A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Recording the "Something" cover made me realize that I really need a better bass amp. I've been using an Acoustic B100 MkII for the last 6 years or so, and it's always been kind of a noisy amp. It's not bad for practice or live performance, but for recording, I had to use a noise gate and jack that shit up to 11 in order to get a usable signal. Also, this amp isn't really appropriate for apartment use. It's 100 watts (which is kinda low for a gigging bass amp), but it has a 15" speaker, and I'm always having to walk a thin line between "not quite loud enough" and "way too frickin' loud!" when I turn the volume up a hair. Since I've been living here, I've barely been playing bass, and I think that's part of the reason. It's hard to get inspired to play bass when you can't play at a satisfying volume without annoying everybody around you. And with bass, it's not so much about loudness, but those low frequencies travel far.

So I went shopping for a lower powered amp with a smaller speaker, and after a lot of research, and weighing of options, and inner debate, I decided to get a Fender Rumble Studio 40. It's like the bass version of the Mustang GTX. It cost a little more than I was planning to spend, but all the other amps I was looking at were a compromise in one regard or another. There's no compromise with this amp. It's got all the inputs and outputs you could ever need for recording - and in stereo!



Plus the modelling and effects are nice. It's also got Bluetooth and Wifi, but that doesn't matter too much to me.



But by the time I made up my mind, I came to the sad realization that (like a lot of music gear since the pandemic hit), this amp was on back-order EVERYWHERE with a 6-8 week waiting period, so there was nothing I could do but wait. After a couple of weeks, I made the rounds again to see if anybody might have gotten this amp in stock, when the thought occurred to me to check my local Sam Ash. I've never bought anything more expensive than strings at Sam Ash before, despite the fact that they're closer to me than the three Guitar Centers in my area (maybe part of GC's problem is they're competing with themselves too much). It's more to do with the vibe that I get from that place than anything else. I called the store and they said they had the amp in stock in the warehouse, and they could order it for me, but I wanted to get a deal, and I didn't think I was going to get it from those guys (I've tried to haggle there before. I think they work on commission), so I called their 800 number, and they gave me a 10% discount. That was about what I expected to get from Sweetwater, so I placed the order and had it shipped to the nearby store.

It's good to know that they're willing to be flexible about prices, and the store is practically within walking distance from my house. I don't really hear much talk about Sam Ash, either negatively or positively. They're just kinda there, like part of the scenery. Does anybody have any experience with them? Any stories to tell?

Nice score! I personally never had an amp like the Mustang GTX, but I feel like they absolutely have their use - I wish I had something like that growing up. I love "all the inputs and outputs you could ever need for recording - and in stereo!" - to me that says that someone was THINKING about details, always a good sign.

SamAsh - the main culprit of my early onset of GAS back in the 90's when they first opened in town (before GC). The floor manager was a good guitar player and very friendly and always willing to cut a deal. I've NEVER purchased an instrument or amp at asking price there (maybe small stuff like strings and drum sticks). They've always been willing to come down. And their in-store guitar tech was a real luthier and one of 2 people in town with reputation that you could trust your instrument to them. Or so I've heard

They are just there. That is a pretty good assessment of SA. I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

Great score! Can’t wait to hear it in action.

OMB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:50 pm ...I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

I'm a bit confused, aside from buying used from a private person, where do you not have to pay taxes? Even used gear sold at a retailer incurs sales tax (which makes zero sense, but there it is).

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:48 am Nice score! I personally never had an amp like the Mustang GTX, but I feel like they absolutely have their use - I wish I had something like that growing up. I love "all the inputs and outputs you could ever need for recording - and in stereo!" - to me that says that someone was THINKING about details, always a good sign.

I have a Mustang II V2, and that's a really good amp, which is pretty universally praised. The GT series was pretty much a repackaging of the original Mustang amps with on-board editing, and I didn't consider that enough of an upgrade to consider buying one (and I was hardly alone in that assessment. Those amps got roasted when they came out). The GTX series is what the GT series should have been, but I got a Super Champ X2 in the meantime, and I absolutely love that amp. When the GTX series came out, I didn't really care. Tubes beat Bluetooth and Wifi any day, as far as I'm concerned.

