“ best bass amp combo/head

[barrymichaelb]

I'm looking for the "best" bass amp.
I consider Two-rock to be one of the best guitar amps out there , as far as sound and Quality. I also think Gretsch drums(USA customs) are some of best drums you can find. So i guess I guess im looking for a bass amp that is in this caliber range.

 

[JonathanPDX]

It's impossible to even begin to make suggestions without a lot more information.

Are you intending to play live? If so, what size venues? What's the instrumentation? The "best" rig for an upright with a symphony probably isn't the "best" rig for your heavy metal trio.

What sounds do you like? What features? Are you hauling it around yourself? If so, are there size limitations or weight restrictions? The "best" rig for playing arenas is certainly not the "best" rig for hauling up 4 flights of stairs at 3 AM.

As for sound, again, what you like may not be what I like. Your "best" might a vintage fliptop and my "best" might be a super modern hi-fi rig.

You aren't going to get any serious answers if you are unwilling to put at least a little effort into asking your question.

 

[barrymichaelb]

It's impossible to even begin to make suggestions without a lot more information.

Are you intending to play live? If so, what size venues? What's the instrumentation? The "best" rig for an upright with a symphony probably isn't the "best" rig for your heavy metal trio.

What sounds do you like? What features? Are you hauling it around yourself? If so, are there size limitations or weight restrictions? The "best" rig for playing arenas is certainly not the "best" rig for hauling up 4 flights of stairs at 3 AM.

As for sound, again, what you like may not be what I like. Your "best" might a vintage fliptop and my "best" might be a super modern hi-fi rig.

You aren't going to get any serious answers if you are unwilling to put at least a little effort into asking your question.

Thank you for the reply. I'm sorry if my question wasn't full enough. What I'm looking for is high end ( hand wired/botique) amp , mainly studio, my main bass is a first gen peavey palladium 4 string, blues, country , rock , soul/RandB, these are the speaker sizes i like for bass , 6,8,12, 18. I don't care about size or weight those are trivial, mainly high quality, great tone , reliable, no distortion, oh and i don't like a trebley bass sound . I like two rock amps for guitar and Gretsch USA drums , something at least in league with those

 

[JonathanPDX]

Thank you for the reply. I'm sorry if my question wasn't full enough. What I'm looking for is high end ( hand wired/botique) amp , mainly studio, my main bass is a first gen peavey palladium 4 string, blues, country , rock , soul/RandB, these are the speaker sizes i like for bass , 6,8,12, 18. I don't care about size or weight those are trivial, mainly high quality, great tone , reliable, no distortion, oh and i don't like a trebley bass sound . I like two rock amps for guitar and Gretsch USA drums , something at least in league with those

Well, you listed almost every modern speaker size, and described dozens of brands. You could do a Google search for things like "top boutique bass amplifiers" and you'll see lots of options: Bergantino, Darkglass, Genzler, Aguilar, Mesa, etc.

As for which one is best for you? Only way to know is to go play through them.

 

[MIMike]

Ampeg SVT; 300 watts of tube power and a matching 8x10 cab (even though you don't like 10's).

 

[buldog5151bass]

Different heads and cabs have different baked in tones. Mesa probably gets the most all-round love lately here.

 

[wjcstp]

If your primary goal is a hand-built amp, do a search for boutique builders, there are several around. You can probably find user videos for some of the bigger ones like Benson, but it's going to be hard to find many of them to try in person.

But honestly, there's no such thing as one best option for bass amps. You'll find several mentioned here as high quality and durable, but the differences in tone can be huge.

 

[barrymichaelb]

I did put best in quotes , i realize it's a subjective thing. My hope on here was to get some personal suggestions from bassist and/or bass enthusiast on what they like, and then have a little better direction .

 

[monsterthompson]

VTBP-M-800D | Demeter Amplification

demeteramps.com

Check - "What I'm looking for is high end ( hand wired/botique) amp"

Speaker size only tells you the speaker size - "these are the speaker sizes i like for bass , 6,8,12, 18."

Clean amp with a dark setting - "high quality, great tone , reliable, no distortion, oh and i don't like a trebley bass sound ."

 

[gln1955]

You should realize that speaker size is just one part of the equation of how a cab will sound. The idea that speakers of a certain size will have a certain sound is simplistic and, well, wrong. You really need to go listen to as many as you can find to find what you like.

 

[GrowlerBox]

Pick any amp at random, do a search here, and you'll find someone that loves it and someone that hates it. Also, forget what you think you know about speaker diameter; of all the speaker parameters you might choose to investigate, it's about the least important.

Weird question.

 

[DuluthDank]

If you want the most recorded sound that you've probably been exposed to the most, the answer is probably Ampeg.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Some folks like amps that have a baked-in tone, and some folks like a completely transparent amp that does not affect the tone in a similar way across all of their bass amp products. You kinda have to pick one of these camps and then seek out the best amp in the group you choose. The answer to your question has to be tailored to your needs / wants.

 

[Pings Bass]

What's the best kind of dog?

 

[agedhorse]

If you want the most recorded sound that you've probably been exposed to the most, the answer is probably Ampeg.

Or no amp at all.

I wonder who thinks hand wired is the best. I happen to think a good PCB layout is much better (and more consistent) than a hand wired amp,

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I play GK amps cause I love 'em but I'd love to try a Genzler Kinetix with a speaker from their bass array line.

Lotsa fancy stuff out there but that's where I'd be at.

 

[barrymichaelb]

Pick any amp at random, do a search here, and you'll find someone that loves it and someone that hates it. Also, forget what you think you know about speaker diameter; of all the speaker parameters you might choose to investigate, it's about the least important.

Weird question.

I'm very knowledgeable of speakers

Or no amp at all.

I wonder who thinks hand wired is the best. I happen to think a good PCB layout is much better (and more consistent) than a hand wired amp,

I've had both and hybrid variations of the 2, in my experience hand wired usually holds up and they tend to hold their value better. Of course there are factors that can make a difference.

 

[barrymichaelb]

I play GK amps cause I love 'em but I'd love to try a Genzler Kinetix with a speaker from their bass array line.

Lotsa fancy stuff out there but that's where I'd be at.

Thank you, see this is the kinda stuff I'm looking for! This is what you play , this is what you like…..

 

[barrymichaelb]

Some folks like amps that have a baked-in tone, and some folks like a completely transparent amp that does not affect the tone in a similar way across all of their bass amp products. You kinda have to pick one of these camps and then seek out the best amp in the group you choose. The answer to your question has to be tailored to your needs / wants.

I'm not expecting anyone on here to know which amp is gonna be best for me , I'm just looking for ideas , maybe something I've never heard of before .

 

[barrymichaelb]

You should realize that speaker size is just one part of the equation of how a cab will sound. The idea that speakers of a certain size will have a certain sound is simplistic and, well, wrong. You really need to go listen to as many as you can find to find what you like.

I pretty much know the speakers i like just from decades of experimenting