I have to agree that your cab will inherently have the BOOM factor in spades. To tame that I would consider the above mentioned amp, or if you're set on the 3 it would be the Mesa for me.
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Cannot decide on an amp
- Thread starter Kedingerp
- Start date
For playing at volume you'll definitely want to invest the less than $100 that a quality outboard HPF will set you back if your amp doesn't come with one built in. (I use one made by Broughton Audio.)
An amp with decent flexibility in its midrange EQ stage (ideally with sweepable or switch selectable low and high mid settings) lets you cut through as needed, while the hi-pass filter reins in any unruly lows. Add a hint of peak limiting using a compressor to protect your speakers and you'll be all set to go no matter how loud you're crankin'.
Luck!
An amp with decent flexibility in its midrange EQ stage (ideally with sweepable or switch selectable low and high mid settings) lets you cut through as needed, while the hi-pass filter reins in any unruly lows. Add a hint of peak limiting using a compressor to protect your speakers and you'll be all set to go no matter how loud you're crankin'.
Luck!
- Jan 12, 2011
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If you play rock and want to cut through especially with the cab you already have the GK is the way to go. And they are loud. You can get them new for $499. Brad had a good point the Quilter Bass Block 800 is only $599. I just prefer that GK sound. Hey you asked for opinions 
If you go the GK route, contact Jason at bassstringsonline.com. He beat a 15% off coupon from one of the big online retailers when I bought my GK MB800. The MB800 would come in right around your budget $550.
It might be worth a shot to try a Markbass head. When I play metal, i want my cleansound to be punchy and really clean. My Little Mark II does just that.
as a fellow Canuckistanian....have you tried the Traynor's?.......less $$ than the GK's..and better sounding IMHO..not as harsh......dead silent fan, made here ...the SB550h is 500w and since my 200W version kicks butt, I'm sure the 500w version would be dynamite...light weight, wide range of tone options....
Traynor - 500 Watt - 4 ohm Micro Head
( no affiliation just a satisfied customer)
there are mesa d-800s showing up in the classifieds forum. you could definitely get one within your budget, and the balance of the factory warranty is transferable. all ya gotta do (i know, because I've done it) is call them with the serial number.
tip: if you do buy one used, ask the seller for the original bill of sale. that will establish the beginning of the warranty period as the date the store sold it. if you can't get ahold of that, the warranty will run from the unit's build date, in mesa's records.
tip: if you do buy one used, ask the seller for the original bill of sale. that will establish the beginning of the warranty period as the date the store sold it. if you can't get ahold of that, the warranty will run from the unit's build date, in mesa's records.
Darkglass amp or the B7K ultra. That'll help you cut through in a 2 guitar metal. For sure. And getting another cab could help immensely. $1000, get a B7K ultra and another used 410. Set
Mesa stuff would be great too though. But a preamp could take your existing rig to a whole new level.
- Jan 26, 2014
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- I teach lessons and perform live music in and around San Diego CA. Sometimes I even make money doing it!
I'm not a fan of the new portaflex heads, they're just blah to me in my limited experience with them (except for the Tube 50 watt... it's freaking awesome, and I do love the BA 210 combo as a budget buy). I do like the GK's a lot, I liked them so much I bought an MB200 on an impulse, very rare for me
anyway, there's a new MB 800 fusion, 800W with a tube pre, which would max out your budget but I'll bet it's sick. If it's really the big tube and transformer sound you want though, I will always recommend saving up to get what you know is right for you. A metalhead friend got the Mesa Prodigy last year, holy smokes is that an awesome head. They make a bigger one too, but the small one CRANKS through a 410.I have a number of years' experience of that cab, mainly powered by an LMII.
The cab really benefits from a powerful, current capable amp, ie. not really what you get from the "500 W micro family".
