Which head for a fEARful 15/6/1 (8 ohm)?

Oobly · #1 09-07-2011, 02:54 PM

Hi guys,

I had a GK MB Fusion on order at an online store which I have some credit with... Unfortunately they haven't come into stock in more than a month and I was informed today that they don't have an arrival date. The credit came from my faulty combo which I sent in, so I don't have anything to play through at the moment.

So I have been looking at other options, but I just don't know what to go for. They don't have Genz Benz or Carvin and they don't have the GK MB800 which was my other main choice.

I originally considered the TC Electronic Classic 450 and BH500, but I won't get a TC at the moment on principle.

The main options I have are
1. Ampeg PF500
2. GK MB500
3. MARKBASS MOMARK GRAFIC 600 (mutable preamp, 7 band graphic EQ, 600W, 450 into 8 ohm)
4. Ashdown MiBass 550
5. ORANGE BASS TERROR 500
6. Hartke LH1000
7. Ashdown ABM500 RC Evo III
8. Ashdown 550 Spyder
9. Markbass R500

(10.) Hartke HA 5500, arriving end of the month, but I will only wait for it if it really is "the one".

(11.) Orange Terror 1000, a bit out of my original budget and will only arrive in October, but could be an option.

I want something that will match well enough to the fEARful that it can be used for fairly large gigs, preferably with flexible tone options, for styles ranging from metal to jazz, although it will mostly be used for rock.

The 4 that appeal most at the moment are the Ampeg PF500, Ashdown ABM500, MoMark 600 and GK MB500 with the ABM500 holding top spot right now, but that seems to change every moment...

Please help! I need some experienced advice.

JimmyM · #2 09-07-2011, 03:01 PM

All good choices, and you will now be flooded with people recommending their favorites, and you're guaranteed at least one person will recommend every head on your list, but for me, the PF500 is just such a great head at a great price that it would be my choice.

will33 · #3 09-07-2011, 03:08 PM

To be able to take full advantage of what that cab is capable of I'd say get something that can produce at minimum an honest 300-400 watts at 8ohms, anything less would be wasted performance potential. Pf500 or similair would work but that's about the minimum power I'd be looking at.

GrowlerBox · #4 09-07-2011, 03:09 PM

To my mind, the deal with fEARfuls is that they have pretty much as near as possible a flat response, and can make use of a good deal of power without melting. All of which means they're going to be useable with virtually anything.

If I were in your shoes, I would probably be looking at a power amp and a couple of preamps to cover the range of styles/tones you're after. Of course, other issues come into play, like weight and transportability, and these are valid reasons for choosing one rig over another.

For a single amp head, I guess I would be focused on having a flexible EQ above all else, followed whatever other features tickle you. It's a great shame about the recent TCE issue, because for me, the RH450/750 has it covered (I have the 450, but would buy the 750 if I didn't).

cableguy · #5 09-07-2011, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

All good choices, and you will now be flooded with people recommending their favorites, and you're guaranteed at least one person will recommend every head on your list, but for me, the PF500 is just such a great head at a great price that it would be my choice.

+1

I played one through my fEARful 12/6 and it sounded great. If your planing on getting really loud you might want to bump up to the SVT-7Pro. Since it's an 8omh cab you can use more power than the PF500 can provide. I myself use a GK 700RB-II. Not a micro, but not a heavyweigt either. Sounds great to me especially with a little tech 21 magic in front.

lomo · #6 09-07-2011, 03:19 PM

My free .02: get at least 500 watts into that cab if you want to hear it bloom.

will33 · #7 09-07-2011, 03:26 PM

Good points all

Just keep in mind what that thing is capable of. A 300 watt amp could be run up to clipping/zero headroom and still have a good bit of potential left in the speaker. If you want headroom with your volume, look at bigger power.

4-string · #8 09-07-2011, 03:27 PM

With that cab, from your list I would choose the GK MB500.

kosmicwizard · #9 09-07-2011, 03:39 PM

I agree with the above posters, for the most part. You want an Ampeg SVT 7 PRO (with possible Tech 21 VT Bass pedal) or either an Ampeg B4r or G-K 1001RB-II with the VT Bass pedal. Cheers.

solarplexus · #10 09-07-2011, 04:13 PM

i use a Hartke LH1000 with a 12/6 (but soon will be a 15/6 with sub) and I love it.

squiresuzuki · #11 09-07-2011, 04:34 PM

Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 (or 9.0?). No doubt. Get it.

Please, please, please post sound clips.

JimmyM · #12 09-07-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmicwizard

I agree with the above posters, for the most part. You want an Ampeg SVT 7 PRO (with possible Tech 21 VT Bass pedal) or either an Ampeg B4r or G-K 1001RB-II with the VT Bass pedal. Cheers.

Would have suggested the 7 Pro but it wasn't on his list. But yeah, other than the SVT tube heads, that's my favorite amp Ampeg makes right now. Only wish I actually had use for a 1000w amp...but in a fEarful, you could probably make use of the wattage. Does 600w at 8 ohms.

makohund · #13 09-07-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

All good choices, and you will now be flooded with people recommending their favorites, and you're guaranteed at least one person will recommend every head on your list, but for me, the PF500 is just such a great head at a great price that it would be my choice.

I tried one of those in a local shop the other day, when they insisted I should try a particular bass out.

