Do modeling amp heads exist?

[KindofBlues71]

As an extremely mediocre guitar hobbyist, I have always played through combos and never really understood why someone would want to use a separate head and speakers. I loved my tube amp and was only interested in analog gear. When I started playing bass at the beginning of 2022 I started to pay more attention to tone and have been experimenting with both my amp and bass controls to get different sounds. I also started watching a ton of YT gear reviews and now I 'get it'!

I've been going down an amp head rabbit hole to learn more but I keep hearing about digital modeling combos like the Fender Rumble Studio 40/Stage 800, or the Boss Bass Katana 110/210, and was wondering if anyone makes a modeling amp head for bass? If not, I guess I'll need to start down the modeling pedal rabbit hole...

 

[stigbeve]

Kemper Profiler Power Head. Not specifically just for bass though.

 

[pisces_bass]

Darkglass Exponent 500 is an option, if you dig the DG line of pedals.

 

[SteveCS]

Kemper Profiler Power Head. Not specifically just for bass though.

Profiling is not the same as Modelling;
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/modeling-vs-profiling.1601894/

 

[Aloe]

there were Line 6 heads, you might still find one used and for a very attractive price.
I had a combo from this line, it sounded good. I recall, someone on TB still proudly uses this head, it's not bad.

search for Line 6 LowDown HD750 or LowDown HD400

 

[Marko 1]

there were Line 6 heads, you might still find one used and for a very attractive price.
I had a combo from this line, it sounded good. I recall, someone on TB still proudly uses this head, it's not bad.

search for Line 6 LowDown HD750 or LowDown HD400

Unbelievable value on the used market.

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[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

there were Line 6 heads, you might still find one used and for a very attractive price.
I had a combo from this line, it sounded good. I recall, someone on TB still proudly uses this head, it's not bad.

search for Line 6 LowDown HD750 or LowDown HD400

I really loved my HD400, that synth effect was something else, that’s the head that introduced me to effects in general.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

It'll be interesting to see if Boss offers a Katana Bass head. They did it with the Katana guitar amp and incorporated many of the features and effects in the Waza Air Bass headphone amp.

If they do, as an owner of a Katana 100 guitar combo and Waza Air Bass headphone amp, it should be pretty cool.

 

[smoothbrain]

I sometimes use a Peavey Vypyr 15 Modeling Combo Amp for quiet practice. It's 15 Watts through an 8" driver. I consider it to be an alternative to headphones. Headphones are uncomfortable for me after a few hours. It models. I wouldn't rely upon it though.

This particular model has been discontinued. I think it cost less than US$100 when I got it.

I suppose you could run it in front of an actual bass amplifier to take advantage of the modeling it offers but that might not be a good idea. I just use it for practice.

 

[seamonkey]

Ampeg Venture heads are essentially analog modelers of SVT and B15

 

[kjp360]

I can't say enough good about my Kemper Power Head. Not cheap, but if you have the scratch it is a decent value with great support. It is an even better value for someone like myself who doubles on guitar.

 

[klyph]

I have an old Yamaha BBT head that is a modeling head with something like 20 presets. It’s okay… I lent it to a friend and don’t care if I get it back.

 

[logdrum]

Kemper Lunch Box. There's a guy that I used a couple times for guitar cabs and he can do unfinished pine head cases for you. And tolex if you want to for the vintage look. He did one for an Axe-Fx Rack to simulate a Fender ShowMan Head look (not mine)

 

[Snert]

and was wondering if anyone makes a modeling amp head for bass?

Why would you want one? I see no point in them if you have a combo or amp/cab you like, you can get an external modeller. That way you have the flexibility to change components as your needs change, for example you need a larger rig for live work later, or if the modeller part fails, needs servicing or you want to use a different one later.

 

[micguy]

Rumble's studio 40 and stage 800 combos are modelling amps. Yes, combos, not heads.

 

[micguy]

Why would you want one?

For flexibility - let's say you love a Hiwatt for it's very clear clean tone, and an SVT for dirty sounds. Wouldn't it be cool to have both in one amp, and foot switch between them? It certainly beats carrying two amp stacks - and arguing with the guitarist about why you need that much stage space for "just bass".

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

Bergantino b amp

 

[Snert]

For flexibility - let's say you love a Hiwatt for it's very clear clean tone, and an SVT for dirty sounds. Wouldn't it be cool to have both in one amp, and foot switch between them? It certainly beats carrying two amp stacks - and arguing with the guitarist about why you need that much stage space for "just bass".

You missed the point. Why would you want the modeller integrated into the head/combo? External is more flexible for a variety of reasons. I use a modeller and have for a while.

 

[micguy]

You missed the point. Why would you want the modeller integrated into the head/combo?

I didn’t miss anything - some people like a simpler rig. For them, having the modeler in the head is preferable. Same reason the Darkglass makes various heads with their distortion circuits built in (or their darkray bass) - fewer things to manage.

 

[jthisdell]

I have an older Fender Bronco 40, fairly decent little combo, the modeling part works well, a lot of controls when you connect your laptop to it. Always wished it was more powerful and lighter but for home use pretty nice