I wouldn't say I'm a Fender "fanboy", but I sure do end up gravitating toward their amps, and I do think their bass amps beat the pants off of any other brand in their price range (I'd prefer a Markbass or Phil Jones amp, but those things start at like $800). The venerable old brands like Ampeg and Acoustic are mere shadows of what they used to be. Acoustic is a Guitar Center house brand now, with absolutely no connection to the brand's past, and Ampeg has changed hands so many times, I have no idea who owns them anymore. The last time I was shopping for a new bass amp, Ampeg seemed to have pretty bad QC (at least when it came to combo amps). It seemed like every one I plugged in to (at several stores) had something wrong with it, and I ended up buying a Fender Bassman instead. Ampeg may have sorted their issues by now, or moved their manufacturing (they were made in Vietnam at the time), but the perceptual damage is done. Every time I look at a modern Ampeg now, I think: "glitchy and unreliable".

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:48 am SamAsh - the main culprit of my early onset of GAS back in the 90's when they first opened in town (before GC). The floor manager was a good guitar player and very friendly and always willing to cut a deal. I've NEVER purchased an instrument or amp at asking price there (maybe small stuff like strings and drum sticks). They've always been willing to come down. And their in-store guitar tech was a real luthier and one of 2 people in town with reputation that you could trust your instrument to them. Or so I've heard

OMB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:50 pm They are just there. That is a pretty good assessment of SA. I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

I never set foot in a Sam Ash until I moved to California. The one near me has a few "characters" working there... The "almost rock star guy" who's always talking about the famous players he's "friends" with, and wants to show you pictures of himself with various rock stars (this is LA, you're gonna see rock stars in guitar stores... It's not a big deal). Then there's the obligatory "know it all guy", who always talks to you like you just started playing yesterday, and you desperately need him to tell you what you "really" want. Then there's the "high pressure guy" who stands over your shoulder while you're trying to check out a guitar, and keeps interrupting you to tell you what factory the guitar was made in, and how special it is, and insists that if you don't buy it RIGHT NOW, it''ll be long gone if you come back tomorrow... or sometimes he says that he's gonna buy it if you don't.

Whenever you ask for a discount, they always offer some pittance, and act like you've really got a lot of nerve for asking. That's why I thought I'd have better luck calling their 800 number.

I know it's not uncommon to encounter these personality types working at a guitar store, but you don't usually see all three in the same place... sometimes at the same time!
It doesn't make me feel like Sam Ash is a purchase destination... Just a place to try out gear, and then order it from Sweetwater. Unfortunately, Sweetwater has to charge tax now, which kind of levels the playing field.

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 1:57 pm

OMB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:50 pm ...I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

I'm a bit confused, aside from buying used from a private person, where do you not have to pay taxes? Even used gear sold at a retailer incurs sales tax (which makes zero sense, but there it is).

Online retailers were not compelled to collect taxes until recently. Sweetwater was the last hold-out, but when I bought my studio monitors from them last month, they charged me tax... which was a little disappointing, but I figured it was only a matter of time. I can accept paying tax on new items, but I think used items should be exempt. If you buy something used from ebay or Reverb, you're gonna get charged tax on that too.

[edit]

I should qualify that online retailers that did not have a physical presence in your state were not compelled to collect taxes, so most retailers like Guitar Center have always charged tax, because there isn't state where they don't have a brick-and-mortar store. The only way you'd have to pay taxes on a Sweetwater purchase is if you lived in Indiana.

Mossman wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 3:27 pm

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 1:57 pm

OMB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:50 pm ...I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

I'm a bit confused, aside from buying used from a private person, where do you not have to pay taxes? Even used gear sold at a retailer incurs sales tax (which makes zero sense, but there it is).

Online retailers were not compelled to collect taxes until recently. Sweetwater was the last hold-out, but when I bought my studio monitors from them last month, they charged me tax... which was a little disappointing, but I figured it was only a matter of time. I can accept paying tax on new items, but I think used items should be exempt. If you buy something used from ebay or Reverb, you're gonna get charged tax on that too.

[edit]

I should qualify that online retailers that did not have a physical presence in your state were not compelled to collect taxes, so most retailers like Guitar Center have always charged tax, because there isn't state where they don't have a brick-and-mortar store. The only way you'd have to pay taxes on a Sweetwater purchase is if you lived in Indiana.

