Make an amp recommendation for me!

marklaforest · #1 08-23-2010, 11:00 PM

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new head. I've got a large collection of cabs from various makers that are almost all loaded with 10 inch speakers. I gig regularly, about 3 or 4 times a week in various different bands and styles and more when on tour. I started out on an Ampeg B4-R that served me well for years, then went through a serious tube phase and now own a Mesa Bass 400 (not the 400+), vintage Ampeg V4-B, and an early 70's Orange OR-80. The Mesa has been my go-to for a while, the V4-B sees a fair amount of action as well, and the Orange OR-80 is a little too under powered for most gig situations (but is killer in the studio!). I play a Fender P bass mostly, sometimes a Jazz. Always passive.

Here's the problem - I like the Mesa, however I feel like it might not be the best amp for me. I run a Sansamp DI in front of it and really need to tweak the EQ settings pretty hard on it to get what I'm looking for. The DI in it is not great either. It's heavy, not the most reliable, and not quite "my sound".

So I'm looking to replace the Mesa with something a little more gig worthy. I tried out a couple of the class D offerings from different companies (Markbass, Genz Benz, Traynor) and was not really satisfied. I'm not necessarily looking for an all tube amp, but I'm not against the idea either. My tube purist needs will be covered with the Orange and the V4. Weight is not that much of an issue, as long as it's not absurd. I'm looking for something with lots of power, flexible tone, a decent DI with the option to go pre or post preamp, and reliability.

I recently played an SVT-3 at a gig that was supplied as the backline and was floored by how great it sounded, but felt it was a little under powered. That led me to look at the SVT-4, which I think might cover my needs but I don't really have one around to try. I've also been doing a lot of reading on the Mesa M6 and M9. I like the simplicity of their layout and they're getting rave reviews. Any thoughts or other suggestions?

Thanks for reading!

waleross · #2 08-23-2010, 11:33 PM

Here are three: FenderTb1200, AmpegsvT 4Pro and the GenzBenz gbE1200, do your homework.....

JSK5String · #3 08-23-2010, 11:49 PM

VT Deluxe into a power amp into your cabs. All the Ampeg tones your heart desires in about 1/5 the weight (if you go with a newer power amp).

rhopper · #4 08-24-2010, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waleross

Here are three: FenderTb1200, AmpegsvT 4Pro and the GenzBenz gbE1200, do your homework.....

The Fender rocks...

JimmyM · #5 08-24-2010, 08:06 AM

the svt 3 pro is not underpowered. you just have to crank the gain pretty hard until the input light lights up steadily. it's not a clip light. that's why people think it's underpowered. i never even used the light when i had one...i just used my ears, and invariably i'd have the gain at around 3:00. sounds better that way anyway. not my favorite amp ever but a very good one that gets a bad rep for being underpowered because of the light.

having said that, a vt into pretty much any amp or power amp is the ticket if you want a small rig that sounds tubey and ampeggy. doesn't come with a di but you can have it modded for one by mike putman at www.pztronics.com .

Jim Carr · #6 08-24-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSK5String

VT Deluxe into a power amp into your cabs. All the Ampeg tones your heart desires in about 1/5 the weight (if you go with a newer power amp).

+1

I'd second this, if you don't mind a rack, rack bag, or bare power amp. The other advice is all good, too.

Since the GB Shuttle series seems not to be your thing, the head I use now most is one you might want to check out. It is the Mesa Boogie Carbine M9.

Very powerful (900 watts at 4 ohms), pre/post DI with level control, GEQ, and tons of other features. There are a couple of Carbine mega-threads going that may help.

Weighing in at about 28 lbs. (IIRC), the M9's tone pallet is very flexible and well-structured. The available lows are clearer than almost anything I have used, yet plenty of tube drive can be had if you are willing to push the gain. The graphic EQ is very much more useful to me than I expected, and the "5 voices" (contour settings) are very well-conceived. This amp is especially great for passive basses, where setting the amp flat is not that attractive an option--as it can be IMHO for an active bass such as my Sadowsky P/J or 55-01D.

