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AMP RECOMENDATIONS

I recently picked up a 2nd hand Traynor DB800H. While I haven't gigged this head yet, I can say with confidence that I've never had an amp that's given me more bang for my buck (nearly brand new condition for less than $350).

Power to run anything - even at 2 ohms, a more than capable eq, tube or solid state preamp modes... the list goes on. Certainly more hefty than the wee lightweights, but no big chore to carry it with one hand. Check these out and see if one is available near you. These gizmos are loaded with USEFUL features and if you want to reserve the right to melt something, you've even got some potential there, too.

I kid... I am kidder you know...
 
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this will go deep, loud, warm....4lbs..500 watts..made in Canada...built like a tank....I have the 200 w version....this would be awesome with your set up
part of the Yorkville group (famous for their PA's)

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

400 watts is the maximum before components literally start to melt and burn, and you can easily achieve mechanical failure at far lower wattage depending on the xmax of the speakers and how your EQ is set.

That said, a 800 watt amp will only put out that wattage at it's max volume; you can use a DB750 with a modestly rated single 12" as long as you're careful with the volume.
 
To the OP: I've been playing bass since 1968. I've had tons of different amps over the years. I've driven cabs rated 200 watts with 1200 watt power amps and not ever seen any of them "melt and burn". Just use common sense and do not turn it up full blast anymore than you would drive your car at 120 MPH just because the speedometer will go that high. I really think the best bang for the buck is with those 500-800 watt class D amps like the ones mentioned in this thread. Buy local if you can because a local music dealer will often lend you an amp if yours goes down. If local is not an option, I've had good luck with Sweetwater and Musiciansfriend.

good luck.
 
Without even making the usual criticism of mismatched drivers (even both by the same manufacturer) , if OP uses both cabs though rated @ 400 each, care should be taken not to push that 15 beyond its comfort zone even if the 2 10 cab is in it's comfort zone .

For the record I remain a Markbass fan boy of amps and cabs. My Jeff Berlin combo and NY151 extention cab remain one of best regret free musical purchases. I'd probably go with a Little Mark (or the 800 Tube Head) and watch my levels if I had these cabs.
 
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.

Carvin BX-500 will put 350 watts into one of your cabs, or 500W into both (sending 250 per each, when ya run em parallel!). I'm crazy about the sound of these BXs - I have a BX-250 (MB10) as well. Seriously, these little solidstate amps just nail it for me... who knew that a couple of FETs could sound so nice?
 
I would recommend MB Little Mark III, Little Mark Tube or Big Bang. I have LMIII with two Traveller 102p and it works great. Otherwise, there are many heads in the range 400-600w on the market. You might use MB Nanomark 300 but I think it's not powerful enough for your cabinets. In case you are particularly budget-oriented, I would recommend Hartke LH500. It is a good amp and the price is simply unbeatable... Good luck!
 
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.
Ampeg PF350 with two B15 cabs is what I use with a forty to fifty piece orchestra and 40 vocalists. The 350 is MORE THAN enough. It's simple to set up and only 300 bucks. And I've never the XLR connection on the back of the head.
 
My point was that 400 Watts is not the max the OP should be looking for in an amp.
To the OP: I've been playing bass since 1968. I've had tons of different amps over the years. I've driven cabs rated 200 watts with 1200 watt power amps and not ever seen any of them "melt and burn". Just use common sense and do not turn it up full blast anymore than you would drive your car at 120 MPH just because the speedometer will go that high. I really think the best bang for the buck is with those 500-800 watt class D amps like the ones mentioned in this thread. ...
good luck.
I agree with these players. While a 350 w amp will probably do the job, and a 500w amp definitely should do the job, the newer 800 w amps have amp modules that represent the state of the art in amplification. And, from what I have seen, resale value of these amps appears to me to be higher than that of the less powerful amps. Here is the thing; one can ALWAYS turn down. And if the volume running safe with one of these amps is not enough and one has to turn it up to the point of melting speakers, then the speakers are not enough to do the job. Like the above poster, I have always utilized amps rated for higher wattage than the speakers. The speaker rating is thermal, not electrical. And if it isn't loud enough while running at safe thermal levels, one has the wrong speaker for the job.
Although I DO have a 350 watt rated amp that I sometimes use, even for mild acoustic type stuff I usually take a single 12 and a very small and light 800 watt rated amp. But of course it isn't running 800 watts into the single 12 which is rated at 350-400 thermal watts, and the speaker does not heat up and it sounds really nice.
 
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.
In which case the mini max is a good option I also wanted a class d amp on a budget as for me it was a handy option in addition to my current amps. I am happy with the build quality and power and even the tuner comes in useful. The. Breakup on the tube emulation gives usable grunt I actually miss from my classic 400.I have played regularly over a mark Bass and love the sound and the fan is super quiet the mini has a loud fan But considering the price difference and the reliability some mark bass amps have had the mini measures up just fine.....