Looking for a well made, reliable head.

[creis2]

Hey everyone,

A few months ago you guys pointed me towards a Bergantino cabinet, it was the best advice ever.

After dealing with my Ampeg SVT-7 being in the shop every other week, I'm looking for a new head. At this point, I don't mind spending a little extra if I'm getting something that lasts me decades.

My cab handles 750 watts, so something around there would be idea. I was considering an Ashdown or GK?

I'm not looking for a tube head at this time, I prefer a solid state.

Any suggestions?

[jmattbassplaya]

The Pro7 IS a reliable head. You just happened to get a lemon. It isn't a Rev C is it?

Honestly, just about any major name brand will be reasonably reliable. It just depends on what you want out of a head. What are your tonal goals?

[creis2]

It was a rev A, I recently sold it. I've played an Ashdown and liked the sound, but I've heard questionable things about reliability from people.

I'm not too picky with tone, I change my tone all of the time, so I'm leaning towards reliability.

[JimmyM]

For what it's worth, the Rev C 7 Pro addressed the issue with the A's. Sorry you got one that wasn't working but any amp can break, and nobody's got a perfect track record. All 3 of those companies have pretty good reliability. Every once in a while it's your turn in the barrel.

[Hopkins]

You cant go wrong with GK, my 700RB II has been a solid work horse. I'm completely sold on GK reliability.

[B-string]

G-K 700RB II, 1001 RB II or the Fusion 550 = Loud, toneful and reliable.

[jmattbassplaya]

I personally like the Markbass LMIII. It's a wonderful amp for it's size and power, and it has a pretty great tone too.

[johnk_10]

for an SS amp, my GK 1001RBII has been very reliable (not a single issue), but for that matter my SVT VR (made in viet nam) has been perfect too and i've owned it even a little longer.

[1954bassman]

I have had really good luck with Eden and GK

[Epidrake]

Genz Benz has a three year transferable warranty. I love my Shuttle 6.0 head. Tube pre-amp gives me just the right amount of grind when I want it.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I personally like the Markbass LMIII. It's a wonderful amp for it's size and power, and it has a pretty great tone too.

+1.

If you want more power, there's the Little Mark 800. My LMIII has a wonderfully warm tone for solid state. I've even found the secret to be to run it with the eq knobs at noon, no filters, except for just a touch-up when needed. Best $600 you'll ever spend.

[creis2]

I have an old mesaboogie guitar amp I love a lot. How are their bass heads? Are they bulletproof like their guitar amps?

[Coreythebassman]

Im in the same boat sort of, any opinions on a really clear solid state amp? going for the Wooten, or Gwizdala Clarity (although i don't have a fodera)

[christw]

Originally Posted by creis2

I have an old mesaboogie guitar amp I love a lot. How are their bass heads? Are they bulletproof like their guitar amps?

Yes. I can see what the hype is about after briefly owning a Mesa 400.

[Catbuster]

Originally Posted by Coreythebassman

Im in the same boat sort of, any opinions on a really clear solid state amp? going for the Wooten, or Gwizdala Clarity (although i don't have a fodera)

You can't kill an RB series GK. Knock on wood. And the 1001RB is one of the clearest amps I've used.

[herrdruhl]

Originally Posted by creis2

Hey everyone,

A few months ago you guys pointed me towards a Bergantino cabinet, it was the best advice ever.

After dealing with my Ampeg SVT-7 being in the shop every other week, I'm looking for a new head. At this point, I don't mind spending a little extra if I'm getting something that lasts me decades.

My cab handles 750 watts, so something around there would be idea. I was considering an Ashdown or GK?

I'm not looking for a tube head at this time, I prefer a solid state.

Any suggestions?

Thunderfunk TFB550B or TFB750A are really great amps, very well made and have excellent tone.

[Systolic]

Peavey = Tank

I don't think anybody hear would really argue that.

[Tim1]

I don't know which Bergantino cabinet you have, but Markbass amps seem to work very well with all of them. In terms of reliability Markbass is right up there with GK and is a little warmer sounding IME. I get the impression that not many people mix GK amps and Bergantino cabs - no doubt now everyone will post and prove me wrong. No reason why they shouldn't work together.

[Dan55]

Originally Posted by creis2

I have an old mesaboogie guitar amp I love a lot. How are their bass heads? Are they bulletproof like their guitar amps?

You betcha. Depending on your tonal goals, Mesa likely has the head to fit your needs. I personally think the Walkabout head is as good as it gets, as long as 300W into 4 ohms gets it done for you. YMMV.

Dan

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Hopkins

You cant go wrong with GK, my 700RB II has been a solid work horse. I'm completely sold on GK reliability.

Originally Posted by B-string

G-K 700RB II, 1001 RB II or the Fusion 550 = Loud, toneful and reliable.

Originally Posted by johnk_10

for an SS amp, my GK 1001RBII has been very reliable (not a single issue), but for that matter my SVT VR (made in viet nam) has been perfect too and i've owned it even a little longer.

Originally Posted by 1954bassman

I have had really good luck with Eden and GK

Originally Posted by Catbuster

You can't kill an RB series GK. Knock on wood. And the 1001RB is one of the clearest amps I've used.

I'm seeing a trend here.........

I was gonna suggest the venerable GK 800RB. My favorite, after owning many amps over many years. I actually sold mine (foolishly) when I wanted to stray and play the field, and eventually bought it back from the guy I sold it to. It's my #1 gig amp, is over twenty years old, and has never given me any problems. It's a solid, compact, great-sounding brick s**t house of an amp.