Need opinions about amp heads

**duff84** · #1 12-18-2011, 06:03 PM

Im having a hard time deciding what direction to go for a new bass amplifier head. I play in two bands, one a steady gigging band playing country, classic rock, blues and modern rock, while the other band is Funk rock, Fusion and progressive.

I currently use a Peavey VB-2 225 watt tube amplifer. I use a Avatar Neo 4x10 1000 watts at 4 ohms for a speaker cabinet. Im Looking for a Bass head thats versatile and has a large amount of low end to it, while having a nice midrange enough to cut through and high end thats not overly brittle sounding. Should i just keep the peavey or try something else? Or maybe i should buy a different bass cabinet to match the peavey vb-2?

LowEndMan2112 · #2 12-18-2011, 06:21 PM

Genz Benz Streamliner 600 or 900! Big low end, great punch and not overly "brittle" sounding, otherwise I'd recommend the Shuttle 6 or 9 but doesn't sound like you want too hifi of a tone.

**duff84** · #3 12-18-2011, 06:50 PM

thanks man how do these streamliners differ from say a gbe 750 or shuttle series?

Lowtonejoe · #4 12-18-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff84

Im having a hard time deciding what direction to go for a new bass amplifier head. I play in two bands, one a steady gigging band playing country, classic rock, blues and modern rock, while the other band is Funk rock, Fusion and progressive.

I currently use a Peavey VB-2 225 watt tube amplifer. I use a Avatar Neo 4x10 1000 watts at 4 ohms for a speaker cabinet. Im Looking for a Bass head thats versatile and has a large amount of low end to it, while having a nice midrange enough to cut through and high end thats not overly brittle sounding. Should i just keep the peavey or try something else? Or maybe i should buy a different bass cabinet to match the peavey vb-2?

Definitely try that head with different cabs. I think Avatar uses the standard Foster horn but chances are that the brittleness is coming from the crossover not being smooth enough or the tweeter being turned up too high.

Could be that the treble is set too high on the amp also but try different cabs. Yup.

Joe.

LowEndMan2112 · #5 12-18-2011, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff84

thanks man how do these streamliners differ from say a gbe 750 or shuttle series?

There are 3x12AX7 tubes in the preamp which is Class A, while the power section is Class D. Also it has a more basic EQ section, i.e 3 way selectable mid-frequencies and no Lo/Hi Boosts or Scoop presets like on the Shuttle/GBE. It's EQ is more suited to the 3 tubes in the pre, as it has a Gain, Volume and then Master along with a "hi-gain" switch, which all helps dial in the grit. Not as small or as light as the Shuttles - don't get me wrong it's still tiny and compact - but MUCH better than the GBEs in both of those areas.

Get a product overview here and check out KJung's multiple videos featuring the 900 on his channel.

**duff84** · #6 12-18-2011, 08:12 PM

thanks man ill defintely consider that one, and thanks for the idea of different cabs something ive considered for awhile now.

**duff84** · #7 12-18-2011, 08:25 PM

lowtonejoe, what type of cabs do you recommend? Also the highs are set flat on the amp, so they aren't too high.

Lowtonejoe · #8 12-18-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff84

lowtonejoe, what type of cabs do you recommend? Also the highs are set flat on the amp, so they aren't too high.

Well...my tube head sounds fantastic through my Ampeg cab (4x10) but I not so much through my Eden (4x10 and 2x10) cabs. Not bad but just not something to be impressed by. It also sounds great through my Bag End cab (1x15). More complete information on the cabs is on my profile if interested.

Also don't worry too much about the position of the knob on your treble controls (amp or cab). Listen to the tone with your ears. Find where it sounds good to you. If you can't really find a spot you are happy with then you probably should look for a new amp or cab.

Myself personally, I would try out cabs first. Play through different friends rigs or ask a local music stores if you could try out cabs that they have in stock. They might make a sale that way so it's probably worth a shot to them. Plus this way, if every cab sound bad then it probably IS the amp. Either way, you win. Knowledge is power...or something like that.

Joe.

**duff84** · #9 12-19-2011, 02:58 PM

thanks lowtonejoe any other opinions?

**WoodyG3** · #10 12-19-2011, 03:59 PM

I tried the Streamliner 600 and was pretty sure I was going to get it, but when I paired it with the Bergantino HD112 cab I had my heart set on, it sounded a little lifeless. So, for sure, try the Streamliner with your cab to see how they pair up. The Streamliner through the Genz Benz cabs sounded great, lots of creamy lows and pleasant high end.

Guessing how someone else will like the sound of a head is always a wild guess, but you might try some of the Markbass heads if you live near a Guitar Center. I especially like the Little Mark heads. To me, they have nice lows and mids without harshness in the highs.

LowEndMan2112 · #11 12-19-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff84

lowtonejoe, what type of cabs do you recommend? Also the highs are set flat on the amp, so they aren't too high.

If you're going the route of finding new cabs, I've always liked the approach of matching a more old school sounding head with a more modern cab, and vice versa. I'm a big fan of the NeoX series from Genz (I know, I'm a bit of a fanboy

) and you'll see a lot of love for the 212 a round here. Bag Ends, as mentioned earlier, are GREAT cabs and fairly schlep-able around 40lbs for the 115 and 112. Also, the Aguilar GS112s are sweet cabs, but are a bit scooped while the DB stuff is, IIRC, known to be less scooped.

Keep in mind , NAMM is coming up and you might see some stuff that really grabs you! Genz is scheduled to have some new goodies on the way...

**duff84** · #12 12-19-2011, 08:08 PM

i tried an ampeg tonight at the guitar shop and love the tone. I think the idea of new cabs is one i can try if not ill probably try a new rig all together.

JimmyM · #13 12-19-2011, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff84

i tried an ampeg tonight at the guitar shop and love the tone. I think the idea of new cabs is one i can try if not ill probably try a new rig all together.

As a completely impartial observer, I endorse this decision to go Ampeg.

Which Ampeg rig did you try?

Templar · #14 12-20-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duff84

thanks lowtonejoe any other opinions?

I doubt the Peavey has enough guts to drive the Avatar 410 NEO. I know my YBA200 was totally unable to make the Avatar wake up. A decent sounding cab for the money, but it seems to crave power IME.

**duff84** · #15 12-21-2011, 10:03 PM

jimmy, i tried a ampeg pf 500 with 810 it was pretty loud to my ears. I wonder if the pf 500 is the same volume wise as say a svt 3 pro.

templar, It can drive the avatar just fine, ive used the avatar with amps ranging from 400-750 and all were driven well. I agree with the yba it lacked low end through the avatar. The peavey has plenty and all to my ears its almost twice as loud too.

seedokebass · #16 12-21-2011, 10:11 PM

I would try different cabs. The VB-2 is a great head, I've only rocked out solo with it. Sounds great through an Aguilar DB412 hint hint

JimmyM · #17 12-21-2011, 10:21 PM

I'd say the PF500 is at least as loud as the 3 Pro.

testing1two · #18 12-21-2011, 10:21 PM

If you can stomach the price the Aguilar DB751 is excellent in all respects.

foderaman · #19 12-21-2011, 10:29 PM

I would recommend a Mesa Fathom or M6 Carbine great amps and they show up here used.