New Small Bass Heads

[nervous]

I know that this has probably been covered on more than one occasion but I am having difficulty finding a concise thread on the topic. I find myself on the verge of a new project that will require me to have an actual amp/speaker combo. For the past 15 years in my electric duo I have been simply running a Tech 21 bass DI direct and sending my needs back through the monitor mix. My last go-round with amps and cabs was a SWR SM400 and Goliath 4x10 cab which I just loved. But I am older and a bit more broken down now and am totally digging teh smaller, lighter heads and cabs. I am excited by the prospect but find myself overwhelmed by the variety of small product available.

So, that said, I'd love your opinions and recommendations on a compact bass amp head. I have been looking into the Eden WT550, TC Classic 450/RH450 and Markbass F1 if that helps you know where my head is at. They all look very good but I am unsure of the real world (if any) differences between them. Cab choices I have been mulling are (respective to whatever head I choose) are the Eden 210XLT/XST or just looking into the TC RS201's. The TC stuff really looks like it would suit me well but I would like to hear some opinions on some other gear that perhaps I have not yet even considered.

I'll be primarily using a Modulus Q5W w/ EMG's and I like a 'modern' sound. Music will be mostly classic and modern rock covers. Do newer, stacked 2x10 cabs actually match or surpass the quality of a single 4x10 cab of the same type? Is there a loss of the lowest end with two smaller cabs vs. one larger or has that been overcome?

Thanks.

[waleross]

I have the big heads : Ampeg SvT CL, svT 4 pro and others including a Fender TB1200 which I think is quite versatile. I get a great gig rig with the Fender and a 215 Pro maybe not what your looking for but it delivers for me and it holds down the bottom which is what I'm looking for . Everybody has different tastes and needs, which is great . . . .

[AMJBASS]

The Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 is definitely worth a look at. My vote is for the Markbass LMIII though. I haven't yet had a problem getting "my sound" in any situation I have used my Markbass head.

[Musicman20]

Personally, for that rock tone, the TC is hard to beat. The RS210s are very loud for their size and the tweeters and sweet and in no way harsh.

The RH450 has a lot of great features.

But, its best to test what you can before you buy. The Markbass amps are also worth a look, and they have more of a modern, warm and clean sound.

I fully recommend the RH450/Markbass F1/F500/Markbass LM3.

There are others out there, so enjoy the ride!

Started my "fly-weight" trip with the Eden WT400, then WT550... Versatile and lightweight, but was missing something... I have used and loved a tube bass amp for many decades, and therefore a bit fussy...

Plugged into a Mark Bass Little Mark II at an open mic last fall, and immediately fell in love with the tone! But not sure about a Chinese made Italian amp, shied away from buying it... It also lacked the tube "feel" I was looking for.

After considerable reading, I bought the TC Electronic RH450 head, and am certain my tone is "in there," and have come close, but still tweaking... The "feel" is so good, I've sold all my tube heads!! I think it's a keeper!

I recorded a band last week, and was mightily impressed with the modern sounds from a Genz Benz Shuttle 6! So much so, I'm VERY tempted to get one for myself! However, I don't know if they get a tube amp "feel," or the vintage tones I usually use. And from what I've read here, it is probably not the amp for me... Love the weight (or lack thereof), and the price is pretty good as well. And it's made in Arizona!! I like that a lot!

Tone hunting is always a complicated journey. And each of us will hear a little differently. Enjoy your tone journey!

[RickenBoogie]

Don't forget the Mesa Walkabout. At 13lbs, not the lightest, and at 300 watts, not the most powerful. BUT, for the love of good bass tone, it's pure butter.

[BassistFreak416]

Gallien Krueger has a few small bass heads, the MB 500 and the MB Fusion. the fusion has a 3-tube preamp taken from the Fusion 550

[newbold]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Don't forget the Mesa Walkabout. At 13lbs, not the lightest, and at 300 watts, not the most powerful. BUT, for the love of good bass tone, it's pure butter.

+1!

the head comes out of the combo, and if you want 210's then you *could* just get the head, put it in a shoulderbag, and get a pair of 210's...or a pair of MarkBass NY604's...which are amazing.

[Jimmy Stump]

I own the Markbass F1 and love it. Personally, I cant tell the difference between an F1 and a LMIII. The controls are identical but the F1 is a class D power amp. I like the looks of the F1 a little more too.

The wonder in Markbass are the 2 filters - Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator and Variable Preshape Filter. Set your EQ relatively flat and playing around with those 2 filters should get you anything you want.

500 W into 4 ohms is plenty of juice for me.

[John Wentzien]

Gotta chime in for the TC....never been happier!

[Jaco who?]

If you're used to the output from an SWR SM400, and are obsessed with 3.5 to 5.1 lb heads vs. 16 or 17 lb heads (I'm not), the plain old yesterdays news Genz Benz shuttle 6.0 might be all you need. Try one and see. Can't beat the customer support.

[Radek]

I've seen my NEOX-212T being better than many 4x10"... It's powerful enough with Shuttle6.0 to be HEARD with 100w full tube amp guitarist and loud drummer. So much fun with its effortless volume, that's even with the mid-scoop setting in eq.

[Stumbo]

Here are some links you may want to check out:
>30 light-weight cabs,amps, combos
2 ohm capable heads
2

1 Buying a combo
2
Opinions/experiences-great small combo amps
The ultimate custom built combo?

1x10's that do the job
1x15/6.5 custom cab

1 Happy with my rig
2

Micro-rigs of doom
Mini-rigs of doom

Also check out:
Bill Fitzmaurice (BFM) cabs
BFM TB thread
Low Down Sound (LDS) custom cabs website
LDSound custom cab club

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by nervous

Do newer, stacked 2x10 cabs actually match or surpass the quality of a single 4x10 cab ....

Vertically stacked cabs...Vertical cab stacking---the only way to play

[doc540]

Another path: build a sealed, ported cab and have a ventilated, drop-in compartment for a small, D class head.

Same as the Faux Ten Bassman, but with a much smaller pre/power unit.

[jam.majors]

I love the faux bassman! That is fantastic!

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by jam.majors

I love the faux bassman! That is fantastic!

The pictured item is an open-back cabinet -- not practical for getting low frequencies at any volume -- it is cute, though.
As doc540 pointed out, the cabinet should be either sealed or ported.

[nervous]

It's a funny thing, this forum. I woke up this morning pretty convinced I needed an Eden WT550 or 800 with a couple Eden 2x10/4x10 cabs and I am now off to bed wondering how I am going to survive without a full TC Electronics rig. And, I missed a key part of that set-up by 30 minutes this afternoon.

Interesting day....Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings

[JimmyM]

svt/810. come on, dude, do some heavy lifting and make yourself feel really good! if it's not modern enough for you, add a tweeter.



just kidding...btw, swr makes one called the amplite, but haven't heard it. but all the amps named off so far are going to have what you're looking for. just depends on what rings your bell the loudest.

[Slaine01]

No one is chiming in for the Eden WTX500 so I will carry the banner...
Love it - but dont use the onboard compressor, ( use an Aphex "Punch Factory" instead.)
Use it with an Eden 210XST for 90% of my gigs