It sounded great, but I was completely underwhelmed by the power. To be fair, it might have been me... it was only for a couple minutes, and I had two toddlers in tow - was definitely distracted much of the time.

It also might have been the cab... a single Ampeg 410, not sure which model. I had the gain up pretty good, and the volume anywhere from 3oclock to nearly pegged, and it just didn't seem as loud as I'd expect.
Kinda surprised me. (Also the first micro I've ever tried, and first sub-kilowatt thing I've plugged into for a decade or so. Shouldn't make that much difference, though.)

Is there a secret to squeezing the juice out? I'm sure it's worth another go, sans kiddos. It did sound really good. I should probably do a search... probably will later when I'm on a computer instead of this phone.

rpsands · #14 09-07-2011, 04:49 PM

The shuttle 9 is really not noticeably louder than an Mb500, possibly less so if you don't want the tube preamp grit.

Shuttlemax 9.0 or bust imho, with the fEarfuls, if you're going Genz. Maybe a Streamliner if you want tubeys.

Think strongly about a bridged Crown XLS 1500 and a pedal preamp, if you are a pedal guy. the Crown is 8lbs and deceptively small.

Carvin BX1500 or B2000 would be up on my list too.

JimmyM · #15 09-07-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makohund

I tried one of those in a local shop the other day, when they insisted I should try a particular bass out.

It sounded great, but I was completely underwhelmed by the power. To be fair, it might have been me... it was only for a couple minutes, and I had two toddlers in tow - was definitely distracted much of the time.

It also might have been the cab... a single Ampeg 410, not sure which model. I had the gain up pretty good, and the volume anywhere from 3oclock to nearly pegged, and it just didn't seem as loud as I'd expect.
Kinda surprised me. (Also the first micro I've ever tried, and first sub-kilowatt thing I've plugged into for a decade or so. Shouldn't make that much difference, though.)

Is there a secret to squeezing the juice out? I'm sure it's worth another go, sans kiddos. It did sound really good. I should probably do a search... probably will later when I'm on a computer instead of this phone.

I cranked one for about 5 seconds into a 610HLF at GC and couldn't take it and had to turn down. But it was a 4 ohm cab, and if you used the 410HE, that's an 8 ohm cab and you'll get 300w out of it. And if it was a 410HLF, that's a very low voiced cab and diverts a lot of energy to the lows, which results in decreased sensitivity. But it's as loud as any 450-500w amp I've ever used, and Ampeg's very honest with their wattage ratings and tend to underrate them rather than overrate them, unlike a certain company that will remain unnamed but their initials are TC.

MysticMichael · #16 09-07-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpsands

Carvin BX1500 or B2000 would be up on my list too.

I was just about to say...

If you want straightforward, simple, extremely powerful, Class AB mono-block, the B2000 is your amp. If you want stereo, Class D dual mono-block with comparable power, but with maximum options for tone tweaking, get the BX1500.

Either way, you get gobs of headroom. You can't go wrong...

MM

Oobly · #17 09-08-2011, 02:51 AM

Thanks, guys, some useful information here.

Unfortunately, they don't stock Carvin, otherwise a BX1500 would be on its way to me now. Looks like fantastic value for good power.

Alas, also no Genz Benz or Crown amps at the store.

I like the tone of the Portaflex 500, but I do have concerns about power going into an 8 ohm cab. It's still in my top 4 though. With the LH 1000 it is the other way around.. Plenty of watts, but I am intimidated by the wacky (to me) EQ. From samples I have heard it sounds a little "thin" to me... could just be the EQ settings that were used.

The MoMark doesn't have the combination of modules I would lke most, though, so it is a bit of a compromise. I guess pretty much all the ones on the list are. Was looking forward to the Fusion, or an MB800 failing that. Now I feel lost at sea.

The SVT7Pro and GK 1001RB are great options, but I just can't stretch the budget that far at the moment. Maybe if I wait for the next paycheck.... Patience is hard...

If I can wait and put a bit more cash in, the SVT 7 Pro looks promising. It's probably good to step back and think about it for a while, too, I guess. This will be my main amp for the foreseeable future, so I want it to be the right one. Don't want to make a snap decision which turns out badly.

GrowlerBox · #18 09-08-2011, 03:39 AM

The LH1000 EQ is based on the Fender tone stack as I recall -- i.e. flat is 2-10-2 (bass-mids-treble), which may account for its apparent "wackiness".

If you like the PF500 but need more of it, it seems as though the SVT7Pro could be for you -- JimmyM certainly seems to like it.

MysticMichael · #19 09-08-2011, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oobly

Unfortunately, they don't stock Carvin, otherwise a BX1500 would be on its way to me now. Looks like fantastic value for good power.

Nobody stocks Carvin...except Carvin. To get one, you have only to order one through Carvin.com. Or call 'em on their toll-free order line: 1-800-854-2235.

K?

MM

steve_rolfeca · #20 09-08-2011, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oobly

...The SVT7Pro and GK 1001RB are great options, but I just can't stretch the budget that far at the moment. Maybe if I wait for the next paycheck.... Patience is hard...

This is the sickness that is GAS. The right amp, could last you the rest of your life. Settling for "almost right" for the sake of a short term budget issue of a few hundred bucks, is never a good idea.

If you really know what your desert island amp is, then do whatever it takes to get it. Rent locally to fill the gap, sell your dog, or even (gasp) save up a few more weeks or months...