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Class D head (or power amp) to pair with preamp pedal?

mikesmallrules

mikesmallrules

Jun 21, 2018
23
25
47
Toronto
instagram.com
#1
I'm very happy with my Origin Bassrig SV, and I'm looking for a backpack-friendly solution for when I need to bring my own head to a gig.

Being Canadian, my first thought is the effects return on a Traynor SB-500H, but I wonder if I can go even smaller/simpler/lighter than that.

Thanks, and sorry if this has already been asked and answered a few times here!
 
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#2
A lot depends on your power requirements. You could find a used Mesa Subway D800 and have 800w RMS @ 4ohms / 400w RMS @ 8ohms. They work quite well and are very light so easy to backpack. Used they're about $650 and up.
If you don't need that much power there's the Mesa Subway D-350 with 350w RMS @ 4ohms / 175w RMS @ 8ohms. Used ones are hard to come by and used prices are nearly the same as the D800.
 
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#4
Anything Quilter would work although I'm not sure how they stack up size-wise with the other suggestions. The Origin might sound great on the front-end or better on the return. The Quilter's resident pre is really friendly and offers 6 distinct voicings, one (...at a minimum) of which will complement a character pedal...the 803 anyway.

Riis
 
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#5
mikesmallrules said:
I'm very happy with my Origin Bassrig SV, and I'm looking for a backpack-friendly solution for when I need to bring my own head to a gig.

Being Canadian, my first thought is the effects return on a Traynor SB-500H, but I wonder if I can go even smaller/simpler/lighter than that.

Thanks, and sorry if this has already been asked and answered a few times here!
Click to expand...


IMHO.

The first thing you need to do is contact Origin and ask what the max output level is. My guess is it's instrument level. Most Effects loops and power amp require line level, which is considerably hotter than instrument level.

The next thing is to decide how much power you need.

After that, set a budget.


If the BassRig can deliver line level and your budget allows, Jule amps Simone is pedal format:
www.juleamps.com

Simone

Site Builder Description
www.juleamps.com www.juleamps.com

Quite a few seem to like Quilter for this type of rig:
www.quilterlabs.com

Bass Block V803

The Quilter Labs Bass Block V803 is a powerful and versatile bass amplifier that combines modern Class-D amplification with the warmth of vintage tube sounds. A robust 800W output ensures exceptional performance across various speaker setups, supported by a quiet, variable-speed fan for...
www.quilterlabs.com www.quilterlabs.com
 
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#6
Bodeeni said:
Plenty of good tiny class D bass amps. My main amp is an older Genz Benz shuttle 3.0 that fits in the front pocket of my gig bag and weighs under 3lbs. I have a few buddies that gig with the gnome and sound good too. I bout my 3.0 from a Montrealer
Click to expand...
The problem with the Gnome is there is no way to access just the power section. He would have to use preamp which he's wanting to avoid.
However, the Genz Benz Shuttle is another good choice.👍
 
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#9
mikesmallrules said:
I'm very happy with my Origin Bassrig SV, and I'm looking for a backpack-friendly solution for when I need to bring my own head to a gig.

Being Canadian, my first thought is the effects return on a Traynor SB-500H, but I wonder if I can go even smaller/simpler/lighter than that.

Thanks, and sorry if this has already been asked and answered a few times here!
Click to expand...
I use a GK MB200.

There is an old thread comparing footprints of micro amps.

The TE Elf looks the smallest.

Appogee

Thread 'Comparison of Micro Bass Head Footprints'

I've been researching ultra-portable bass heads, including just how small they actually are. So I thought I may as well share this diagram with you, my fellow bassists, in case anyone else is similarly contemplating portability.

This image shows the horizontal footprint of the various "micro" bass heads. If you print the image on an A4 sheet of paper (or view it at its native A4 size) you can see the actual footprint of the amps.

Micro Bass Head Size Comparison.png


(Just to be clear on how to interpret the image, the amps are stacked on top of each other, with their top left corners in exactly the same...
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#10
Another vote for Quilter. Yes a Mesa, Darkglass, Genzler etc will work just as well going into the return or the front, but the Quilter IME has been the best suited for this exact task and the 800 specifically has an EQ i really like for adjusting my stock tone to the room. Doesn't hurt that you can usually find them at a better price as well and they're rock solid performers.
 
