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Any US Made Class D Amps?

banjo5

banjo5

Dec 8, 2009
145
4
Cincinnati
#1
I'm getting old, and fat, and lazy (er). I'm looking to replace my M9 with a lighter, hernia friendly, AMERICAN MADE class D amp. Am I dreaming? Is there any such thing? I need 750+ watts, I think. My main cab is a Schroeder 21012L rated at 1000W. We play everying from new country to classic rock and a little funk for me to get my slapity slap on. The guitar player in the band plays 2-30 watt Dr Z's in stereo adn like to let them roar.
Am I going to be dissapointed with everything I compare to the M9?
Is there anything out there that is mad in the US?
Are there any class D's that are reliable and don't sound sterile?
 
#2
I don't think you'll find anything 100% American Made these days as most boards, parts, etc... are all sourced out overseas - but the closest you'll find that comes to mind is Aguilar Tone Hammer 350 and 500.

Great amp BTW - with the right EQ, pretty warm for a SS amp.
 
#3
There is no difference in reliabity of class D versus other amps. Actually, your M9 has a very poor reliability record, so you will be moving in the right direction.

Also, FYI, 'sterile' mainly comes from the preamp voicing.

The closest small amp I've heard to the big low end and very grindy, aggressive, bright top end of the M9 is the GK MB800. Plenty loud, that 'GK grind' up top that is in the same tone universe as the top end of the M6/M9.

GK has moved their assembly back to the US. Of course, many components are still made overseas, like with most things. The key for simple service and support is, IMO, not US assembly, but rather US headquarters (if you are in the US of course). Genz Benz, GK, and Aguilar all meet this criterion.

The Genz Shuttle 9.2 would also most likely do the trick for you, and their service and support is VERY good.

GK has had some issues with reliability, but that seems more from 'growing pains' with their new products versus anything systematic.

I would be pretty convinced that if you dig your M9, you would be pretty darn happy with the GK MB800. GK will eventually release the MBFusion800, which will sound even more like the M9, due to the tubes in the pre, but they are notorious for pre-announcing gear many, many months before the product is available. And, more than most other brands, just like Mesa, it usually takes them a few months or more of production to iron out any problems. The MB800 has been in production long enough to be pretty solid.

IMO!
 
#8
As I understand it, GK has moved all production back stateside, including their Neo speakers.
The MB200 I got yesterday says Made in the USA on it.
 
#9
KJung said:
That M2000 model or whatever it is called would probably fit the bill also. Close to the same size as the M9, but a fraction of the weight, and a very good deal.
Click to expand...

B2000 maybe?

The BX stuff or whichever it is is 2U, but class D, 10-12 lbs. Totally different default voice from his Mesa, but lots of eq, switchable graphic, etc.

OP, maybe check out an Ampeg 7pro as well. Not made here, but the rest of it fits your bill.
 
#18
Chef said:
The MB200 I got yesterday says Made in the USA on it.
Click to expand...

Any thought on this amp, Chef?

I've been thinking about one of these to have as a spare / back up amp for traveling. Seems like a true "throw it in the gig bag" amp. Not the most power, but might get you through a gig in an emergency.

Also pretty interest in the Tone Hammer 350 as a "true micro" ,, but it's a little more pricy.
 
#19
hennessybass said:
I've been thinking about one of these to have as a spare / back up amp for traveling. Seems like a true "throw it in the gig bag" amp. Not the most power, but might get you through a gig in an emergency.
Click to expand...

I have one in my gigbag for exactly that reason and did in fact end up playing through it at a gig last month. Plenty loud through a GB Uber 212T for a Motown gig. Every bass player should have a spare, and at the going price for a MB200, there really is no excuse.
 
#20
I ahven't done anything but toy with it.
It does have the "hiss at idle" everyone seems to mention, but, once you start playing, it's a non-issue.
Some folks ahve complained about the DI, I generally have no need of one, and, it's really a practice amp for me, even though it seems to have plenty of power for small/medium gigs with the Neo212....


hennessybass said:
Any thought on this amp, Chef?

I've been thinking about one of these to have as a spare / back up amp for traveling. Seems like a true "throw it in the gig bag" amp. Not the most power, but might get you through a gig in an emergency.

Also pretty interest in the Tone Hammer 350 as a "true micro" ,, but it's a little more pricy.
Click to expand...
 

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