New Amp for Progressive Rock/Zappa stuff

[Rebo213]

Hi,
I need some help. I´m going to purchase a new amp, i´m now playing a carved DB with a magnetic pu and I´ve got one Ampeg 410 cabinet that I cannot change. I play a sort of Zappa/Progressive stuff, and also a bit of jazz, so I need a head that sounds clear but also powerful to be able cut though the mix, because I mostly do rock shows. My current head its an Ampeg V4BH, and its indeed powerful but too noisy at high volume. After some searching in the forums i think EA iAmp500 its the best choice for my budget, but I need some opinions of players who plays music similar to mine, not only jazz/classical... I love that tone shaping section, but I don´t know how well it will sound in a loud situation. Of course I cannot try it here ´cos there are no distributor in Spain, and don´t like most of the BG amps I tried with the DB...
Thanks and sorry for my english

[fradubio]

Surprisingly, I've had decent luck with a Mesa 400. I've also been using an SWR 400s, which I just traded away for a Mesa 400+. These are a bit heavy, but great tone and volume, and despite what most folks say, I enjoy the URB tone thorugh tubes. Granted, I am playing an old Kay. I use a 4x10 for quieter stuff at home (too heavy to carry, but sounds great), and a 1x12 or 2x1x12 or a 2x10 when I'm at a gig.

[Tanglehead]

Hi -

I've messed around a little with my SWR Redhead and my carved DB, although I haven't had a chance to try it on big stages. In practice situations, though, it seems to work very well. I would attribute part of that to the 2x10 speaker configuration, as I think one thing to look out for with bigger amps and cabs is response time - especially if you're considering 15" speakers. I've just heard several people express the opinion that those bigger speakers don't reponse quickly enough to the lower frequencies the DB produces with all of the complexities of sound. The Redhead has a tube preamp, so you'll get some of that tube sound with the convenience and reliability of solid state power.

Don't know if these are readily available for you in your area, but these Redheads are going used for between $ 5-700 USD.

Good luck...

t