A good head, about 600 watts...

It's preferecne, but I suggest a Gallien Krueger, as I always do. Very clean and punchy. Ampegs are fat round and bottom heavy. Which, if you want that sound, is awesome. Any of the amps in that area, of any quality should sound pretty good. It's just a matter of preference.

 

Not that well-kown but very good:

Hughes&Kettner BassBase 600

http://www.hughes-and-kettner.com/startseite/bass_base.html

 

Check out as many as you can (preferably with your bass and either your cabs or the same cab as yours at the store). Recommend listening to Mesa Boogie M-2000 (new or used), EA iAmp-600 (used), EBS Fafner or TD-650 (new or used), Eden WT-550 and then there's always preamp/power amp solutions that offer more flexibility.

 

Mesa Boogie M-Pulse 600?

Edit: should probably elaborate a bit. A bit pricey, and about 40 pounds, but it has a GREAT rock tone, is quite versatile, and has gobs of power and volume (the 600 rating is a bit conservative)

 

I would try to find an Ashdown ABM 300 or 500. The 300 is suprisingly powerful (600w peak), and the 500 even more so. You cannot get bad tone out of an Ashdown.

 

I agree with Todd. You cannot go wrong with the ABM 500. It is listed at 575w, but that is a very conservative rating, imo.

 

Yeah (oops! I forgot Ashdown ABMs).

Do check 'em out. Very good amps.

 

If you do get the SWR, just get the straight 550. The extra 'x' is more expensive because of some onboard effects that are of questionable usefulness.

 

I don't believe SWR makes a Bass-550- this was a new item after they added the X to the 350 and 750. You may be thinking of the SM-500.

Anyway, I'd go with the preamp of your choice and a Carvin DCM600 or DCM100, depeneding on what ohm load you are running, and if you are planning on adding speakers.

 

i second the mesa m-pulse 600. great sounding head

 

I'd suggest a Tech21 Landmark 600, it combines the RBI and their Accoustic DI and a 600w into 4ohms all in one amp!! I heard the landmark300 (just a smaller amp) with the tech21 410 and it sounded BETTER than a eden 410xst/RBI/1000w yamaha amp! the tech21 had more mids than the eden so it will probably cut through better and I loved the tone!!

 

Go for used stuff. Makes everything a bit easier on the wallet.

 

Mesa 400+

It says 500W (peak), so it's more like 300W (RMS) But it's tube, so it sounds like around 600W, LOL.

Anyways, i didn't have a chance to try an MPulse 600, but i'm sure it sounds sweet.

However, still.... 12 - 6L6's can't hurt. To say the least, it rapes. OOOH, remember though, it's Fat. Fatter than my mom, and that's sayin something.

my 2C

~Zentner

 

Consider the Peavey Pro 500.

 

Just went through 3 months of pleasure/pain trying to find the right amp at the right price,

If somebody else was paying it would have been over in about a second, but hey, the sky is blue in my world.......

What I have taken from the whole experience is that most companies work on a "bull**** baffles brains theory".....

THe only way to buy is with your ears, from a dealer who gives you the lattitude to try stuff out no pressure....its worth paying a little extra if you have too....

Try all amps with no affects and flat eqs

TB was an invaluable resource for me, and gave me a lot of peace of mind with what I eventually went for.....but just let your ears be the judge and you will be sweet.....

Heres what I ended up with

Fender BXR300R
Tech21 Sansamp as Preamp
EV TL 15" box
Marshall 210/tweeter box

Cost me about $1600 aus, all near new, kicks ass I think!

Im just glad its over! CYA LUkaas

 

i would name:

MEsa Mpulse 600
H&K BASSBASE (Great tone)
Ashdown ASM 500
Markbass P501

 

I'd chime in for a the Ashdown ABM EVO 500! Afabulous amp that I only recently demoed and now have GAS for! Alternatively, you could get a Trace Elliot AH500 - like the one I'm selling


But seriously, the Ashdown is one hell of an amp for the money!

 

Lots of good recommendations have already been made, so you have lots to consider. Personally I would go for the EBS Fafner. I believe there's still a lightly-used one listed for sale in the classifieds here.