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

OkkultistBass

OkkultistBass

Jul 27, 2010
352
2
San Diego, California
#1
With the passing of my grandfather, he left me some life insurance money to purchase new bass gear. He always knew I wanted a career in music since I was a little kid and he always supported me. I'm left with a good $5,000 but I don't want to use it all. I have my Marcus Miller jazz, but now I just need a new amp.

I want to spend about $1,500 or under. Right now I'm looking at...
Gallien Krueger 2001RB
TC Electronic Staccato'51
Aguilar AG 500 SC
Eden WTB1000

I've owned a GK 1001RB-II before, so I assume the 2001RB is just a louder version of the 1001. But the Staccato, AG500, and WTB1000 aren't really available in my area, so it'll be a blind purchase. I'd just like to know people's experiences, what they like/dislike, so on and so on.

Thanks.
 
#2
The 2001RB is louder if you bridge the amps (two seperate woofer and tweeter amps in one case). Lots of choices for how loud you want to run and if you run the amps in dual mode each will accept a 2 onm load (bridged 4 ohm). My choice is G-K's Fusion 550. The 1050 will be nice also when it hits the market.
 
#8
My personal favorite in that price range and type is the Mesa Boogie Carbine M9. Check out the Mega Thread here on TB. Gorgeous tones, incredibly flexible and easy EQ, 26 lbs., and all in a suitcase-nuke ready to go package! And it's 2 ohm capable.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/mesa-m9-mega-thread-657317/

However, the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 is a simple tiny feather-weight little monster that can do 600 watts rms into 4 ohm loads—which I also shill for for free! Love it.
 
#10
Jim Carr said:
My personal favorite in that price range and type is the Mesa Boogie Carbine M9. Check out the Mega Thread here on TB. Gorgeous tones, incredibly flexible and easy EQ, 26 lbs., and all in a suitcase-nuke ready to go package! And it's 2 ohm capable.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/mesa-m9-mega-thread-657317/

However, the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 is a simple tiny feather-weight little monster that can do 600 watts rms into 4 ohm loads—which I also shill for for free! Love it.
Click to expand...

There's actually a used M9 at Guitar Center. It's going through a 4x10 and 1x15. Sounds so nice.
 
#16
Pilgrim said:
I would strongly recommend Genz-Benz products like the Streamliner. Their quality is outstanding, customer service excellent, and their products all sound great.
Click to expand...

Agreed here, I've had a Genz Benz 9.2 for about a month now and it's very impressive! I'm using it in a three piece rock band with a Schroeder cab and it stout. You get a fet and tube pre, ultra light and a ton of power. For $1500 you get a 9.2 Shuttle max and a great cab to go with it. Look around and you can get the head for under $700.
 
#17
OkkultistBass said:
With the passing of my grandfather, he left me some life insurance money to purchase new bass gear. He always knew I wanted a career in music since I was a little kid and he always supported me. I'm left with a good $5,000 but I don't want to use it all. I have my Marcus Miller jazz, but now I just need a new amp.

I want to spend about $1,500 or under. Right now I'm looking at...
Gallien Krueger 2001RB
TC Electronic Staccato'51
Aguilar AG 500 SC
Eden WTB1000

I've owned a GK 1001RB-II before, so I assume the 2001RB is just a louder version of the 1001. But the Staccato, AG500, and WTB1000 aren't really available in my area, so it'll be a blind purchase. I'd just like to know people's experiences, what they like/dislike, so on and so on.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I recommend that you not buy blind. It's really best to buy from a store you can try stuff out for a few weeks, and return and exchange if it doesn't work out.

So how is it you've already limited your choices? You are picking blind choices. For example, look at some peoples subjective experience on the Stacatto, and what Bass Gear Magazine measure the wattage at. It is wildly different.

You can't go by manufacturer specs, and you can't go by popular opinion, you're going to need to try the gear out yourself. Give yourself some time to try the gear out, especially with this golden gift.

I see the tube heads are in here. You specify in your subject "Solid-State" and yet they're jumping in on tube. They would be breathing fire if the subject said "tube" and I suggested "Solid State". Looks like that gate is wide open.

Think about it though. If you have an opportunity to try a tube amp, go ahead, but you'll find SS is damn good these days and immensely more practical. It depends on what decade you were born in if you have a subjective negative opinion on SS. Either might be your favorite after you have tried them for a while. I highly doubt though that any music store would take returns on a tube amp, maybe they would.

While you're at it, you ought to also look at modeling. If you already have an iPod or ipad try Amplitube, or GK, or one of the modelers they have. Or if you have a laptop, Apple or PC try the full versions. These are the same products used in top recording studios. Even Ampeg officially certifies their amp models in Amplitube. Solid-State and Tube amps are in modeling. And you can create amps nobody has yet heard. Most pedals are also obsolete because you can do it all with modeling. Try it before you buy it. Plenty of demos available.
 
#18
K, skimmed the OP. My favorite SS head ever is the Eden WT-330. FWIW, I have never liked hybrid power but LOVE all-tube or *certain* SS rigs. Loved: D-180, GK-700RB-IV, GB-400- also an old Sunn Collesium 300. Was not terribly impressed by: SVT-3Pro. Got a Carvin BRX-212 combo now- dig it but have had some issues not related to tone.
 
#19
Play them in store. Also, just to point out, you should definitely buy used, either here on TB or on your local CL. My preferences right now are all-tube SVTs. What do you need it for? What tones do you like?

A nice SVT 7 Pro would be good, or add a VT Bass to your existing rig is also another option. Also, I think it's very good that you're deciding set a good chunk of that money aside for the future. Who knows when you might need it? (Knock on wood)Theft has troubled a lot of musicians, your preferences might change, and you might see the right deal at the right time. I'm certain that your grandpa also love it if the money can help you out on other aspects of your life!
 

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