Need new amp advice; reliability is paramount.

Phlipper · #1 02-13-2013, 07:57 PM

I'm a lead player (30+ years) back into bass after about 6 years away from it. I need a change. I've always loved Ibanez' SR series basses and used to gig an SRX2EX in a blues trio and top 40 house gig. So I just bought an Ibanez SR370M to get ramped up again and I love the bass. Now I need an amp. I've been using my PV Classic 50 head with a 2x 12 Blue Marvel cab and it really has preformed well. I absolutely love the tube tone from it, and the 50 tube watts has carried small clubs unmic'd without breaking a sweat. So now I need an amp, and reading here for hours and on mfr's web forums and asking around with other full-time bass guys, I have been hearing about a substantial amount of issues with newer GK amps and combos, with Ampeg's SS models, and with Carvin's SS line, including the new MB series and BRX lines. Considering how bullet proof older GK and Ampeg heads seemed to be, I'm sort of surprised. I know Carvin has had issues in the past, but their CS is top notch, however I've gotten a little too much negative feedback on them to trust them without a back-up.

I'll be playing new country, top 40, and some classic rock. I'm tired of carrying heavy stuff around so I'm stuck on two 8 ohm Avatar 112 Neo cabs, and here's what I'm thinking currently, based on reliability as i currently understand it, on cost (gotta stay around $600) and on tonal possibilities:

* Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0
* Aggie Tone Hammer 350
* EBS RD250
* Little Mark 250
* Eden WTX264
* Maybe even PV Tour 750, which I really liked when trying one out, even though it ain't a micro. I really dug the tones from it with a PV 4 x 10

They'd be used with one or two Avatar 1x12 Neo cabs, and would not be mic'd for the small clubs, would be DI'd for larger outdoor venues. The bands I've played in over the last ten years have all kept a moderate volume, easily allowing instruments to remain unmic'd in smaller clubs. I'm just not into volume nowadays and I don't play with anyone who can't get a handle on it. If my current bass guy can carry a small club with a pair of slaved PV Basic 112s I think 250 watts with a post EQ DI should cover me for anything I'll be doing.

So ... what say you? Which head do I order next week given the constraints and style of music, with reliability being NUMBER ONE, even above tone (I can get something useable out of any of these mentioned)?

B-string · #2 02-13-2013, 08:20 PM

I'm not sure about your info on G-K? All production moved back to the US on 01/01/2012.
Out of your choices above for reliability Peavey, Genz-Benz then MarkBass. But if you want 100% reliable get a double bass and don't use an amp!

dmusic148 · #3 02-13-2013, 08:24 PM

There are many, many great choices.
But if you want to sort of 'no-brain' it, find an old 400 or 800RB and live happily ever after.

Downunderwonder · #4 02-13-2013, 09:01 PM

Call me a fuddy duddy but micro amps don't hold much appeal. The best of them seem to be less than reliable and my Trace is only 14kg. I never heard of anyone taking a backup head to a gig before I got on TB.

I'd go for the Peavey Tour.

Phlipper · #5 02-13-2013, 09:24 PM

I used to have an old RB series GK head that must have been one of the first ten made. The casing had a semi-melted place on it like someone doused it with lighter fluid and lit it up, two knob shafts were broken, and it generally looked like it had been drug behind a truck. But it sounded amazing on top of an old PV 4 x 10 and never ever missed a beat. But reading here and other forums, and listening to local bassists, it seems GK has had some issues with their micro stuff. No disrespect intended to GK users here. Just a little too much negative info on their micro stuff lately for me, and just for me.

Peavey has always been bullet proof of course, and Genz seems to have a good rep. Anyone had issue with any of the newer Aggie heads. The ToneHammer 350 is top of the list. Love the features and recorded tones. Would love to demo one.

Haven't demo'd a Shuttle 3.0 but did play a 6.0. Hard to find negative info on GB micros. Top notch.

Of course .... If I wanted the ultimate in reliability I would just buy an old Peavey TNT 300 Combo and throw it on top of an equally old PV 2 x 15 with the aluminum striping down the sides. Cannot be killed. But I'd need roadies to carry it for me.

Bert Slide · #6 02-13-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

There are many, many great choices.
But if you want to sort of 'no-brain' it, find an old 400 or 800RB and live happily ever after.

+1

rodl2005 · #7 02-13-2013, 10:11 PM

The Aguilar TH350 's a great choice. Most aggy gear is very reliable (I've not heard of any probs with either TH head) -I've a TH500 & dig it heaps.
The Genz Benz Shuttle is another great micro-reliable & great sound.
Aggy- more a vintage tone, GB Shuttle-more transparent.

cchorney · #8 02-13-2013, 10:26 PM

Would you consider going DI to FOH and just skipping the amp? I get a great vintage tube like sound going from my bass to EBS MultiComp to Tech21 BDDI to FOH.

