I want to agree with this because I do love the Mesa a lot for what it is but if you're looking for a more modern accentuated mid kinda sound the GK and Traynors do it...well I won't say better but maybe more naturally.
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Help me decide on a new Class D head please.
- Thread starter Spirit of Ox
- Start date
I want to agree with this because I do love the Mesa a lot for what it is but if you're looking for a more modern accentuated mid kinda sound the GK and Traynors do it...well I won't say better but maybe more naturally.
Or at least try them all....
Yeah, try as many as you can. Then again, I bought my D-800 after only hearing it in online demos.
Al Kraft
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I own both the D-800 and TH500 and would agree that if you're looking for an Ampeg type rock and roll vibe with a little extra voicing capability, the TH has it going on big time. If you want a more tonally versatile head that can rock hard, the D-800 is an equally good choice to my ear. They are different though in more ways than just Wattage.
wmhill
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My votes are not on your list. If you want to spend the money, the Tecamp Puma 900 (around a $1000) is amazing. Best sounding and easiest to use head I have used in 30+ years of gigging. If you are staying at a smaller price point, the TC BH250 (under $250) is a very toneful and punchy amp. It's pretty loud for 250 watts (despite the grumbling of talkbassers that had issues with how it was rated). No it's not a huge powered head, but plenty of power to play small to medium sized bars without any FOH support (Iv'e done it). These thoughts/suggestions are based on playing tons of real world gigs with both units very successfully. Just my 2 cents
The GK MB500 and MB800 heads are the best bang per buck out there. Class leading power, classic GK rock tone, versatile EQ, and they'll fit in a gig bag pocket (only a couple of others do that). Tastes vary, but nothing beats their specs, and you can find them super cheap because they are no longer the flavor of the month.
There's plenty of things my TC can do that a Mesa can't do, so while the Mesa is a great amp (and I've tried it and really like it), it's not the be-all-end-all amp that some people think it is.
You can be forgiven for making this statement because you're not in Canada where they are inexpensive and readily available but Traynor is up there with anything in terms of bang for buck. Statements like this are of limited use though because if you much prefer the sound of something that costs more then the more expensive one is the best deal.
? such as ? (is real question, not a challenge or provocation)
My votes are not on your list. If you want to spend the money, the Tecamp Puma 900 (around a $1000) is amazing. Best sounding and easiest to use head I have used in 30+ years of gigging. If you are staying at a smaller price point, the TC BH250 (under $250) is a very toneful and punchy amp. It's pretty loud for 250 watts (despite the grumbling of talkbassers that had issues with how it was rated). No it's not a huge powered head, but plenty of power to play small to medium sized bars without any FOH support (Iv'e done it). These thoughts/suggestions are based on playing tons of real world gigs with both units very successfully. Just my 2 cents
Speaking of Tecamp... (hint hint) someone here has a Puma 500 here for sale... (hint hint)
I gig the TC BH800 frequently without any pedals or accessories at all. I use the built-in tuner, and I load the built-in Spectracomp and dial in a little bit of that at all times, too. Or I might use some BassDrive, so I have those two patches loaded and ready to go at gigs. Considering that one of the selling points of a micro amp is portability, I feel like making the amp a one-stop shop is a feature for many.
Plus, the TC BH800 has what they call "intelligent EQ," which basically means that it boosts and cuts at different frequencies. In real life use, I've found that the EQ responds in a very sensible fashion without requiring any contour knobs or mid frequency select or vintage/modern/deep switches or anything of the sort. Most amps, including the Mesa, have controls like that, but the TC does without any of that, just applying its pre-baked EQ curve across two knobs. Some would consider having fewer knobs and switches while still sounding good to be a desirable feature. I certainly do.
I'll add my $0.02 as well....I have the 200 watt model and I find it plenty loud......and I know OP said he thought it was weak, I imagine the 500 would kick butt.... and at less than $500 Cdn it is a helluva a bang for the buck
fellow TB-er bebass is a US distributor and all 'round good guy......message him
(I have no affiliation other than fun chats with the guy)
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You should check out the DNA class D amps. There's a DNA800 (800-watts at 4 ohms) and a DNA1350 (1350 watts @4 ohms) The DNA 800 has a street price of ~$749 and the 1350 is ~$1495. The DNA800 is a streamlined and lower-powered version of the 1350 which has all the whistles and bells. Both are super clear and their new D-class power modules use a "patented design with one cycle control loop technology". It seems to have effectively bypassed the problem a lot of D-class amps have had with lack of overhead. Well worth a look.
