What lightweight amp should I get?

jjl5590 · #1 03-22-2010, 02:15 PM

Hi guys,

So at the moment i've got a GK 1001RB-II, but at 12kg, its a bit heafty carry around everywhere (don't have a car). So I'm looking to either sell it or trade it, and buy a lightweight head.

I've been a bit out of the amp scene because I've been very happy with my GK, so I've had no need to keep up to date.

I play in a loud 5-piece black metal band, so loud volume is a necessity. The 700W the GK puts out seems to get the job done nicely, but I haven't seen any lightweight amps with this amount of wattage. I'm not too bothered about the sound, as I've already said I play in a black metal band, which involves a lot of fast, punchy bass lines. But I usually incorporate aggressive slap, so I need an amp that has good definition. I also play in Drop-C tuning, not sure if that really matters though...

So anyway, these are the one's I've had a look at so far:

- Gallien-Krueger MB2 500
- Gallien-Krueger MB Fusion

- Carvin BX500
- Carvin BX1500

- Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0
- Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0
- Genz Benz ShuttleMAX 6.0

- Markbass F1
- Markbass F500
- Markbass Little Mark Tube
- Markbass Little Mark Tube 800
- Markbass Little Mark Rocker 500
- Markbass Little Mark II
- Markbass LMK
- Markbass Little Mark III
- Markbass Little Mark 800

- Tecamp Puma 1000

- Euphonic Audio Micro
- Euphonic Audio Doubler
- Euphonic Audio Pro

- Eden WTX500

- TC Electronic Rebelhead 450

- Epifani

Are there any others that you would recommend? Or perhaps are there any you would advise not to get?

Cheers for any help!

cheshirepig · #2 03-22-2010, 02:32 PM

Don't forget the Tecamp models, g

Pilgrim · #3 03-22-2010, 02:43 PM

There are a dozen or so threads on TB comparing G-B, Markbass, Orange and others. Searching will yield plenty of good reading.

jjl5590 · #4 03-22-2010, 02:47 PM

I'm not really too bothered which is better, I'm more interested in whether there are any to watch out for. I'll be trading my GK 1001RB, so I'll have to take what ever is available.

Cheers

Pilgrim · #5 03-22-2010, 03:36 PM

I haven't heard of any losers among the new class D lightweight amps, but if there are any the owners may speak up.

**nostatic** · #6 03-22-2010, 03:38 PM

What's your budget?

waleross · #7 03-22-2010, 03:39 PM

The GK 1001RB-II looks like a nice head and its only 17lbs. Pretty lite if you ask me. Any lighter might not be the way to go. the type of band you're in you can't ask for lighter. If you were playing in a jazz trio, ok but this head is a whole lot lighter than most Ampegs. Genz-Benz's are good and I was looking at them for a while. Your GK head would do a great job with say an Ameg 410HLF......(with wheels!!!) Get help from your band mates and your all set....good luck !!!

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 03-22-2010, 03:44 PM

Don`t forget the Markbass SD800

jjl5590 · #9 03-22-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

What's your budget?

Well im either looking to trade for my GK 1001RB-II, or sell it for £450, so I guess my budget is around that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Don`t forget the Markbass SD800

That head weighs over 3kg, i know its not a lot but i'm trying to keep it under 3kg, since there are plenty of amps that are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by waleross

The GK 1001RB-II looks like a nice head and its only 17lbs. Pretty lite if you ask me. Any lighter might not be the way to go. the type of band you're in you can't ask for lighter. If you were playing in a jazz trio, ok but this head is a whole lot lighter than most Ampegs. Genz-Benz's are good and I was looking at them for a while. Your GK head would do a great job with say an Ameg 410HLF......(with wheels!!!) Get help from your band mates and your all set....good luck !!!

To you the GK 1001RB may be light, but for an 18 year old skinny kid who has to travel on public transport 24/7, carrying a bass and bag of effects, the weight does get to me. I think one of my arms has become longer than the other lol.

