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BEST AMP HEAD

B

bassampegman

Jul 3, 2004
427
1
Suffolk England
#1
Hi im looking for a second Amp head for my rock playing, i have the SVTCL all valve Ampeg which i like but its a bit of a one trick pony.

I would like at least 500w (or a generous 350w ) good eq section, punchy sound, lightweight and Solid state with pre amp tubes.

Here in the UK we only hear of Hartke, and Ashdown as the main contenders and then you leap into the Ampeg type of gear.

I am about to get my first Schroeder 1210 cab in the next month ( takes ages to get to UK ) and i have a 1 x15" Ampeg and a 4 x 10 Ampeg.

Any suggestions for a good amp ??
 
#8
iAMP 800 would be my top pick, but the Thunderfunk head is a very generous 400 watts into 4 ohm. Even though these two don't have preamp tubes, they are not sterile like some ss amps can be, and in fact, the iAMP 800 is one of the thickest (yet incredibly clear) heads that I have heard. I also own a Mesa Boogie Walkabout, and can attest for the M-Pulse line as well.
 
#11
What is your budget? And are you planning on importing the amp, or buying in europe?

I would look at the Eden WT550, the ThunderFunk TFB420, the EA iAmp 800(or a used 500), or maybe a used SWR.

What about EBS? Aren't they available in your part of the world? They make a killer head too, and they have to cost less in Europe than they do here.
 
#15
i havent tried the i amp but i hear its tha bomb
however - the aguilar 750 is 46 lbs but is the loudest dammned amp i've heard in a long time
theyre very conservativly rated power wise - kinda like trace used to be
and they sound nice
if i was gonna go with a head only i'd probably buy one
 
#16
Got to recommend the Thunderfunk TF420. I played through the M-Pulse 600 for 7 months and it was ultimately just too dark sounding for my taste. The TF sounds nice and warm (like it's got pre tubes) and is an incredibly loud 400 watts @ 4 ohms! Changing sounds is quick and easy with the "enhance" and "timbre" controls and the amp's also got a 4-band semi-parametric for tweaking your sound. I describe it as somewhere between the SWR hi-fi sound and Mesa warm tube sound.
 
#19
Let me add my vote for the EA iamp800. Sounds great with my Schroeder 1210 and it's comfortable going down to 2 ohms, which alot of other head can't do, and that's useful if you want to use another cab with your 1210, as the 1210 is rated at 4 ohms.

The iamp800 lists a little bit higher than your price point, but I think you might be able to get it for quite a bit less from somebody like Bob Gollihur.
 

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