Back-Up Amp Choices

[juniormarbles]

Playing a P-Bass through a 1966 Fender Dual Showman (2 15" JBLs) in a small club as part of the house band for a weekly jam, I am in constant trepidation that "day X" will come: the amp fails, and the whole evening will be ruined for the band, the jam, the club.

My idea: to buy a fairly inexpensive, lightweight 100W-200W solid state head as spare/backup; so in the event the Fender blows, I will make it through the night.

Any suggestions for a simple, straight-forward, solid state bass head as emergency stand-in?

Thanks,
JM

[jnewmark]

GK MB 200. Light as a feather, fits into the pocket of just about any gig bag, a loud 200 watts at 4 ohm, great headphone amp, and can be used as a bass pre in a pinch. About $238 brand new.

[AwkwardLoudness]

Yes, Gallien Krueger MB200 is a good choice. The Ampeg Micro-VR is another. You may want to try out both through one of your JBL 2x15 cabs at a store to see what you like best through them.

[klejst]

The bassist in the other band we share our practice space with uses a Acoustic B200H as a backup to his Ampeg SVT and sometimes his main. Good sounding amp.

[JimmyM]

Micro VR and PF350 both rock...Micro VR is 200w at 4 ohms and looks like a mini SVT, and PF350 is 350w at 4 ohms. Both are the same price...$300. Not only excellent backups but great first-line amps as well.

Pardon the commercial but they are really good stuff.

[juniormarbles]

Thank you for your suggestions. Someone mentioned the Hartke 2500. It does not look particularly small, but the fellow swore by its sound.

Any comments?

JM

[runmikeyrun]

I had a hartke 2000 and 3500 back in the day. I really liked them, very flexible amps- you can get any sound out of them. Also quite reliable. I would at least try to find one to try out.

[tminus10]

Originally Posted by jnewmark

GK MB 200. Light as a feather, fits into the pocket of just about any gig bag, a loud 200 watts at 4 ohm, great headphone amp, and can be used as a bass pre in a pinch. About $238 brand new.

+1