Amp Recommendations

[Cam Buchanan]

Hate to ask this again, but I still haven’t pulled the trigger on a bigger amp lol.

I currently have a 8” Markbass micro mark combo. It’s good but it doesn’t have enough thump and I want something else now to be able to jam with friends.

here’s a list of my current rig:

2021 EBMM Stingray 4H
2022 EBMM BFR Stingray 5HH(still waiting for it to be made)
8” MicroMark Markbass Combo
Helix Stomp
MXR pedals (oct,fuzz,chorus,envelope filter,compression)
Mutron III+ filter

I play all kinds of music, although I really like slap bass, funk, and soul.

I’m planning on keeping the MicroMark because it’s been a great practice amp with headphone option.

Looking to spend max 4k and I like quality stuff.

Unfortunately it’s hard to find quality amps in local stores where I’m at so it’s difficult to get to try them in person.

amps that have my interest are:

Aguilar tonehammer series, I’ve heard it doesn’t pair well with stingrays?

mesa amps: will it only get rock tones? Is it good for slap?

ampeg svt: I’m afraid I’ll get tired of the ampeg tone and it won’t be good for all the genre’s or slap. Also the weight and maintenance is a concern.

I’m really thinking about pulling the trigger on a Markbass 102p IV. It’s incredibly light and ide be sticking with what I know and if I wanted louder it can go up to 500w with an extension cab.

 

[oren]

There are lots of great amps these days, but if you like the Markbass sound (like I do), then going with a more powerful MB rig makes sense. I use a CMD-121P combo for both upright and electric, and on the rare occasion I play a gig where it might get louder than one 12 could handle I add a NY121 extension cab. I don’t have a Stingray, but the rig works great with the active basses I do have (Roscoe 5 string, Sire V7, and Godin Acoustibass).

 

[Benj-jammin]

Hey Cam - wow, 4K to spend, awesome! You should be able to get just about anything for that kind of dough. Having said that, I've never played through this rig, but I heard it back in the Fall of '22 - Steely Dan Tribute band - guy had a Bergantino Forte 800 head, along with a Berg Neo-NXT 2-12" bottom. The sound was just flat out awesome, full, rich with a beautiful presence to it. I think he was using a Fodera bass. I believe the Forte head runs around $1,100 new and the Neo cab, around $1,650. I'm sure Bergie owners here will vouch for this system and the brand. Just my two cents. Best of luck with your hunt!

 

[mmbongo]

With that budget you should do it right.

Mesa D800+ and a pair of Mesa Subway 115's for a modular setup. I recommend the D800+ because of the voice control and built in variable high pass filter. With those two controls that amp will do anything you need, and the 115's have the huge bottom and clear articulation for the type of stuff you are playing.

 

[Killing Floor]

The Mesa and Berg amps definitely play well with Stingrays. And have the right punch for slap style without being brittle. There’s no best but good luck.

 

[HolmeBass]

With $4k you can get two killer rigs.

You can dial in good slap tones on Mesa rigs, and even on Ampeg. I’ve never gotten along with Ampeg, but I heard a guy at GC with a Stingray into and Ampeg head, Ampeg 410, and he was killing some slap and some classic Pfunk lines, crushing Flashlight for instance.

So really almost any amp can work. I came to Mesa from Eden and then Genz Benz, and I think I could get a sparkly tone out of the D-800+ without much trouble.

The cabinets are more important to your sound than the amp though. I would look into high performance customs, like fEARful (but not Fearless for what you are going for) or Barefaced 12” line. Maybe Bergantino cabinets, like one of their 212s.

 

[tb-player]

Pickup a Mark Bass Little Mark CMD 102P kickback. It’s awesome.

 

[Bassgeer]

Can't go wrong with Mesa or Berg modular rigs, you'll be getting top of the line tech, nice and lightweight, and really flexible in terms of tone.

Grab a Berg NXT 210 and NXT 112, or a pair of Mesa 115s. Combine with any of the Berg or Mesa amps (my pick would be Mesa WD800) and you'll be set.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Op - lots great suggestions here.

I LOVE the Mesa D800+ — it’s got plenty of power, great tone, great vibe, and gives you plenty of control to shape your tone.

‘For cabinets, Mesa Subway are excellent if you wanna keep it “all Mesa”… but my favorite cabinets are those made by Bergantino. Research any Beegantino cab in the size and weight you want, and I promise you’ll be mighty pleased.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

Mesa honestly are becoming one of the superior bass brands in my opinion. They have always been good but for the price they can’t be beat. That being said your budget is pretty high so you can look at some high end amps that I don’t have access to.

 

[aprod]

If I were to buy a new rig I would go with Genzler.

 

[shadven]

MESA Subway WD-800 and a Subway 2x12” or 1x15” cab. Modern and old school tones. The High Pass filter on the head is a god send. You’ll love it. The SVT is awesome (you'll never get tired of the tone). But, it is way too heavy. It’s just not practical.

 

[57pbass]

You might also look at a powered cabinet and you can plug your bass directly into it. You can also use any of the great bass preamps that are available.
Bag End makes powered 2x10 and 15” cabs. They build them to work powered or passive allowing you to add an amp head.