Exactly. I think the kibosh is pretty well in place everywhere online now, physical presence or not. Amazon was forced to now charge tax, same with eBay. I'd love to learn of any examples where I'm wrong.

Re: Sam Ash. My memories go back to late 90's. No wonder that it's different in different places and a quarter century later. We never had anyone pretending to know famous people here (not Cali), mostly they were pretty cool dudes, some were clueless (one was famous for answering 100% of questions with "I really don't know" but he was always happy to ask a manager). And for a short while there was an annoying long haired guy showing off his shred skills and giving out business cards promoting his "new CD" - he was more promoting himself than working the floor so he didn't last.

My sam ash is a bit farther for me but I like them. And recently they have decent stock and gc looks cleaned out. And same ash has sifferentvstuff you dont see at gc. I got my lp cm there. I'm glad they're around

Nice amp and now you got me thinking about stepping in a Sam Ash which I have never done that I remember. Nearest to me is Glendale so I may have to make drive pretty soon.

We have like 6 Guitar Centers in the Atlanta area, only 1 SA. I've never bought anything from there, but I did try to trade an acoustic in one time. They told me they wouldn't even look at it if it wasn't one of the big 3 (I'm guessing Martin, Gibson, and Taylor), which it wasn't so I left. They usually have 2 employees and they don't really try to help you, so "just there" is about a good of a description as you can give them.

Nice amp, hope it works well for you!

solteroblues wrote: ↑Mon Nov 09, 2020 12:52 pm They told me they wouldn't even look at it if it wasn't one of the big 3 (I'm guessing Martin, Gibson, and Taylor)...

This is true. In my observation they are not as focused on used stuff unless it's something with proven resale value. That could be purely due to space considerations or even just "policy" regardless of reason. GC might take almost anything (judging by what I see on their used pages), but they'll offer you far less than you could get on CL. Trade-ins are worst for the person trading in

I've been there too - I once tried to trade in my pacifica, just because I wanted something else THEN. I bought the guitar from THEM and they wouldn't offer anything. Looking back I am grateful as I later sold it to former band mates, who gifted it to their new guitar player, which was a win/win/win.

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 1:57 pm

OMB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:50 pm ...I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

I'm a bit confused, aside from buying used from a private person, where do you not have to pay taxes? Even used gear sold at a retailer incurs sales tax (which makes zero sense, but there it is).

I don't pay any taxes from MF or other guitar stores that do not have a physical presence in Florida. Even Amazon - sometimes I pay taxes sometimes I don't.

If I have ever even seen a Sam Ash Store it was a long time ago in a large city. And I can't say for sure it wasn't a Woodwinds & Brass store instead. I kinda lump those 2 together in my mind as stores I know exist but pretty much never see.

Congrats on the Fender Bass amp. Of my amps, 3 are Fender, 1 Peavey and 1 Blackstar, So yep, I like Fender amps too.

OMB wrote: ↑Mon Nov 09, 2020 1:44 pm

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 1:57 pm

OMB wrote: ↑Sun Nov 08, 2020 12:50 pm ...I used to buy stuff from them but they hardly ever offered a decent deal PLUS I had to pay taxes. But overall not a bad store.

I'm a bit confused, aside from buying used from a private person, where do you not have to pay taxes? Even used gear sold at a retailer incurs sales tax (which makes zero sense, but there it is).

I don't pay any taxes from MF or other guitar stores that do not have a physical presence in Florida. Even Amazon - sometimes I pay taxes sometimes I don't.

Certainly used to be that way for me, just not anymore. MF is now same company as GC (not sure how long now), they display the same inventory and charge tax. Maybe some states managed to be holdouts. Good for you.

Well, it looks like Sam Ash either dropped the ball, or they just told me what I wanted to hear. When I ordered the amp last Friday, their rep said it should be at their Canoga Park store by Tuesday or Wednesday, but when I got the tracking number, it said the package would arrive on Friday. A little disappointing, but it didn't bother me that much, and FedEx hadn't received it yet, so I thought maybe the ETA would change when they got the package in their system... Well, it changed alright. As of this morning, tracking indicates that it will arrive next Monday. It turns out their warehouse is in Indiana... I don't know why anybody would think that the package would make its way to California in TWO DAYS.

