Massive case of German G.A.S. - Justified?

[Worldeeeter]

A general opinion question:

I had a great rig in college (15 years ago): ADA B500B power amp, ADA MB-1 preamp effects processor, and a Mesa Boogie 2 x 15" road-ready cab with 400W EVs. Gawd, did that thing thunder!
I sold the power amp and cabinet, but kept the preamp, as it has tube and solid-state distortion like I've never found elsewhere.
For the last 14 years, I've been playing through a practice amp, as I have not been gigging.
I just bought a new (5-string) bass, and I'm getting really excited about playing again; the practice amp just isn't doing it for me, and I may end up playing out again at some point.
I have a major yen to go out and buy a Glockenklang Heart-Rock II head and Double (2 x 12") cab; it'll run me $3000 + tax & shipping. I have never played through a Glock, and it's impossible to find a music store that has this equipment, unless I want to hop a flight from CA to TX or TN with my bass.
I have heard clips on YouTube of various Glocks, including the HRII, and I remember reading about how it is used as a "referee" amp when comparing various basses for equipment guides, etc.
Everything I have read about the Heart-Rock II is all aces, and people say that Glockenklang is the standard for clarity and warmth. Not only am I sold, but I've created my own mania which keeps me reaching for my credit card.
I'm on the cusp of making the purchase, and I'd love some objective input about my Glock-mania and whether it's a sound idea (no pun intended). I can afford it right now, so I want to strike while the iron is hot. What do YOU think?

[will33]

Glock's are fine amp and may well be the cat's pajama's but come on, man.



Resist the Mania. Keep your money in your pocket. How do you know that's what you want. You're a marketeer's dream. I read some s&!t on the internet and I want this!!

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by will33

Glock's are fine amp and may well be the cat's pajama's but come on, man.



Resist the Mania. Keep your money in your pocket. How do you know that's what you want. You're a marketeer's dream. I read some s&!t on the internet and I want this!!

+1.

it sounds to me like the OP's 'convinced' himself beyond what the actual amp might actually be, which to me, means either he'll convince himself again that it is great after he's invested $3K in it, or he could possibly be setting himself up for a disappointment. personally, i wouldn't invest that kind of money into something i've only read about or heard clips on the internet, but that's just me.

[KJung]

Just for another data point, I am one who was disappointed in my HeartRock. VERY high quality, but quite voiced (to my ear). Very big, warm lows that could get a bit growly, VERY Hi Fi top end (sounded great at home but could get eaten up in a mix by the cymbals), and a more 'wide, hi fi' tone (as we use to the term hi fi in the bass community... huge low end, polite mid response, super upper treble sizzle) than punchy.

The higher end Heart Core heads, etc. are very even and 'accurate'. The HeartRock is a different thing (again, a unique combination of almost tubey, bloomy low end and uber modern top end), which you might like or not. Weightwise, it is a BALL BUSTER.

If you like that power and the general EQ design, the Carvin B2000 will give the HeartRock a TOTAL run for its money (I liked the B1500 even better than the HR when I did a pretty in-depth A-Bing). The B2000 has similar EQ, is 2/3's the size and 1/3 the weight and price.

Also, the Puma1000 is amazing, is in the same general tone profile (big low end, creamy mids, hi fi top end) and power (and unfortunately, cost) and is a fraction of the size and weight (and it is still German).

The HeartRock is a fine piece of gear if its unique voicing speaks to you, but it is not 'the top of the heap' regarding tone (nor is it particularly 'accurate and flat' to my ear)... it is one of MANY great amps with its own voice.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

+1.

it sounds to me like the OP's 'convinced' himself beyond what the actual amp might actually be, which to me, means either he'll convince himself again that it is great after he's invested $3K in it, or he could possibly be setting himself up for a disappointment. personally, i wouldn't invest that kind of money into something i've only read about or heard clips on the internet, but that's just me.

and especially if you already have a preamp you're married to like the mb-1. if you like the mb-1, just get another power amp and a cab you can find locally. glockenlang makes nice stuff, but there's nothing so out of the ordinary with it that you can't find something that doesn't cost 3 grand, especially when you consider that a lot of that is covering shipping from germany.

[Worldeeeter]

Excellent points made by all. Will33 provided the "voice of my mom", but the other replies are great motivators to go out and play through some of these other amps (especially combos, as I have NO motivation to get a big, heavy head/cab rig if I don't have to).
I'm not married to the MB-1; I'd love to find an amp that I can play through "clean" (as the trend is now going), and pass the MB-1 through the effects loop for the overdrive as needed. Of course, I can shape the MB-1 sound so much (versatile compression and parametric EQ), that I can make it work either way.
Thanks to all for your input; I'm definitely going to go "play around" for a while before making a decision. I play punk, metal, hard rock, etc., so that Glock sound may not be a bad thing for me, though. Keep the suggestions coming!

