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- Nov 12, 2006
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best micro head
- Thread starter Runlikegregg
- Start date
I've gone 'micro' the last few years. first it started with the Ampeg Micro VR and matching 210 AV cab. Then I bought the GK MB200 head, Eden EX 112, Eden EX 110 (both 4 ohm) and recently the Ampeg PF350. I mix and match depending on the gig. I find the PF350 doesn't have a lot more power than the MB200, I got it used so maybe there's something wrong with it. I tend to go with the MB200 and either of the Eden cabs as it's compact and covers most gigs I do. I generally just play the Ampeg Micro VR and 210 AV setup at home but I've played plenty of gigs with it in the past and no problems.
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In Memoriam
This..once I learned how to EQ the seemingly diminutive amp, I was greeted with how loud it really was. I enjoy it so much that I recently traded a Markbass LMIII for a GK MB Fusion (which should be arriving tomorrow!).
Nope. I've had both amps, and the MB200 definitely seemed to have more beef than the PF350. Don't know if it's the EQ, power handling or what. Craaaazy amount of boom in that little 2lb box.
Gotta throw in mine! TC Electronics BH250. Pretty warm, middy sound, and the tone prints are pretty useful. Haven't used other micros to compare, but seems pretty loud to me.
Pick your flavor. GK MB series, Aguilar ToneHammer, Ampeg PF series, Genz Benz Shuttle or Streamliner. All of these are very light and will fit in a small gig bag. IMO you can't go wrong with any of these. According to the tone you are after. I would try any or all of these and see what your ears like best.
I just went from Epifani to Aggie's ToneHammer 500watt head...10 gigs in and I am floored.
Great amp: powerful, full-rich tone, and portable. A little more than the new Ampeg micro 500-er but a ton more value.
Check youtube reviews with some good headphones then go out and try one in person. Worth it if you are in the market.
Great amp: powerful, full-rich tone, and portable. A little more than the new Ampeg micro 500-er but a ton more value.
Check youtube reviews with some good headphones then go out and try one in person. Worth it if you are in the market.
MB200 is one of the best purchases I've made - and a 4-ohm Eden EX112 to pair with it is a close second
Sound wise, many are good.
Look for a good long warranty, with good service terms. Not that you'll ever need it.
A warranty is a indicator the manufacturer thinks will be the lifetime, usually it is 1/2 the time the manufacturer ever expects the amp to have a problem.
If it has a 5 year warranty, the manufacturer would expect it to last 10 years. And they hope you exercise the warranty.
Look for a good long warranty, with good service terms. Not that you'll ever need it.
A warranty is a indicator the manufacturer thinks will be the lifetime, usually it is 1/2 the time the manufacturer ever expects the amp to have a problem.
If it has a 5 year warranty, the manufacturer would expect it to last 10 years. And they hope you exercise the warranty.
I would have thought the obvious choice was a WTX series Eden head. I owned quite a few micros in the search for a replacement for my WT400. In addition to the pic above I've had the Ampeg PF350 and PF500. Markbass LMII. Genz Shuttle 6.0, borrowed Streamliner 600. Owned GK MB200 and borrowed MB500 for some gigs.
I've had the WTX260, WTX264 and WTX500 and all were great. I started with the WTX260 wich has great build construction as it was assembled in the US under David Nordschow's guidance and was so happy with the tone. I felt like, "Finally, a micro that can sound a lot like my WT400!" Amazon was selling the WTX264's for cheap so I picked one of those up as a back up. I found the unbypassable compressor to be a problem for me but the Eden sound was still there. I then upgraded to the WTX500 for more headroom but you know what, the WTX500 doesn't really have that much more headroom. They were pretty close.
If headroom isn't much of an issue I'd say keep an eye out for a WTX260. All of the features of the the WTX500 and 95% the volume for $200-$250. I used to practice with a reasonably loud drummer and the WTX260 through an Ampeg 410HLF. It had plenty of power and sounded better to me than the SVT that was already there. IMHO.
Marshall is now the owners of the Eden Amplification and so far the service stories I've read online where very positive. My WTX500 has been on solid weekend warrior gigs for the past two years with no issues at all. It's won my confidence.
GK MBFusion!!! Probably the best micro amp I have ever tried! It has 3 tubes in the preamp and has beautiful clean tones all the way to full on distortion and I usually only need 1 2x10 cab but with 2 2x10 cabs it is loud even outdoors I got told to turn down 
Best? Who knows.. I can't get enough of my MarkBass LMIII though. Of course I went and did something stupid and loaded it into a 6U rack defeating the whole "micro" part. Oh well, at least the rack is that much lighter.
I think this one wins on looks alone though...
(Yea, I know it's technically just a pre-amp but they do sell a matching Demeter micro power amp to go with it.)
I think this one wins on looks alone though...
(Yea, I know it's technically just a pre-amp but they do sell a matching Demeter micro power amp to go with it.)
Pretty hard to beat the gk mb800 at 5LBS for 800w. Really hard to beat that. Sounds pretty dang good too. 
My son just sold his Markbass Little Mark III (which was a great amp) and bought a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2. The GB head is awesome. The tube pre cranked gives an awesome growl. He loves it. The sound and power are great.
We were looking at the Aguilar TH500 but ended up with the GB because of the tube pre and the power. My brother has the TH500. It is a kick a$$ amp.
You may want to check out the Shuttle 6.2 for the power you are looking for.
Here is the thread on the Genz Benz Shuttle heads (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=857523). It's worth a read if you are considering buying.
Good luck.
We were looking at the Aguilar TH500 but ended up with the GB because of the tube pre and the power. My brother has the TH500. It is a kick a$$ amp.
You may want to check out the Shuttle 6.2 for the power you are looking for.
Here is the thread on the Genz Benz Shuttle heads (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=857523). It's worth a read if you are considering buying.
Good luck.
I love my Aguilar TH500. The gain knob can add a nice tube-like warmth, and the variable mid is a must, IMO.
For the price, power and sound, you won't do much better than the GK MB200 if 200 watts is all you need. The Eden WTX-500 is a great one, too.
I have an Eden wt 264 with the 10 inch 4 ohm speaker. While it isn't an SVT this combination sounds better than it has any right to.
I remember carrying a 215 Fender cab with JBLs and a 412 Vox cab with EVs. And amps.
If you're young and want to save your back look into something like this. If you're old and tired look into something like this.
It's a one trip gig. I use it with a Yamaha BX-1 and I actually sounds good in a Fenderish type of way.
I remember carrying a 215 Fender cab with JBLs and a 412 Vox cab with EVs. And amps.
If you're young and want to save your back look into something like this. If you're old and tired look into something like this.
It's a one trip gig. I use it with a Yamaha BX-1 and I actually sounds good in a Fenderish type of way.
Best? Who knows.. I can't get enough of my MarkBass LMIII though. Of course I went and did something stupid and loaded it into a 6U rack defeating the whole "micro" part. Oh well, at least the rack is that much lighter.
I think this one wins on looks alone though...
(Yea, I know it's technically just a pre-amp but they do sell a matching Demeter micro power amp to go with it.)
Looks Cool.