GC is having one of their 15% off sales right now, so I'm going to see if my local store has the amp in stock and if they'll apply the discount. If so then I'll try to cancel my order with Sam Ash.

Mossman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 1:29 pm Well, it looks like Sam Ash either dropped the ball, or they just told me what I wanted to hear. When I ordered the amp last Friday, their rep said it should be at their Canoga Park store by Tuesday or Wednesday, but when I got the tracking number, it said the package would arrive on Friday. A little disappointing, but it didn't bother me that much, and FedEx hadn't received it yet, so I thought maybe the ETA would change when they got the package in their system... Well, it changed alright. As of this morning, tracking indicates that it will arrive next Monday. It turns out their warehouse is in Indiana... I don't know why anybody would think that the package would make it's way to California in TWO DAYS.

GC is having one of their 15% off sales right now, so I'm going to see if my local store has the amp in stock and if they'll apply the discount. If so then I'll try to cancel my order with Sam Ash.

I hope it works out for ya. I tried the 15% code with a guitar I'd been tire-kicking, it didn't work, so I opened up their "chat" and the rep readily said he could do the 15% off. I said "I'll think about it" and he even tried to goad me into it "what's stopping you? we have plenty of them in stock and it's the best price". I said I wasn't ready, but it's good to know

In my estimation they can almost always knock 15% off, new or used (except certain brands maybe). This is comfortably within their margin.

Semi related question for you Bass dudes:

My son keeps telling me I should get Bass, he plays in a Jazz Band at school ( Saxophone ) but has been messing around with the Bass they have in the practice room. I have been tossing around the idea of grabbing an SX ursa for a while. As it relates to amps, do you have a recommendation for super basic practice amp that's not a total piece of junk but not a lot of $$? Looks like there's a slew of them out there from fender, hartke, ampeg, and others with very basic controls in the $100-$150 range. No recording or gigging would be in the future, just messing around in the basement for the most part.

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:33 pm
I hope it works out for ya. I tried the 15% code with a guitar I'd been tire-kicking, it didn't work, so I opened up their "chat" and the rep readily said he could do the 15% off. I said "I'll think about it" and he even tried to goad me into it "what's stopping you? we have plenty of them in stock and it's the best price". I said I wasn't ready, but it's good to know

In my estimation they can almost always knock 15% off, new or used (except certain brands maybe). This is comfortably within their margin.

Yeah, the joke is that they always say 15% off "selected items", and you go to the site and they have like nine low-cost products to choose from, but if you call them, they'll apply the discount to pretty much anything.

Unfortunately, if you ask for a discount outside of their 15% off sale, they won't budge.

I called my local GC, and they don't have the amp in-store, and it sounded doubtful they had any in the warehouse yet, so it looks like I'm gonna have to wait another week to get this amp. I'm debating if I want to call Sam Ash to register my disappointment with them. It probably won't do any good, but it might make me feel better to tell them I'm a first-time Sam Ash customer, and I'm going back to Sweetwater.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:58 pm Semi related question for you Bass dudes:

My son keeps telling me I should get Bass, he plays in a Jazz Band at school ( Saxophone ) but has been messing around with the Bass they have in the practice room. I have been tossing around the idea of grabbing an SX ursa for a while. As it relates to amps, do you have a recommendation for super basic practice amp that's not a total piece of junk but not a lot of $$? Looks like there's a slew of them out there from fender, hartke, ampeg, and others with very basic controls in the $100-$150 range. No recording or gigging would be in the future, just messing around in the basement for the most part.

I was considering the Fender Rumble 40 before I discovered the "Studio" version. That one only costs $199, and you can probably find one used (or get a 15% discount on one) for less. I don't think you can go wrong with any Fender bass amp.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:58 pm Semi related question for you Bass dudes:

My son keeps telling me I should get Bass, he plays in a Jazz Band at school ( Saxophone ) but has been messing around with the Bass they have in the practice room. I have been tossing around the idea of grabbing an SX ursa for a while. As it relates to amps, do you have a recommendation for super basic practice amp that's not a total piece of junk but not a lot of $$? Looks like there's a slew of them out there from fender, hartke, ampeg, and others with very basic controls in the $100-$150 range. No recording or gigging would be in the future, just messing around in the basement for the most part.

