Most neutral (least coloration or sonic signature) Bass amp out there?

[larryelwood]

Hi All,

Wondered if anyone out there could comment on this? I'm looking for opinions on the most neutral sounding (when set flat) bass amp available.

Thanks!

[Planet Boulder]

Really too many variables for me (at least) to be able to answer this. Are we talking about tube vs. solid state? Tube amps, in general, have their own character, depending on the tubes (power or preamp).

There are some reputed transparent preamps out there that you could couple with a power amp and perhaps get the best results.

It really is largely subjective (in my subjective opinion). I mean, I consider my G-K stuff to be pretty transparent, but it still has its own "character". I'd offer up my Eden WT-800, but it has a preamp tube.

For me, it's probably easier to think of brands which are the *least* transparent, such as SWR and Trace Elliot.

JMO, which is most likely wrong.

[larryelwood]

Yes thanks for helping narrow this down a little. So restated, Any opinions on or preferences on Bass amps with the least amount of coloration or Signature in a solid state head, and least amount of coloration or signature in a tube head.

Thanks for your help!

[Daniel Piper]

Carvin bx500, bx1200

Markbass LM series or f series

Tecamp puma

[R Baer]

All depends on your idea of "flat". If you are talking about "knobs at noon" flat, then you need to look at amps that don't engineer a preset EQ into the preamp, of which there aren't many. The other option is to not worry about your knobs and instead look for an amp that will let you achieve an optimally flat response by dialing out the built in EQ. Always difficult IMO, due to the fact that the controls on the front panel are usually not designed with the exact same frequency centers and bandwidths used to create the built in EQ in the first place. My preference is to use a flat preamp with a flexible EQ section. Bass Gear Magazine is a great resource, as they are the only magazine I know that even bothers to take a few measurements and show you what the preamp looks like with everything set at noon.

[jibreel]

Acoustic image hands down. However, as others say, no necessarily a good thing.

[Baird6869]

Originally Posted by jibreel

Acoustic image hands down. However, as others say, no necessarily a good thing.

+1.

And definitely the Glockenklang Heart Rock.

[CL400Peavey]

If you dont mind the Pre/Power rig a channel strip can be very uncolored.