Backup bass head

[Agent0]

I used to carry the GK MB200 as backup. Never needed it but one time the guitar player had a problem and had to use it. It got the job done that night. Now I have the TE ELF. Both were fine but the ELF is smaller and I like it’s sound a bit better.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I have a Warwick Profet. My back up is a Warwick Profet.

 

[Ash Jazz]

Happy NAD! Have you had a chance to try it?

Its in the mail.

 

[dougjwray]

Would be willing to elaborate on that?

Disclaimer: the following is subjective, of course!
For me, the main difference is the basic tonal character.
The GK (like all GKs) is very clean and modern, and is "classier" sounding than the Elf. I think of it as being better for Marcus Milleresque stuff.
The Elf is more of a rock amp-- it's ruder and has REALLY pronounced midrange. Also, if you push the gain way up, you abruptly get overdrive and pretty heavy compression. To me, it has more of a thick punch than the GK, while the GK has more detail and clarity.
I often use the Elf with the mid control all the way down, or *almost* all the way down. That's how middy it is. However, it has saved me in boomy rooms where the GK is a bit too polite and scooped, no matter how it is EQed.
The GK has more features than the Elf. The Elf has a fan which you can hear if you're practicing with it, while the GK is quiet. The GK is perhaps the "better" amp, but the Elf often *sounds* better, to me.
For a jazz or modern funk gig, I would recommend the GK. For a rock or blues gig, I would recommend the Elf.
They are both 200 watts into 4 Ohms, but while GKs are famous for sounding louder than "they're supposed to", I find the Elf even louder, maybe because of those mids.
Both are great amps. And insanely portable.
Hope this helps.

 

[pie_man_25]

Just bring your pf head wherever you're bringing your combo with the extension cab.

If the combo fails you can keep going with the pf head and the extension cab.

 

[shoot-r]

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!

+1 for a backup head for a PF500.

My vote would be to find a used GK MB-500 head.

Enough power to gig with on large stages/outdoors if needed, even when used with a 8 ohm cab it'll give you a useable 350 watts, it's easy to dial in (no sweepable mids knobs to deal with), sounds great(sets in the mix with just the right amount of cut), good sounding DI, lite weight, small dimensions, inexpensive.

I bought locally to me, a GK MB2-500 head, mint condition with a carry bag, $250.00!
It was to be used as a backup for my main gigging head, a Mesa 800+.

I liked the GK enough that when a second GK MB-500 popped up locally on Craigslist for $275.00 I bought it also.

For the past 2-1/2 months I've been exclusively gigging the MB2-500 through a vertical 410 in a 5 pcs., moderately loud, country/rock group and loving it!
(Old, passive Jazz, into a SansAmp BDDI, into the head.)

Not sure yet, the GK may become my main gigging amp!

 

[DwaynieAD]

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.

This
I can use my mb200 and a cx210 with my metal band without much issue. It's that powerful

 

[Runlikegregg]

Second for the Warwick Gnome.
I like mine a lot.

 

[Blue Moose]

Just got a TC BAM200. Really liking it.

 

[TheReceder]

I have to confess, the first thing that caught my attention about the Elf was their ad.

 

[Thumpin6string]

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!

If you have 2 amps, why do you need a backup? Could it just be GAS?

 

[Webtroll]

The BQ500 is bad? I bought one and tested it, it worked, and that was the end of it. I have since aquired an RH450 which is closer to my RH750 and still small and light enough so the chances of the BQ500 getting use are pretty small at this point. I haven't gigged in a few years so there's not much action going on. I backed out of playing recently due to Covid concerns (I know a lot of people who've gotten sick recently and know of a few that have died). I would probably trade the BQ500 for an Elf or something else small and slip it into a gigbag pocket.

 

[Engle]

Last night I went to a rehearsal at a rental space and the supplied PF350 was alternating between silence, sputtering and distortion.

Good thing I had my MB200 in my bag!

 

[Ash Jazz]

If you have 2 amps, why do you need a backup? Could it just be GAS?

It's always Gas!

In this case I can also justify it. I have 2 so I can leave one at the rehearsal space. I usually play out with the Markbass. It's louder and 2x15 vs 2x10. The Ampeg is a portaflex and the head is screwed onto the speaker cab lid.

 

[Ronky]

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.

Speaking from experience, this head is badass. It's both my backup and practice amp, I use it nearly everyday.

 

[jeff7bass]

Acoustic stuff is solid and very reasonably priced. 299 for this head. Reviews included.
Acoustic B300HD 300W Bass Amp Head | Guitar Center

 

[jeff7bass]

This little bugger gets lots of love and puts out 200W for 200 bucks.
Amazon.com: Warwick Gnome - Pocket Bass Amplifier Head : Musical Instruments

 

[heynorm]

I originally got a GK MB200 as a backup. But it more often it’s become the go-to over my MB500.

 

[Smokey P]

For a back up head I’d go for the tc bam200. Purely for the price point. I scored one used for $120usd and it’s a great little head. Clean, quiet. I actually prefer the tone over my ampeg pf500. Considering getting a nice preamp pedal to drop in front of it and making that my main rig. I would really say just go for as small and as cheap as possible if it really is just going to be a back up unit.

 

[chris_b]

I don't see the point in buying a head you are planning not to use.

My main amps are an Aguilar TH500 and AG700. The band, gig or my mood decides which one is #1 and which is the backup.