A. you absolutely should grab him an Ursa or a used Squier bass or something like that. Strike the iron while it's hot.

B. I have a totally random Kustom bass practice amp that I picked up years ago "just because" (cheap, used) and it's pretty good. I am not offering it, I'm just saying that there's lots of choices - something used that doesn't have to compete with a drummer will more likely than not sound good at room levels. Things are much better now than 20 years ago. And at used prices even a real bass amp could be scored for a practice amp price (but you might not care to haul it).

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 3:20 pm

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 2:58 pm Semi related question for you Bass dudes:

My son keeps telling me I should get Bass, he plays in a Jazz Band at school ( Saxophone ) but has been messing around with the Bass they have in the practice room. I have been tossing around the idea of grabbing an SX ursa for a while. As it relates to amps, do you have a recommendation for super basic practice amp that's not a total piece of junk but not a lot of $$? Looks like there's a slew of them out there from fender, hartke, ampeg, and others with very basic controls in the $100-$150 range. No recording or gigging would be in the future, just messing around in the basement for the most part.

A. you absolutely should grab him an Ursa or a used Squier bass or something like that. Strike the iron while it's hot.

B. I have a totally random Kustom bass practice amp that I picked up years ago "just because" (cheap, used) and it's pretty good. I am not offering it, I'm just saying that there's lots of choices - something used that doesn't have to compete with a drummer will more likely than not sound good at room levels. Things are much better now than 20 years ago. And at used prices even a real bass amp could be scored for a practice amp price (but you might not care to haul it).

Regarding the bass itself, I would HIGHLY recommend an SX Ursa over a Squier. The one that I bought recently is top-shelf! Probably the best SX bass I've ever played. It needs no upgrades or tinkering whatsoever and it's built better than the American Standard I used to own. I've always liked SX basses, but particularly knocked out by this one! I've got it set with the neck completely flat with the strings almost resting on the fretboard, and zero fret buzz. It's a real joy to play.

You can find any number of used bass amps pretty cheap, but i wouldn't recommend high watts and a big speaker for home use. I'd get something smaller with an XLR out (which the Rumble 40 has) in case you end up taking it on-stage. But that only works if there's a PA. Otherwise, you'd need at least 250 watts (or more), and a 12 or 15" speaker (or a couple of 10s) to outrun a drummer.

Mossman wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 3:54 pm Regarding the bass itself, I would HIGHLY recommend an SX Ursa over a Squier. The one that I bought recently is top-shelf! Probably the best SX bass I've ever played. It needs no upgrades or tinkering whatsoever and it's built better than the American Standard I used to own. I've always liked SX basses, but particularly knocked out by this one! I've got it set with the neck completely flat with the strings almost resting on the fretboard, and zero fret buzz. It's a real joy to play.

Gear_Junky wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 3:20 pm A. you absolutely should grab him an Ursa or a used Squier bass or something like that. Strike the iron while it's hot.

Yes, I've added that LPB Ursa2 in the medium scale to my cart a few times on Reverb Seems like a no-brainer deal for under $200 shipped.

I have completely unsubscribed from all the marketing emails and such from GuitarCenter/MF - will have to check and see what they might have for some basic practice amps that might be eligible for the 15% off.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 10:35 pm
Yes, I've added that LPB Ursa2 in the medium scale to my cart a few times on Reverb Seems like a no-brainer deal for under $200 shipped.

Don't look now, but there's a BUNCH of short, and medium-scale basses on Rondo right now. I don't know what Kurt's deal is with all the short basses and ukes.

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 10:35 pm
I have completely unsubscribed from all the marketing emails and such from GuitarCenter/MF

What the hell did you do that for?? Don't you want to know what the Stupid Deal of the Day is??

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 10:35 pm
- will have to check and see what they might have for some basic practice amps that might be eligible for the 15% off.

I already checked... They never have anything good at prices you can afford among their "qualifying items". They've got Markbass coming out the wazoo, and then like TWO other brand choices (and one of em's a house brand). I'd stay away from those small Acoustic amps. They do not sound good. And I would stay away from anything that's too low powered (10, 20 watts). The lower you get in watts/speaker size, the worse a bass sounds.

You should just find a decent amp for about $200 and hit them up for the discount on the phone.