Still undecided on a head; up to $800 to spend

[AMp'D.2play]

Still on the fence & getting more confused by the day w/ the array of options. I have a 'comfortable' pricepoint of betw/ $500-800. I'm looking for a head (new/used) to use with a pair of Aguilar GS112s. I don't know if I'm using the correct adjectives, but the tone I get w/ my TC Electonic Classic 450 is on the dull/muddy side. Almost like a P bass w/ the tone turned all the way down. Despite playing w/ the EQ, I don't think the tone I'm looking for is there. I have a Fender P & a Lakland 44-02. I play almost exclusively fingerstyle, no slapping, mostly blues/rock but I dabble in reggae &/or prog. The tone I miss is my former Tecamp Puma 500, but I don't wish to pony up the $$ for another one. (might not really be a blues/rock head, but I really liked the lows I could get out of it.)

Here's what I've come across:

• SWR 350X - used, least expensive, but the dealer is asking too much IMO

• Fender Bassman 1200 or 800 Pro - both used

• Traynor Dynabass 800H - used, switchable tube/ss pre, heaviest @ 31 lbs, dealer probably asking too much

• Markbass F500 - I've tried an F1 & LMIII, could probably be happy w/ this one

• Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 - only heard sound clips of others playing it, but could probably be happy w/ this one, too

• Thunderfunk 550B - used, at the top end of my preferred budget, but still doable; no chance to demo one but the reviews are almost universally positive

The Fenders & the Traynor offer the most watts, but 500w would certainly not be lacking for my needs.

[RickenBoogie]

Any of those choices will work, but it really is a matter of playing them through your cabs, with your bass, to make a final judgement.

[dog1]

Have you considered Genz Benz? They are all I own.

[rhopper]

I would give the Orange TB 500 a try too in this price range.

[dmrogers]

I have a 550B with two GS112's. Love that combination. Actually I got the TFB750 first, and liked it so much, when the 550B came up for sale, I grabbed it.

Either head through the GS cabs rock. My main bass is a Jazz but I have an old P bass that sound good through it too.

I think it would be hard to go wrong with a Thunderfunk. They are built like a tank, have infinite adjustment, and Dave still works on them. Plus they hold their value pretty good.

[Jim Carr]

My used Mesa Boogie Carbine M9 cost around $800 and my used GB Shuttle 6.0 was about $400.

Both are terrific, though the M9 had to be serviced (under transferable warranty) because there were heat issues with the early ones. All sorted out now.

[sj_bass]

I have three heads that I use with my GS112's:

SWR 350X: Great sound, and has a 2 ohm rating... You could hook up 4 GS 112's! Definitely worth looking for one here on TB or locally on CL for under $300...

Ashdown LG-1000: 5 lbs of power, feels a little under-powered for the GS cab's, even though it's rated at 1,000 watts... Works great in smaller venues when you want to go light... I'd figure this is similar to the TH-500, but maybe not...

How about this one? Ashdown MAG-600??? This amp has a real warm sound and 600 watts at 4 ohms... Right now this is my go-to head, as it runs super cool with tons of headroom. You can find these for under $400 - if you look...

[BassBob1]

Have you had the chance to play an Ampeg SVT 7 Pro? Do you have access to one? I'm suggesting it simply because I love mine so I am biased for sure. The closest I have come to playing anything on your list is a Markbass LMII I owned for a year. I got a good sound out of it but did not like it as much as my 7 Pro.

[Pandabass]

I use the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 head with two GS112s. One of the cabs is NT. I like the combination a bunch. BIG warm tone and really easy to move. My Eden rig (410XLT and WT800C) stays in the cases now.

[thisSNsucks]

I'd go with the Aguilar ToneHammer 500. Sounds great through the GS112's.

[steamthief]

Check out the Fender TB-1200 on sale in classifieds - very tubey sound for a hybrid and all the power you'll ever need for a really good selling price.

[Sav'nBass]

GB SL 900 $725 perhaps.. I think the GB heads are great.. I can get just about any tone I want from my 9.0

[bfc]

If you want power, sweet bass tone, vintage vibe, and portability, look no further than the Orange Bass Terror (500 watt) head. If you can thrown down another $200, also check out the Orange Bass Terror 1000. That's what I use, and it is smokin'!!!

[AMp'D.2play]

Originally Posted by dog1

Have you considered Genz Benz?

I have & would consider Genz. I tried a Shuttle 9.0 & though my 1st impression in the shop was lukewarm, I was able to take it home & run it through my GS112 stack. I actually liked it better than my Classic 450 ... that "dullness" was gone ... but I didn't pull the trigger. AFAIK, it's still available (used), and would fit within my budget. If I went the GB route, I think I'd go for a Streamliner, instead.

See what I mean? Instead of narrowing down my choices, they keep expanding! GAS is so addictive!

