| Author | Message | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1101 Registered: 6-2002 |
I know this has been discussed in other threads, but I am hoping for some fresh insight from the experienced players here. I have a few good bass amps that I use as needed. I have a rack system. I also have a GK 1001 and a small Eden setup that I use for small venues. Well, this weekend my Eden WT550 developed a problem. I am interested in replacing it with something, but what?? I have not been fond of this Eden amp as it has been problematic in the past. I just don't want to get it repaired. Again. Right now it has a very loud micro phonic squeal in the signal very similar to feedback. The problem is intermittent and I have changed the tube. It's just that it let me down on a gig and I feel I can't rely on it. So.... What do you guys recommend as a replacement? I've heard great things about Genz-Benz, Mesa, Mark Bass and others. Keep in mind that I am talking about a small rig here and I am looking for something reliable and great tone. What are you using? Thoughts? | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2163 Registered: 10-2003 |
I'm terrifically pleased with my Carvin BX500.. http://www.carvinguitars.com/bassamps/bassheads.php John | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 105 Registered: 7-2007 |
GenzBenz Streamliner 900 or 600. Glynn | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1429 Registered: 3-2004 |
phil Jones and epifani are my weapons of choice. | ||
| tomhug
Member Username: tomhug Post Number: 82 Registered: 7-2008 |
+1 on GenzBenz. I love how my Series I sounds into the tube channel of my ShuttleMax 12.0. It's lightweight but powerful stuff, and they have great customer service too. | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 671 Registered: 1-2003 |
I can't comment on GB but have some experience with all the other brands mentioned. I suspect everyone here is sympathetic to boutique American manufacturers who produce great products. I personally use and recommend Thunderfunk. Rarely for the MI amp space, this design actually has a lineage. And Dave Funk is a good guy. Not often you can speak to the guy that designed and built your amp. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2773 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have and can highly recommend the Mesa boogie Walkabout head. Jazzyvee | ||
| bassman10096
Senior Member Username: bassman10096 Post Number: 1278 Registered: 7-2003 |
Mesa Walkabout and MPulse (for as much power as I tend to need) are both highly reliable and tasty. I'd encourage a test drive. Good luck and happy hunting. | ||
| hammer
Intermediate Member Username: hammer Post Number: 106 Registered: 9-2009 |
A Yamaha P5000S power amp run through an FX-1 and Phil Jones 9B/6B cabs. has provided me with with incredible clean sound if that's what you're looking for. | ||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 145 Registered: 5-2011 |
I've been very happy w/my Markbass Mark III.I'm able to meet my needs very nicely. | ||
| wishbass
Intermediate Member Username: wishbass Post Number: 146 Registered: 5-2011 |
I've been very happy with my Markbass Mark III. Plenty of power,easy to haul,and I can dial up everything I need. | ||
| lidon2001
Senior Member Username: lidon2001 Post Number: 480 Registered: 4-2005 |
Thanks for posting Michael. I recently had a bit of success in my first attempt at a WSOP event, and was looking for something to replace my WT400. I just found and purchased a GB ShuttleMax 9.2 on ebay for $720 shipped, listed as new, due to this thread. Looking forward to the extra headroom. | ||
| lembic76450
Advanced Member Username: lembic76450 Post Number: 311 Registered: 5-2002 |
Tom, You are going to love it, I have been using a Shuttle 9.0 for over a year now. Your Series will love it... | ||
| peoplechipper
Advanced Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 265 Registered: 2-2009 |
I've been using my Acoustic 370 for more than 6 years, including some benefits where it's run for 12 hours straight without any problem at all, other than it's so damn loud! I bought(got for free) a backup 370 a couple years ago and it'll probably never get used...the only thing about them is they're heavy; I still can't wrap my head around the fact that those tiny heads can reliably pump out that much power...one thing that no one thinks about with those 4 pound heads is that it makes them really easy to steal...Tony | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 106 Registered: 7-2007 |
I considered the 'easy to steal' thought when I bought the GB Streamliner and it is a serious point you make. That said, I still bought it and prefer it to my Mark Bass stuff which I used for 5+ years. It was good but I never was quite happy with the VLE/VPF filters and in the end just turned them off. As the MB speakers were neos, there was a tendency to harshness and honkiness. I am back to ceramic with my new (and a first for me) Bergantino stuff with the Streamliner and also my not very used these days but lovely existing EBS rig. That said, my Alembic Orion makes all of the higher range amps sound good. I think bass players fall into either constantly trying and questioning gear but in the main, content (that's me) and the others being plug in, turn up full and carry on. We are what we are! Glynn | ||
