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

[P Town]

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?

You have mentioned two amps that have quite different rated output power. I am not familiar with either of these, but I will say that if you like the sound, and features of both equally, you should probably go with the one that is rated for higher power.

You can always use less than full power, but once you have the gain/volume controls set more than 75%, you are approaching a region of inadequate headroom for transient volume spikes. It's not that an 800 Watt amp will be nearly twice as "loud" as a 450 Watt amp, but I would rather have more power than I need, than be worried that the amp will sound harsh, or hit a limit/protection circuit, when playing loud, or aggressivly.

I 0wn a PF-500, (which I am very satisfied with), and am not likely to ever need more than 500 Watts, but if the PF-800 was available when I made my purchase, I would have bought the higher powered model.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Don't let the digital preamp scare you off. Jimmy is the only person I have seen say it's sounds like an mp3.

It doesnt just sound like an mp3 to me, it sounds like a bad mp3 to my ears. IMO IME YMMV

Also +1 to the run down on lightweight amps that get a lot of love. Everyone is going to have personal preferences on what tones work for them.

 

[SurferJoe46]

A random rig question is open season for fans and detractors? How about reducing the randomness!

What style? Other instruments?
What volume is the band working at?
PA support?

I'm an old phart and although I play one of the more-so maligned and disliked amps, cabs, head -- the name of which shall not be offered on this altar for general derision ----

---- what I CAN say is to buy and possess the highest wattage you can afford even if it means putting a kidney on EBay.

You will never regret having all that 'headroom' (which means potential eg: horsepower for passing and getting away from the popo ---- which I do Not advocate).

The reason why they put volume knobs on amps is amazingly also for purposes of turning down the noise.

Transistors (dating myself here, and counting the age rings on Jimmy at the same time) had a bad rap since they were so sterile sounding,, but frankly the amp builders have pretty much circled the wagons and created a very good analog overdriven sound.

Getting that starved tube or gassy tube sound can be dialed in or out in degrees unlike the old Marty Robbins 'Don't Worry About Me' accident that set the bass world on it's collective and couldn't be reproduced by all the king's men and all the king's horses for quite a long time until a stomp came along and filled that niche.

I digress.

That's not the whole story (the power-not-the-transistor/tube debate) and leaving all the yadda-yadda of Ampeg v Fender v Crate (aging myself here again) v Kustom, et al, to the fray that will surely follow --- you need to buy what you will and perhaps need to reinvent the wheel and fire for yerself as everyone here has also done.

EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER --- and perhaps the most expensive too in it's own personal gainsay.

 

[CosmicRay]

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

I agree. I am now playing a GK MB Fusion 800 through a fEARful 15/6 & 115 sub. Amazing!
On smaller venues I only use the 15/6 with the GK.
Still amazing!
I just switched to the GK from an Eden WT800, after the Eden
crapped out on me at at gig. BUT, I did use the Eden for years & years and was very pleased with it. It is a great amp, if you want to add 30 lbs. to your rig. I opted to pamper my back.

 

[dukeorock]

I agree. I am now playing a GK MB Fusion 800 through a fEARful 15/6 & 115 sub. Amazing!
On smaller venues I only use the 15/6 with the GK.
Still amazing!
I just switched to the GK from an Eden WT800, after the Eden
crapped out on me at at gig. BUT, I did use the Eden for years & years and was very pleased with it. It is a great amp, if you want to add 30 lbs. to your rig. I opted to pamper my back.

How do you like the Fusion compared to the WT800?

I have a buddy that plays a WT800 through a couple greenboy cabs on Long Island in a Grateful Dead tribute band...he sure loved that combo