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Amps in between 5 lbs and 80 lbs

#41
MultiScaleMale said:
Seems like there isn't a lot in the amp world between the lightweight class D amps and the SVT beast at ~ 80 lbs. The Milkman Half and Half is around 12 lbs and a standalone unit. Even considered getting a head case made for my Trickfish 1K to give it the appearance of a large amp but I need to look at it and see if it need side vents. Yeah, I know it's stupid, why would you want something bigger / heavier? Maybe partially for aesthetics, looking to simplify to cabs / head / bass. The little bump on top of the cab is a technical wonder, but kinda silly looking. The lead sleds are ok, but most of those are out of production and now getting some years on them. The SVT-7 PRO was a good format, but unreliability killed my like for that amp. Thunderfunk - interesting, but I've heard there are issues with support if you ever have a problem. I've never played a V4-B, maybe I should try that.
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You can still find class A/B amps out there that are far less than an all-valve 80-lb monster. I use an older Eden WT500/800. That's a WT500 dual-powerblock amp that has been upgraded to 400-watts rms @4 ohms per side and will bridge at 800-watts rms mono. I run it bridged at 800-watts into my DNS-410. The original WT500 (250-watts per channel/500-watts bridged) weighed 20-lbs, my upgraded version is closer to 26-lbs primarily because of the larger toroidal transformer. I keep my amp in a rack which makes it heavier yet.

There are still a fair amount of Eden WT (World Tour) series amps out there that weigh between 19 and 26-lbs. You can buy a new Eden WTP (World Tour Pro) series amp that is no lightweight too. They are the WTP-600 at 28.6-lbs, and the WTP-900 @ 34.1-lbs. So yeah, there are still some heavier, more impressive looking amps out there to be found if you want them.
 
#42
I used an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro for about 8 years and have owned a Thunderfunk since 2007, first the 550 then a 750. They all produced a great sound, and I've never had the slightest problem with the TF's so Dave Funk dropping out of sight isn't an issue.

If the amp is only for show then rack mount anything and put it on top of the cab. The D class amp that is actually being used can sit on top of the rack and wouldn't look out of place.
 
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#43
MultiScaleMale said:
Seems like there isn't a lot in the amp world between the lightweight class D amps and the SVT beast at ~ 80 lbs. The Milkman Half and Half is around 12 lbs and a standalone unit. Even considered getting a head case made for my Trickfish 1K to give it the appearance of a large amp but I need to look at it and see if it need side vents. Yeah, I know it's stupid, why would you want something bigger / heavier? Maybe partially for aesthetics, looking to simplify to cabs / head / bass. The little bump on top of the cab is a technical wonder, but kinda silly looking. The lead sleds are ok, but most of those are out of production and now getting some years on them. The SVT-7 PRO was a good format, but unreliability killed my like for that amp. Thunderfunk - interesting, but I've heard there are issues with support if you ever have a problem. I've never played a V4-B, maybe I should try that.
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Eden WTP-900 for one. Mesa WD-800 is another.
 
#44
Baer Valkyrie
amp-large.png
 
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#46
MultiScaleMale said:
Oh, you can rack mount a
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MultiScaleMale said:
Oh, you can rack mount a WD800. Hmmmmm...... I thought based on the D800/D800+ / no rack mount option other than a shelf thread that the WD800 was also rack free. That is possibly final answer. Mesa has stellar support, I like Mesa gear already, it would look sweet on top of a Subway 215 (but what wouldn't) and Andy is super cool / helpful.
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If you follow the Mesa thread at all, of @/\/\3phist0 .. WD800 that he racked up with an .. I believe Korg tuner.. super nice, clean setup..
And, although I've enjoyed reading the comments here, I'm still confused..

Are you just wanting the "look" of something bigger?? If so, why??
I use my D800 and Fearless F112. A tiny setup..Literally said to my bandmates last night that I'm so glad that I don't have to lug a 410 around.
 
#47
MTN.bass72 said:
If you follow the Mesa thread at all, of @/\/\3phist0 .. WD800 that he racked up with an .. I believe Korg tuner.. super nice, clean setup..
And, although I've enjoyed reading the comments here, I'm still confused..

