300 watts@8 ohms, simple controls, warm & SS?

[Nick Kay]

The Yorkville XS400 meets all of those criteria spot on. Actually, it's made in Canada, not the US, but that's close enough for most.

EDIT: AKA Traynor DB400, now. They've been rebadged.

 

[Easy8]

Gallien-Krueger Backline 600

While the BL600 is a great budget amp, it's output is 300W @4Ohms and 180w at 8 Ohms.

 

[whacker]

GK 700RB-II: 320 watts @ 8 ohms, 480 watts @ 4 ohms.

Not the flavor of the month or favorite of the darling crowd, but meets your criteria. U.S. made, simple controls, affordable.

 

[Eublet]

+1 on the 700RB. Great head. I would steer clear of the Backline stuff though unless everything else is outside your budget.

 

[whizack]

if you go used you can pick up a Mesa Walkabout Head for around 550~600.

great head, and has a wonderful grit sound.

 

[MrLenny]

Eden refurbs w/warranty on Musicians Freind.
Check them out. Eden WT-260 $450
Eden WT-300 $550
I own a WT-400. It's been on line since 1997.
No issues and a nice warm sound. Kudos for made in the USA.

 

[SwitchGear]

GK 700RB-II: 320 watts @ 8 ohms, 480 watts @ 4 ohms.

Not the flavor of the month or favorite of the darling crowd, but meets your criteria. U.S. made, simple controls, affordable.

whacker, what do you mean by the "darling crowd?"

 

[GreggBummer]

I just acquired a Peavey Tour 450. It doesn't fit the simplicity idea... but power and warmth are there. It also fits your cost requirements.

If nothing else, use it as a comparison for other heads.

 

[KJung]

whacker, what do you mean by the "darling crowd?"

A few pieces of gear come out on occasion that are revolutionary enough to cause a lot of gear heads to post a lot about them. Recent examples are the Markbass LMII.... sounds like a $1,500 30 pound amp for $599 and 5 pounds, and the Shuttle 6.0.. same deal, but with a tube pre for more 'rock friendly tones'. Other earlier examples are the EpiUL line (the first widely available super lightweight cabs) and the Acme's (the first widely available small cab that is tuned to reproduce an open low B fundamental).

This 'uber' posting about these pieces of gear tends to rub some people the wrong way, especially if those pieces of gear don't match up to the tone they are trying to achieve. And if your favorite piece of gear is not gushed over, it also can rub the wrong way.

IMO and IME.

 

[Eublet]

Some people don't get into the new-gear craze, and they tend to look at those that do as being a bit vain. I love new gear, just talking about it, trying it out, etc. That doesn't mean that the old tried-and-trues are inferior by anymeans, although they are less exciting for guys like me. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with the old-faithfuls. The GK stuff is great, although it's been updated. And the Mesa Walkabout is a wonderful head. You have lots of options, both old and new. I would go with something light myself. The LMII and the Shuttle 6.0 are two wonderful options.

 

[buffordbass]

Eden refurbs w/warranty on Musicians Freind.
Check them out. Eden WT-260 $450
Eden WT-300 $550
I own a WT-400. It's been on line since 1997.
No issues and a nice warm sound. Kudos for made in the USA.

None of those meet the 300 watts at 8 ohms criteria.

+1 on the shuttle 6.0, it rocks and you can put it in your gig bag... less than 4 lbs!!!!

 

[TheChariot]

None of those meet the 300 watts at 8 ohms criteria.

+1 on the shuttle 6.0, it rocks and you can put it in your gig bag... less than 4 lbs!!!!

The WT-550 definitely would though, and one could be had for $700 or a bit more. Tried, tested, and proven.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Can the Shuttle 6.0 be had for $700.00?

I ordered mine today for $585 + S&H

 

[amos]

Wow, those Shuttle 6's are a great deal. Have there been reviews posted, or do I need to check the megathread?

 

[unclekebm]

I ordered mine today for $585 + S&H

from where? if you don't mind me asking...

 

[Rob Mancini]

I hate this. We're now in the cycle of rapid sonic improvement and massive shrinkage. Genz Benz one ups Markbass, Markbass one ups Mesa, Mesa one ups EA, EA one ups Thunderfunk, etc. etc. etc. I've decided to put a freeze on buying amps for 10 years because I think that's how long it'll take for them to come up with an index card-sized 500w amp that sounds like an SVT. Till then I'm going to enjoy my LM2 and my SVT and let everyone fight it out for a while.

 

[bassman639]

+1!!!

PLUS 1

 

[Lia_G]

Wow, those Shuttle 6's are a great deal. Have there been reviews posted, or do I need to check the megathread?

There's a dedicated Shuttle 6.0 thread, separate from the megathread. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404324

Lots of 6.0 content in the megathread too, of course.

Also, most feel that the 6.0 is, tonewise, pretty much identical to the earlier NeoPak, so you can read those threads as well. The part of those threads you would change is when some folks think the NeoPak isn't powerful enough ... the 6.0 certainly is.

To the OP ... the 6.0 would be something to try out, for sure. Also, a Little Mark II with a Sansamp or something to add some grit could be another option.

Other great suggestions in this thread as well. Good luck!

Cheers