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"Mini" Bass Amp Heads

M

main_sale

Apr 26, 2004
1,499
107
Cape Cod
#1
I'm getting excited about all of the new "Mini" bass amp heads that are coming down the pipeline. After years of hauling around heavy bass gear with no help from the guitar players, it looks as if we bass players will soon have a nice selection of compact bass equipment to use with out sacrificing tone. I have not purchased a "Mini" amp yet but I have picked up a pair of Bag End S-15D's. I'm "Old School". Perhaps 2007 will be the year I get my "Mini" head.

PS: I'm still keeping my big tube equipment............... just in case.
SVT-VR.jpg
 
#6
mimaz said:
Let me be the first to suggest that you check out a Mesa Boogie Walkabout head! Only 13 lbs, lots of power, tube preamp, I love 'em! :bassist:
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+1... most of the other mini heads (markbass, EA, AI, Walter, Eden260, etc.) are voiced to the very clean and SS quick and crisp.

The Walkabout is about as tubey as you are going to get in a relatively small and lightweight package. HIGHLY recommended for all tube guys looking for a smaller alternative for some situations.
 
#8
Rick_no7 said:
Anyone know any Mini-bass heads that use graphic equalizers?

Something on par with Markbass or above, with at least 300 watts.
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The only mini-head that I know with a graphic eq is the Ashdown Superfly. It's 500watts but you need two 4ohms cabs to get full power as it's a stereo amp (2x250watts per side @ 4 ohms).

I've played it and it sounds great but isn't powerful enough. I was very impressed by the range of sounds you can get from the head (having only a graphic eq and compressor) but the power makes it practically unusable. Anybody brings two 4 ohms cabs for a small gig?

I've heard Ashdown might be releasing a new version soon (NAMM?) with upgraded power. That would be great!
 
#10
Todd Stanley said:
I don't totally understand the reason for really lightweight heads, if you're going to call a 40lb cabinet light and incredibly portable/able to carry with one hand, a 20lb amp shouldn't be much of a big deal. Someday I'll understand probaly.
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The answer lies in your birthday! ;) When you get old and weak (or lazy) you'll understand. Enjoy those big monsters while you can!
 
#11
mimaz said:
The answer lies in your birthday! ;) When you get old and weak (or lazy) you'll understand. Enjoy those big monsters while you can!
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The answer also lies in if you used all that gear when it was new and see the sonic benefits and improvements besides size. Yes I appreciate a formidable backline too. I do like being able to carry an iAMP 800 in it's bag into a singer songwriter house party and get great tone because of the headroom. Before what would I have brought? There was nothing small. So in would come the Sunn 2000s or Acoustic 360 which develops no wave inside a house. People would look at you funny and then it would sound bad. I took a Marshall 100watt head and a Marshall 4x15 cab to an upstairs rehearsal with an acoustic guitarist. When Polytones came along it was a blessing.
So it is about your birthday:)!
 
#12
Todd Stanley said:
I don't totally understand the reason for really lightweight heads, if you're going to call a 40lb cabinet light and incredibly portable/able to carry with one hand, a 20lb amp shouldn't be much of a big deal. Someday I'll understand probaly.
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Ever have to bring your bass and rig on the subway or mass transit? ... or carry it up a 5 floor walkup?

I don't get paid to play ... I get paid for cartage.
 
#13
But if you're trotting along with a 40lb cab in one hand saying "holy smokes I love how light this is" why would it be such a big deal for your head to be under 10lbs? That's all I mean, the lighter the better obviously, and yes carrying a classic 400 would be terrible. I just look at people carrying "lightweight" cabs with ease, but heads that are lighter than the cabs with grunts and groans. Maybe the day they make cabs that are under 10lbs too:P

On second thought, I guess it's just one less trip to take, and that makes perfect sense, does anyone carry their lightweight mini head inside their bass case? It'd be nice to have a molded area that fits the head next to the headstock.
 
#14
Todd Stanley said:
I don't totally understand the reason for really lightweight heads, if you're going to call a 40lb cabinet light and incredibly portable/able to carry with one hand, a 20lb amp shouldn't be much of a big deal. Someday I'll understand probaly.
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One day you realalize your hauling around more rig than you need and/or like the idea of being about to unload and load quickly. If a room is too big for my rig I will just send a signal to the PA to support my rig.

Plus with a small rig you can be chatting up the ladies while the drummer and others are still winding cables and packing stands. :D
 
#16
I was interested to learn of the new "Mini" amps at the recent NAMM show and a couple of them made it to my prospect list. I like the idea of having a tube in the preamp section for some good old tube warmth and goodness and having an on board compressor is an idea I like as well. I have a feeling that more product is coming down the pike but I'm ready to buy when I find exactly what I want to power my pair of Bag End S-15D's.
 
#17
main_sale said:
I was interested to learn of the new "Mini" amps at the recent NAMM show
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Yes, NAMM was replete with mini heads. I was able to check out the latest micro marvels from EA, Eden, Phil Jones and Markbass, though I missed seeing the Ashdown SupeFly (I did see it's box, though, as they were packing up on Sunday :().

Personally, I am not adverse to using heavy equipment (within reason), especially since most of my gigs involve transporting gear in a vehicle/trailer, and not carrying it on a subway or anything. That said, these new micro heads definitely have a 'cool factor' about them, and I am sure to pick up at least one. If nothing else, it'd be a very convenient backup head. :D
 
#18
With the 8 pound Little Mark, or however light it is, it still freaks me out...This Manhattan resident can be gig ready in one trip, Bass in gig bag, Little Mark in backpack with straps and cords, and a 1x15 that will fit in the trunk of every cab in NYC..

What a wonderful thing!

I could even do subway if I needed to.
 

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