Best D class amp for metal...

[IngerAlb]

Before all the acid comments & jokes start piling up, let me explain what this is about, ok?

First of all, yes, I know you can use any bass for metal But IMO it's not the same for bass rigs and specifically amps...ok, you can dial a decent tone on most, but not all amps have a voice that fits naturally, with minimal knob tweaking. From what I've seen during these years, Ampeg seems to be the most popular choice, followed by GK, and Peavey or Hartke here and there.

So let's say that your current amp fills these requirements:
- a modern sound that fits the more extreme side of the genre (thrash/death/this kind of stuff);
- it's powerful enough to get your bass heard through the wall of sound created by full guitar stacks & a very loud drummer;
- it allows you to have a thick & meaty tone, without losing clarity & note definition (for the record my old rig consisted of a GK700-RBII through a pair of Warwick WCA 411 Pro's).


And you want to replace it with a D class amp...but none of the local stores carries them thus you're forced to buy online...so:

1. in your opinion, do these D class amps retain most of the brand's tone?

2. would you replace your trusty (but heavy) amp with a D class amp from the same brand?

3. do you think one of these amps might work better for this type of music than others?

4. any other pros/cons?


Thanks in advance!

[pablomigraine]

I love my Genz Benz Amps. If you have a very good bass, I would strongly suggest the Genz Benz Streamliner 900 with one or two Genz Benz Uber410's. The GB cabinets are, IMHO, far superior to cabinets made by other "mass-market" manufacturers and compete with some of the boutique cabs in terms of performance.

If you're using a cleanish tone, use a lot of effects, or want the flexibility of several different tones within a single set, I would go with the Shuttlemax 9.2..... which is a viciously punchy head....

[BassmanPaul]

Yet again someone asking for advice without filling out his location. We don't know where you live so we don't know what equipment might be available in your neck of the woods!

I would say check out carvin.com but if you are not in north America that choice might well be invalid.

[PWV]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Yet again someone asking for advice without filling out his location.

It's there - Romania. My drummer friend goes there every summer.

Can't help much with the question, but gut instinct would be the TC Electronics Blacksmith head would fit your needs.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by PWV

It's there - Romania.

Where???

[kaiser_sosea]

Best in industry (products and service) - Genz Benz
Best bang for buck - Carvin
Great gear and safe bet for genre - Mesa Boogie

[Selta]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Where???

+1 - not seeing it either.
In any case, I don't think there's an easy answer to this at all. It entirely depends on your other band mates, the tone you are actually seeking, and what your requirements are ($, weight, availability). I *love* my SansAmp RPM. You might not.

[rummy]

SVT 7 Pro.
Ampeg tubey sound, 1000Watts, and class D.

[Jim Carr]

Does your band provide its own PA? Do you have PA support? Describe the degree to which the other performers are mic'd. What size venues are typical: pasty shops, boxing rings, basements, shopping malls, pubs, gymnasiums?

Can you see how unanswerable your question is as posed?

[PWV]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Where???

View Public Profile --> View Contact Info Home Page ---> View Projects. (Guess I can work for Homeland Security now. )

And I would put another +1 for Genz Benz. I run a Shuttle 9.0 into a GB XB3 810 fridge at church, its got all kinds of tone options.

[Calaverasgrande]

Originally Posted by IngerAlb

So let's say that your current amp fills these requirements:
- a modern sound that fits the more extreme side of the genre (thrash/death/this kind of stuff);
- it's powerful enough to get your bass heard through the wall of sound created by full guitar stacks & a very loud drummer;
- it allows you to have a thick & meaty tone, without losing clarity & note definition .
class D amp

He did say Class D amp guys, so the SVT 7 doesnt apply.
I would love to know the answer to this as well.
I havent been able to find a store that has more than one Class D amp in stock. Heck I have only seen the Tone Hammer once, and the streamliners never.
These things fly off the shelves so fast I bet most of us are in the same boat. Try after you buy.
The word on the street seems to be that the GK MB fusion has that GK sound with a touch of tube. The Genz is supposed to be great, but I have yet to find one to try.

I would ask to clarify, which kind of tone do you go for?
Metal bassists seem to either go for a stinging midrange such as you get with a Stingray, though this may be more in the punk-metal crossover vein. Or a scooped sound with a lot of low end like Faith No More or Sepultura.
Then there is that whole doomish low end, low mid with nothing above 1k.

[greggster59]

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

He did say Class D amp guys, so the SVT 7 doesnt apply.

Actually, the SVT 7 PRO is a Class D amp.

[seamonkey]

Class D is a good call
They are much higher in efficiency
You'll get more power out of a wall outlet or stage drop than non-class-d designs.

If you add an SMPS (switch mode power supply) you can even get more efficiency.
Some countries now are asking that power factor correction be added to consumer devices. SMPS is a good way to get this.

Looks for power rated in EIA, or EIAJ, or even FTC. These are standards that protect consumers from fraudulent manufacturers.

[Calaverasgrande]

my bad, I guess I assumed all class d amps these days were the size of a VHS tape.
I guess I am also guilty of assuming that people aren't reading the OP's specs, because quite often a lot of us just pile on reccomending whatever we use.
"the best class D amp for metal is a mesa Bass 400"

[bassboysam]

Class D is sooooo not metal.... Especially those micro heads.

[rummy]

Originally Posted by greggster59

Actually, the SVT 7 PRO is a Class D amp.

Yup. I've had mine for months. It is class D. Damn thing weighs close to 20lbs and large, but it is class D.

[randysmojo]

I would think the Ampeg svt-7pro would be the best for metal. Good power level, Ampeg tone, and it looks most like a bigger manly amp!

[rpsands]

GK MB500 (800 if it's out), hands down.

[DPG003]

I would recommend checking out the Ampeg PF500 .

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by PWV

View Public Profile --> View Contact Info Home Page ---> View Projects. (Guess I can work for Homeland Security now. )

With the greatest of respect my brother, if someone wants a question answered he/she should provide all the relevant details up front. I simply don't have the time to go searching for what SHOULD be clearly visible. It's the whole point of the profile in the first place. I simply don't understand why folk don't comply. It's not as if there is any way I could search the poster out from that profile.