Best bass amp brand?

[Pilgrim]

Since the question is meaningless as posed, I'll just note that there is no "best".

There's just Genz-Benz...and everybody else.

 

[Jaco who?]

Me, I'm partial to Genzpeavkruegmarkthundermeter stuff.

 

[hasbeen]

from a "Classic/Iconic" perspective.....Ampeg.

I was "there" ...in the day. The SVT was "it" when it came to taking on a guitarist with a 100 watt Super Lead.

 

[hasbeen]

Genz Benz...duh

and of course....there are these guys too.

 

[SactoBass]

Me, I'm partial to Genzpeavkruegmarkthundermeter stuff.

How is the tone?

 

[splitcoilsenior]

Acoustic! Can I getta amen!?

 

[mcrracer]

Marshall is arguably the best guitar amp brand there is, so what's the 'Marshall' of bass amps, in your opinion?

Just wondering.

I am one of a group of custom tube guitar amp builders. We build Marshall designs along with many others including "vintage" and our own designs. We all build amps that are "better" than Marshall. Even our "Marshall amps" are better than Marshalls. Because we can hand pick components to get the best tone possible. Then too it depends on what type of music you want to play as we can not only build for the type of music but we can also build for the type of guitar you use and your playing style.

 

[Ric5]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[billoetjen]

Behringer

Period

.

 

[michael_atw]

Funny you mention Marshall amps. Here's a story. I knew a kid at school who played bass, but his gear was absolutely horrendous. He would play with really bad unkempt Ibanez SR's and had a really big cabinet that had more farts than a field of longhorn cattle. But the worst part of it all was when he lugged out a Marshall MG100FXwhatever and plugged his bass into that. Not only was it not a bass amp...but it was one of the worst guitar heads you could ever buy.

Anyways, your reference of Marshall reminded me of that. And that kid played in more bands than I have fingers on my hands. Stand up guy...but boy, that gear sucked. Maybe he's on talkbass right now. I'll never know.

 

[skisagooner]

Please fill out your profile in more detail, it's basically empty.
In my humble opinion, your question is meaningless, but in the "Marshall of bass amps" spirit, here is my light-hearted answer:

For many, Ampeg is the LAW, so you could say it's kinda the Marshall. So if that is the case then I guess Acoustic is the Vox, Fender is--well--the Fender. Is it too flippant to say that Crest is the tooth paste and Epifani is the light? If not, then Bergantino is the mountain goat herder, Schroeder is the pianist, Mesa Boogie is the hat dance, and Kustom is the diner furniture. Ok, I said it.

If you want opinions about "What amps are good?," my question for you is "Good for what?" Give us a tiny bit of info about what you want to do with an amp, assuming you are a bassist.

+1

Acoustic is the Vox eh? I've been wondering about the 'Marshall' of acoustic amps too.

But Colgate's definitely the toothpaste, lol. Never heard of Crest in my country.

FYI I'm a drummer, interested in picking up the bass.

 

[JimmyM]

if you can't be with the amp you love, love the amp you're with.

 

[ljazz]

if you can't be with the amp you love, love the amp you're with.

LOL!

 

[Jim Carr]

...FYI I'm a drummer, interested in picking up the bass.

Ok, cool. What is your budget? Do you anticipate needing an amp to keep up with a loud drummer/band or just one for practice at home?

 

[Jasonic]

It's KUSTOM or nothing. You can lay the big red one on its side and sleep on it.

 

[JimmyM]

It's KUSTOM or nothing. You can lay the big red one on its side and sleep on it.

i had sex on a kustom cab once. would have been better if i had a girl there.

um...did i say that out loud?

 

[Bassflute]

Marshall is arguably the best guitar amp brand there is, so what's the 'Marshall' of bass amps, in your opinion?

Just wondering.

but in the bass amp world, it's Bergantino...the next step beyond that is Meyer, perhaps, or a wall of Genelec monitors...

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[Bassflute]

if you can't be with the amp you love, love the amp you're with.

good one.

Sometimes, they're 'Hard to Love'...

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[RonnyBaby]

There was a time I would have said Ampeg in a heartbeat. But, with all the new micro heads out it's really really hard to say there is only one king of the mountain is bass-land. Just so many great choices out there.

I went to guitar center yesterday and they happened to have an Ampeg SVT Classic on an 810 bottom. But I was plugged into the Mark Bass III and going back and forth to the Little Mark Tube 800. I spent about 30 minutes doing so. I was using a Stingray bass (Yes, I play rock).

Then a guy walked in and we got to chattin' about all the new micro's and how they sound. We spoke of the Ampeg that sat right in the corner of the room and how it was the old leader in rock bass amps. But, that it is almost obsolete now due to all of the micro's and them sounding so good.

After he left and after messing with the two Mark Bass heads, I thought what the heck... I'll just plug in and see what that Stingray sounded like in comparison to the Mark Bass heads.

I must admit that I was more impressed with the Mark Bass heads! Especially the Little Mark Tube 800. This amp actually sounded more tubey than the Ampeg did to me and the MB head was going through the MB 1x15" bottom, NOT an 810 monster cab.

So, I was sold on MB, though I am still interested in the TC Electronic RH450 head. Just due to all the features the TC offers, I have to be fair to myself and give it a shot, which means ordering one online.

Then, I will come to a conclusion as to which head will be best for me and added to my bass rig.

 

[Nigel Rahmshard]

Eden is clearly the best.