Are you just wanting the "look" of something bigger?? If so, why??
I use my D800 and Fearless F112. A tiny setup..Literally said to my bandmates last night that I'm so glad that I don't have to lug a 410 around.
Click to expand...
Gator shallow 4 space rack.
Korg Pitch black pro
Mesa WD800
Shelf below holds Shure Wireless.
In back is power distribution.
Total weight including all speaker cables and wireless transmitter @28 lbs. (iirc)
IMG_20190504_225038626.jpg
 
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#51
I wasn’t really being literal with the exact 5 and 80 lb figures. But it just seems like we’re in a phase where anything new has to fit in a gig bag front pocket. I guess that’s where the market is now. Will it stay there? I doubt it. I think we’ll move to a blend of lightweight power amps and larger enclosures that give room for more preamp work.
 
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#53
MultiScaleMale said:
I’m going for reliability rather than cheap. I’ve had less than pleasant experience with Carvin, but appreciate the suggestion.
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So you're the guy who got their problem gear? Someone had to - my experiences have always been amazing for reliability and build quality with carvin gear, instruments and amps.

I get what you're saying - if you've been burned in the past with a brand, you steer clear - but unlike a company like Line6 that knowingly has built their hardware with absolute garbage quality (hot glue and plastic parts and pots/jacks soldered directly to the boards).... Carvin has excellent build quality. Something fails with any brand - but you're in good hands with most of the known-well-built brands, specially since they try to stand behind their work even if you aren't the original owner.

Not pushing Carvin on you - just defending the company's overall quality as a whole.

I still do get your fear though - once burned, twice shy.
 
#54
MultiScaleMale said:
I wasn’t really being literal with the exact 5 and 80 lb figures. But it just seems like we’re in a phase where anything new has to fit in a gig bag front pocket. I guess that’s where the market is now. Will it stay there? I doubt it. I think we’ll move to a blend of lightweight power amps and larger enclosures that give room for more preamp work.
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I suppose the question remains... why? That is, why do you wish for something larger... simply because small amps "look kinda silly" to you...? From my perspective, the boat anchors of yore look pretty silly--especially considering their weight to performance ratios.
 
#55
dkelley said:
So you're the guy who got their problem gear? Someone had to - my experiences have always been amazing for reliability and build quality with carvin gear, instruments and amps.

I get what you're saying - if you've been burned in the past with a brand, you steer clear - but unlike a company like Line6 that knowingly has built their hardware with absolute garbage quality (hot glue and plastic parts and pots/jacks soldered directly to the boards).... Carvin has excellent build quality. Something fails with any brand - but you're in good hands with most of the known-well-built brands, specially since they try to stand behind their work even if you aren't the original owner.

Not pushing Carvin on you - just defending the company's overall quality as a whole.

I still do get your fear though - once burned, twice shy.
Click to expand...

Carvin is gone. There is a shell company that sells some gear, but they’re gone. If you like them, that’s great but I’m steering clear.
 
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#56
chupacerveza said:
I suppose the question remains... why? That is, why do you wish for something larger... simply because small amps "look kinda silly" to you...? From my perspective, the boat anchors of yore look pretty silly--especially considering their weight to performance ratios.
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Because I want something bigger. I avoided the “why” because it always devolves on TB and the 40W Rumble crowd will tell me that’s all I need and then if I’m playing a Sire it will be fine.
 
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#59
MultiScaleMale said:
Carvin is gone. There is a shell company that sells some gear, but they’re gone. If you like them, that’s great but I’m steering clear.
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Interesting - I presumed the Kiesel brand contained their amps still.... I guess not, you're right:

Guitar Amplifiers
Bass Amplifiers

However the instruments are under their parent brand name that they were always part of:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That is the Carvin icon bass.... still, I didn't know their amp brand was defunct.

Sad
 
#60
my votes go to:

EA iamp 800 - Ive got one + a tuner in a rack and love it - BG and DB

AI heads - I've got a few. all tanks and great customer service from the makers in the US. just add your favorite preamp for color.
 

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