Suggestions on modern/light/high wattage/bright bass amp

[Musicman20]

Hi

Just something im thinking over for a new band.

Most the amps I use now are fairly vintage/warm in their inherent tone. They can do modern, but I do quite like the idea of an amp thats totally different.

Id like:

Clean
Bright/Zingy (as in will grind quite nicely with a J bass and rounds)
Fairly aggressive (doesnt have to be overdrive aggression, just fairly in your face)
Very light
Loud package (more headroom than a LM3 and RH450)
Fully featured with headphones/aux in etc

I realise there are already a few amps that tick these boxes, but what I really need is those watts to count. I would like the headroom if I need it. I know, for example, the Ampeg Pro 7 is rated at 1000W (4 ohms), but is it actually a 1000W?! Really, the Ampeg is a little too heavy for what Im after. I want super portable if its possible.

Thanks

[Captain Marvel]

The Tecamp puma 1000 springs to mind. Pricey but ticks most of the boxes, a superb quality piece of equipment.

[will33]

I don't know of any of these ultra lightweight amps that have reached the 1000 watt mark. Any amp can be bright and zingy, you just turn the bass down and the treble up.

[Musicman20]

The SD1200 is high wattage, and may not be micro, but fits into that light category.

Some amps are a lot more bright than others, believe me.

Good idea on the Tecamp btw but out of the price limit

Note that it doesn't have to be 1000w, just more headroom than a good 500 watt rated amp.

[lo-freq]

Check out the EA iAmp Pro.

[CElton]

How about the GB Shuttle 9.0?

[tallboybass]

Originally Posted by CElton

How about the GB Shuttle 9.0?

That was my thought too. The GB stuff is naturally bright.

[Musicman20]

I am swaying towards the Shuttle 9.0 (again).

My problem is, and my worry, that is still packs the punch and depth of Markbass, yet with that Genz sheen?

Ive heard and experienced it at a fairly high volume and it didnt seem to be much 'bigger' than say a 500W amp in terms of volume. That was into two 8 ohm cabinets.

Im willing to give Genz another, as long as this time I get it right. My last Shuttle has an issue and the UK dealer didnt want to have any problems so they sent it back to be checked. The main worry was a shutting down issue (it wasnt at high volumes).

If someone can enlighten me on where I went wrong I might go back and look into Genz.

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

I am swaying towards the Shuttle 9.0 (again).

My problem is, and my worry, that is still packs the punch and depth of Markbass, yet with that Genz sheen?

Ive heard and experienced it at a fairly high volume and it didnt seem to be much 'bigger' than say a 500W amp in terms of volume. That was into two 8 ohm cabinets.

Im willing to give Genz another, as long as this time I get it right. My last Shuttle has an issue and the UK dealer didnt want to have any problems so they sent it back to be checked. The main worry was a shutting down issue (it wasnt at high volumes).

If someone can enlighten me on where I went wrong I might go back and look into Genz.

most likely knob position. Our "knob position"..i.e. pot tapers on the levels and gains are not like some other amps. Our volume comes on gardually rather than all "up front" as you turn the pot clockwise.

For those that are used to seeing their volume at say 12:00 o'clock and now they see it at 2:00, it becomes a paradigm shift.

Also, our eq section is a very powerful part of the gain structure of our amp. If a bassist is in the habit of pulling out mids, they'll lose a lot.

For this reason, I recommend that if a player likes a more "scooped" tone, instead of pulling out mids, boost low mids instead.

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

The SD1200 is high wattage, and may not be micro, but fits into that light category.

Some amps are a lot more bright than others, believe me.

Good idea on the Tecamp btw but out of the price limit

Note that it doesn't have to be 1000w, just more headroom than a good 500 watt rated amp.

Absolutely check out the SD1200, if it sounds like the F1/F500, then you have yourself a real winner!

[Musicman20]

Originally Posted by hasbeen

most likely knob position. Our "knob position"..i.e. pot tapers on the levels and gains are not like some other amps. Our volume comes on gardually rather than all "up front" as you turn the pot clockwise.

For those that are used to seeing their volume at say 12:00 o'clock and now they see it at 2:00, it becomes a paradigm shift.

Also, our eq section is a very powerful part of the gain structure of our amp. If a bassist is in the habit of pulling out mids, they'll lose a lot.

For this reason, I recommend that if a player likes a more "scooped" tone, instead of pulling out mids, boost low mids instead.

Thanks. This could well be it.

So, what you are saying is that even when the master is at say, 2/3 o'clock, the amp still has plenty of volume left?

I would like to be able to 'push' that tube a little just to get a tiny bit of motown thump with my P bass and flats, as WELL as the sheen your amps can provide.

Maybe I need to give the 9.0 another shot.

[Musicman20]

Originally Posted by lo-freq

Absolutely check out the SD1200, if it sounds like the F1/F500, then you have yourself a real winner!

Thats the 'if' Im worried about, if its like the F500 (etc) but much louder. it s winner. If its SD800 territory I dont think ill like it.

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Thanks. This could well be it.

So, what you are saying is that even when the master is at say, 2/3 o'clock, the amp still has plenty of volume left?

I would like to be able to 'push' that tube a little just to get a tiny bit of motown thump with my P bass and flats, as WELL as the sheen your amps can provide.

Maybe I need to give the 9.0 another shot.

Exactly. Depending on EQ'ing and your front-end, you can still have plenty of headroom with your master at 3:00.

[chjohnst]

How bout the TCE Stacatto (sp?)... supposed to be very bright to the RH450 and you get a bit of tube emulation and 3 programmable EQ, built in compressor, etc.

I have the RH450 and its a really nice amp.

[seedokebass]

I was gonna say a Markbass SD800, but an SD1200 would fit the bill for more power.

[lo-freq]

Originally Posted by seedokebass

I was gonna say a Markbass SD800, but an SD1200 would fit the bill for more power.

I didn't care very much for the sound of the SD800, but some people like it.
The F1/F500 on the other hand IMO is one of the best-sounding bass amps that I've heard.
I haven't heard the SD1200 yet, a few people think that it sounds more like the F1 than the SD800, but I need to check it out with my equipment.

[Musicman20]

Im guessing the Markbass line hits its peak at the 500W amps? Do they make anything more powerful thats got that tradtional MB tone?