Quick, punchy and great with EBMM basses?!

Musicman20 · #1 03-11-2011, 03:18 AM

Hi everyone

I was all set on a SL900 from Genz, but Ive been playing my current amps (Orange AD200b and TC RH450) and noticed that Im craving more highs for my EBMM basses. More zing, quicker and tighter response.

Ive no idea which way to go. Im half tempted to give the SL900 a go, but I know I want something that has a more 'modern' solid state sheen and precision.

I think the SL900 looks great, but Ive got my traditional thumpy sound already...now I need something else to balance things out.

The obvious candidates are:

Genz Shuttle 9.0
Genz ShuttleMax 9.2
Markbass F500

There are also other likes the GK micros, but I dont want any sucked mids, at all (if that applies to them).

Another idea is the Aguilar TH500, but Ive not heard anything about it!

Id rather have a fairly flat (if possible) response...and tweak if I need it.

EBMM basses have a strong voice, hence why I bought them, and I want an amp that lets them stand out.

Im not fussed about tons of wattage, just clean precise headroom.

I dont use steel strings now, I normally use nickels, but Id like to hear some string zing every now and then!

Ideas?

The RH is brilliant, but it does have that cut off with treble. Great amp, going nowhere.

I had a LM3, which was great, but the lo mid control never really worked out for me. The amp sounded great, but im thinking of the F500 for that little edge in brightness and quickness.

Hobobob · #2 03-11-2011, 03:29 AM

Mesa M6 carbine. M9 if you prefer more control and audience disembowelment.

Musicman20 · #3 03-11-2011, 03:53 AM

Id love to, but its too large and v. expensive in the UK

Joe Nerve · #4 03-11-2011, 04:16 AM

My Carvin BX500 was the last stop for me in a very long line of heads and combos. The power, price, and weight ratio can't be beat, and coupled with a Berg NV610 I couldn't be happier. It's tight, punchy, wicked loud and got enough EQ options to dial in anything I can think up. I play mostly MMs. Stingray and Big Al, with a Bongo on hiatus and a Sterling 5 on order.

MikeyB · #5 03-11-2011, 04:29 AM

I'm thinking Steel Strings are going to the low-hanging-fruit here.
If RotoSounds are too "grabby" on your fingers, try the DR Highbeams.

hasbeen · #6 03-11-2011, 04:53 AM

just to be clear...the Streamliner is NOT a "thumpy" amp...and is very different than the Orange.

It has just as many highs at the Shuttle series.

joeydavidson · #7 03-11-2011, 05:17 AM

GK - pick any of their amps in their current catalouge.

They have plenty of highs and also sizzle/sheen -whatever you wanna call it (much more highs available than an Orange has if you ever wanted to dail them in, Many would say they pair nicely with EBMM basses. (I've never noticed any obvious midscoop on mine however I think it depends on what cab you might use as with any other amp/cab combo)

boriology101 · #8 03-11-2011, 05:19 AM

My vote for f500 for its quick and tight responses!

4-string · #9 03-11-2011, 05:48 AM

Ashdown MK500. Discontinued now, but still available.

Since you like the RH450, what about a TC BH500? Pretty much same feature set, sans semi-parametric mid control (contour instead), but with the additional tweetertone control. Great price point, too.

stflbn · #10 03-11-2011, 06:08 AM

F500 from what you're describing.

TheBasicBassist · #11 03-11-2011, 06:09 AM

EBMM + Markbass = <3

Jimmy Stump · #12 03-11-2011, 06:28 AM

It sounds like you have the same tone goals as I do. I use a EBMM Sterling (single pickup) with DR Hi Beams, Berg AE cabs, and a Markbass F1 head which is very similar to the F500. Quick and articulate is very much the tone. I cannot speak for the other heads.

Calaverasgrande · #13 03-12-2011, 11:45 AM

Sell the TC450 and then borrow the balance to get a M6.

JimiLL · #14 03-12-2011, 11:51 AM

Get some stainless strings and then report back

gillento · #15 03-12-2011, 11:58 AM

My SA450

Tunaman · #16 03-12-2011, 12:01 PM

I love my Sterling through my SL900

You just have to spend some time with different EQ, learn your amp

To be honest with you if I could only have 1 it would be the Shuttlemax 9.2 though

j.kernodle · #17 03-12-2011, 01:16 PM

I was going to say mesa M6 also. In my experience its much more articulate than the GB Shuttle 9.0. I get that same quick tight punchy sound from my demeter vtb-201 pre + power amp. But that really doesn't fit your portability requirements at all.

Bunyo · #18 03-16-2011, 11:30 AM

I use it with Mesa Boogie 400+ very punchy, lot of low end and trebble also, even if I play with two 1x15 MB RR.

Gearhead17 · #19 03-17-2011, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Hi everyone

EBMM basses have a strong voice, hence why I bought them, and I want an amp that lets them stand out.

Im not fussed about tons of wattage, just clean precise headroom.

I dont use steel strings now, I normally use nickels, but Id like to hear some string zing every now and then!

Nickel Strings for brightness and zing? Usually, that does not happen. As hinted by the others, try some stainless steel strings with your current setup then let us know how everything sounds. DR Hi-Beams are bright, zingy, and will make your stingray sound "correct". If you want warmer tones, just decrease between 1khz and 8khz. Never heard a Stingray NOT sound bright and zingy with stainless steel strings.

stflbn · #20 03-17-2011, 07:34 AM

Using an F1 myself just because i've not forked over the money for an F500, but they accomplish exactly what you're describing tonally. IMHO.

Kjung has some high quality youtube videos comparing the F1 to some other heads.