Shark_Eyes said:

Probably not as high quality as you want but the Fender rumble series are the lightest bass amps I've used for a long time.

You know, I've considered one as a 'rough and ready' carry about for the more 'fruity' venues. Are they sturdy?

fretmeister

Bridgehouse said:

guitarfishbay said:

If you have any interest in overdriven bass tones then definitely have Darkglass on your list too.

Good call - what cabs go best with the darkglass amps? 

Barefaced Retro series.

Bridgehouse

fretmeister said:

Bridgehouse said:

guitarfishbay said:

If you have any interest in overdriven bass tones then definitely have Darkglass on your list too.

Good call - what cabs go best with the darkglass amps? 

Barefaced Retro series.

Are things like the Bergantino or Mesa cabs worth the extra moolah d'you think?

BluesyDave

Take a look at Vanderkley....very light, great sounds.  Epifani are very good too.  I used to gig one of their combo's.

Shark_Eyes

Bridgehouse said:

Shark_Eyes said:

Probably not as high quality as you want but the Fender rumble series are the lightest bass amps I've used for a long time.

You know, I've considered one as a 'rough and ready' carry about for the more 'fruity' venues. Are they sturdy?

I would say so, there's little to no internet chatter about them breaking, and mine survived a tube trip home without a scratch.

They are incredibly light, but they don't feel cheap at all.

Paul_C

If I was going back to gigging and wanted something light, loud and cheap, I'd buy another TC Electronic BG250 combo

If money was no object I'd buy something made by Markbass.

fretmeister

Bridgehouse said:

fretmeister said:

Bridgehouse said:

guitarfishbay said:

If you have any interest in overdriven bass tones then definitely have Darkglass on your list too.

Good call - what cabs go best with the darkglass amps? 

Barefaced Retro series.

Are things like the Bergantino or Mesa cabs worth the extra moolah d'you think?

I've had 2 sets of Bergs. A pair of HD112 and a pair of CN112

both excellent.

Still prefer the Pair of Barefaced Retro One10 I have now. They have more welly, and don't have the mid forward push the CN112 had.

I don't like the non-retro Barefaced, but the Retro line sound very different. Like a modern technology version of old classics. Really suits the DG amp.

I don't rate Mesa cabs at all. Very heavy, even their supposedly light ones, and far too expensive due to Westside Distribution being cocks.

Where are you? If you are close you can pop in and try them.

Bridgehouse

fretmeister said:

Bridgehouse said:

fretmeister said:

Bridgehouse said:

guitarfishbay said:

If you have any interest in overdriven bass tones then definitely have Darkglass on your list too.

Good call - what cabs go best with the darkglass amps? 

Barefaced Retro series.

Are things like the Bergantino or Mesa cabs worth the extra moolah d'you think?

I've had 2 sets of Bergs. A pair of HD112 and a pair of CN112

both excellent.

Still prefer the Pair of Barefaced Retro One10 I have now. They have more welly, and don't have the mid forward push the CN112 had.

I don't like the non-retro Barefaced, but the Retro line sound very different. Like a modern technology version of old classics. Really suits the DG amp.

I don't rate Mesa cabs at all. Very heavy, even their supposedly light ones, and far too expensive due to Westside Distribution being cocks.

Where are you? If you are close you can pop in and try them.

I'm just north of Peterborough.

Am actually tempted to build up a Bergantino setup based on the b amp, and get something like a Rumble 500 for tatting about, slapping in the car for rehersal/jamming etc. 

I would quite like a 'quality' setup I must admit, but do fancy something cheaper - specially for the more, um, choice venues 

fretmeister

I'm in Northants. If you are ever passing, let me know.

The B:Amp looks great, but all that speaker filtering DSP stuff puts me right off as an ease of use gigging machine. I'm also a bit concerned about whether the amp will work well with non Berg cabs.

If I wanted full DSP at a gig, I'd take my Helix.

Bridgehouse

fretmeister said:

I'm in Northants. If you are ever passing, let me know.

The B:Amp looks great, but all that speaker filtering DSP stuff puts me right off as an ease of use gigging machine. I'm also a bit concerned about whether the amp will work well with non Berg cabs.

If I wanted full DSP at a gig, I'd take my Helix.

Yeah, I do have the Helix as another option - might ditch the expensive amp idea and use helix + frfr and a cheapo combo when I can't be bothered with the helix

Paul_C

if you want a cheap bass combo then I have one for sale

Bridgehouse

Paul_C said:

if you want a cheap bass combo then I have one for sale

Whatcha got?

Paul_C

An Eden Nemesis 1x15" 250w combo.

It still has a small amount of mechanical noise (the transformer rattles) but in a pub/rehearsal room you'd never hear it.

£50.

It looks like this except the cloth is a little fluffier

Bridgehouse

Paul_C said:

An Eden Nemesis 1x15" 250w combo.

It still has a small amount of mechanical noise (the transformer rattles) but in a pub/rehearsal room you'd never hear it.

£50.

It looks like this except the cloth is a little fluffier

Wherabouts are you?

Paul_C

in Duston, Northampton, out near J16 .