AMP RECOMENDATIONS

[Un-broken_bass]

Hey guys, after almost two years of gigging with an Ampeg Microstack I have upgraded my cabs. Now I need a head for them. I have a markbass 2x10 and a 1x15 both 8ohms and 400 watts. so I need an amp that does 4 ohms and preferably is 400 watts or less. Side note I am tech challenged so Simple is usually better. I have had my eye on a markbass nano 300 but a couple others have showed up that I am curious about. any tips are helpful.
Side side note-money is an object. prefer not to lose my house over an amp.

 

[redneck2wild]

Peavey MiniMax:

• 300 Watts @ 8 ohms (using 1 of your cabinets)
• 500 Watts @ 4 ohms (using both your cabinets)
• 5.6 lbs
• Built In Tuner
• Peavey MiniMAX 500-Watt Lightweight Bass Head
  
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[Killed_by_Death]

If each of your cabs is designed to accommodate 400 Watts, you could put a 800 Watt head on top,
but the Rumble 500 head would do nicely.

add: In other words, 400 Watts is not your max for a head with these two cabinets.

 

[Un-broken_bass]

Peavey MiniMax:

• 300 Watts @ 8 ohms (using 1 of your cabinets)
• 500 Watts @ 4 ohms (using both your cabinets)
• 5.6 lbs
• Built In Tuner
• Peavey MiniMAX 500-Watt Lightweight Bass Head
  
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is that a tube amp? it says solid state in description but I keep finding it listed under tube amps

 

[GreyBeard]

Most any of the 500 watts @ 4 ohms class D heads will more than do the job. Ampeg pf-500, Fender Rumble 500 (head), I haven't used the Peavey but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. GK and Aguilar, make 500 watt models also. They all sound a little different and have different features. I use either a pf-500 or a Rumble 500 head. I like to switch thing around from time to time. Either of them have more than enough power for my needs. I haven't gotten over picking up the little Rumble 500 that fits in a little gig bag and weighs next to nothing and puts out 500 watts into 4 ohms and 350 into 8 ohms. 20 years ago we needed 2 people with a hand truck to move around that kind of power.

 

[Un-broken_bass]

These are all helpful responses. anyone know anything about the Acoustic B300HD 300W Bass Amp Head? seems like a solid amp and decent reviews. definitely a nice price

 

[Downunderwonder]

If each of your cabs is designed to accommodate 400 Watts, you could put a 800 Watt head on top,
but the Rumble 500 head would do nicely.

That's the kind of maths that blows up cabs, not that the Rumble would not do the trick.

Any 500w micro will be fine so long as you listen to the cabs. When turning up doesn't get hardly any louder it's a good idea to turn down a little.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Each cab can handle 400 Watts, how is that math wrong?

 

[Downunderwonder]

Each cab can handle 400 Watts, how is that math wrong?

The maths is correct but the embodied assumption is very wrong. 800w would melt those cabs.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to TalkBass!!!!!

A GK MB500 would would really work well with your cabs. It is super light and sounds great. A friend recently got one and the tone is superb in my view. If you can afford it another great option would be the Mesa D800+.

 

[redneck2wild]

is that a tube amp? it says solid state in description but I keep finding it listed under tube amps

It does not have tubes. It is a Class D amp.
It does have a TransTube button that activates a Tube simulator:
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[Killed_by_Death]

know anything about the Acoustic B300HD 300W Bass Amp Head?

Go to almost any Guitar Center & you should be able to try one,
assuming you're near one...

You are not limited to 400 Watts, two cabs together are summed, as far as Watts go, but it gets tricky if the cabinets are not equally matched.

Call around to Guitar Center & ask to bring your cabs to try out one of their B300HD amps.

 

[Joebone]

Why not stick with Mark Bass? The Little Mark II/III is a fine amp - personally, I dig it way more than MB speakers...

 

[Killed_by_Death]

In which way is it better than the cabinets?

 

[Un-broken_bass]

Go to almost any Guitar Center & you should be able to try one,
assuming you're near one...

You are not limited to 400 Watts, two cabs together are summed, as far as Watts go, but it gets tricky if the cabinets are not equally matched.

Call around to Guitar Center & ask to bring your cabs to try out one of their B300HD amps.

I'm trying to stay in the general range for situations where I don't use both cabs. I.E. my band plays alot of acoustic shows at smaller bars that don't have room for the full rock experience. Plus I kept blowing out my ampeg stack so I'm trying to avoid that. lol

 

[Raw N Low]

I'd go with a Mesa Walkabout or a M6 Carbine. No rhyme or reason.

Something just tells me it might sound really good with those cabs.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I'm trying to stay in the general range for situations where I don't use both cabs.

An amp stamped 500 Watts won't be putting out 500 Watts at 8 Ohms. In the case of the Fender Rumble 500, it's 350 Watts at 8 Ohms.

 

[Un-broken_bass]

An amp stamped 500 Watts won't be putting out 500 Watts at 8 Ohms. In the case of the Fender Rumble 500, it's 350 Watts at 8 Ohms.

oh yeah I forgot. I'm rather new to things outside of combos and stacks that come in a package.

 

[snyderz]

Tried MiniMax and it sounded like mud. Plus, the fan sounded like someone was running a vacuum cleaner in the room, and I'm a Peavey fan boy. Depending on the room I am very happy with the Rumble 500 for 4 ohm, and the Carvin BX500 for 2 ohm. I know Carvin is out of business, but if you could find a used 2nd gen BX you wouldn't be sorry.

 

[MyMusic]

Carvin BX500 was $319.00 new the other day. They are still selling.