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Can't figure out what amp to buy. Need help

RockinAl

RockinAl

Apr 22, 2013
11
4
#1
Hi all
I have a Gibson EB3 which I love. I have used an old Fender Banton amp for years. I am tired of lugging it around and want something light weight. Was thinking about the Genz Benz 6.2 Shuttle, but wondering if Genz will be around, since they no longer mfg this amp. So now thinking about a GK MB Fusion 800 with a 1 15 cab. Was also thinking TC Electronics 450 combo. Anyone use these amps? Any recommendations?
 
#3
All good choices, except not a big fan of TC stuff. Not a fan of digital amps in general, especially lower priced digital. Always sounds like an MP3 version of analog amps. I'd also suggest taking a look at the stuff from my pals at Ampeg ;) but take a look at everything, too.
 
#4
Don't let the digital preamp scare you off. Jimmy is the only person I have seen say it's sounds like an mp3
Most modern recordings have digital processing in the chain and sound pretty good.

Jimmy hates tc because when tc were making the rh series they had a pilot scheme and asked top bass players to tweek the amp to their liking, tc wanted an amp with a sound that bass players wanted
Jimmy wanted to be part of it but was rejected and was offered a pedal as a thank you for applying. He got very insulted and has been on a crusade to blacken their name since. Years
 
#8
There are some pretty good sounding featherweight amps out there these days...as good as the best lead sleds? well...there are some good light amps :)

(in no order, these things are pretty personal)
Genz Shuttle and Shuttlemax
Ampeg PF amps
Puma 900
GK MB Fusion
Aguilar Tone Hammer
Orange TB

The main thing I'd recommend with micro/mini amps is to go with the biggest model...even if it seems like way more power than you could ever need...you can always turn 'em down, but get all the headroom you can afford, I say :)
 
#9
arai said:
Do you think they owed you anything?
Click to expand...
No, and in the end, I don't think I'd have done them any good anyway so I'm over it now. Forgetting the wattage/power management thing, I just think digital needs pretty serious guns to sound really good, like a good computer with a lot of RAM and processing power. Just one man's opinion. Calm down a little.
 
#10
JimmyM said:
No, and in the end, I don't think I'd have done them any good anyway so I'm over it now. Forgetting the wattage/power management thing, I just think digital needs pretty serious guns to sound really good, like a good computer with a lot of RAM and processing power. Just one man's opinion. Calm down a little.
__________________
Click to expand...

:confused:

So my more powerful desk top computer will make digital sound better then my old laptop?
 
#12
dukeorock said:
Um, fellas...some poor guy is just trying to find a cool amp, not witness a rumble :)
Click to expand...
true.
dukeorock said:
Sorry, but I'm with Jimmy on that one...cannot take those TC amps...they just don't sound...real, to me :hmm:
Click to expand...
That's why about 80% of sound techs come up to me after gigs and compliment my amps tone.
dukeorock said:
There are some pretty good sounding featherweight amps out there these days...as good as the best lead sleds? well...there are some good light amps :)

(in no order, these things are pretty personal)
Genz Shuttle and Shuttlemax
Ampeg PF amps
Puma 900
GK MB Fusion
Aguilar Tone Hammer
Orange TB
Click to expand...
All great choices except the pf. they have had a massive amount of quality issues and have failed at gigs for many people
 
#13
arai said:
:confused:

So my more powerful desk top computer will make digital sound better then my old laptop?
Click to expand...
It will if you're playing bass and using something like Guitar Rig, and you have more RAM and processing power to use higher sampling rates in the desktop. Also helps if the program is written to take advantage of the gains. I still don't like it as much as the real thing, but it's most definitely better when you have more resources to work with.
 
#14
arai said:
true.

That's why about 80% of sound techs come up to me after gigs and compliment my amps tone.

All great choices except the pf. they have had a massive amount of quality issues and have failed at gigs for many people
Click to expand...

Brother, if you're digging that TC amp, that's all that matters...I've done a couple gigs with TC amps and didn't care for them, but that isn't meant to disrespect you...this is all just a bunch of opinions :)

I have heard of reliability issues with the PF stuff, but I know a lot of folks who have nothing but praise for them...there's one at a club I play a bunch...I've never used it, but I've heard a lot of other players use it to very good effect...sayin :)
 
#15
JimmyM said:
It will if you're playing bass and using something like Guitar Rig, and you have more RAM and processing power to use higher sampling rates in the desktop. Also helps if the program is written to take advantage of the gains. I still don't like it as much as the real thing, but it's most definitely better when you have more resources to work with.
Click to expand...

How much RAM does the tc head have?
 
#20
RockinAl said:
Hi all
I have a Gibson EB3 which I love. I have used an old Fender Banton amp for years. I am tired of lugging it around and want something light weight. Was thinking about the Genz Benz 6.2 Shuttle, but wondering if Genz will be around, since they no longer mfg this amp. So now thinking about a GK MB Fusion 800 with a 1 15 cab. Was also thinking TC Electronics 450 combo. Anyone use these amps? Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

I think your MB Fusion 800/115 thought was a very good one :)
 

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