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Cheap amp heads with punch?

#41
Inara said:
I'm not sure what qualifies as cheap to you, but a used Gallien Krueger 700RB-II can be found for $350 or so, and will punch very hard.
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My thoughts exactly...built like a tank and plenty of oomph for a good price. For all the features it has like bi-amping, 1/4" or Speakon out, and all the shaping options it has plenty of room to grow. It's the only amp I'm keeping while I sell my other gear ;-)
 
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#44
Dan Newsom said:
I just picked up my first bass cab, no head. I play classic rock and doom metal, but I’d rather not spend TOO much money on a head (shocker). I have no knowledge or experience with amp heads. Any cheap but reliable heads on the market? I have an ampeg can (fridge)
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An old GK or old Peavey should be cheap and plenty available. And sound really, really good with that cabinet.
 
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#45
n1as said:
What is “punch”?
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According to Peavey it's a boost at 120 Hz

I will echo the Peavey recommendation. Any Mark (the VIII is the 'cleanest' although they all have a bit of drive, if you need clean SS watts for doom) Firebass, or T-Max. Lots of EQ options on any of these (some more than others) so you can find what suits you best.

Or if you find a high wattage Carvin for cheap since they only make PA stuff now, they can be very clean very loud SS amps with tons of EQ options.
 
#52
Dan Newsom said:
I just picked up my first bass cab, no head. I play classic rock and doom metal, but I’d rather not spend TOO much money on a head (shocker). I have no knowledge or experience with amp heads. Any cheap but reliable heads on the market? I have an ampeg can (fridge)
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If you can get by with 300-watts, check out the Eden E-300. It's their base model amp but has all the really necessary stuff - Input; DI out; 1/4" Aux-in; 1/8" stereo input for mp3; Gain with gain-set light; Enhance (frequency scoop); Bass, Mid, treble, EQ's; Headphones out.

Sound is that great Eden sound (clear, full, articulate). Below is a video demo of it. First 1:32 of the video is the demo of the E-300 plugged into the EX410. After that he demonstrates the various E-series combos.

Street price runs ~$349.

 
#55
For your price the fender rumble 500 is great and I also recommend the trace elliot elf. Don't let the wattage fool you on the elf, it's my backup no matter what gig and I have confidence it can handle it. I've had to use it and my tone didn't miss a beat.
 
#56
mmbongo said:
A used Mesa Subway D800 is an absolute steal at around $600. Five year warranty, made in the USA, just absolute tone monsters that don't break and can last you a lifetime.
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I agree here wholeheartedly. The D800 and D800+ are my favorite heads on the market. I don't know if you later mentioned the wattage/ohms on your cab or what your budget is, but after playing a lot of different heads, and considering the build, the tonal options and the warranty + Andy's great service/insight/responses on here, I would not hesitate to grab one of these. A D800+ recently went for $650 in our classifieds here. I recently picked up a Genz Benz Shuttlemax 9.2 2-channel 900 watt head here for a great price as well, which was also designed by Andy before he came to Mesa... lots of juice and a heavy gut punch and tonal options on that sucker as well.

I would also explore the Rumble series from Fender, as well as the Quilter BassBlock 800, and the GK MB 800 or their Fusion 800, depending on what sound you're looking for.... these are also solid amps and will hook up the juice. That said, my vote goes to Mesa and the D800+ and anything else Andy has touched.
 
#59
Dan Newsom said:
I just picked up my first bass cab, no head. I play classic rock and doom metal, but I’d rather not spend TOO much money on a head (shocker). I have no knowledge or experience with amp heads. Any cheap but reliable heads on the market? I have an ampeg can (fridge)
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I’m using a Mesa d-800 with ampeg classic cabs. I really like it. It’s suprisongly affordable for A Mesa amp. Sounds good, it’s simple to use, has features like the headphone out and aux in that allow me to practice at home with headphones without having to hook up to a headphone amp or mixer. When I bought it online I was a little concerned about not being able to get the volume/clean headroom out of it to keep up with a reasonably loud rock band. Other class d amps I tried in the past were pretty weak imo. But i don’t even run the master at noon and this rig is loud and warm. The carry bag is a nice touch also.
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#60
Dynomuttasaurus said:
There are so many out there. The punch will mainly come from your technique. Bass, amp, cabinet and effects choices will all add their own color, but what your hands are doing creates the biggest difference.
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A couple years ago I demoed a Mesa D-800 next to a GK Backline 600. Same cab, same hands. The GK blew it away in the "punch" and "slam" department. Both had great tone (the Mesa was darker and smoother) but it sounded compressed compared to the GK.

Now that compressed type of sound might be desirable in certain contexts, but if reproducing transients is what you (OP) are after then a GK RB series head is the way to go. I'm also in agreement with others who recommended vintage Peavey amps (and my Bassman 400 is no slouch either - and thick sounding through a fridge too!) but I've seen 1001rb's on CL for less than 400. A GK should be able to make your fridge cry for mercy.

Raz
 
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