| funkyjazzjunky
Senior Member Username: funkyjazzjunky Post Number: 736 Registered: 5-2007 |
I am a fan of Ampeg SVT, Carvin, and Acoustic. (If you can find a Mesa Boogie 400+ grab it) VMG | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2165 Registered: 10-2003 |
I used an Acoustic 370 for years. Perfect amp for nailing that Jaco tone, exceeded only by the 360 if you can find one.  I played through the Mark Bass and Genz Benz Streamliner before settling on the Carvin. My brother has an identical unit, so I was actually able to give it a test run before spending the money. My Ampeg B5R is now my son's to use. The Carvin trumps all imho and weighs something like six pounds. The Boogie stuff is great, but tube amps sure are heavy. John | ||
| murray
Intermediate Member Username: murray Post Number: 107 Registered: 7-2007 |
Wow- I used to use an Acoustic 360 (cloth flappy grill)with a 2 x 15 cab years ago. That was after HH similar but less flappy grill. Anyone remember that? I traded the Acoustic in for a Trace Elliot at Romford Essex UK, one of the first. Have to say I am glad my many Trace years of trying to sort out Graphic EQ 7 and 12 ended before my sanity left me. Even the Mark Bass was easier but yes, still knocked away with GB Streamliner - I have probably said that already!! Glynn | ||
| mnewman
Junior Username: mnewman Post Number: 14 Registered: 5-2002 |
Michael: I have used the Markbass II with my Series I with good results and currently using the TC Electronic 750 which sounds excellent with Series I electronics running through it. Tuner, mute switch, direct DI, 750 watts, small footprint. Matt | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1103 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks Matt. I am going to google the TC stuff now. I am not familiar with that brand. Michael (Message edited by dela217 on February 29, 2012) | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2166 Registered: 10-2003 |
I saw the TC unit at NAMM a couple of years ago and it looked like the shiznitz. Didn't get to hear it though. | ||
| jwkelley
Junior Username: jwkelley Post Number: 13 Registered: 5-2010 |
I've used Gallien-Krueger amps for at least 40 years. I've had 3 or 4 of them. In general just a natural tone. You hear what the bass does. No weird out-of-phase nasality or resonances or hollowness. The controls are at perfect frequencies. At the moment I'm using the MB^2 500. I either play through a pair of Thiel 1-15 cabs w/JBLs, or I can use my Euphonic Audio 1-12 with the co-axial horn for rehearsals. I'm not sold on the Backline stuff though. I also really like my Euphonic Audio iAmp 500 'stack' because of the weight (or lack thereof). 500 watts in a 1-12 combo, with a 1-12 extension cab. Big sound out of small cabs, even outdoors. I can bypass the EQ entirely and still have perfect tone. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1140 Registered: 5-2002 |
Alembic or SMS or Eden pre/Crown power amp and fEARful 15/6/1 cabinet (with a 12/6/1 if necessary). Loud, light and very hifi. It goes deep like no other rig I've played through, except maybe Mike Gordon's Meyer rig, but it probably weighs 1/6 of what that does. http://greenboy.us/fEARful/faq.htm | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 2167 Registered: 10-2003 |
That 12/6/1 looks like the answer for 99% of my gigs. Price is right as well, especially for the kits. Gonna have to sell some stuff first though! John | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1340 Registered: 12-2004 |
The 12/6 with a solid 500 watts will get stupid loud (120 dB). The 15/6 will: 1) get louder for given input 2) take more power I think it's a crying shame to play an Alembic through anything less; your hifi instrument deserves hifi reproduction. Bradley | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 672 Registered: 1-2003 |
If you are interested in hifi style cab.s you should check out Acme. These are sold as bass cabs but are +/-3dB from 41Hz to 22kHz and -6dB @ 31Hz. They have better bottom end extension than ANY bass cab I've heard (except the Accugroove El Whappo or Whappo Grande - but Accugroove is defunct now). As the owner of a bass shop I could play anything. For hifi on steroids Acme is the way to go. http://acmebass.com/ | ||
| dela217
Senior Member Username: dela217 Post Number: 1104 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks everyone on all the recommendations. I am more confused now than ever. I am really looking into a small lightweight amp head. I like to hear all of the cabinet suggestions too as I will probably pick up an entire rig. The fearful stuff seems like it would be a nice way to go with some high power head. But, I am looking for small and light weight. I would think that those cabs are on the large side. Heavy? I got to try out an Acme cab in person. It was truly amazing. I was even considering picking up a couple a while back. The only thing that stopped me is that, and I could be way off base here, it seems that all the used ones for sale mention that they were recently repaired or reconed. Hmmmm. Will I buy a set and blow them up? Seems like a common problem. No? Michael | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1141 Registered: 5-2002 |
