Amp head shoot out

[Guinness20]

This is following the "which mark bass amp head?" thread. I know in that I said I was going to get a mark bass head, but that was a bit naive of me - truth be told I hadn't really looked round at other compact heads (just heard someone playing through a mark bass rig recently and got excited). So, now that I've had a look around this is what I'm thinking; it's between:

- the Markbass Little Mark Tube
- the Galien Krueger MB Fusion 500
- the Ampeg Portaflex PF500
- the TC Electronic RH450

I'm not sure whether I'd go for the 500w (450w for TC Electronic) or 800/750w, as my band plays a lot of venues that can drastically differ in size.

I know it's hard to directly compare these, as they're aren't all similar. The mark bass and gk both have tube preamps, the tc doesn't (though it does have the tube tone feature) and the ampeg doesn't either (BUT it captures the ampeg sound, and I got excited ).

The reason why I'm looking at possibly warmer-sounding amps is that I play a stingray, and rather having an amp that sounds bright and crisp on top of an already-bright bass, I think the two could complement each other quite nicely. I play in a very loud rock band, we gig a lot and play in anywhere from pubs to outdoor gigs.

 

[mbelue]

The TC Electronic is 236w.

 

[Low Class]

The TC Electronic is 236w.

+1!

Also check out the Kustom KXB500.

 

[Guinness20]

Really?! On their site is says it's 450 Watts. I'll look that up Low Class, cheers

 

[Low Class]

Really?! On their site is says it's 450 Watts. I'll look that up Low Class, cheers

Are you referring to the TC site? That's a big marketing scam and there is a LOT of discussion about it here on TB if you do a search. Both the RH450 and RH750 are 236 watts.

 

[Tazz]

You can always turn down if you're too loud but you can only turn up so far if you're not loud enough. The extra headroom is always a plus assuming your cabs can handle it.

 

[Guinness20]

Wow, what a load of bull! Well that's the TC out of the running, thanks for letting me know! So yeah, between the mark bass, the gallien krueger and the ampeg.

 

[Guinness20]

Sorry Taz didn't see your post before I posted. It's a good point, stumping up for the extra wattage is probably best long term.

 

[Low Class]

Check out the KXB500:

http://www.talkbass.com/threads/nad-the-best-amp-ive-ever-heard-kustom-kxb500.1094234/

 

[mbelue]

Really?! On their site is says it's 450 Watts. I'll look that up Low Class, cheers

Yeah they play some games with their numbers.
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They do sound good and are perceived to be "loud." I think their marketing department should have gone with "The RH230, the world's loudest 236w bass amp."
Then again some people are only passingly aquatinted with the truth.

 

[monkeyfinger]

Check out the Carvin compact heads too. Also, Peavey is coming out with the MiniMega _REAL_SOON_NOW_

 

[wmhill]

The one you are missing is the TECAMP Puma line (300,500,900 which I use, and 1000 watt versions). You'll soon forget about the others when you plug into one of these 2.2lbs wonders.

 

[Guinness20]

Looking at a review of the Tecamp Puma 1000 review by Bassplayer, they say the word hi-f springs to mind when talking about the amp, and I'm looking for a bit of a warmer sound. Plus there's nobody near me that stocks it, so I wouldn't be able to try one out. I actually really like the Carvin, sounds like it has a variety of good sounds. Looking around though can;t find anywhere in the uk that stocks it

I really appreciate all the responses, but I've had a lot of suggestions. What are people's thoughts on the little mark tube, mb fusion 500 and portaflex pf500?

 

[DerTeufel]

For what it's worth, the GK MB Fusion does the warmer vibe quite well, and can do the hi-fi thing as well.

 

[rodl2005]

You won't go wrong with either of those. I like both of those more than the PF500.

I'd Take a hard look at the Aguilar TH500 if WARM is one of your tonal goals. Very well made, reliable and loud amp. Actually has the same power module that other 900w class D amps have, but rayed at 500w- so seems a very safe option. It's been working superbly for me for a couple years.

 

[JimmyM]

I like the PF500 quite well, but I LOOOOOVE the PF800, as the extra headroom really makes a positive difference in the amount of balls it has.

 

[mbelue]

I like the PF500 quite well, but I LOOOOOVE the PF800, as the extra headroom really makes a positive difference in the amount of balls it has.

I prefer the quantity remains two. But size is up for debate.

 

[caligula]

You won't go wrong with either of those. I like both of those more than the PF500.

I'd Take a hard look at the Aguilar TH500 if WARM is one of your tonal goals. Very well made, reliable and loud amp. Actually has the same power module that other 900w class D amps have, but rayed at 500w- so seems a very safe option. It's been working superbly for me for a couple years.

I agree with this.
If you're looking for warm, organic, not too bright, not hi-fi (Stingray already bright enough), you should definitely try the Aggie TH 500.
I have two micros (Puma 900 and the TH 500) and the TH has become my main amp. For my tonal goals - warm, growl, not über-modern - it's close to perfect.

 

[Guinness20]

Thanks guys, don't know why I haven't looked at the aguilar. Well JimmyM I might be going for the 800w version (little mark tube 800, gk mb fusion 800 and pf800). if I did want the extra power available, is there a higher watt version of the Aguilar?

 

[caligula]

Ain't no such thing as a TH 700 / 800 (I sure like to see it).
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Next bigger Aggie is the DB 750/751. I have the 750 and it's a weapon of total destruction, for 70% of my gigs it's complete overkill.
Paired with the right cabs, you can bury everyone and everything in the band.
Very powerful, extremely full sounding amp with almost endless headroom. Some say it's a one trick pony and I'd agree with that ... somewhat.
Not the most flexible amp out there and, unfortunately, very heavy.