Is this a steal??

[Bass_god_offspring]

Hey guys, i was just at my local pawn shop and found one of these:

 

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/48/481773.jpg

 

now, they are selling on musiciansfriend for 499.99, and the asking price for it at the pawn shop was 260.00

 

would it be worth it to buy it as a practice amp?

 

it looks fine, though they guy wouldn't let my plug it in unless i was going to buy it, which made me A little sceptical.

 

anyways, and advice on this subject would help.

 

thanks a lot.

 

[g.]

I've seen more pawn shop crap in disrepair; it's obvious why they don't want to let people plug stuff in or offer refunds. I insist on RIGHTS in writing when dealing with such Schmegheads.

[Gruuve]

I just bought a used Ampeg BA-115 for $250 + tax, so I'd say it's a good deal IF it's not trashed.

 

Check Ebay (search for completed auctions only) to see what these normally go for...if I recall I came up with around $250-300 typical...

 

HTH,

Dave

[Bass_god_offspring]

I've seen more pawn shop crap in disrepair; it's obvious why they don't want to let people plug stuff in or offer refunds. I insist on RIGHTS in writing when dealing with such Schmegheads.

 

that's a good point. i was thinking about that same thing.

 

my whole point of looking at it is becuase i want a practice amp to use during band practice, rather than carry around a whole 4x10 and head.

 

so, if i were to get it in writing, would it be worth it.

 

p.s. thanks for the quick response.

[Tom Capasso]

I haven't dealt with pawn shops and don't know if they suffer the same problems that some guitar shops do - anti-youth prejudice. If you bring an adult with you and they ask to test it, would that help?

 

Hope it works out!

Tom

[g.]

Yeah, it's a good deal. Not enough watts for me, but that model's got a good old schooly Ampeg tone.

[Bass_god_offspring]

haven't dealt with pawn shops and don't know if they suffer the same problems that some guitar shops do - anti-youth prejudice. If you bring an adult with you and they ask to test it, would that help?

 

Hope it works out!

Tom

 

AMEN!! i couldn't have said it better myself.

 

the guy (very old buy the way) was quiet an A$$hole to me when i was there, saying that the thing was too heavy to carry around and plug in (It was on a three foot tall counter top with a plug a few feet away!)

 

It seems that even big places like guitar center, and other music shops think that kids or teens don't know anything, and let the 40 year old guitarists go off and do whater(That's at least the way i have observed it). the only real quality service that i have gotten from music shops is that from other teen musicians that work there.

 

once, an employee at guitar center said that i needed a 2000.00 sound system if i wanted to play a coffee house!! then the next day i researched it and found that i could spend under 900.00 on one. but i guess that's why online shopping is the best.

 

anywho, thanks again, i think tonight i might go there with my parents and see what happens.

 

do you think the ampeg has enough watts to cut through acustic drums, and guitar in a three piece rock band, or should i stick with my Carvin 4x10 and R1000?

[Bass_god_offspring]

zzounds.com description of Technical Description

of the amp:

 

"Technical Description

 

Unbalanced Line Out

 

Mid Tone Control: Ultra Mid

 

RMS Power Output: 100W

 

Speakers: 15 ft.

 

Tone Controls: 4-band

 

Dimensions: 19 x 21 x 14 in.

 

Weight: 65 lbs."

 

A fifteen foot speaker!!! wow, someone's going for the low end.

[g.]

I don't consider that enough power, especially for a younger guy playing with younger guys. I mean, a lot suffer with that little, but if you don't have to... I always see good buys on stuff so I don't easily get pushed into impulse stuff.

 

But it is a toneful combo.

[WCunha]

I think you are better off with what you got. Unless you are looking for an amp for practice or acoustic gigs.

[73 P Bass]

Here is an other idea. Buy another cabinet and leave it at the rehearsal space. That way you just have to haul your head to practice, and you have an extra cabinet if you need it.

[_Sweet Willie_]

I have the l'il brother of that amp, the B50R 1x12 combo. It sounds delightful, or as GB said, it is a "toneful" combo.

 

My B50R cannot keep up with drums, unless we're talking about a mellow drummer who knows how to play softly yet still maintain some dynamics.

