Hi folks, I am in the market for a new bass amp and unfortunately can't try much where I'm at. What I want is a fairly clean amp capable of some warmth, lots of slam, with a modern tight bass response, good built in compressor is a plus, though not neccessary. I currently use a TC RH450 and I love the flexibility of the Semi-parametric EQ, and find the compressor to be very useful, however the more I try to get my sound out of it I just find the bass to be too loose, can't get the low end thump I want with out too much mud. Right now I'm looking at the EBS Reidmar 750 (love the EBS brand!) GK Legacy 800, or a Mesa Subway D800. I also considered getting something else such as dropping money on a Thunderfunk 750, or getting one of the tube pre amp Mesa's/GK's. I'm pretty much at a loss and very open to suggestions so fire away!
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Bergantino checks most of those boxes. I live my Forte HP
I'd add Aguilar and Genzler to the list.
There are so many great amps around at the moment. Every company makes at least one.
Choosing the right amp for you needs playing time.
There are so many great amps around at the moment. Every company makes at least one.
Choosing the right amp for you needs playing time.
Difficult to compare all these great amps now unless you have money to burn. The big box stores have little to offer so you're basically stuck with on-line reviews, opinions here, reliability track records, customer service, etc...
Right now a TC RS 210. The reason I am switching amps is because I wanted to add a 115 to add that heft, however when I plugged it into a SWR 115110 + tweeter Triad which sounded great attached to a small markbass head I noticed how loose the lower frequencies really are with my current set up.
Hello. Glockenklang Blue Rock, if you can find one.
Funny. You haven't mentioned a word about the speaker(s) you are using.
Can't deny the awesomeness of the HP.. built in Compressor, HPF, LPF and switchable drives and killer "SLAM" make it an amazing amp at 6.5 lbs!!!
IMO part of that low end thump is knowing what bass frequencies your gear puts out (pass preamp, pedals, amp) and knowing how to tame those frequencies. The HPF and compressor have helped my tone tighten up and get the unwanted boom our of the output!
Tight, fast response you say? I know Mesa rocks it but I have no experience with it. GK every day, though. It doesn't get much tighter.
I've heard Glockenlang. I've seen Glockenlang. I have always wanted to at least play Glockenlang. Haven't been so lucky yet. It's on the list.
Woah. Loose and SWR don't go in the same sentence..
Watch some YouTube demos but look out for the ones that think the only way to show bass gear is to show off their slapping and/or tw@ting about on the top strings.
Tyler Spicer does fantastic demos where he shows what is going on with the pickups rolled off/centred/dimed, the tone off and dimed. He dives into the active preamp too if there is one. Fingers, pick and slap, simple groovy lines with space. You sometimes even get some tapping. Yeah, he shows you how the fancy stuff sounds, but he mostly shows you the tonal spectrum of the bass.
While there are quite a few amps/cabs that do clean and tight very well, I would recommend the Mesa Subway Series line for the following reasons; exceptional... design/engineering, craftsmanship, reliability and the best customer service available (IMO, of course). TalkBass also has a member (aged horse) that designs these (and other) amps. He is an invaluable resource for the Mesa users. Too many positives for me to consider another brand. But that's just me.