 

[monti2889]

Any amp you mentioned would serve you very well. You mentioned you wanted more thump for the genres of music, which is quite obvious, if you're currently using an 8" practice amp. (Nothing wrong with it, it's just meant for low volume practice, those are great amps for their purpose).
I didn't catch whether or not you're intending to play in a band and what type of band (by that obviously genre was mentioned, but are you wanting something like a vic Wooten style, with drums keys and guitar, or jazz/big band style with horns and such, or are just wanting to practice loudly to bother the neighbors???). Without knowing your intentions...it's a little tough to make a recommendation. Based on your budget and current gear...I think your budget is a bit high (which is a good thing, but I think you can find a great rig that will last a lifetime, for 2k, pretty easily). Of those you mentioned, I would lean towards the Mesa, they're quite versatile and will have plenty of power to drive whatever speakers you put behind it.
A few big brands that you didn't mention, but would fit your tastes are hartke, Eden, and gallien Krueger. Hartke actually being one that I would lean towards, given that they are quite clean and will provide the sparkly top end you need for slap, probably better than a lot of others. They are also a great amp to use with effects pedals. GK would be next, they're very responsive and sound great especially with slap tones. They work with effects well, but a little pickier, due to the gk drive circuitry. Or like you mentioned, Mark bass makes great stuff too, and you're familiar with them.
There's a lot to consider for cabs too, if you're gigging, what do you have to transport your equipment, what type of gigs are you playing? Outdoors, bars, music halls...etc. Are there limits on stage equipment, stage volume...etc.
I personally like a ported 4*10 cab with a horn at minimum. My situation calls for that. If you end up in a band that runs in ear monitors and minimal on stage presence, then investing in a large cab may not be the best. A 2*10 may serve you better in that scenario. You're doing well in searching, I'm sure you'll find the rig that speaks to you soon, hopefully I've at least given you a few things to consider, to help narrow down your search.

 

[Matt Dean]

With that budget you should do it right.

Mesa D800+ and a pair of Mesa Subway 115's for a modular setup. I recommend the D800+ because of the voice control and built in variable high pass filter. With those two controls that amp will do anything you need, and the 115's have the huge bottom and clear articulation for the type of stuff you are playing.

Anything Mesa Subway would work well, everything sounds great in the lineup. I'm especially fond of the Subway 115s... superlative. I use a WD 800 as my amp of choice.

 

[mikewalker]

Best slap I've heard lately came out of a Mesa 2-15 driven with a Mesa TT-800...

 

[red_rhino]

My first choice would be Mesa. That would also be my second and third choice. D800+, 2x10 and 1x15 subway cabs. And yes, Mesa will do way more than rock tones. Very versatile.

That said, the rigs being mentioned by others are great too. At $4k, the world is your oyster.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hate to ask this again, but I still haven’t pulled the trigger on a bigger amp lol.

I currently have a 8” Markbass micro mark combo. It’s good but it doesn’t have enough thump and I want something else now to be able to jam with friends.

here’s a list of my current rig:

2021 EBMM Stingray 4H
2022 EBMM BFR Stingray 5HH(still waiting for it to be made)
8” MicroMark Markbass Combo
Helix Stomp
MXR pedals (oct,fuzz,chorus,envelope filter,compression)
Mutron III+ filter

I play all kinds of music, although I really like slap bass, funk, and soul.

I’m planning on keeping the MicroMark because it’s been a great practice amp with headphone option.

Looking to spend max 4k and I like quality stuff.

Unfortunately it’s hard to find quality amps in local stores where I’m at so it’s difficult to get to try them in person.

amps that have my interest are:

Aguilar tonehammer series, I’ve heard it doesn’t pair well with stingrays?

mesa amps: will it only get rock tones? Is it good for slap?

ampeg svt: I’m afraid I’ll get tired of the ampeg tone and it won’t be good for all the genre’s or slap. Also the weight and maintenance is a concern.

I’m really thinking about pulling the trigger on a Markbass 102p IV. It’s incredibly light and ide be sticking with what I know and if I wanted louder it can go up to 500w with an extension cab.
View attachment 4993407

You'll never get tired of the vast array of ampeg tones. There's a reason that beast is still the most requested amplifier in the world.

But if I were you, and I had money like that to spend, I'd still just get a V4b, and pair it with anything. Probably a 610, or two 212s. Mesa makes a good 212.

The V4b is the best sounding amplifier I've ever played through. Playing anything and everything.

 

[philiprst]

I haven't tried a wide variety of amps but I do own an Aguilar and a Mesa TT-800 and have owned other Mesa subway heads in the past. The Aguilars have a particular voice that some people (including me) love. Mesa's also have their own voice but, in my opinion, are more flexible in terms of tone shaping if that is what you are looking for. I agree that it would be wise to think simultaneously about the cabinets and head since you have that luxury and many of us don't. Your cabinet selection will make a big difference. Unfortunately, it is difficult now to find a store that has the stock to allow you to try different cabinet combinations with a particular head and I think this is one of the biggest challenges of trying to select a rig nowadays.

 

[JPK_DK]

What worked for me was to get a Bergantino amp (the B/Amp) and two cabins - two Bergantino NXT112 or similar for example. This way, you can take one or both cabs with you; often one is plenty (e.g., also as a monitor if you play via FOH). Or, you just take the head. I certainly don't want to lug a big 212 cab around every time if I can avoid it.
One of the best amps out there as others have stated.