 

It would not keep up with drums and electric guitar in a rock setting.

 

It kicks much booty in acoustic situations, low volume situations, and for at-home practice.

 

I say this despite the fact that I think it's surprisingly loud compared to its ratings on paper.

 

Might the B100R work for you? Perhaps, but I like what 73pbass suggested...

 

Originally posted by 73 P Bass:

Buy another cabinet and leave it at the rehearsal space.

This, mi amigo, is a fine idea.

 

Or get this for home practice (yes, that's a reasonable price assuming it's in good working order) and leave the Carvin rig at the rehearsal location.

 

Peace.

--S to tha' U to tha' U

[Raven]

Originally posted by BGO:

...or should i stick with my Carvin 4x10 and R1000?

For a 3 piece rock band, I'd definately keep what you have. A guitarist with just 100 watt Fender Twin Reverb will bury it. The Ampeg has a good tone, but is way underpowered (IMHO).... It is a great practice amp tho... I think 73pbass' idea has much more merit.

As far as the guy in the pawn shop, even though its a good price, with his attitude, I wouldn't buy anything from him just 'cause he's an a** hole.

Like greenboy said, pawn shops are notorious for having torn-up crap.... it really is "buyer beware".

[cornbread_medhotmail.com]

I won't buy anything without playing it first.

 

That being said, try finding a practice place where you can leave your gear that is safe and keep the setup you have.

[Danno]

I own a B100R, and all of the above replies are good. For small rooms, I've used the Ampeg with a 5

piece band and it did ok. I also like the idea of having 2 4x10 cabs and just lugging the head.

[LLroomtempJ]

I remember that you were saying something about your carvin setup not getting you good sound at low volumes.

 

I never had a chance to read the resolution to your issue.

 

If you HAVE to practice at a high volume to get good sound from your gigging amp i would recommend looking into a practice amp, so that your parents can have some peace.

 

Is moving your rig around a problem for practice? Do you have your own car? Is it a possibility to leave it at your drummer's house?

 

ALSO:

 

your name is Bass god offspring...who is your dad/mom?

 

From recent experience, i always think it to be a good idea to practice with your main setup so that you can get your tone and volume just right during rehearsal as opposed to on stage.

 

jason

[g.]

If you HAVE to practice at a high volume to get good sound from your gigging amp -

That really should be a non-issue if one understands the Fletcher Munson curve:

 

 

http://www.silcom.com/~aludwig/images/Fletcher-Munson.jpg

 

 

X axis is freq, y axis is deciBels. Those various curvy lines show what the ear requires at various freq's to hear equal sound. The ear is way less sensitive to bass freq's than midrange even at LOUD volumes, and it's positively inefficient at hearing them (and higher treble) at lower self-practice volumes.

 

So to compensate when playing a rig at lower volumes one may want to use CONTOUR buttons and/or EQ on the head/preamp to shape the sound with more low and a little more upper treble. In other words, different settings for low volume work than for gig level work.

 

Look at those CURVEs though! Everything is relative.

[Bass_god_offspring]

I remember that you were saying something about your carvin setup not getting you good sound at low volumes.

 

I never had a chance to read the resolution to your issue.

 

If you HAVE to practice at a high volume to get good sound from your gigging amp i would recommend looking into a practice amp, so that your parents can have some peace.

 

Is moving your rig around a problem for practice? Do you have your own car? Is it a possibility to leave it at your drummer's house?

 

ALSO:

 

your name is Bass god offspring...who is your dad/mom?

 

From recent experience, i always think it to be a good idea to practice with your main setup so that you can get your tone and volume just right during rehearsal as opposed to on stage.

 

jason

my carvin problem for now is that i just turn the volume and gain up just until it gets out of that grey zone, then, from there i turn the volume on my bass down. o ordered some cleaning spray for the inside of the amp, but it was back ordered, and that was four months ago!!!

 

there's no problem with carrying my rig around, cept that a 4x10 and all tube head can get a little heavy when you live in a two story house.

 

i have a pickup truck, so that makes driving it around really easy.

 

i want to buy an avatar 2x10, and use that as both an extension cab, and to move around to band practice.