[pfschim]

Massive case of German G.A.S. - Justified?

only justified by the eating of sausages and sauerkraut, and drinking viel gütes bier

[Worldeeeter]

G.A.S. UPDATE - I spent the day today playing my Carvin IC5 bass through a bunch of different combo amps at various music stores around SoCal. Surprisingly, the place that had the best selection was a "Center where Guitars are sold". I tried out:

MarkBass 121P, 102P, 151P (Jeff Berlin)
GK MB210, MB115
Acoustic B450
Mesa Walkabout Scout 1x12"

I looked for a Puma 1000 and any Genz-Benz to try out, but no one seems to stock them.

There was no doubt that, for my style (rock/punk/metal), and the MASSIVE preamp power contained in the bass itself, the Mesa amp was head and shoulders above the rest. The clarity, warmth, and full tone that little amp puts out is unequaled. Right now, my front-runner is a Walkabout and a second 12" speaker cab to go with it.
I'm also going to find an M6 Carbine 2 x 12" combo and an M-Pulse Venture to play through, just to benchmark and make the best choice.
Hail, Mesa! You guys truly put out a great product.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

A general opinion question:

I had a great rig in college (15 years ago): ADA B500B power amp, ADA MB-1 preamp effects processor, and a Mesa Boogie 2 x 15" road-ready cab with 400W EVs. Gawd, did that thing thunder!
I sold the power amp and cabinet, but kept the preamp, as it has tube and solid-state distortion like I've never found elsewhere.
For the last 14 years, I've been playing through a practice amp, as I have not been gigging.
I just bought a new (5-string) bass, and I'm getting really excited about playing again; the practice amp just isn't doing it for me, and I may end up playing out again at some point.
I have a major yen to go out and buy a Glockenklang Heart-Rock II head and Double (2 x 12") cab; it'll run me $3000 + tax & shipping. I have never played through a Glock, and it's impossible to find a music store that has this equipment, unless I want to hop a flight from CA to TX or TN with my bass.
I have heard clips on YouTube of various Glocks, including the HRII, and I remember reading about how it is used as a "referee" amp when comparing various basses for equipment guides, etc.
Everything I have read about the Heart-Rock II is all aces, and people say that Glockenklang is the standard for clarity and warmth. Not only am I sold, but I've created my own mania which keeps me reaching for my credit card.
I'm on the cusp of making the purchase, and I'd love some objective input about my Glock-mania and whether it's a sound idea (no pun intended). I can afford it right now, so I want to strike while the iron is hot. What do YOU think?

the worst time to shop for a hooker is after you've been surfin' the porn sights.....bide your time,wait for a deal,and you will probably be happier with what you end up with

[Worldeeeter]

I love your tagline - need ain't got nuthin to do with it...kind of sums up my situation in a nutshell, eh? I need a $3000 rig like I need another orifice in my body.

[JimmyM]

since you're big on hartke these days , why not get an lh1000 and a couple hydrive 410's? for the money it's a pretty superb rig.

[Worldeeeter]

I'd be a liar if I said that I had not looked at the LH-series power amps. I'm going for a compact rig, a "mini-stack" of sorts, so I might do the LH500 with two HX112s. That would be a rockin' little setup!
Bottom line: I have amp money burning a hole in my pocket!

[savinggrace]

I understand about your obsession. I had it too had my biggest amp love affair with a Glockenklang set-up that I never had played. From all that I heard, it has a lot of its tone qualities that I look for in my sound. And I thought the Heart Rock head and Take 5 Cabinet with my Glock 23 riding on top of it would be the perfect family portrait.

However, I like the low end to be tighter than what the Glockenklang can offer. That problem paired with the huge price tag helped me to curb my obsession.

But alas, I do still dream from time to time...

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

I'd be a liar if I said that I had not looked at the LH-series power amps. I'm going for a compact rig, a "mini-stack" of sorts, so I might do the LH500 with two HX112s. That would be a rockin' little setup!
Bottom line: I have amp money burning a hole in my pocket!

[JimmyM]

eeeter, i will say this, life is too short to play a rig you don't like when you have the money to do otherwise. so if a glock means that much to you, don't let us talk you out of it. but really, if you don't mind dropping $3000 on an amp you never heard, i would think it's worth it to spend a couple hundy on a flight to a city near you that has a shop with them. then if you don't like it, you're only out a couple hundy.

or is that really insane? i don't know!!!

