• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass Player Magazine Lightweight Class D Review

#21
REV said:
The thing about all these amps is ... Unless you play them side by side is there really that much difference? I'm still using my Markbass Little Mark II and it still sounds as great as the day I bought it. With any amp we are going to adjust the tone controls until we get a sound we like and in a different club or whatever we may have to make some additional adjustments but we're going to try to get a sound we can live with. When the Aguliar Tone Hammer came out and everyone was going crazy about them I thought I needed to go and check one out. As I played it I kept adjusting the tone controls until it pretty much sounded just like my Markbass amp. On the other hand new equipment is cool.:):D:bassist::hyper:
Click to expand...
Good point. Most amps are entirely usable by adjusting them to one's own preferences. But yes, there are indeed major differences. I think we have to play through them with our preferred cabs and preferred bass to really know if we like them one over another. I used to have one amp that I loved with a certain bass and a certain cab but hated it with a different bass and cab.
 
  • Like
Reactions: REV
#22
bebass said:
Good point. Most amps are entirely usable by adjusting them to one's own preferences. But yes, there are indeed major differences. I think we have to play through them with our preferred cabs and preferred bass to really know if we like them one over another. I used to have one amp that I loved with a certain bass and a certain cab but hated it with a different bass and cab.
Click to expand...
I have only had the chance to play a few of these, but I think you are right. Even though many (most?) of them have the same power module, the characters of them are pretty different. I recently got to play the Genzler and it was probably a subjective 9.5/10. I own a GK non fusion, and it is a solid 8. I've played the (non tested) fender and ampeg offerings and they were more like 6s to me. I've never had a shot at the Aguilar, but, personally I've never cared for their big amps. Bottom line, there is some variation there, but I'm not sure that there is a great way to put it into words beyond going and playing the things yourself.
 
#24
ThatLowEnd said:
No mention of Jule M700? The Hyphex amp module is hard to beat at any price.
Click to expand...

That is a pretty boutique offering for this type of article. I'm pretty shocked they included the Demeter.

cnltb said:
There's no Eich in there yet either...
Click to expand...

They did get the Puma, which isn't available anymore, but it is now Eich, so they basically covered it.

The opening of the article clearly states
"This roundup is a sampling of what’s on the market, not a ranking."
 
#26
Gravedigger Dav said:
The MarkBass and Fender Rumble are not there because they don't advertise in Bass Player.
Their reviews are just hyped to stroke the advertisers so they will buy more ads. They are in no way objective analysis of gear.
Click to expand...

It is also content filler for a publication. It is based on the author's exposure to each product, and ability to craft a finite number of words to fit in an article, versus an encyclopedia of all known objects.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AlexanderB
#27
monsterthompson said:
It is also content filler for a publication. It is based on the author's exposure to each product, and ability to craft a finite number of words to fit in an article, versus an encyclopedia of all known objects.
Click to expand...
I recognize that, but the big three that didn't get a mention are three that do not advertise. Were the author trying to present an unbiased analysis, he would be including the major players regardless of whether they advertise. Note the Fender Rumble series is currently the best selling amps worldwide. You exclude that?
 
  • Like
Reactions: alaskaleftybass and monsterthompson
#28
monsterthompson said:
That is a pretty boutique offering for this type of article. I'm pretty shocked they included the Demeter.



They did get the Puma, which isn't available anymore, but it is now Eich, so they basically covered it.

The opening of the article clearly states
"This roundup is a sampling of what’s on the market, not a ranking."
Click to expand...
The Puma 900 is still available according to the Tecamp website.
 
#29
REV said:
The thing about all these amps is ... Unless you play them side by side is there really that much difference? I'm still using my Markbass Little Mark II and it still sounds as great as the day I bought it. With any amp we are going to adjust the tone controls until we get a sound we like and in a different club or whatever we may have to make some additional adjustments but we're going to try to get a sound we can live with. When the Aguliar Tone Hammer came out and everyone was going crazy about them I thought I needed to go and check one out. As I played it I kept adjusting the tone controls until it pretty much sounded just like my Markbass amp. On the other hand new equipment is cool.:):D:bassist::hyper:
Click to expand...
well, I don't know about that. I would say some of the amps mentioned are quite different right from the get-go. Through venue provided backlines I have personally been able to experience Markbass (LM II - not reviewed), GK (MB 800 Fusion) , Ampeg (PF800 - not reviewed), and I happen to own/gig a Demeter VTBP-M-800D. All very different sounding amps. So, while your right on one level - we twist the knobs until we get a sound we like (of course) - my experience says the amps we use to get there are all pretty different to begin with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brad Johnson
#30
bass12 said:
The Puma 900 is still available according to the Tecamp website.
Click to expand...

interesting that tecampusa.com is still online. my browser redirects me eich-amps.com if i type in tecamp.de. i believe the tecampusa site is Glenn's sales and customer service site, and not the corporate site. the amps may still be available from existing inventory, but Eich has done a re-brand on all new production.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bass12
#31
pfschim said:
well, I don't know about that. I would say some of the amps mentioned are quite different right from the get-go. Through venue provided backlines I have personally been able to experience Markbass (LM II - not reviewed), GK (MB 800 Fusion) , Ampeg (PF800 - not reviewed), and I happen to own/gig a Demeter VTBP-M-800D. All very different sounding amps. So, while your right on one level - we twist the knobs until we get a sound we like (of course) - my experience says the amps we use to get there are all pretty different to begin with.
Click to expand...
Ideally I don't want to have to twist any knobs to get a sound I like (I want the knobs to refine a sound I already like - and give me more of what I like :)).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brad Johnson, Sixgunn and monsterthompson
#32
bass12 said:
Ideally I don't want to have to twist any knobs to get a sound I like (I want the knobs to refine a sound I already like - and give me more of what I like :)).
Click to expand...
sure, me too, I was just relating back to what the REV said about adjusting knobs until we get a tone we like.
FWIW, my recent experience with a new-to-me Demeter VTBP-M-800D was right in the sweet spot of: turn it on - great tone (without messing with the knobs) :thumbsup:
 
  • Like
Reactions: monsterthompson, bassbooty and bass12
#38
monsterthompson said:
interesting that tecampusa.com is still online. my browser redirects me eich-amps.com if i type in tecamp.de. i believe the tecampusa site is Glenn's sales and customer service site, and not the corporate site. the amps may still be available from existing inventory, but Eich has done a re-brand on all new production.
Click to expand...

Eich Amps is a new company. Glenn is the owner and operator of Tecamp now.
 
#40
tbz said:
Like almost everything else in BP these days it seemed more like a re-read of the marketing materials for those amps, than an actual shootout or review
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was pretty disapointed. They didn't include TC, Bugara, Fender or Mark Bass and those are significant players in the business. And the "reviews" were not only just basically gear speak from the manufacturers, but they failed to point out significant differences in tone, headroom, or quality. In fact the omission of ANY negatives made them pretty much useless.

And for the record, while I've done more work with Bass Gear magazine, I have had some photos published in Bass Player and I have nothing but respect for Ed Friedland.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bebi, Jeff Elkins, Frank77 and 1 other person

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back