All in all, the M9 is an amazing head. I found mine used on TB for around $850. I'm playing Latin, Reggae, Soca and Punk/Rockabilly, and Jazz. The only time I don't use it is when I am either using my upright or need a single carry. Then it is the Shuttle 6.0 that goes on stage.

mrpackerguy · #7 08-24-2010, 08:59 AM

Since you like Mesa sort of, how about moving into the Mpulse area. I love my Mpulse 600. You still get the tubey pre amp, but mosfet power section. I have used mostly 10s and that head really sounds nice. I happen to be using 12s now, but am equally happy with how the Mpulse sounds through them.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #8 08-24-2010, 09:07 AM

You and I are in the same boat for the most part. I'm looking to get rid of my SVT 3 even though I love the tone because I'm looking to run 2 4 ohm cabs. I thought the GB ShuttleMAX 12 would be perfect for me but like you the Class D sound just didn't do it for me. I am also currently eying an M6 or M9 Carbine and the SVT 4.

I played through the SVT 4 and it seemed pretty similar to the 3, with more power and additional options. However most of the reviews I've read seem to peg it as less reliable than the 3. I haven't had a chance to try out the Mesas yet, but as I'm doing primarily death metal and stoner rock, I've heard I might not care for the sound.

I'm definitely checking out the VT option now!

Edit: Thought this was a rack preamp but just realized it's a pedal! With a solid power amp does this compare to the Ampeg amps such as the SVTs?

marklaforest · #9 08-24-2010, 10:36 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the great feedback. JimmyM, that's an interesting point about the clipping light. I usually dial it in until it clips then back off a touch. With my Sansamp in front of the amp and a heavy touch, the light usually came in around 9 o'clock. So I had the master cranked almost full to get stage sound at an outdoor gig. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I use one of those. I guess my next question then is about the VT. I've been a big time fan of my Sansamp since I got it years ago. I don't think I've played a gig without it in about 5 five years. It's reliable, tough, and sounds great. Is the VT really all that different? I haven't had a chance to try one yet and I figured they were pretty much the same thing. I've got a couple of Sansamps now, the Bass Driver DI, the Paradriver, and the triple programmable one too. Is the VT really a whole new experience?

Another question - What's the difference tonally between the Mesa Carbine series and the Mesa Big blocks? I can see the differences on paper, but how do they sound? How do they sound in relation to the SVT-4?

MarkusBass · #10 08-24-2010, 10:39 AM

GK Fusion 550?

JimmyM · #11 08-24-2010, 12:03 PM

ya mark, i think the vt is a whole different experience. others disagree with me, but that's the way i see it.

marklaforest · #12 08-24-2010, 06:47 PM

I'll have to check it out then. I'm not a huge fan of the power amp idea though. I'd like to have something that stands alone as a decent amp.

Montanamike · #13 08-24-2010, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkusBass

GK Fusion 550?

+1

sykes of christ · #14 08-24-2010, 09:12 PM

FTW

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSK5String

VT Deluxe into a power amp into your cabs. All the Ampeg tones your heart desires in about 1/5 the weight (if you go with a newer power amp).

marklaforest · #15 08-24-2010, 09:22 PM

I guess a major advantage of the VT pedal to power amp setup is knowing that your stage sound is very close to your FOH sound, as long as you're using a DI between the amp and the pedal or have the deluxe version.

JimmyM · #16 08-24-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marklaforest

I guess a major advantage of the VT pedal to power amp setup is knowing that your stage sound is very close to your FOH sound, as long as you're using a DI between the amp and the pedal or have the deluxe version.

it can be, but since i use ampeg cabs, i've noticed that the sound in my cabs isn't quite as bright as what comes out of the pa. but it still sounds very ampeggy and a turn of the treble knob in the bass channel takes care of that.