Need advice on D-Class amps

[uncle]

Hi, for the moment I play a EBS amp, the fafner 2 (with a five string bass), I'm very pleased with the sound but my back is begging for a lightweight amp! So I've been looking around on the net for a powerfull lightweight Class D-amp! I came across the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0, the new Aguilar Tonemammer 500, Markbass LMT 800, TC Electronics RH 750,....
Anyone of you have expierence with these lightweight amps?
Since I also have to be able to play "medium size" gigs without playing through a P.A.-system, the amp has got to have enough power, be lightweight, easy to use, reliable.Soundwise I would prefer something in the direction of my EBS (Clean, tight and punchy,...)
Any advice is welcome since I don't have any expierience with these amps.

[BurningSkies]

One of these amps is not like the other.

[uncle]

I know, that's why I try to explain what I play now and what I am looking for! I don't know anything about these Calss D-amps and therefor needs your advice....

[rodl2005]

The GB Shuttle 9.0 is pretty much IT, as far as very light weight, powerful & with great eq. Can't recommend 'em highly enuff.
Ampegs SVT 7 PRO Will also do that job well, as will their pf500, but the extras of the 7 pro are-more pwr, girth in the bottom end & clean headroom.

[pan1k]

I'm in the same boat. I'm looking into it myself. Other class d amps:

Carvin bx500 (lots of cool features)
Gk mb series (I'm looking at the mb fusion)
Swr head lite( ppl are saying it doesn't have enough pwr)

I saw my favorite columnist do a demo of the genz benz, I dig the tube warmth BUT (call me superficial) I don't dig the. Look fo their cabs. Considering picking up this used aguilar gs 212 cab at sam ash and getting the genz benz head

[fenderslaper]

Love my BX500. Punchy, can shape tone lots of ways.

[uncle]

I'm based in Europe. So the amp should be available over here. Is the rating of the Shuttle being 900Watts RMS output power correct? Is he really as moud as a anoalog 900 Watts amp?

[KJung]

IMO, if you like the rather aggressive tone of the Fafner, and like a nice extended top end and the ability to overdrive a bit, the closest thing to that voicing in a micro is the GK MBFusion. It is a loud 500 watts, has three preamp tubes, and is a nice modification of the GK aggressive solid state tone (just like the Fafner is a modification of the TD650 to my ear).

The Shuttle 9 would also serve you well. It is not the same thing as, for example, the massive wump of the 900 watt Mesa M9, but will EASILY keep up with the volume of your Fafner run at 4ohms.

If you can get your hands on that GK Fusion500, I'm pretty sure you would be happy (again, assuming you dig your Fafner), and it is very small and very light.

It won't sound exactly like your Fafner, but should be in that sort of tone universe (big, bright, and if pushed, a bit aggressive), and again would be loud enough into 4ohms.

[DrumsAndBass]

The Class D amps are here to stay. I feel that the quest for super light weight is a bit funny. Yes, it may be "greener" because it requires less fuel to transport (somebody actually said that once here on a TB forum). Has any body ever had their 5 pound micro head get pulled off of the cab by the power cord or the speaker cord or the instrument cord ? I would secure that little guy because it is not cheap to replace or service. My AG 500SC had to be serviced once. The cost made me think that these amps are somewhat disposable and expendable to the manufacturer. "The emperor wears no clothes." The tech still has some bugs.

I confess, I too am keeping up with the Jones' because my AG 500SC is class D and so is my JBL PRX 618s XLF. The latter only weighs 80 pounds and that includes the 18" cab and the built in 1000 watt class d amp. I can say from personal experience that my JBL Class D powered sub was also very expensive but worth it. After learning that some bassists are using PA cabinets - 2-way or 3-way for a full range sound the idea occurred to me to use a PA sub along with my regular rig. This was a revelation for me (but it's been done before) and now I can hear my E string dropped to a D (thanks to Hipshot) like never before. I use it along with my Aguilar. So, Class D is treating me pretty well right now. It's not easy to find the right Class D for your needs because there is some junk out there. You really have to get out and try them for yourself. The marketing strategies for Class D make the hunt for the right one very difficult.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by DrumsAndBass

The Class D amps are here to stay. I feel that the quest for super light weight is a bit funny. Yes, it may be "greener" because it requires less fuel to transport (somebody actually said that once here on a TB forum). Has any body ever had their 5 pound micro head get pulled off of the cab by the power cord or the speaker cord or the instrument cord ? I would secure that little guy because it is not cheap to replace or service. My AG 500SC had to be serviced once. The cost made me think that these amps are somewhat disposable and expendable to the manufacturer. "The emperor wears no clothes." The tech still has some bugs.

I confess, I too am keeping up with the Jones' because my AG 500SC is class D and so is my JBL PRX 618s XLF. The latter only weighs 80 pounds and that includes the 18" cab and the built in 1000 watt class d amp. I can say from personal experience that my JBL Class D powered sub was also very expensive but worth it. After learning that some bassists are using PA cabinets - 2-way or 3-way for a full range sound the idea occurred to me to use a PA sub along with my regular rig. This was a revelation for me (but it's been done before) and now I can hear my E string dropped to a D (thanks to Hipshot) like never before. I use it along with my Aguilar. So, Class D is treating me pretty well right now. It's not easy to find the right Class D for your needs because there is some junk out there. You really have to get out and try them for yourself. The marketing strategies for Class D make the hunt for the right one very difficult.

Been using SMPS micro amps for almost 20 years now (some class D, some not). Except for the very early executions by GK (the original MB150 combo's and the GK1200), they have been solid as a rock for me. Zero issues, and reliable as all heck.

Unless you are an idiot, no risk of 'pulling them off the cab' or whatever IMO and IME.

Wonderful stuff for professional/full time players who gig a lot and do one-nighters. For the weekend/band type player who does a group load in, etc., I agree, weight is a bit less of an issue.

Edit: The design of the AG500 (class D amp and traditional non-SMPS power supply) was a nice 'transitional design' used also by Epifani in the 502 and EA in the second round of iAmps (800 and 500). That was an attempt, I believe, of keeping the weight down a bit, while still not losing low end heft that was an issue back then (around 10 years ago or so) with the switch mode power supplies (at least the little ones used in bass amps). Those days are long over, and both Epi and EA have gone to SMPS in their entire line (although there are still mixes of class A/B and class D amps in some companies' micro line).

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by DrumsAndBass

The Class D amps are here to stay. I feel that the quest for super light weight is a bit funny. Yes, it may be "greener" because it requires less fuel to transport (somebody actually said that once here on a TB forum). Has any body ever had their 5 pound micro head get pulled off of the cab by the power cord or the speaker cord or the instrument cord ? I would secure that little guy because it is not cheap to replace or service. My AG 500SC had to be serviced once. The cost made me think that these amps are somewhat disposable and expendable to the manufacturer. "The emperor wears no clothes." The tech still has some bugs.

I feel compelled to comment on the above comments because every player has their own, unique set of needs. For example, there have been many players here who have commented that as they have gotten older, or have had health challenges, the benefits of light weight amps have had a major impact on their ability to continue to play out. IMO, this should not be under-estimated as every one of us will (hopefully) get to this position. Also, there are players who are located in urban areas where mass/public transportation is the most practical way to get around. Light weight, compact combos, or heads used with cabinets at the gig, can make this much easier. There are also the touring players who are doing more fly dates as this becomes more and more common with today's tour routing. These folks can pack the head of their choice around like a small laptop with a minimum of cost and inconvenience.

They may not be for everybody, but there are plenty of folks out there whose life is made easier every day with the new lightweight amps.

Regarding the technology having bugs and being costly to repair, I think that many of the quality manufacturers have the bugs pretty well worked out, and the cost on average (when including the cost of freight) is probably pretty similar between servicing the heavier conventional amps and the newer lightweight amps.

[seamonkey]

"The bigger they are the harder they fall."

The rigidity of the small case, combined with the light weight does mean it's less likely to be damaged in a fall. Good designs combined with case design and shaker table results, amps are much more rugged these days. And because amps are lighter, they themselves are less likely to slip and fall during transport. A small padded bag is more than enough to protect them.

[AMJBASS]

Originally Posted by KJung

IMO, if you like the rather aggressive tone of the Fafner, and like a nice extended top end and the ability to overdrive a bit, the closest thing to that voicing in a micro is the GK MBFusion. It is a loud 500 watts, has three preamp tubes, and is a nice modification of the GK aggressive solid state tone (just like the Fafner is a modification of the TD650 to my ear).

The Shuttle 9 would also serve you well. It is not the same thing as, for example, the massive wump of the 900 watt Mesa M9, but will EASILY keep up with the volume of your Fafner run at 4ohms.

If you can get your hands on that GK Fusion500, I'm pretty sure you would be happy (again, assuming you dig your Fafner), and it is very small and very light.

It won't sound exactly like your Fafner, but should be in that sort of tone universe (big, bright, and if pushed, a bit aggressive), and again would be loud enough into 4ohms.

I wasn't overly thrilled with the sound of the Fusion 550 I had. Although, I could see why some would want it. Its not a clean sounding amp. My favorite out of all that I have played is still the Markbass LMIII. I do like the TC heads as well.


There are a lot of options out there now, and you really need to do some research, and play as many as you can to find out what would work best.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by AMJBASS

I wasn't overly thrilled with the sound of the Fusion 550 I had. Although, I could see why some would want it. Its not a clean sounding amp. My favorite out of all that I have played is still the Markbass LMIII. I do like the TC heads as well.


There are a lot of options out there now, and you really need to do some research, and play as many as you can to find out what would work best.

I don't particularly like the Fusion either, BUT it does have a bit of the Fafner vibe that the OP likes. That was the basis of my recommendation. I am personally not a big fan of the GK micro's, but they seem to have a bit of the Fafner's unusual combination of glassy highs, and tubey grind and grunt, combined with an extended low end extension.