I like Acme cabinets and Andy is great to work with, but I found that they are not as efficient as the fEARfuls. I went through a lot of woofers with my Acme cabs. If I were into a more old school tone, I'd probably go for a pair of the Flatwound cabs he makes. I played through one and it sounded really nice for that type of tone. But, Dave, I suggest that you might try a fEARful before you write it out of the Accugroove class. I've played through those and the fEARful is in that realm in my experience. I don't think other cabinets have taken into account dispersion the way the fEARfuls have. While my Acmes sounded amazing right in front of them, off to the side, they were a little muddy. These cabinets sound great all over the stage. The rest of the band can now hear every note I play with equal clarity and a full tonal spectrum. I've never heard other bass cabs with this kind of dispersion. They are designed so that when you combine them, the comb filtering is kept to an absolute minimum (you can see the mirror image mid/high arrangement in the pic below) and each frequency is projected as from a point source. The crossover components are more like giant hifi components rather than the standard bass guitar cab fare. Another amazing thing is that the fEARful cabinets are stupid light. My 15/6/1 weighs less than my Acme Low B2 did and the 12/6/1 is even lighter. I didn't even put a handle on it. If you peruse the Talkbass Amps forum you'll find people making these out of composite and are well south of 40lb for a 15/6. It's so much fun asking people to pick these up and watching them brace themselves and then almost throw them at the ceiling! My 1995 Subaru wagon can now pass other cars going over the mountain passes out here in Colorado. It wasn't so easy hauling commercial cabinets.  | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1341 Registered: 12-2004 |
I have an Acme cab, and consider the fEarful 12/6 to be: Lighter More efficient Stronger midrange It does not go as deep as the Acme, but this is a distinctly non-simple equation. It goes way deeper than any other commercial cab, and is quite comparable to the Acme. With a Shuttle 9.0, it will cause physical pain. If you want small, check out the thunderchild: http://www.audiokinesis.com/product_ak_thunderchild112.html Slightly less low, but everything I've heard is that it's pure magic. Duke (the creator) is super smart, a nice guy, and comes from the Hifi cabinet world (check out his other stuff on Audiokinesis). Bradley (Message edited by byoung on March 02, 2012) | ||
| keith_h
Senior Member Username: keith_h Post Number: 1731 Registered: 2-2005 |
Michael, Just a quick question on the WT550. Have you tried cleaning all of the connection jacks on the back panel? These are known to oxidize on all Eden heads and preamps whether you use them or not. It makes all sorts of bad noise when my Navigator needs cleaning. I just shoot some Caigs DeOxit into the jacks and exercise them to clean. It's a cheap thing to try. Otherwise, I personally would stay away from Carvin. While the tone was good I have found they they aren't the most road worthy and I'm not rough on equipment. While I don't own one I have used the Genz Benz Shuttle on several occasions and would buy one if I were in the market. Have you thought about something like a Sans amp and light weight amp such as a QSC PLX 1804? Keith | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1166 Registered: 10-2006 |
I had the pleasure of hearing Edwin play in an outdoor-beer-garden-with-covered-stage setting, and can testify that you can also hear every note he plays with equal clarity and a full tonal spectrum (fantastic tone!), anywhere in the beer garden - and inside at the bar. And he was having rack trouble & did that pushing the fEARfuls with a pocket-sized amp (I disremember what brand/model). Were I shopping for a bass rig, I'd start with a fEARful 15/6/1 and then think about everything else! Peter | ||
| rjmsteel
Intermediate Member Username: rjmsteel Post Number: 179 Registered: 7-2008 |
Really thinking about these. Maybe the 15/6/1 & 12/6/1 combination such as what Edwin has. Does anybody know the guy, (who is listed on the authorized builder list on the fEARful website), in Chicago? Rich | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 78 Registered: 10-2009 |
I realy like my Mark bass 300T all tube head, with self adjusting bias, the amp can tell you if a tubes going bad and witch one it is befor you have a major issue, I run mine thru and Ampeg 6/10 with an ebs micro 2 pre amp. not a rack unit but still well worth it, I also am very much in love with my Mesa 400+ with my fb-2. the tone is amazing, but my amp flight case is just under 150 pounds |
