• 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.

best head for hardcore/heavy music

best brand of head

  • Total voters
    43
  • Poll closed .
#21
Honestly, nothing in this thread is going to be 100% right for you. Look at all the guys in different bands that you like. Do they all, every single one, play the same gear? Probably not.

Take some suggestions from here, and go out and try your bass and effects with different amps. Many stores should have an Ampeg 810 as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chandler347
#23
CL400Peavey said:
Honestly, nothing in this thread is going to be 100% right for you. Look at all the guys in different bands that you like. Do they all, every single one, play the same gear? Probably not.

Take some suggestions from here, and go out and try your bass and effects with different amps. Many stores should have an Ampeg 810 as well.
Click to expand...

DONT LISTEN TO HIM!!! Noone comes on talkbass for level headed advice!!
 
#24
Solid states that can be found around $300 used.
Acoustic 320
Acoustic 370
GK 800rb
Peavey Super Festival

But seeing how you got some money to spend and if you don't mind carrying some weight.
As mentioned before the Fender 300
SVT
Reeves
Mesa 400*
Sunn

Have fun shopping! Let us know whatcha end up with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chandler347
#26
I'd go with some type of high powered tube amp (2-300w) and a sweet pedal (Darkglass, Sansamp, etc) to flavor things up. For me the extra preamp pedal is necessary to take almost any head into awesome metal territory.

I really enjoy Mesa amps and Ampeg gets the job done too but neither really does it without at least a Sansamp. Darkglass is the new generation of that kind of pedal IMO. Great for the latest types of modern metal sounds.

If you want huge power and GK-styled tone flavor I'd consider Genz Benz GBE-1200. Sometimes they can be found for dirt cheap on GC Used! I saw one for $400 once.

I listened to your clip. Sansamp would be great (you can find them used for $100-125). Just dial in compensation for mids/low mids on whatever amp you get and you'll be fine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chandler347
#28
AciDBatH666 said:
Agreed. Markbass is not for you. No one in the heavier genres are playing markbasses. I personally wouldn't go orange unless you're looking at more of a rock sound.
But the GK line will get you a good grind for when you want to ride the rails, and good other tones with a 4 band eq to dial in something else.

I have a 100rbii, and recently upped rig to an MB800 Fusion. 800 watts of hell that cranks my 8x10 with the volume level on 3.
Click to expand...

The bass player for behemoth actually uses the markbass modular bass amp system along with a sansamp preamp and a bbe sonic maximizer. His tone is beyond gnarly. Ever since hearing his tone its made me curious to try out some markbass stuff. The modular amp system just seems like such a good idea. I definitely like that you can choose a 4 band semi parametric eq, which I feel like is a necessity for me and is extremely versatile. Put one of those preamps in the 800 watt case and I think it would sound amazing through your 810. Definitely something to look into. I find it so cool that you can swap out and plug in all the different components of the amp. You can basically build the amp thats perfect for you.

All of that said I've never played one and out of your list I voted ampeg. I play a TC Blacksmith through an ampeg svt810av and sonically its a great match. I play in a thrash band and a stoner doom band and before that progressive death metal. Mesa Boogie would also be worth considering, their amps make some of the grindiest, gnarliest metal tones around. Check out the 400+ or the big block 750. Hell the carbines and the bass prodigy/strategy are amazing too!
 
  • Like
Reactions: heatoise and chandler347
#32
if you're open to a pre/ power amp rack setup. i really like my ampeg svp-pro with a good power amp its a beast. there were a few different svps for sale in the classifieds here in the $400 range, with a power amp amd rack you could be a good bit under your max budget.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chandler347
#35
Can I choose none of the above? Most of the hardcore/metal bassist with good tone I've seen use a sans amp.

Here's a picture of my rig after selling my fridge.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    455.1 KB · Views: 46
#36
Markbass sounds great in the bedroom... not so much in a band setting (for what you're trying to do).

My own opinion - I wouldn't go for Ampeg either. Over here in Northern CA, alot of the hardcore/sub-metal genre bands rely on Ampeg for their bass needs. That's cool and all, but I'm tired (and so are my bandmates) of hearing the same amp tone from band to band. Like I said, my own opinion.

I've had luck with older SWR heads. Absurdly amazing bang for the buck. Some of the newer GK stuff will suit you too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: chandler347
#39
The cab will matter as well... luckily 810 should be more than enough here.
I use MB Fusion 800, and used to run in into GK 410 Neo, which somehow didnt feel right ... Then I traded it for Traynor TC412, and that made all the difference - Gnarly punchy low-mid oriented tone, that I actually feel now.

And ofc - B3K by dark glass can do wonders!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Losbass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back