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skydigger
Junior
Username: skydigger

Post Number: 19
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 4:56 pm:   Edit Post

I'm new to the bass, and although i don't own an Alembic, my bass has Alembic "P" activators.

I'm looking for an amp (under $750) for eventual jamming etc. I'd like an amp with a headphone jack (I'm an apartment dweller), so any recommendations would be welcome.

My first question is do i need an amp with an active input or can i get away with something else?

thanks.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 5812
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 5:44 pm:   Edit Post

There's an Eden Metro on Ebay right now with a BIN of $800.
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1310
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 4:31 am:   Edit Post

Also look at some combo amps before buying one so you'll know what ur getting.....good luck dude! http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBF_enUS231US231&q=combo+bass+amps
skydigger
Junior
Username: skydigger

Post Number: 20
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 9:15 am:   Edit Post

Yeah, I've been reading all about them, but the problem is I live in the Yukon so I have to buy w\out trying it out...
matthew90046
Junior
Username: matthew90046

Post Number: 31
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 10:32 am:   Edit Post

What sort of music do you plan on playing? Are you looking for an amp with a clear/transparent sound or something with a little more "character"?

I personally like some of the older (and sometimes low budget) amps for their own character. Example: I recently changed out my fancy 4x10 Bag End cab for an old 2x15 SUNN from the 1970’s and I couldn’t be happier. (I’m sure some readers will think I am mad).

As far as a headphone out... Don’t make that a deciding factor. You can always get a little battery powered amp for your headphones .

(Message edited by matthew90046 on December 17, 2007)
skydigger
Junior
Username: skydigger

Post Number: 21
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 11:44 am:   Edit Post

I'm into reggae and classic rock mostly (no distortion or any effects).

I'm gonna check out the 1 pawn shop in town and see what kind of old amps they've got sitting around.

I just found out there is a Yorkville dealer in town, so my fellow Canadians have been recommending the XM200. It comes in a 1 x 15 or a 2 x 10, so I'll give them a test before I'm forced to buy online.
southpaw
Intermediate Member
Username: southpaw

Post Number: 193
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 1:50 pm:   Edit Post

I highly recommend the Yorkvilles. I have the XM50 & XM200 and they are great amps with amazing sound, build quality and customer support. Our Canadian friends make a top shelf amp.
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 1037
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:52 pm:   Edit Post

I've been (guitar) playing on many reggae festivals over the past 3 years and by far the most popular amp I've seen on stage for the reggae bands is Ampeg. Second is Eden. The former bass player from Steel Pulse uses Eden and swears by it.

I know ampeg is not cheap, especially here in the UK.
In the past when I was gigging locally, a lot of bass players found the Acoustic brand of bass amps and cabs to be popular.
Hope that helps
Jazzyvee
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 601
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 11:21 am:   Edit Post

I've owned Yorkville amps in the past and always thought they sounded great- they're very reliable as well.

FYI: I think Yorkville has/is merging with Traynor, or is rebranding their amps as Traynor...
hankster
Intermediate Member
Username: hankster

Post Number: 138
Registered: 6-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 4:56 pm:   Edit Post

Yorkville Sound and Traynor have been one and the same for many years. Among other things, they are where I get my gear repaired whenever something blows up. Traynor rebranded, in part, as Yorkville quite a few years ago. Not sure why - presumably just to segregate their market a bit.

They make fine stuff - I used a Yorkville for a few years before I switched to my GK micro combo due to back problems. I still use the Yorkville when I need to move some air, it has a 15" that sounds great. They are also competitively priced.

Rick
oujeebass
Intermediate Member
Username: oujeebass

Post Number: 114
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 6:47 pm:   Edit Post

You can play an Alembic through just about anything and it'll sound good. Thats what they were designed for. I get some great sounds out my "lowly" Epic through a chinese solid state Ashdown. I can only imagine what the top end stuff sounds like with a Series
rockbassist
Intermediate Member
Username: rockbassist

Post Number: 119
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 12:34 pm:   Edit Post

I have been using Gallien Krueger for several years and have been very happy. Great tone, plenty of power, dependable, light weight and relatively inexpensive.
danny_bryant
Junior
Username: danny_bryant

Post Number: 25
Registered: 9-2007
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 4:52 pm:   Edit Post

I have been having great luck with a pre Fender SWR Siverado Special combo. It has a very clear tone and has plenty of power to spare. You can find one on Ebay for 650 or less. Happy hunting
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 1256
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 6:28 pm:   Edit Post

I recently broke down and bought the Eden Silver Series N28S: Essentially a 2/3 scale Metro or Super Redhead (2x8+tweeter).

I waited a LONG time to buy a proper practice amp and am very pleased. It handles the 5-strings properly, the built-in (and switchable) compressor is very musical, great tone.

The coolest thing is the headphone setup, carried over from the Metro: You can run your iPod, CD, whatever through it (sounds as good as a mid-priced studio monitor!), and of course play along with it. There's a separate speaker on/off, so it really is a marriage or lease-saving device! 35 lbs, 120w, easily portable. Through the extension speaker out to my 115 Eden, it sounds fabulous.

You could easily gig with it in 'unplugged' type situations. I can't recommend it highly enough. Around $350 USD.

It really reminds me just how sharp Eden's David Norschow is as a designer of top-shelf bass gear.

J o e y

(Message edited by bigredbass on December 21, 2007)

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