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Ampeg vs Marshall vs Line 6?

Which amp manufacturer for bass is the best?

  • Total voters
    202
#2
Let me be the first of many to tell you that there is no "best" amp, it is purely subjective. Also you left off many brands of amps that people on TB prefer over the ones listed. How about GK, Markbass, Carvin, Fender, Peavey, Aguilar, Eden, Genz Benz, etc. Is there a specific tone/features/power you are looking for?
 
#3
gjbassist said:
Let me be the first of many to tell you that there is no "best" amp, it is purely subjective. Also you left off many brands of amps that people on TB prefer over the ones listed. How about GK, Markbass, Carvin, Fender, Peavey, Aguilar, Eden, Genz Benz, etc. Is there a specific tone/features/power you are looking for?
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+1

Amps and cabs are a part of your tone just like your bass, your pickups, strings, pedals, etc.

Now in terms of quality control, reliability, etc. you could get that from any of your above choices. For me, I like Ampeg, Genz Benz and Mesa Boogie.
 
#4
There a multiple amount of factors that go into an amp being a "favorite". Personally, the perfect rig for me would consist of a Phil Jones 24J Piranha cabinet with an Ampeg head. That being said, I also like Hartke HyDrive cabinets and I like to pair those up with either Carvin or GK. I would probably have about 3 different rigs if it were up to me though.
 
#8
There is probably no "best amp in the world" since people have very different opinions on what is a good sounding amp.
If you ask me I would say none of the amps in the poll, but if I had to go for one of these brands I would probably say a Marshall or an Orange 100w/200w tube amp from the 70's. But I like Hiwatt even better. The old Ampeg Portaflex amps is also nice.
My bass amp now is Monique preamp, Demeter Minnie power amp, and Barefaced Super Twelve speaker. I'm probably gonna change the speaker to another Barefaced model eventually, but I am very very pleased by the sound it produces.
 
#12
I know you're talking about sound, but it's hard to rank amp sound objectively.

How about:

Loudest
Lightest
Clearest
Cheapest
Best Built
Easiest to Use
Most Responsive Customer Service
Most Reliable

Get me the amp that's in the tops of all these categories and I can add a tube preamp or effects to make it sound however I want.
 
#16
gjbassist said:
Let me be the first of many to tell you that there is no "best" amp, it is purely subjective. Also you left off many brands of amps that people on TB prefer over the ones listed. How about GK, Markbass, Carvin, Fender, Peavey, Aguilar, Eden, Genz Benz, etc. Is there a specific tone/features/power you are looking for?
Click to expand...

+1

I say whatever sounds best to your ears and gives you exactly what you need/are looking for out of it is the best.
 
#19
JeffVanter said:
Can anyone tell me what the best manufacturer is for PUNCH? I don't want to waste thread, so thank you :smug:
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