[dmrogers]

Originally Posted by AMp'D.2play

I have & would consider Genz. I tried a Shuttle 9.0 & though my 1st impression in the shop was lukewarm, I was able to take it home & run it through my GS112 stack. I actually liked it better than my Classic 450 ... that "dullness" was gone ... but I didn't pull the trigger. AFAIK, it's still available (used), and would fit within my budget. If I went the GB route, I think I'd go for a Streamliner, instead.

See what I mean? Instead of narrowing down my choices, they keep expanding! GAS is so addictive!

Just take your time, you will find it!

[MuthaFunk]

From your tone wants description I think you should be looking closer at used SWR products. They seem to not be in demand right now and the prices are just amazing for top quality pro-level gear. I wouldn't limit yourself to just the 350 but look at other models as well in the used market.

[TheBasicBassist]

I think that you'd love a Mesa Walkabout head. They pop up on here every now and again, and are just unbelievable. IMO, the best "non-botique" amp head; I've used it in every style of music, and it's super warm, but is also quick enough response-wise to the Victor Wooten thing. It's truly a great, great amp, and I can't say enough fantastic things about it.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by AMp'D.2play

Still on the fence & getting more confused by the day w/ the array of options. I have a 'comfortable' pricepoint of betw/ $500-800. I'm looking for a head (new/used) to use with a pair of Aguilar GS112s. I don't know if I'm using the correct adjectives, but the tone I get w/ my TC Electonic Classic 450 is on the dull/muddy side. Almost like a P bass w/ the tone turned all the way down. Despite playing w/ the EQ, I don't think the tone I'm looking for is there. I have a Fender P & a Lakland 44-02. I play almost exclusively fingerstyle, no slapping, mostly blues/rock but I dabble in reggae &/or prog. The tone I miss is my former Tecamp Puma 500, but I don't wish to pony up the $$ for another one. (might not really be a blues/rock head, but I really liked the lows I could get out of it.)

Here's what I've come across:

• SWR 350X - used, least expensive, but the dealer is asking too much IMO

• Fender Bassman 1200 or 800 Pro - both used

• Traynor Dynabass 800H - used, switchable tube/ss pre, heaviest @ 31 lbs, dealer probably asking too much

• Markbass F500 - I've tried an F1 & LMIII, could probably be happy w/ this one

• Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 - only heard sound clips of others playing it, but could probably be happy w/ this one, too

• Thunderfunk 550B - used, at the top end of my preferred budget, but still doable; no chance to demo one but the reviews are almost universally positive

The Fenders & the Traynor offer the most watts, but 500w would certainly not be lacking for my needs.

If you dug your TecAmp Puma, the closest you will get to that tone is the Markbass F500. With the VPF engaged at about 9 o'clock, you get that super wide, smooth tone with deep, extended bass and sparkle up top. The low mid control, even set at the same 250hz center point, does not have the girth of the Tecamp if you really want that fat, bridge pickup burp though, but it can get close.

The F500 has a more fully featured DI and the two bands of semi-parametric mids, which is worth every penny over the F1 IMO.

The Thunderfunk would be kind of in between your Puma and the RH450. It is tight and a bit compressed in both the deep low end and the upper treble like the RH450, but yet more open and less 'processed' sounding. I can get my F500 to sound quite close to the Thunderfunk 750A by rolling off a little low end, and engaging the VLE to bring in the upper treble range a bit. The wattage at 4ohms is about the same, so to me the much larger size and weight aren't really worth it.

My Thunderfunk and my Puma500 are both gone, since I can get reasonably close to both with the F500, and the differences are, for my goal of a punchy, articulate tone, in the positive direction for the F500.

IMO and quite a bit of IME on this one.

[mrpackerguy]

To me it wouds like you want something a little more quick and sparkly than the RH450. I'd go solid state and avoid the Walkabout, maybe the Shuttle (though the tube's effect is very subtle IMO).

I agree with a LM 500 but I'd even push you to an F500/F1. I've owned an Acme Low B2 and a Schroeder 1212BMF and it sounds great with both.

[jeff7bass]

A Carvin BX1500 would drive them cabs nicely. On sale now for 500 bucks. Set flat the amp is very clear and definitive, but the EQ section is so precise that you can get any sound you want. If your cabs are 8 ohms, you’ll be pushing 300w into each cab and each cab will have its own volume control (in bi-amp mode). In bridge or full range mode, the head work like any other amp with AMP 1 volume control exclusively functional. Now you’ll be pushing 750 watts into each cab. With a switchable graphic EQ you can tune up one bass with it on, another bass with it off, then just flip the switch when you switch basses. The flexibility and power of the head sets it apart in this price range. Honestly there’s very few heads on the market, let alone in this price range, that can do what it does.