Clean sounding amp recommendations

[Kellymack]

I'd like to get an amp that can be used for bass and piano, I'd play it through a home brew 10/6/1 4 ohm or a fearless 12/6/1 8 ohm. Some where between 200 -300 watts. Tried a TH 350, but would like cleaner, thinking about GK mb200. What other options do I have?

 

[Dave W]

Anything with more wattage is going to have more clean headroom. Is this for gigs or just at home?

 

[RoadRanger]

I wouldn't consider a GK MB200 as "clean" - maybe you'd want something like a used GB Shuttle 3.0 . I have both and the former gets nice and grindy while the latter is painfully "clean" - a great practice amp if you want to really hear the imperfections in your playing .

 

[CL400Peavey]

Find a used shuttlemax 9.2, or Carvin BX1500.

 

[ArtechnikA]

If you don't mind the size and the weight, a Hartke LH500 is very clean and an excellent value.
The GB and Carvin also get a lot of love in the 'clean headroom' category.

 

[Kellymack]

The amp would be used for practice at home, and keyboard at small gigs.

 

[Mushroo]

I use Acoustic Image amps (Contra and Focus) for electric bass as well as acoustic. Sounds great and I would describe it as a nice "clean" sound. Lightweight, too.

 

[caligula]

Don't know your budget, but I'd consider the Tecamp Puma 500.
I play the Puma 900, very clean, neutral, transparent and open sounding amp; almost in the Glockenklang tone family.
I have used mine for teaching quiet a lot, cds and mp3s sound very clean, have never heard it with piano or keys though.

 

[Kellymack]

Mmmmm, sounds like a good suggestion. Thanks

 

[AstroSonic]

What you have asked for is something like a Carvin BX-250. As others have said, if you intend to play gigs with this rig, more power is probably a good idea and it has never been cheaper. The Carvin BX-1500 or Hartke LH500 are good candidates. More money and used opens up many more possibilities. If you are playing oldies or non-rock at small venues the BX-250 may be all you really need.

 

[Kellymack]

I considered that Bx 500 in the classifieds

 

[gregmon79]

Have you considered the GK 1001RB? Loads of clean and powerful headroom.

 

[MyMusic]

The Carvin BX250 is probably what you are looking for. 200 watts @ 8 ohms and 250 watts @ 4 ohms. I have one that I thoroughly enjoy.

 

[Kellymack]

I figured that my home brew 10-6-1 is rated at 250 watts, that's why I wanted to stay 250-350 watt range. I have the option of using a fearful 12-6-1 if the venue is bigger... It's probably capable of 500+ watts. But that will probably be excessive in most venues being played...

I should have mentioned that the jazz band plays in small restaurants and coffee shops. There are the keyboards, (1) amplified guitar, double bass and a small jazz drum kit.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I've done this very thing - bass amps make DANDY keyboard amps. Any good bass amp will work for you. In fact, "dirty" bass amps are much less common than clean ones.

 

[AlexanderB]

Amps do not come much cleaner and flatter than MarkBass LMII or LMIII. And they are at the power level you ask, too.

 

[David Jayne]

Amps do not come much cleaner and flatter than MarkBass LMII or LMIII. And they are at the power level you ask, too.

+1. Plentiful, inexpensive and durable.

 

[lax4bags]

Swr headlite is clean especially with the aural enhancer at 200hz Lots of sparkling highs that I usually don't use. 250 watts about at 8 ohms 400@ 4 ohms

 

[wiro]

Euphonic Audio
http://www.eaamps.com/

 

[HolmeBass]

Lots of good suggestions, I would add Eden amps, but the Euphonic Audio, Acoustic Image, and TecAmps are probably the glassiest and cleanest of the ones mentioned. But Eden, SWR, Genz Shuttle/ShuttleMax, and MarkBass would all work well too. I am not so sure about the GK, I always associated those with being a bit grindy amps great for rock bass tones. But I suppose if you run the pre low you can get a clean sound out of them.