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Amp head, flexible, big power, STILL AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!! With good support.

J Sudjian

J Sudjian

Nov 21, 2011
135
69
#1
Hi guys, I play all styles, however I want something that can do the funky Marcus Miller stuff, and the Wooten crisp harmonic melody stuff as well.

I've played a few markbass heads, pretty cool, what I've found through research is Genz Benz 9.2, Trace Elliot ah-1200 and such and it seems you gotta find em used, or the support is not around anymore.

I want to never worry about power wether I'm in the living room, or at a big outdoor gig.

I'm hoping for something new tops I would say around 1300 bucks.

Head only.

Preferably not a tiny lightweight head, though I have heard some sound very good.

I may be anal here, but as soon as I turn an amp up, and it's farting out before I even feel it hitting my chest, I wanna punch it in the face lol.

Anyways, I just see what these big 3 or 4 stores always handle, it's the same ones over and over, then you here of something that sounds perfect, and you can't find it.

Well thanks guys, it's late, rough weekend, bare with me. Take care.
 
#3
JACink said:
Maybe a power amp is the way to go, then you just reproduce what you feed it.

What cabs will you be feeding with the amp?
Click to expand...
Not sure yet, figured to pick the head first.

I'm just hitting the point that I want a real deal set up so I can stop thinking about it so much and enjoy my passion.

I've played guitar for over 20 years, but bass on and off through those years until a couple years ago, I've been playing non stop,and I'm progressing very fast, so I just started studying the rigs more this past month or so.
 
#4
I'm sure the experts will chime in to give you a proper answer and advice, but in the mean time, here is my personal, uneducated opinion :)

When dealing with gig worthy size amps, you will find that 9 times out of 10, the limiting factor is speakers and not the amp.

Bass heads (or should I say, a lot of them) have their own voicing to some extent. This is normally due to the preamp (except when tube amps are involved). Bass cabs also have their own "flavour", and when you add the head to the cab, you create an overall flavour. As is the case with every flavour, it is up to personal taste whether you like it or not.

Personally, I keep realizing more and more that I like a neutral taste. I achieve this by running through a power amp, and use a pedal as the preamp to get the taste I want at that particular time.

All of this doesn't help you pick an amp, but neither does 45 posts recommending this or that, as it will all boil down to personal preferences at the end of the day.

If you have a music store near you, the best thing you can do is go and try as many amp and head combinations as possible. It doesn't matter what size they are, even if they are small 25w combos. Find a sound that is your "flavour", then post back here with the results. The experts here on TB will soon be able to guide you on how to get that sound at giggable levels.

Sorry if I haven't been much use.
 
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#5
JACink said:
I'm sure the experts will chime in to give you a proper answer and advice, but in the mean time, here is my personal, uneducated opinion :)

When dealing with gig worthy size amps, you will find that 9 times out of 10, the limiting factor is speakers and not the amp.

Bass heads (or should I say, a lot of them) have their own voicing to some extent. This is normally due to the preamp (except when tube amps are involved). Bass cabs also have their own "flavour", and when you add the head to the cab, you create an overall flavour. As is the case with every flavour, it is up to personal taste whether you like it or not.

Personally, I keep realizing more and more that I like a neutral taste. I achieve this by running through a power amp, and use a pedal as the preamp to get the taste I want at that particular time.

All of this doesn't help you pick an amp, but neither does 45 posts recommending this or that, as it will all boil down to personal preferences at the end of the day.

If you have a music store near you, the best thing you can do is go and try as many amp and head combinations as possible. It doesn't matter what size they are, even if they are small 25w combos. Find a sound that is your "flavour", then post back here with the results. The experts here on TB will soon be able to guide you on how to get that sound at giggable levels.

Sorry if I haven't been much use.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply. Yeah problem is we only have a couple stores here and they push the same few brands.

I may have to drive down to Los Angeles and spend more time.

Like I said, the Genz Benz and trace Elliot's sounded good then they are hard to get, or company sold out.

I liked the higher GKs then ppl keep tellin me horror stories of them burning up.

Idk no rush.

Hey thanks for your time bud.
 
#10
Zooberwerx said:
....or preamp of choice > lightweight power amp of choice > enclosure(s) of choice. This is your best bang for the buck, provides the flexibility to meet virtually any gig requirement, and allows you to "roll" different components through the line-up.

Riis
Click to expand...

Sure.

I specified that particular Pre as it has two channels and would let him jump between tones.
 
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#11
CL400Peavey said:
Peavey MAX pre in to a crest ProLite 2.0. Feed all that in to a fEARless F215.
Click to expand...

Zooberwerx said:
....or preamp of choice > lightweight power amp of choice > enclosure(s) of choice. This is your best bang for the buck, provides the flexibility to meet virtually any gig requirement, and allows you to "roll" different components through the line-up.

Riis
Click to expand...

CL400Peavey said:
Sure.

I specified that particular Pre as it has two channels and would let him jump between tones.
Click to expand...

It is out of production though common to find used.
 
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#17
J Sudjian said:
Thanks for the reply. Yeah problem is we only have a couple stores here and they push the same few brands.

I may have to drive down to Los Angeles and spend more time.

Like I said, the Genz Benz and trace Elliot's sounded good then they are hard to get, or company sold out.

I liked the higher GKs then ppl keep tellin me horror stories of them burning up.

Idk no rush.

Hey thanks for your time bud.
Click to expand...

I have been using my 700rb II for years and have had no problems with my amp. GK is one of the more reliable brands out there, so I am not quite sure where those people are coming from. If you want big power, reliability, customer support and a product that will most likely be available for a long time the GK 1001rb fits that description to the tee
 
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#18
GenzBenz was shut down by the new owner (FMIC) but they support through warranty period and the design engineer "agedhorse" here on TB does provide any repair support you would be unlikely to need.

Guitard Center spreading rumors about G-K so they can sell higher profit brands?
 
#19
73jbass said:
Wooten plays Hartke,and the last time I checked Miller plays EBS. Start there?
Click to expand...
I know, at one time I was going to settle for the hartke, then GC here had 2 DOA and then one of the best bass players in this town had to return 1 or 2. Same guys telling me of the GKs smoking up lol. I would call BS but theirs a hanfull off witnesses. Hell i don't know. Haven't gotten to be near the ebs. I'll be back, gotta work.
 

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