Behringer 4500 Bass Amp...

[jocko_nc]

Is anyone familiar with the Behringer BX4500H bass amp? Looking for a decent amp that provides value at a low cost. I see PartsExpress sells them and there are a couple of them on Ebay. I will go used, no doubt. One is local. Hmmm...

This is for my boy (and myself!). He has been using my Trace Elliot guitar rig up until now. Time for him to get his own. Besides, we can make noise together that way.

I don't care to find anything collectible or valuable right now. The bass he is using is nothing special. I do have a nice guitar setup, the SuperTramp 100 watt head, 2 x 10 Eminence, and a nice Les Paul. Each has been a pleasure to own and has probably appreciated in value. Not there with the bass, at least not yet.

jocko

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

I know a few different folks who own the 400W bass head and are happy with them. You have to play around with the eq to dial out some of the snottiness in the mids, but they seem to be reliable performers.

 

[MoparMan]

They are okay for a low-end cheaper amp. Lots of features for a little price (compared to other major brands). BUT, they tend to burn up if you play them hard or at loud levels regularly. I'm an Electronics Engineer/Technician and I've seen a few Behringers brought to me that have that common problem. Most of the time, it's the coupling capacitors and/or the power supply capacitors that blow. This in turn freezes the speaker(s). The power amps can be fixed but the rest is surface mount garbage that you pretty much have to throw away if something goes wrong. It just isn't cost effective to fix.

 

[jocko_nc]

Yea, I hear you. Part of me says buy a new Behringer, its cheap and easy. The other side says get something old-school, made by people who cared about their product. The second approach involves educating myself and doing some work.

I dumb-lucked into a Trace Elliot for my guitar about 10 years ago. It looked cool. It was well-built with top-notch switches and pots. It was made in the UK. How cool? I'm glad I scooped that one up.

What are some names I could look for, without getting crazily "vintage" or bringing home something that is too old to be practical?

 

[jocko_nc]

How about an SWR model 4004?

 

[jocko_nc]

I found a Peavey Centurian III 260 locally for cheap. I may go this route for now. Seems to be a versatile amp: Bass, guitar, PA. Any experiences?

 

[bebopdeluxe]

Nothing like Peavey for cheap, basic amplification...they keep going, and going, and going...

I think that for anybody who is looking for cheap power (amps, PA's, etc...), used Peavey equipment is a solid option.

 

[nimbuscrenel]

I have a Hartke 2115 that i really like... something about that aluminum cone driver that just sounds good. Hartke stuff isn't really "hip" so you may be able to find a good deal on a used one. Also, look into some of the smaller Gallien-Kruger amps. i've played on a few and they SCREAM for their size!

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

I've worked on several GK amps that went into thermal meltdown due to poor heatsinking. I advise doing a search for reviews and customer comments on any model you are considering.