Also, what difference does the weight of the amp make for the type of music I play? The only thing i can think of is that if the amp is too light, it will fall off the cab

shoot-r · #10 03-22-2010, 04:24 PM

Since you already like G.K. amps I'd suggest your checking out the G.K. MB-500 heads.
350 watts at 8 ohms.
500 watts at 4 ohms.
580 watts total output.
3.8 lbs.!!!
Into the right number of speakers of the correct ohmage I'd think the MB-500 could cover everything but stadium gigs.
My 3.8 lb. MB-500 hasn't moved when in use on top of my cabs.

rpsands · #11 03-22-2010, 04:46 PM

If you need wattage like the GK 1001 RB II (which has an incredible output for its rating) you will want either an LMT800 or a BX1500. I'd go with the latter.

BassistFreak416 · #12 03-22-2010, 05:11 PM

carvin bx500 is a great head, though i would take a genz benz as i hear they get a good tube sound with them. though the bx500 has plenty of features

**nostatic** · #13 03-22-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassistFreak416

carvin bx500 is a great head, though i would take a genz benz as i hear they get a good tube sound with them. though the bx500 has plenty of features

I don't find the GB to get a "tube sound" at all. If anything they are more on the hi-fi side of things.

chiplexic · #14 03-22-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

I don't find the GB to get a "tube sound" at all. If anything they are more on the hi-fi side of things.

Agreed

mike costelow · #15 03-22-2010, 07:20 PM

I have lmiii and bx500 and like them both.If I had to choose between the 2 I think I would go with the bx500. Well made,It sounds loud & good,very versatile,goes down to 2 ohm,mute,tube pre,5 pounds.It is alot of amp for $415.00!

Munjibunga · #16 03-22-2010, 07:20 PM

Don't forget the Eden WTX-500.

jjl5590 · #17 03-23-2010, 04:55 AM

Thanks for all the replies guys, i really appreciate the help.

i'm just wondering though, will 500W be enough? My GK is 700 LOUD Watts (so I'm told), and that can keep up, but i'm not sure if anything less than that will...

Also, with that Eden and a few of the Markbass amps, there is only 1 speakon connector, which could prove a problem if my cab only has 1 speakon connector aswell.

shoot-r · #18 03-23-2010, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjl5590

Thanks for all the replies guys, i really appreciate the help.

i'm just wondering though, will 500W be enough? My GK is 700 LOUD Watts (so I'm told), and that can keep up, but i'm not sure if anything less than that will...

Also, with that Eden and a few of the Markbass amps, there is only 1 speakon connector, which could prove a problem if my cab only has 1 speakon connector aswell.

The MB-500 has those LOUD G.K. watts also.
I'd bet that if you could tell alot of difference between 700 watts and 500 watts it won't be much.
The MB-500 has two speakons also.
For many, many years I used a G.K. 800 head, (300 loud G.K. watts at 4 ohms), into a 4 ohm Ampeg SVT 810 cabinet. Played some very large areas, having enough volume was never a problem.

jjl5590 · #19 03-23-2010, 05:28 AM

cool, I heard that the GK MB2-500 wasnt reliable, or that there are newer versions coming out or something? Is there any way to tell which is a new version (i'll be buying used)?

Do you think the GK 1000RB-II and the MB2-500 are worth around the same, i.e. should i do a direct trade or should I trade and ask for a bit of cash?

Also, how comes the GK MB Fusion, which is a small amp, have 3 tubes in it, when much larger amps just have 1 tube? how do they fit them in lol

shoot-r · #20 03-23-2010, 05:37 AM

G.K. had some growing pains at first with the MB series but I believe it's all been worked out now.
The 007 series is the latest with no problems that I've heard. Mines a 005 model...it's been nothing but great!
I paid $499.00 U.S. at Guitar Center for my new MB2-500.