What's a good solidstate amp head?

THE HIPPIE · #1 10-14-2011, 09:14 AM

What's a good solidstate amp head? There're so many kinds of amp in the market but how many of these solidstates do really sound good? I play indie/shoegaze stuff.

**garmenteros** · #2 10-14-2011, 09:15 AM

Vintage Acoustic USA amps...

BurningSkies · #3 10-14-2011, 09:22 AM

If you're a bit more specific about the tone profile you're trying to hit, people will be able to guide you in an effective direction.

bichibreaker · #4 10-14-2011, 09:27 AM

gk 800rb

it's my choice

HolmeBass · #5 10-14-2011, 09:31 AM

Lots of good ones, lots of options. Many people like hybrid amps- with tubes in the pre-amp section and a solid state power amp section. I personally find almost any amp will work in a pinch, but prefer Eden, Genz Benz, Mesa, and Aguilar from actual gigging experience. From demoing amps in stores I feel that you couldn't go wrong with GK or MarkBass. And although I've never been able to gel with Ampeg, many many people get great sounds out of Ampeg solid state amps.

Muttleybass · #6 10-14-2011, 10:33 AM

Sound is subjective.

That said, I really like my GK 800rb. Never let me down.

My bud has a 1001rb that's awesome. Almost sold my 800rb to go with a 700rbII. Mesa Carbine M9, MarkBass, Eden, Genz Benz has all sounded great to me.

Alex1984 · #7 10-14-2011, 10:33 AM

SWR, Eden, and some Genz Benz and some Mesa tend to go for a more hi-fi sound. GK tends to go for a nastier sound with a bit more character, Mesa, Genz Benz, MarkBass and Ampeg also offer some very tube-like hybrid amps.

tdub0199 · #8 10-14-2011, 10:36 AM

GK 700RB II or a 1001RB II is great solid state head...... I would really love to try out a Ampeg PF500 as well.....

Tunaman · #9 10-14-2011, 10:44 AM

Join date Oct 2011... yup

Theres a search feature just to let you know. 1000s of posts man. Tons of good info.

Jim Carr · #10 10-14-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE HIPPIE

What's a good solidstate amp head? There're so many kinds of amp in the market but how many of these solidstates do really sound good? I play indie/shoegaze stuff.

Are you performing in cafes, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, backyard BBQ's, theaters, state fairs, arena's, on the radio, TV, your bedroom?

What is your budget?
What is the instrumentation / amplification of your bandmates?

Jim Carr · #11 10-14-2011, 11:00 AM

check this: Best (Or most preferred) solid-state head for under $1,500?

klejst · #12 10-14-2011, 12:14 PM

I currently use a Peavey Tour 450 amp. Has great sound and tone, easy to use, lots of options and EQ, built solid and was cheap. They make a 700w version too in the Tour 700.

Ric5 · #13 10-14-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE HIPPIE

What's a good solidstate amp head? There're so many kinds of amp in the market but how many of these solidstates do really sound good? I play indie/shoegaze stuff.

Ampeg, GK, etc ... most solid state heads made since the 1980s are good.

BAMonBASS · #14 10-14-2011, 12:21 PM

I own a Kustom 1200 HD which i love the sound of and i use a GK700RB at practice and i enjoy the sound of this one too. But i would suggest the Kustom. It has good tone IMO, it has more power than you will need, and you can generally get them used for under $400. Only drawback is that it weighs a ton.

jnewmark · #15 10-14-2011, 12:43 PM

Recently picked up a Carvin BX1500. Lotta band for the buck, and eq options, crossover, compressor, etc.

1n3 · #16 10-14-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tunaman

Join date Oct 2011... yup

Theres a search feature just to let you know. 1000s of posts man. Tons of good info.

This.

To THE HIPPIE: read the FAQs, and learn how to search. You'll get better information that way; enough to keep you reading for a long time.

Alex1984 · #17 10-14-2011, 01:12 PM

Actually, as much as I like Ampegs, I didn't care for much of the SVT Pro series, heard good things about the 7 Pro though, but yet to check them out for myself.

Filip Burdon · #18 01-25-2012, 08:57 AM

I'm thinking about a head to a 410hlf cab.
I play punk/grunge/stoner/psychodelic rock with pick and I like distorted bass and I use an Fender P bass.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
I heard some good stuff about GK 700rb and Ampeg SVT 4 pro.
My only concern is, ain't tubes a bit pain in the ass sometimes(changing, breking down ect.? )

Thanks for any suggestions

klejst · #19 01-25-2012, 09:15 AM

My favorite solid state amp I like to use is my Peavey Tour 450. Good amount of tone controls, nice EQ, solid sound and built to last like pretty much all Peavey products, rack mountable and is very inexpensive so what you get out of it.

NecroticImbecil · #20 01-25-2012, 09:24 AM

Ampeg SVT; vintage, CL, Heritage, is all good.

Sorry, couldn't resist a little "getting even" for all the times somebody posts "SANSAMP PEDAL!!!1!" in a "Best tube head" thread.

Seriously, Genz Benz. SOme of them may have a tube or three, but solid state power sections all around.