[Worldeeeter]

I have a plan:

I'm going to drive up to BassXchange in Sherman Oaks one day, as they have a Heart-Rock head (new) and a couple of Glock cabs there. That way, I'll get a great idea of what the sound will be like. I've spoken to the guy there, and he has no clue what that HR head is all about. He had no idea there was a HRII out. If I like it a ton, I'm going to try and talk him down to well under $2000 for the head. Then, I know of a source to buy a NAMM-demo Double 2 x 12" cab for under $900. This would save me some cash at the end of the day.
Plan B - if I don't like the Glock, on my way back down, I'll stop at the Mesa store in Hollywood. I talked to them today on the phone, and they have everything in there (M6 Carbine combo, M-Pulse 600 Venture combo, Walkabouts galore), so I can do all the side-by-side comparisons I want at their place. Plus, I'll have to order the amp from them, as I want a custom color, which they'll order for me.
I'll keep you all posted on what I decide. Ooooh, the suspense....

[savinggrace]

Excellent plan!

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

I have a plan:

I'm going to drive up to BassXchange in Sherman Oaks one day, as they have a Heart-Rock head (new) and a couple of Glock cabs there. That way, I'll get a great idea of what the sound will be like. I've spoken to the guy there, and he has no clue what that HR head is all about. He had no idea there was a HRII out. If I like it a ton, I'm going to try and talk him down to well under $2000 for the head. Then, I know of a source to buy a NAMM-demo Double 2 x 12" cab for under $900. This would save me some cash at the end of the day.
Plan B - if I don't like the Glock, on my way back down, I'll stop at the Mesa store in Hollywood. I talked to them today on the phone, and they have everything in there (M6 Carbine combo, M-Pulse 600 Venture combo, Walkabouts galore), so I can do all the side-by-side comparisons I want at their place. Plus, I'll have to order the amp from them, as I want a custom color, which they'll order for me.
I'll keep you all posted on what I decide. Ooooh, the suspense....

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

G.A.S. UPDATE - I spent the day today playing my Carvin IC5 bass through a bunch of different combo amps at various music stores around SoCal. Surprisingly, the place that had the best selection was a "Center where Guitars are sold". I tried out:

MarkBass 121P, 102P, 151P (Jeff Berlin)
GK MB210, MB115
Acoustic B450
Mesa Walkabout Scout 1x12"

I looked for a Puma 1000 and any Genz-Benz to try out, but no one seems to stock them.

There was no doubt that, for my style (rock/punk/metal), and the MASSIVE preamp power contained in the bass itself, the Mesa amp was head and shoulders above the rest. The clarity, warmth, and full tone that little amp puts out is unequaled. Right now, my front-runner is a Walkabout and a second 12" speaker cab to go with it.
I'm also going to find an M6 Carbine 2 x 12" combo and an M-Pulse Venture to play through, just to benchmark and make the best choice.
Hail, Mesa! You guys truly put out a great product.

Just a word of warning... you are hearing just as much or more of the impact of the cabs as the heads. Testing/trying heads only with that company's cabs can really cloud the waters. For example, I totally, completely dig many of the Markbass heads, but am pretty much unimpressed by most of their cabs. If I had only tried the LMII or F1 with a 102p, I would have come away thinking the head was underpowered, thin sounding, and harsh up top

The Walkabout is VERY cool, and unique in the category. It has such a unique 'tube-like' voice, and no other head (including any other Mesa head) sounds like it does. Great 112 cab also... the tweeter crossover switching system (similar to TecAmp cabs) is awesome.

When you head to try out the other Mesa heads, you will find that there are HUGE differences in the voicing of each model... from the 'Warm. punchy, but clean' Walkabout, to the huge, clean low end of the MPulse600, to the more 'modern solid state, bright, quick' sounding M6/M9, to the 'SVT cranked' sort of wooly mid grind and snarl of the BB750, etc., etc.

Have fun!

[Worldeeeter]

Thanks again to everyone who posted suggestions, feedback, etc. After playing my Carvin 5-string through a hundred amps, I have decided to go with the Mesa/Boogie M6 Carbine. I'm trying to buy the one on TB, but if it doesn't go through, I'm still looking at less than $1600 out the door for 600W with 2 x 12" speakers and a horn. I almost crumbled the Mesa/Boogie store in Hollywood, CA to the ground today with that amp. What a monster!
I finally had the chance to play through a Glockenklang Heart-Rock head and a six-box cabinet; while the highs were very strong and punchy, and the sound was extremely clear, I wasn't particularly impressed with the Glock sound overall. I found it somewhat sterile and cold, like a G-K amp. I was even less impressed when I turned up the bass output on my guitar, and produced a muddy, distorted sound out of the Glock rig. I was NOT able to do that with the M6 Carbine!
Mighty, thy name is Mesa/Boogie...

[JimmyM]

it was a nice thought while it lasted you made the wiser decision if you ask me.

[baron665]

Ever try a Forge cab. They are powered, so you wouldn't need a power amp. And You already have a preamp. Not sure how it would work out though. They are tri amped, and I think you might need to buy their preamp. But, like I said, I don't know too much about em to answer any questions. All I know is that you can daisy chain a bunch of these cabs together. Might be a little too big for what you're looking for also.