Backup bass head

[theduke1]

Hi all,

I'm would like to find a backup bass head. I hope I will never have to use it so I don't want to spend much on it. Less than $300. And it must be small and easy to stuff in a bag.

I was looking at the TC BQ500 but ran across too many posts dissing it.

I have 2 rigs, an Ampeg pf500 with the Portaflex 2x10 hf cab, and a Markbass Jeff Berlin cmd151 combo and a second NY151 cab.

Interested in any ideas and recommendations you have.

Thanks!

I have this very amp (TC BQ500) and have had no issues with and use it daily
Duke

 

[Redbrangus]

I have this very amp (TC BQ500) and have had no issues with and use it daily...

This is what I'm sayin'....

 

[dbsfgyd1]

My backup (and often gig amp) is a GK MB200. It measures 8" x 7" x 2" and fits in most gigbags. At a conservative 200W into 4 ohms, it sounds good and, so far, has never failed me.

I played a set with another bassist that had one of these powering a 1-12 cab. It was great. I’m thinking these in the secondary market can’t be going for too much.

 

[Ash Jazz]

This is what I'm sayin'....

It definitely checks off all the boxes. I wonder how the 500 watts compares real world to the other 200 watt amps people have been recommending like the bam200 and the elf and the gnome and the mb200?

 

[SJan3]

It definitely checks off all the boxes. I wonder how the 500 watts compares real world to the other 200 watt amps people have been recommending like the bam200 and the elf and the gnome and the mb200?

Take a look at the MarkBass NANO MARK 300. A tidy pkge and plenty of power for most venues.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I played a set with another bassist that had one of these powering a 1-12 cab. It was great. I’m thinking these in the secondary market can’t be going for too much.

You'd be surprised. They are popular.

 

[Ash Jazz]

The Elf and the TC amps, bam200, bh200, bq500 really hit the mark for price and size but I found a used MarkBass Little Mark III for $300 shipped. I know that will work as it's a lot like my cmd151's amp. Probably the same thing. Not huge but a little bigger than the others. Probably won't fit in a guitar pouch but that's really getting picky.

 

[basscooker]

The Ibanez Promethean flies under the radar. The 300 watt head I picked up for under 200 bucks is a player. Also have an MB200. Main is Shuttle 3.0.

 

[jastraw]

TE Elf. Fits your (and my) bill exactly. It lives happily in gig big without complaints for years. Few times I forgot my main head. It wakes up and crushes. Then goes back to napping. Perfect form factor and features for me. The only thing lacking is Speakon Out. The DI is amazingly clean.

 

[Ash Jazz]

The Elf and the TC amps, bam200, bh200, bq500 really hit the mark for price and size but I found a used MarkBass Little Mark III for $300 shipped. I know that will work as it's a lot like my cmd151's amp. Probably the same thing. Not huge but a little bigger than the others. Probably won't fit in a guitar pouch but that's really getting picky.

I take that back, the Little Mark looks pretty rough. I Think I will pass on that one.

 

[Snibborwocky]

I know you're looking at something on the low end price-wise but, I invested in an Aguilar Tone Hammer 350 which does go past your $300 mark (closer in price used maybe?) but I swear it has been the absolute best backup head investment in my life. It's light, portable, dependable and does have it's own carry bag for purchase as well. Just a tad different of a suggestion I'm throwing out there.

 

[Engle]

The MB200 is pretty loud. The only problem is what to take for a backup when I bring it as my main amp

 

[Lowendchamp]

I was surprised how small my Fender Rumble 800 Is! I also got it as a scratch and dent from MF for $300. I still can't find a scratch or dent.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I picked up peavey tour 450 for a backup. I paid $110.00. Actually a really good sounding head.

 

[StereoPlayer]

Another vote for GK MB-200

 

[kbakerde]

I use a TC Electronic BQ250 and it works well as a good multipurpose back up to my AD200B. It’s small and light enough to take in my gig bag as a backup, but it’s mostly used as my at home amp. Great cause it has a line in and headphone Jack for silent practice.

 

[kbakerde]

On another note, if you want your backup to be cheap, reliable and sound great but don’t care about it being light, check out the Hartke LH500.

 

[Bassquest]

Yup, the GK MB200 is a good workhorse, err, pony, to have in your stable.

 

[SJan3]

This is a tidy package with a kick!

 

[Al Rivera]

another vote for the mb200, my backup for the last 5 years,fits in the sidepocket of my soft case. Also doubles as a great practice amp.