$400-500.00 Bass rig advice

Our bass player needs to get a head and at least a 4x10 bottom. I don't know much about bass equipment, so any advice would be helpfull. He is looking at a used Hartke 5000 ? and a Crate 2200. Both come with matching 4x10 cabs. Are these decent? Around 550.00 for the hartke and 450.00 for the Crate?--Any others that would be better for that price range?

I personally HATE the Hartke stuff. Aluminum cones just sound tinny. I'd vote for a trip down to the local used gear joint.

Galien Kruger is about the best bang for the buck I've ever seen. GK stuff is light, durable, and puts out a great sound.

Used GK 400rb head. Good quality, used 4 ohm 4x10 cab.

GK stuff is awwesome.....the backline series isnt as high end s the old hand wired stuff, but does a decent job.....but please dont touch Beringer stuff....looks cool, but thats it IMO.....not quality gear

I bought a Behringer BX4500H bass head. It really is a good sounding head. Others have complimented me on it too.
On the other hand, I also bought Behringer 2X10 bass cab...because I needed a bass cab when I was in a "pinch". From the reviews I've read, I'm not sure if I want it to be my "go to" bass cab...I'm saving my money for something like Carvin's 2X10 bass cab or find a high quality bass cab, i.e. Ampeg, in the "classifieds"...

Look for used Peavey gear. Bulletproof and inexpensive...

Cheers, Tim

Between the Hartke and the Crate - I'd be doing which ever seems to be in better shape. I'm not high on the aluminum cones but - they can sound OK if you use the EQ enough. That Hartke head on a Peavey 4x10 might be a good call. The Hartke head on the Crate 4x10 could be a good call as well.

That pice range for a bass rig that has to be a 4x10 is a little limited ... double it and you can do a decent 4x10 rig. Used GK 800 and an Avatar 410 neo, or a 1x15 & 2x10 setup would be a far better bet...

I wouldn't make that beringer your go to cab....and dont put more than 150 RMS through.....they like to blow. The heads are decent, but not road worthy. They're pretty good starters, but for an extra $100 you could get a used Carvin or Peavey.....and yes Peaveys are bulletproof

I use a G&K 700rb, and a Hartke 4X10 with paper cones, sounds great, and the cab was only around $250 or $300.
it''s rated at 400 watts, it is heavy though.

The good hartke......do they still use paper cones on some stuff? All I see anymore are the aluminum cones.

the VX series are all paper cones, there is also an 8X10 that kicks serious butt
and they're actually cheaper than the aluminum cone boxes - I never liked the metal cones, I never bought the Jack Bruce, and Jaco mojo, I've never seen either one of them in their prime playing any Hartke cabinets.
still really heavy though

Full Disclosure...
I used to work at Sam Ash, so I know the good, the bad, and the Urglee

thanx for that bit. I cant stand the aluminum cones, the sound tinny, and project so differently, but then, I love vintge gear anyhow. always sounds better.

thanx for that bit. I cant stand the aluminum cones, the sound tinny, and project so differently, but then, I love vintge gear anyhow. always sounds better.


on bass ? There's a few decent vintage pieces out there but for the most part - technology has moved on and there is stuff available today that just smokes most vintage gear tonally. It's generally smaller and lighter to boot. Past the SVT, I can't think of anything giggable and *vintage* that would do it for me tonally today. I'm totally not going to start lugging one of those around again ... I'll leave that to Mr Cold!

For guitar, I'm all over the older* small tube amp - for bass - no way!

* I have a hard time thinking of an SF Fender as *vintage* - that would have some serious implications for me given the number of years I've been around :mrgreen: