Need Help Choosing a Micro Head

GrooveWarrior · #1 06-23-2011, 08:17 AM

I'm putting together a mini rig for church and small venues.

I just picked up a Bag End S12-D, single 12" cabinet. Great sounding cabinet with a 200 watt rating, 8 ohms.

I haven't had a chance to play through any of the newer micro heads, and am interested in getting one. I would like your input.

Here is some background about what I play, and what I have used. I'm a 4 string only guy. No need to worry about covering the B. I play a Warrior Signature 4, an older MTD Saratoga, and a Fender Standard passive Jazz. The last two amp setups I have had were Euphonic Audio and Phil Jones. I LOVED them both, but I think I want to move away from the ultra clean sound. I think I might want an amp with some character. I play at church, and I play jazz/funk fusion, so the head would need to cover those well. I've been playing 22 years and have owned Eden, EA, Phil Jones, GK, Trace, Ampeg, SWR, Carvin, Peavey, and probably some I'm forgetting.

Here is what I've been eying: Eden Time Traveler series, or Eden WTX-260, Genz Shuttle 3.0 or 6.0, SWR Headlight, GK MB series, maybe some of the smaller MarkBass stuff.

Let me know what your thoughts are. I've been reading reviews and watching review videos, but thought I would get some input specific to my situation.

Thanks Guys.

ga_edwards · #2 06-23-2011, 08:54 AM

I can only comment for Mark Bass, but although marketed as clean/transparent, I find they to have a bit of a 'dark' tone to them. Turn up the VLF (vintage speaker emulation) knob and you can get quite a warm sound out of them.

jeff7bass · #3 06-23-2011, 09:08 AM

Genz Benz Streamliner 600w. Like the Shuttle 6.0, but with more “character” and simpler EQ.
The Carvin BX500 is a great sounding amp and value priced. You can try it for 10 days and send it back if you don’t like it.
Maybe try the Ampeg PF-500 also. Plenty of character, but a bit heavier. Still small though.

T. Alan Smith · #4 06-23-2011, 09:13 AM

I luuuved the SWR 750 with Bag End...so I'd be trying a Headlight.

Rickett Customs · #5 06-23-2011, 09:14 AM

I have a short gigging experience with TC electronics (RH450, 10 gigs under it's belt), works good for me. I typically use it with a GK212MBE, but I have used it at home with my Ampeg 810e and it works surprisingly well too.

One Drop · #6 06-23-2011, 09:17 AM

Don't forget to look at the TC RH heads. They would be my choice if my Eden would just go ahead and die already. Unfortunately it looks to last another 10 years...

Streamliner is interesting to me too, but the presets and other features on the TC appeal to me more.

I think things have moved on a bit with the micros since Eden's came out; they aren't bad at all but there are more flexible options out there now.

edited to add. ^^^ posted at same time.

elgecko · #7 06-23-2011, 09:20 AM

Walter Woods...I love the Walter Woods/Bag End combo.

T. Alan Smith · #8 06-23-2011, 09:21 AM

I've yet to hear compelling evidence to actually trust both Eden's QC as well as their CS.

GrooveWarrior · #9 06-23-2011, 09:22 AM

The TC stuff is interesting also, but I guess I should have mentioned I'm trying to keep it to the $400 range or less.

Here's a question. How much of a difference does the tube stage make when you go from the Shuttle 3.0 to the 6.0?

GrooveWarrior · #10 06-23-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elgecko

Walter Woods...I love the Walter Woods/Bag End combo.

Walter Woods is definitely out of my price range for this mini rig. I agree, though, very nice stuff.

Rickett Customs · #11 06-23-2011, 09:23 AM

Like one drop said, the tc has a little more to offer in convenience.

Tuner
4 band parametric eq
an actual usable compressor
Tube tone (although this is not my favorite feature, don't care for it much)

Works well as an "all in one" head, less gear to drag out....

gjbassist · #12 06-23-2011, 09:25 AM

Carvin has the BX250 micro head on sale for $269 right now!

T. Alan Smith · #13 06-23-2011, 09:25 AM

You want to look at how much actual voltage the preamp tube(s) is/are getting to determine if it/they is/are actually enhancing tone or just adding noise.

jeff7bass · #14 06-23-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjbassist

Carvin has the BX250 micro head on sale for $269 right now!

I was waiting for the price to drop! Thanks!

bombpop14 · #15 06-23-2011, 09:29 AM

I'm really in love with my GK MB-500. Great bang for the buck.

Super small, plenty of power, and a tonal character that works with many different styles.

Rickett Customs · #16 06-23-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrooveWarrior

The TC stuff is interesting also, but I guess I should have mentioned I'm trying to keep it to the $400 range or less.

Markbass might be out of the question too....they range about the same price ( SA450, SD800, LM800, LMtube, SD1200 and the TC RH450.

jeff7bass · #17 06-23-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrooveWarrior

The TC stuff is interesting also, but I guess I should have mentioned I'm trying to keep it to the $400 range or less.

Here's a question. How much of a difference does the tube stage make when you go from the Shuttle 3.0 to the 6.0?

Both the Ampeg PF-500 and the Carvin BX500 give you 500w and great sound for 400 bucks.
The Carvin runs @ 2 ohms, has a pre-amp tube and an extensive EQ section for fine-tuning.
The Ampeg has a 5 position tone selector (cool) and is basically built like a tank compared to other micros.

GrooveWarrior · #18 06-23-2011, 09:34 AM

The Carvin might work. I like that the Genz, Eden, and some others have the aux in so I can 'shed a little with my iPod and some headphones. I currently have a Phil Jones Bass Buddy that really covers that need very well, but depending on what head I get, I may have to sell the PJ to fund the head.

T. Alan Smith · #19 06-23-2011, 09:38 AM

Depending on how much you dig the Bass Buddy, you could look into SWR's Amplite to use with it & your Bag End. That would be a sweet setup.

GrooveWarrior · #20 06-23-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff7bass

Both the Ampeg PF-500 and the Carvin BX500 give you 500w and great sound for 400 bucks.
The Carvin runs @ 2 ohms, has a pre-amp tube and an extensive EQ section for fine-tuning.
The Ampeg has a 5 position tone selector (cool) and is basically built like a tank compared to other micros.

I'm going to be running this into a single 12, 8 ohm cabinet rated at 200 watts, so I really don't know if I need the headroom with the Carvin BX500. The BX 250 is 200 watts at 8 ohms, so that would work, but I know I wouldn't have the headroom, and would basically be maxing the amp out. Does anyone know how it handles that? Will it really start to crap out if it is cranked to get to the 200 watts?