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Class D Bass amp and cab recommendations

#22
TheSeagoats said:
Carvin BX700 and a Carvin BRX 10.2 cab is what I'd recommend to anyone who needs an amp. My only complaint is that it doesn't get quiet enough for my bands practice space without being nearly inaudible (it's either too loud for the room or not there). For that reason alone I'd possibly say a Carvin BX250 but then you give up the graphic eq.
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Thanks Seagoats! Another to add to my list! Cheers.
 
#24
Being in Europe, you might want to look at a Barefaced Two10. 600 Euros is a big chunk out of your 1,000 budget, but it is a pretty fantastic cab, with more of a vintage vibe than their other 12" cabs. Looking at Thomann, there doesn't seem to be much I'd be excited about under 400 that you'd be left with, not that any of them are bad, but I have no experience with them.
 
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#26
sonic boogaloo said:
Mesa D800 is definitely one i'm considering. Premium price in Europe though!

At the risk of sounding like a snob, the 'made in USA' of the aguilar and mesa does hold some sway for me.

Cheers mmbongo!
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Honestly, the made in the USA should mean a great deal. Both of those companies take great pride in their work, and Mesa backs theirs with the best warranty in the business....a full five years AND it's transferable!
 
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#28
sonic boogaloo said:
YouTube is a minefield because almost ALL demos feature mainly slap bass, grrrr!!
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I agree. It seems that every demo of a bass or amplifier features some guy slain’ the hell out of a poor bass.

Welcome to talk bass but you need to fill out your profile. It helps us to better help you. If you are in the Americas, check out the offerings from Carvin.com. Their stuff forms the backbone of my musical gear from three basses, my avatar shows my LB76WP, to a bunch of power amps.
 
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#29
mmbongo said:
Honestly, the made in the USA should mean a great deal. Both of those companies take great pride in their work, and Mesa backs theirs with the best warranty in the business....a full five years AND it's transferable!
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Note that each country outside North America has a different warranty policy set by the importer and the laws/rules specific to each country. It's quite complicated to keep track of so I don't know each individual case.
 
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#33
I need tubes with my Class D. Something was missing for me with the Mesa D800. Found my answer with a Genz Benz Streamliner 900 - real tubed tone. GB no longer in business but they show up here all the time used (~ $600). A big +1 on Barefaced cabinets, any of them - positively perfect.
 
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#35
sonic boogaloo said:
First of all, Hi everyone! I'm a newbie.

A bit of background: Up until 20 years ago I played bass guitar semi-professionally doing small-medium size gigs and even recording until taking a hiatus.

Fast forward to present day, I've reestablished my enthusiasm for playing bass and hope to start playing live (in small-mid size venues) and recording again.

Back in the day I only used tube amplification such as HiWatt and Fender, but sold all my amps after taking a break.

Now I'm looking at buying a new amp and cab(s). Research has convinced me that tube amps are no longer practical and are probably out of my price range anyway. Class D seems the way to go.

I play a CIJ Fender Mustang Bass with LaBella flatwounds. I play with fingers and plectrum. I absolutely hate the slap and pop bass sound.

My favourite bass sounds/players are:

McCartney Revolver-Abbey Road Beatles
Jamerson 60s-early 70s motown
Late 60s - early 70s JBs
Classic 60's/70's pop/Rock - Byrds, The Who, Cream, Stones, Faces etc
Herbie Flowers' playing on Gainsbourg's 'Histoire De Melody Nelson'
Scott IV - Scott Walker (whoever played the bass on that)
Bruce Foxton with The Jam
MC5/Stooges

YouTube is a minefield because almost ALL demos feature mainly slap bass, grrrr!

Anyway, my research seems to indicate that the Aguilar TH500 plus 1x12 cab is probably best suited. Any other recommendations that I should audition?

Thank you!
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I would suggest you need more than a single 112 for small to medium-sized gigs. A 112 will work fine for small gigs but will disappear quickly on most medium-size gigs. I would suggest getting either a 210, a 212, or two of the 112 cabs. The 2 x 112 cabs is very flexible because you take along only what you need. Also 2 x 112 ALWAYS sounds better than a single 112 because of the sonic coupling. The low end just sounds much better with two of those 12's punching it out.

Below is a link to a BassMusicianMagazine.com video review of the DNA 112 and 210 run by the DNA-800 amp. It gives you a nice comparison of a really good 112 vs a really good 210, run through the same amp. I think it's very demonstrative of the 1 speaker vs 2 speaker sound. A little over 4-minutes into it they'll get into the review of the amp itself. I'd pay particular attention to the demo of that DNA-800 amp. It's 300-watts more than the amp you're looking at and includes a very nice and adjustable compressor for just $50 more ($749 vs Aquilar's $699). So it will give you some extra head room; some room for growth, and it weighs 4.8-lbs.

 
#36
+2 or 3, lost the count on the Genzler MG800. Very versatile. I have dialed in everything I've needed and plenty of power to spare. I'm using it with 1 Genzler BA12-3 cab and have had a bunch of outdoor gigs with no PA support. Keep getting tons of compliments on it and the bass player has not complained once that he can't hear me. I used to have a Dave Eden 410 XLT cab and he couldn't hear it.
 
#37
sonic boogaloo said:
Thanks! I've added the Genzler to my list as per other poster's recommendations.

The Mesa certainly interests me but from the demos I've heard (on YouTube admittedly) it has that 'slap and pop' tone that lends itself to a more modern sound. Same with the TC RH450.

My first port-of-call due to my previous experience at owning tube amps, was Ampeg. I'm not convinced by them. The V-4B would break the bank but I'm really not sure if this tube amp sounds any better than a class D. The porta-flex line sound pretty par for the course and again, seem more modern sounding than vintage.
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I wouldn't let the YouTube slap and pop vids discourage you from either the Mesa or the RH450. I own the RH450 as well as other heads and I love that amp. It does the vintage tube emulation very well IMHO. I have no experience with the Mesa, but knowing that agedhorse is the designer, I can only imagine that head would rock as well. I also wouldn't limit myself to a 112 cab if you are planning on playing out live. Depending on the band you get yourself involved with it may just barely work, but in most cases it won't be enough. 212 minimum is what I would go with if you are looking at 12's. Again IMHO, IME but YMMV.
 
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#40
th[2].jpg
Sorry couldn't help it LOL!! So many choices!
 

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