Stepping up from the LMII to a SS preamp through a QSC PLX poweramp is a revelation... The lower notes suddenly sound rich, palpable and full of authority, instead of a "flood of mud". Ok, maybe it is not THAT bad with an LMII, but you will not realize the full potential, neither in sound quality, articulation or pure SPL until you push it with some serious amplification.
By the way, I have tried my SVT-410HLF with bigger tube amps, but it was not a winning combo, even for a blues player like me.
All IMHO, IME etc.....
The cab really benefits from a powerful, current capable amp, ie. not really what you get from the "500 W micro family".
Stepping up from the LMII to a SS preamp through a QSC PLX poweramp is a revelation... The lower notes suddenly sound rich, palpable and full of authority, instead of a "flood of mud". Ok, maybe it is not THAT bad with an LMII, but you will not realize the full potential, neither in sound quality, articulation or pure SPL until you push it with some serious amplification.
By the way, I have tried my SVT-410HLF with bigger tube amps, but it was not a winning combo, even for a blues player like me.
All IMHO, IME etc.....
IMO -- it's easier to soften the edges of a bright, punchy amp than it is to add punch and clarity to a muffled, compressed sounding amp.
So, for your application, I think the GK would be good -- but if one of the other amps gets you closer to your ideal tone right out of the box, then buy THAT one.
Also, at the risk of being "Captain Obvious" -- the 410HLF can be a bit scooped sounding, so a "smiley face" EQ will get lost in the band VERY quickly.
Some snarl from the upper mids (which GKs excel at) can help you find yourself in a dense, loud mix.
And as long as you're carrying a [heavy]* 4x10 cab (putting a micro on top of that cab is like ordering a diet Coke with your bacon double cheeseburger) you might as well look at some of the traditional-powered bass amps like the GK 1001RBII and the Mesa Carbine --the prices on those are coming down as everyone is flipping them in favor of Class D amps.
(The Carvin B1500 is another high-watt/low dollar option that will give you PLENTY of oomph)
*Edited
So, for your application, I think the GK would be good -- but if one of the other amps gets you closer to your ideal tone right out of the box, then buy THAT one.
Also, at the risk of being "Captain Obvious" -- the 410HLF can be a bit scooped sounding, so a "smiley face" EQ will get lost in the band VERY quickly.
Some snarl from the upper mids (which GKs excel at) can help you find yourself in a dense, loud mix.
And as long as you're carrying a [heavy]* 4x10 cab (putting a micro on top of that cab is like ordering a diet Coke with your bacon double cheeseburger) you might as well look at some of the traditional-powered bass amps like the GK 1001RBII and the Mesa Carbine --the prices on those are coming down as everyone is flipping them in favor of Class D amps.
(The Carvin B1500 is another high-watt/low dollar option that will give you PLENTY of oomph)
*Edited
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But hey, the Mesa 800Plus has a variable HPF! I know, I know, even more expensive at $1055 CAD. (Apologies
)
I have nothing against Ampeg, but I grew up playing GK, so whenever I play ampeg, sounds weird to me.
I have played mesa and i really like the cabs, some of the heads not for me, I also play Death metal, and sometimes other types of music, I really like my GK, and I also use Mark bass.
I have played mesa and i really like the cabs, some of the heads not for me, I also play Death metal, and sometimes other types of music, I really like my GK, and I also use Mark bass.
A little, because the heavier ones have the scooped sound while the newer ones have vastly improved the mid response and toned down the flubby low end.
Well, not the way you describe its sound (a description I think is accurate), but the higher weight is no longer accurate, and has not been for many years.
Old cabs: #110-ish. Dark sound, OSB enclosure.
Newer cabs, including Heritage, less weight, brighter sound, plywood enclosure.
The redesign is definitely relevant to the question of mid scoop, but my point was more that I find it silly when people schlep a 75 lb. cabinet, and then fret about whether their amp weighs 4 lbs, or 6 lbs...then place that 4-6 lb. amp on top of their speaker cabinet while hanging an 8-9 lb. bass on their shoulder.
