Best Bass Head for 2 1x15 Cabs?

[RickenBoogie]

Agreed. Many of the so called "tubey" hybrids would do just as well without the little 12AX7. I didn't see where anyone was suggesting "cheap", but if you want my 2 cents, a Mesa M6 Carbine would be my choice.

[Pilgrim]

There is no point in buying a head that provides power greatly in excess of the power handling capability of your cabs. You are not adding "headroom" as much as you are increasing the chances of damaging the cabs with a burst of sound.

Example: my Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 is rated 375W peak power into 8 ohms, 600W peak into 4 ohms. It would pair with those cabs nicely and provide "headroom" while not offering so much power that you'd be likely to fry the speakers if you or someone else adjusted the amp incorrectly by mistake or sent a burst of sound through the amp at high volume.

Also - you may be able to spend more than $1000, but that doesn't mean that you need to, or that you will be buying a better amp if you spend more money. You need an amp that matches your cabs' performance.

[Tvrtko]

Get yourself new Acoustic B800 and you will never need another amp to the rest of your life. Read reviews. I have B600 and that's all I need to plug anything on it. I have plenty of cabinets and I tried all sort of combinations with it. As much as I plug in, sound just gets better and better. B800 seems to be much more improved as about sound shaping.. So, that's the way I would go. Even, I think, B600 would be sufficient for your situation. You have very efficient speakers.

[WildWes]

I'm happy with my Carvin BX500 and BagEnd 15's

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by B-string

The cabs nominal impedance has nothing to do with how much power they can handle FROM an amplifier. The lower the number in ohms the greater the load placed on the amp, 0 ohms is a direct short.
More money does not equate to quality, so choose by reputation of a makers model.

This. And may I suggest you give a Mesa Walkabout a try. I run mine with two Mesa Scout 15" cabs and it is nothing short of incredible. Amazing tone and volume for days. For the life of me I can't tell you how many watts it is because I never cared to look it up. But every other person here sang the praises of them so I gave one a try. It works. It gets really loud. It sound great. To heck with the specs.

"Headroom" is crap theory in my view. Yes, there are manuals, scientists, and even plenty of people here who believe you have to have a gagillion more watts than you need to make things sound good. BS. I have run 100W amps at outdoor shows and had plenty of clean volume. It's all about what works well together. If I were you, I would try my best to either get with local guys and try their heads, or take your cabs to a dealer and try as many possibilities as you can. Forget specs and number. Use your ears.

And try not to let what you "know" get in the way of finding a good match for your cabs.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by B-string

I have not found the "one tube/starved plate" pre tube to not be of much sonic use. IME/IMO.

OT, but i don't think these amps really do that; the "starved plate" thing is what you find in "tube overdrive" guitar pedals that have a 12AX7 but get powered with 9V supplies, and run the tube "barely on" such that it totally clips.

[joelb79]

There is nothing wrong with a 3-Pro. I loved mine and never had a problem with it ever. It's a very flexible amplifier.

[RobbieNuke]

Ampeg SVT III Pro is far from being a dinosaur... still in production with little or no changes (except cosmetic and speaker connectors), the features and design speak more of an amp that was well thought out when launched and has a solid, reliable performance record; it is still selling well (new or used) and is one of the better sounding (IMHO) Ampeg amps in the last 20 years.

I would consider the Vintage Reissue (and the Classic and maybe even the Pro II) to be more deserving of the moniker dinosaur... they are near exact replicas of a 60's design (one w/ a graphic EQ). I actually wish some builders would return to offering two discreet channels in some models instead of cascading two channels.

[BogeyBass]

dont know ..... maybe you should try a SWR SM 400....lol

[dukeorock]

I won't enter into the wattage arguments, but I do think both the Orange Terror Bass and the Genz Streamliner are terrific sounding amps.

There are a lot of Ampeg amps I adore, but the 3Pro aint one of them, sadly

[nysbob]

An old V4b would sound sweet through them...plus you can switch impedance for one cab gigs.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by walterw

OT, but i don't think these amps really do that; the "starved plate" thing is what you find in "tube overdrive" guitar pedals that have a 12AX7 but get powered with 9V supplies, and run the tube "barely on" such that it totally clips.

Okay fair enough not quite starved, max B+ available at the second stage 200 VDC less at the first stage. Unlike most others at 300+ VDC. The tube is in the middle of the SS signal chain BTW .

[zfunkman]

Awsome feedback! Its still overwhelming of what is out there. The TB500 is sounding good. However, has anyone checked out the Little Bastard by Asdown?

[walterw]

Originally Posted by B-string

The tube is in the middle of the SS signal chain BTW

yeah, that's kind goofy when it's like that.

if you're gonna have a "tube preamp", it should be first in line getting the bass signal directly, i would think.

[Downunderwonder]

Originally Posted by zfunkman

Awsome feedback! Its still overwhelming of what is out there. The TB500 is sounding good. However, has anyone checked out the Little Bastard by Asdown?

Now I think we're getting trolled or "bored teen quizzed" what's the word for that? I think we need one.

To humour a bored teen, yeah, hit the search button and you'll find heaps. Nobody expects it to stand in for the SWR, never not ever.

[dincz]

Originally Posted by walterw

yeah, that's kind goofy when it's like that.

if you're gonna have a "tube preamp", it should be first in line getting the bass signal directly, i would think.

Before the on-board preamp in an active bass? Tricky