Input on bass/ amp purchase

[bigdaddyd]

My son is learning bass. I plan on buying a Hartke head, about 400 watts, a 4x10 cab with the aluminum drivers (as Ive been told they are a bit brighter) and a 115 cab. This should do the trick as he learns!

Input on this is OK, but Im pretty set on this purchase as Hartke has a good rep and the price is doable.

Being only 13 years old, part of his motivation is a bass effects pod or unit of some sort. When he isnt practicing his chops, Id like him to just play with 'his sound'. I'm partial to rack mount equip, but does anyone have a suggestion on a really good effects unit for a bass. And if you suggest one, tell me why I should buy that one.

He has a Digitech BP80 now, and you can get a lot of interesting sounds out of it, but it seems not to be something a pro would use. (not that hes a pro) but I dont want to buy him garbage.

thanx

D

 

[genob]

That may be a little bit overkill for a 13 year old just learning...

I would probably invest in a small combo cab with maybe 1-12 or 1-15 at around 100 watts... you don't have to buy a cheap one, you can spend the $$$ and get a better one... seperate cabs are good for playing clubs and places where you need the super loud setup just to hear yourself.

I just got out of a hardcore metal band and I used 2 4x10 cabs with a 400watt SWR head, and that was PLENTY loud....

Since he's just learning I would start slow and make sure he's really into playing the bass...

Just my 2 cents...

g

 

[bigdaddyd]

He has a gallion kruger 12" combo now, and hes outgrown it. I want to buy ONE more amp. Our jam room that we are almost finished building (30x32 finished outbuilding with office/ control room and a drum stage ) will need some more power to fill it. I agree with the "too big for a 13 year old", but of the three of us he is the least motivated. Thats my motivation here. He can play Rush's Tom Sawyer completely, and is starting Limelight.

If you get my picture, my son rocks. so hes looking to me to buy parts for him, and I havent a clue on what effects are good, and I dont have time to go to GC and research.... but I have the cash. (not buttloads, but enough to hook him up for now) Most times that makes for a lot of impulse buying. I'm trying not to do that.....LOL.

input.....

thanx

d

 

[spoonie g]

my bass player has the same hartke rig and it rocks. i personally prefer ampeg, but its apples and oranges. as far as effects, check samples online. my old bass player and i were discussing effects for bass one day and found that boss (or maybe just roland?) have some very cool multi-effects unit samples on their site. He, (at the time) used an old discontinued zoom multi-effects unit that worked amazingly well, and my present bass-player actually uses the same model, and only by coincidence. Maybe it's a secret among bass-players? Also, look at www.musiciansfriend.com . They often have sound samples for gear.