Want a new rig, any opinions?

[energyflux00]

I play on an ESP LTD D-5. ESP pick-ups.

I bought it for its value in versatility. I'd like to do the same for a rig and find a suitable and incredibly versatile head/cab set-up. Versatility, with the capacity to go from clean milk sliding off of an asteroid, to filthy dirty envelopes full of alien ****, is my main aim here. I would like to avoid anything too metallic.

Also something that will be plenty loud enough for at least medium sized venues while maintaining clarity. Light on the mud, but lows that would birth babies.

I'm new with all of this tech talk, and other than going to music stores and just playing with different heads and cabs, I'd like the opinions of you folk.

Suggestions on a rig topping out at around (head and cab, probably not a combo) $1000?

I've narrowed the head decision down, I think, to these:
Ampeg B2R
Gallien Kreuger 800RB
Carvin BX500
Hartke HA3500
Fender Bassman 400 HD

Anything I should know about any of these heads, good or bad, and any other suggestions?

Thanks a lot for any help. If you can't tell, I'm putting a lot of research and thought into this.

[bassist4dalord]

I've played the Fender, the Ampeg, and the GK. The GK wins, hands-down. Put a nice 4x10 (heck, a nice 8x10) under it, and never look back.

The Ampeg is a close second, especially if you're rockin' it with an Ampeg 410HLF. Now THAT'S a powerful sound!