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Backup bass head

#45
Just like a spare tire that you need to check if it has air - you also need to make sure that your backup is working and you have the fuses for it. So if you look at touring setups. they usually have 2 heads and that backup is always ready

So yes get an ELF, TCBAM, MB200 etch - But during sound check, sound check the back up as well and preferably set the output and if applicable the DI level just like your main head.

The one band where they use backline, the requirement for a hot spare backup bass head was in the rider.
 
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#46
logdrum said:
Just like a spare tire that you need to check if it has air - you also need to make sure that your backup is working and you have the fuses for it. So if you look at touring setups. they usually have 2 heads and that backup is always ready

So yes get an ELF, TCBAM, MB200 etch - But during sound check, sound check the back up as well and preferably set the output and if applicable the DI level just like your main head.

The one band where they use backline, the requirement for a hot spare backup bass head was in the rider.
Click to expand...

Ive had amp issues on gigs in the past. So I always leave an amp in the car, just in case. But the small size of these things makes it easy for me to have it close by and ready for use.
 
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#47
20200522_110244.jpg
 
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#49
My main amp is a GK MB200, and my backup is another GK MB200. One was used, one was new but deeply discounted. The backup goes into a bag with things like spare batteries and cables, that lives in my car.

I've had virtually no amp failures in 40+ years of playing. My most frequent source of failures have been cables, batteries, and forgetting stuff. So my spares bag contains... the amp plus batteries and a full spare set of the cables needed for my rig.
 
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#58
Ash Jazz said:
Thank you everybody for all the great suggestions.

In the midst of my researching all your suggestions I ended up stumbling across a good deal on a Warwick Gnome i Pro 300.

The size + the wattage + the price made it the winner.
Click to expand...
I was going to suggest the Gnome, I just got the non-I 200 model, quite happy with it. It’s back-up for my Traynor 500H, Genz Shuttle 6.2, or if I’m feeling frisky, my Sunn Model-T or Marshall Superbass.
 
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#60
A G-K MB200 would be a great choice and you can also find an MB500 close to $300 if you’re patient (sold mine last year for $315). I’ve had all 3 of the MBx00 amps and still have my MB800 and have no intention of selling it - or my RB 1001-II head or MB150 combo. I really like G-K amps.

A Trace Elliot ELF is another great choice that I also owned.

I ended up getting a really good deal on a Genzler Magellan 350 and couldn’t resist. It’s a little bigger than the MB200 and the ELF, but has a few more features I liked so I ended up keeping it as my small/backup amp. I paid $349 for mine, so it’s above your target price but, for me, the added features are what made the difference.
 
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