Line 6 LowDown HD750 + GK 410MBE ...comments?

[goatghost]

So, I'm looking to ditch my 61-pound Peavey KB100 75-watt keyboard amp. It has served me well for bass/synths/guitar, but I hate lugging it around and I want to get a "real" bass rig.

Like most everyone, I want to get something powerful, lightweight, expandable, inexpensive, and decent-sounding. I play classic rock (using fingers, as well as a pick), but I might want to use it for pop/dance, in the future. I want to have enough power for small and medium-sized venues and, maybe, outdoor/larger venues, in the future. I figure 350-watts or more through a 4x10 should suffice, initially. I definitely like the idea of a lightweight Class D amp.

I really don't do any slapping. I'm not looking for clean/transparent/pristine. For the most part, I'm looking for a warm, slightly-overdriven sound (a la Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Gene Simmons, John Entwistle, Adam Clayton).

I play an Ibanez 5-string, which has served me well (I really like the action and string spacing). It's got stock, passive pickups, which have been fine for my purposes.

I would like the amp to have either an "aux" input (preferable) for my synth, or have 2 inputs (less favorable, since I would have to dial down the gain with the synth plugged in). I have a PA (two 550-watt powered speakers), but I'd rather not lug it around to practices for just my synth.

I can pick up a GK 410MBE for under $400, when it's on sale. It's only 41 pounds, but handles 800-watts (8 ohms, 103dB sensitivity).

As for an amp, I'm probably looking to get a used, 21-pound, 750-watt Line 6 Lowdown HD750 amp ($350-$400). I figure I'll get 375-watts out of the one 410MBE cab and, if I want more volume in the future, I can gain the full 750-watts with an additional 8-ohm 410MBE. From what I can tell, the "rock" (SVT) emulation sounds like what I'm looking for. Plus, it has a built-in tuner, which is nice.

I had been considering all sorts of amps. A used Ampeg SVT3Pro ($400 range) would sound good, but it lacks the "aux" input. An Ampeg SVT7Pro is probably my dream amp but, again, it lacks the extra input.

I had a shot at a used Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 on eBay (it sold for $405...an INCREDIBLE deal), but I decided against it, since I think it would be too "clean" for my purposes (and I would need to use a pedal for decent overdrive sounds).

The GK MB500 looks good, too. It's super light weight and pairs nicely with the 410MBE, but lacks an "aux" input.

The Hartke LH1000 is simple, but powerful (750-watts at 8ohms or 1050-watts at 4ohms, bridged...WOW). I saw a used one on here for $375...an amazing value. But, again, no "aux" input.

The Ampeg PF-500 is pretty cool, but its "aux" input can only be used with the headphone jack.

The $499 Ibanez Prometheon has an "aux" input and puts out 250-watts at 8ohms, but I think to myself why go that route (except for having the peace-of-mind of a warranty), when I can get something used, with more power, for less money.

Anyway, I know there are thousands of well-informed folks on here, so I figured I'll just throw this out there to see if anyone would like to comment.

I'm fully expecting comments such as "anything but Ampeg is a waste of money", "emulation is crap", "Line 6 is only good for guitars", "nothing can replace tubes", "a 500-watt Ampeg 410HLF will bury an 800-watt GK 410MBE", "you really should consider a $800+ esoteric/boutique head...it will be much more transparent and flexible", etc.

I'm open to opinions.

Thanks, all!!!

[goatghost]

Hmm...no comments.

I think I need to put Genz Benz, Ampeg, Geddy, or Myung in the subject line, next time...LOL!!!

[Charlzm]

I just don't love Line 6 as much as I used to; I used to have a complete signal chain (Variax bass, BassPOD XT Live and a LowDown LD300 Pro).

After playing this setup for a year or so, it became clear I needed more stage volume. I bought a real amp (with a tube preamp section - as opposed to a modeling amp) and was astonished at how much better it sounded than any of the emulations. Comparing them in the local Guitar Center just wasn't enough to show me the difference; trying them out in rehearsal was what it took. Everyone in the band commented how much better my tone was with my new combo. In fact, we had recorded an album at the time and we re-amped almost all my tracks with my new amp.

I have retained the Bass POD XT Live for effects and a little overdrive, but overall, I just craved more than the modeling was giving me.

That having been said, modeling software and guitars work well for me when doing demos.

[RickenBoogie]

I'm no fan of modelling amps either, and thus would stay away from that amp. But, if that's your thing, why not. +1 to models of amps sound nothing like the amp they supposedly model, it's just eq trickery as far as I'm concerned.

[nickrs540]

I don't have that line 6 amp, but i have the line 6 rackmount bass pod (I think its called) and I love it. I use it for a pre-amp and as an effects unit. I will agree that the some of the modeling amps are pretty useless in my tests, but some of em' are pretty good for my uses weither or not they sound like what they are supposedly emulating. All the effects on it are pretty good, and it has some nice distortion settings on it.

Of course this could be completly different then the amp your talking about, but either way I enjoy mine and I get alot of use out of all the features.