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#13
All bass specific gear is dumb
If you have a bass specific preamp pedal that you like, just look at PA equipment to use with it.
Full range amplification is full range amplification.
With PA equipment you will have gear that is more trustworthy, robust, tested in grueling real world applications, and less expensive...
No one here will agree, because everyone here loves spending money on single application expensive BASS GUITAR STUFF. :D
 
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#16
DanAdams said:
yup. go to studio, see how the pro engineers want to record your signal. It likely won't have any 'bass brands' involved.
Click to expand...
I think you should consider the idea that we all have different ideas for how bass should sound. Many people actually prefer that sound of a voiced bass rig to a HiFi FRFR rig. Millions of bassist think nothing sounds better than an SVT with the matching 810. I am not one of them.

Also consider that different tools are used for different purposes and for different results. There are plenty of famous recordings that have used bass rigs...and also plenty that have not. Ampeg B15 is claimed as the most iconic and frequently recorded bass amp. Since I like more of a HiFi FRFR sound, I usually prefer going straight to DI or some sort of nice studio pre; rather than going to the trouble of setting up an amp and mic'ing a cab. I know people who have flipped the script and used studio gear live. For example the Avon U5 has been used by some to drive active speakers. There was a time when I was seriously getting a wire-with-gain style preamp from Great River or Millenia Media. Never did, buy I have used mixing consoles as the front end of a couple of different bass rigs.
 
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#17
I own a Traynor SB 200H and a Traynor SB 500H among the amps I have/had.

They both have the same sound signature BUT the 200 lacks the guts and the deep, powerful and articulate bass on low notes compared to the 500. If I was to own only one of the two, this would be the 500 without a doubt.

I also had a Mesa Subway D350 but couldn't use it anymore once I tried the Traynor SB 500, the bass notes on the Mesa sounded blurry and were not articulate in comparison.
 
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#18
Wasnex said:
I think you should consider the idea that we all have different ideas for how bass should sound. Many people actually prefer that sound of a voiced bass rig to a HiFi FRFR rig. Millions of bassist think nothing sounds better than an SVT with the matching 810. I am not one of them.

Also consider that different tools are used for different purposes and for different results. There are plenty of famous recordings that have used bass rigs...and also plenty that have not. Ampeg B15 is claimed as the most iconic and frequently recorded bass amp. Since I like more of a HiFi FRFR sound, I usually prefer going straight to DI or some sort of nice studio pre; rather than going to the trouble of setting up an amp and mic'ing a cab. I know people who have flipped the script and used studio gear live. For example the Avon U5 has been used by some to drive active speakers. There was a time when I was seriously getting a wire-with-gain style preamp from Great River or Millenia Media. Never did, buy I have used mixing consoles as the front end of a couple of different bass rigs.
Click to expand...
Sure... there are certainly many ways to achieve a great bass sound. some (we agree) can be quite simple. and some can also require decades of preconceived ideas, weird musician quirks, baseless tradition, and fabulously expensive stuff...
I'm on the side of serving the song, and against the idea that musicians should subscirbe to an expensive process and/or set of equipment to achieve great results.
Let's make art, not waste money. It's the song, not the fussy gear choices that matter.
 
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#19
DanAdams said:
yup. go to studio, see how the pro engineers want to record your signal. It likely won't have any 'bass brands' involved.
Click to expand...
Can you feel that chip under your strap when you play, or is it on the other shoulder?
What PA gear fits IN A BACKPACK?
I've used the power amps contained in my bass amps for vocals, keys, and other PA applications many, many times. Bass amps with effects returns have been widely commercially available for forty years now. However, not all class D micro heads have them, which is the REASON FOR THIS THREAD.
How some people are oblivious enough to combine the pathetic need for pedantry with a complete lack of reading comprehension is beyond me, but you've provided a prime example. Congratulations.
 
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#20
DanAdams said:
All bass specific gear is dumb
If you have a bass specific preamp pedal that you like, just look at PA equipment to use with it.
Full range amplification is full range amplification.
With PA equipment you will have gear that is more trustworthy, robust, tested in grueling real world applications, and less expensive...
No one here will agree, because everyone here loves spending money on single application expensive BASS GUITAR STUFF. :D
Click to expand...
Is there a backpack friendly piece of hardware you have in mind for the OP?
 
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