 

Bass_God=i play bass, though i don't know if i do like a god.

Offspring= tribute to the Punk band The Offspring.

[g.]

Get the 212! It's much fuller sounding! Actually, get a Carvin cab again. It sounds better and handles low notes better.

 

...greenboy too leaves cabs at rehearsals and takes the head or rack home. His cabs have Speakons only and it is noted that his bandmates' kids can never plug into the cabs ; }

[LLroomtempJ]

Originally posted by greenboy:

If you HAVE to practice at a high volume to get good sound from your gigging amp -

That really should be a non-issue if one understands the Fletcher Munson curve:

 

 

http://www.silcom.com/~aludwig/images/Fletcher-Munson.jpg

 

 

X axis is freq, y axis is deciBels. Those various curvy lines show what the ear requires at various freq's to hear equal sound. The ear is way less sensitive to bass freq's than midrange even at LOUD volumes, and it's positively inefficient at hearing them (and higher treble) at lower self-practice volumes.

 

So to compensate when playing a rig at lower volumes one may want to use CONTOUR buttons and/or EQ on the head/preamp to shape the sound with more low and a little more upper treble. In other words, different settings for low volume work than for gig level work.

 

Look at those CURVEs though! Everything is relative.

BGO's amp gave him fuzzy sound at low volumes.

 

jason

[Scoot]

If there's only one way to get an a-hole pawn shop owner's attention, it's cash. If you have the cash on you, I'd bet he'll let you play it. If not, he's hiding something. In that case, tuck your cash in your undies and run.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Originally posted by Bass_god_offspring:

...and all tube head...

Ummmmm, sorry to burst your bubble, but that Carvin R1000 head is not "all tube", only a preamp tube. In fact, if it's one of the newer ones w/ the tube emulation circuit it might even be "no tube".

 

A serious all-tube head would weigh almost double what your Carvin weighs.

 

Peace.

--SW

[jeremy c]

Doesn't matter how old you are, a pawnshop is not a music store.

 

They won't let you plug in anything unless they see the money first.

 

By the way, BGO, I'll be playing in Vacaville on Nov. 30. I'll give you details later.

[Bass_god_offspring]

Ummmmm, sorry to burst your bubble, but that Carvin R1000 head is not "all tube", only a preamp tube. In fact, if it's one of the newer ones w/ the tube emulation circuit it might even be "no tube".

 

A serious all-tube head would weigh almost double what your Carvin weighs.

 

Peace.

--SW

yeah, i figured it was something like that. i couldn't remeber if it was all tube or partly, so i guessed. i have the series II, so it does have tubes.

 

Greenboy-the 212 may be fuller, but the whole point of getting a 2x10 is so i can carry it around easier.

[g.]

I don't know if yo've noticed it, but Carvin has a 210. I think I might have mentioned something about it. Maybe even today, hmmmm?

[Bass_god_offspring]

don't know if yo've noticed it, but Carvin has a 210. I think I might have mentioned something about it. Maybe even today, hmmmm?

yeah, i did look into em, but with my budget, even that is expensive.

[tatudbassman]

I have a B100R and it sounds great for a solid state. I mic it with a Evo602, even for small gigs. It does the job very well. BUT, IT's a PAWN SHOP.

[dohhhhh6]

Best thing I ever did, left my stupid Crate BFX100 at my drummer's house.

 

Now, I have a head/cab rig that allows me to leave the Crate there no matter, as I have a rig at home (though sadly I haven't had a chance to use it). The head/cab is easier to carry, though it will be 2 trips instead of one.

 

Oh well.

[WCunha]

I have an Avatar B210. I don't think it is very useful by itself. Unless the newer versions have more bass response. The only thing I can say is when I used it by itself the first I was very disappointed. I bought because of the review in BP. They were way off on that one.

[73 P Bass]

Originally posted by WCunha:

I have an Avatar B210. I don't think it is very useful by itself. Unless the newer versions have more bass response. The only thing I can say is when I used it by itself the first I was very disappointed. I bought because of the review in BP. They were way off on that one.

I have the same cabinet. Alone it's not too good, IMO, but couple it with another cabinet, in my case a Goliath Jr., and it really adds alot.