Phlipper · #9 02-13-2013, 10:54 PM

Maybe it's from too many years playing lead guitar, and knowing the speakers are part of my tone equation, but I'm a reluctant DI user (prefer mic'ing) and it would be hard for me to run thru just a pre straight to the board. My current bass player runs a Fender bass preamp (don't know the model but was expensive 6 years ago) to one of the power amps in the rack.

Quick question ... would a GB Shuttle 6.0 with an Avatar 1 x 12 for $400 be a killer deal? It sounds like it. What should I look for when checking it out tomorrow? Any GB specific info I should know?

dmusic148 · #10 02-13-2013, 11:02 PM

Heck yeah, that amp is a little hammer. The cab is ok.
Just make sure the amp works properly-bring your bass-try all the controls. Nice piece, no longer available.

Phlipper · #11 02-14-2013, 08:11 AM

I think I'm going to pick up the Aggie TH350 this weekend with the Prez Day 15% off or the TCE BG250 at 12% off. I decided against the Avatar cabs and want to use my current cab with bass and guitar. I can just use my 16 ohm 2 x 12 guitar cab with it for now, it should still pump enough at 16 ohms for practice, saving some money. I'm still trying to decide on speakers to turn it into a bass/six string cab.

My C50 head can switch down to 4 ohms so I'll probably put a couple of 12" 8 ohm Emi Basslite's in it and wire them parallel for 4 ohms. I can still use it for guitar if I need to. I'll miss the mid-rangey BM speakers, but it will do okay. I hear the Basslites are great with sealed cabs.

BG250 .... TH350 .... decisions, decisions.

Phlipper · #12 02-16-2013, 01:09 AM

The Shuttle 6.0 was sold. In micro rigs it was hard to find a good quality SS head with enough power to cover the outdoor gigs we might do (one scheduled already), with two speaker outs, and with an Fx loop in my price range - leaving money for a pair of 1x12s.

I talked to a couple of long-time bass guys locally and read everything I could find, it seems for ultimate reliability and wattage to cover almost anything, an old US built Peavey FireBass 700 or Max 700 is hard to beat. I found a used Max 700 for $189 and scooped it up. Will pick up a local PV 15TVX this weekend to go with it. If I stay on bass I can revisit a smaller/newer rig. In a few months. For now I'll just have to lift and tote a heavy (but bulletproof) rig.

rodl2005 · #13 02-16-2013, 03:12 AM

Enjoy it man. Congrats!

pflash4001 · #14 02-16-2013, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Call me a fuddy duddy but micro amps don't hold much appeal. The best of them seem to be less than reliable and my Trace is only 14kg. I never heard of anyone taking a backup head to a gig before I got on TB.

I'd go for the Peavey Tour.

Those little amps don't do it for me either. I'd say an old RB800 and don't worry about it. I have one running thru a Hartke 410 and I have 3-4 local guys who are after me to sell it to them...no dice...I love that rig!

dincz · #15 02-16-2013, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Call me a fuddy duddy

You're a fuddy-duddy

beans-on-toast · #16 02-16-2013, 07:05 AM

I wouldn't rule out an amp because of reports of issues that you read on the internet. People with problems are small in number and can be very vocal. At the same time there are a lot more that are happy with their products.

A design flaw is one thing and sometimes that happens. If that concerns you, don't buy a new model till it has been out for at least a year. A lot of the problem amps are at the low price end where corners were cut to deliver the most bang for the buck. Unfortunately some of these amps really do go bang.

My best advice would be to audition amps and find one that gives you the tone and performance that you are looking for. The tone should inspire you. Go with a company that stands behind their products and offers good service.

In terms of reliability. I have an Ampeg B15N amp that is 50 years old. I also have an Ampeg SVT that is 43 years old. Both are going strong. I have a Peavey Decca 700 power amp that has been quietly sitting in the corner doing its job every day for the last 28 years. It's never needed any maintenance. Obviously milage can vary. Considering a good used amp is also an option.

Bass players are always buying and selling amps looking for the holly grail. It sometimes takes time to figure out what sound you are looking for and what your needs really are.

::::BASSIST:::: · #17 02-16-2013, 09:52 AM

In my opinion the most reliable bass amp you can run is a power amp driven by a pedal sized preamp. Those preamps can take years of abuse and function 100%. Pair that with a poweramp and you are good to go. The beauty of most poweramps is that they almost all have two amps in one housing so if one goes down you can always just switch to the other.

I am using an Aguilar Tone Hammer + QSC PLX2402. Sounds fantastic, dead reliable.

dmusic148 · #18 02-19-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

In my opinion the most reliable bass amp you can run is a power amp driven by a pedal sized preamp.

Hard to argue with that.

Jaco who? · #19 02-19-2013, 08:12 PM

I think Phlipper should snag a Peavey Firebass or Max 700. OH, WAIT! HE ALREADY DID........

Phlipper · #20 02-20-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco who?

I think Phlipper should snag a Peavey Firebass or Max 700. OH, WAIT! HE ALREADY DID........

Yeah, it just kinda made sense for what I need. I will likely have some outdoor shows this Spring and Summer and will need a rig of doom some places with questionable PA support. A couple of 4 ohm Avatar B212s to go, please.