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Double Bass Eich / GR Bass / Genzler Magellan?

jj.833

jj.833

Oct 19, 2006
1,412
2,240
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prague czech republic
#1
My beloved TC BH250 is dying in smell and sparkle, after some 10 years of perfect all-weather service. I'm grieved, but alive. I'm looking for a new amp head, and would greatly welcome any advice. I'm looking for small D-class head, ca 350W@4ohm, no need for any fancy knobs except for gain and basic eq corrections, as I usually use preamps. Mostly for upright (Ehrlund pickup with preamp) and occasional bass guitar (SansAmp Para preamp) gigs. No need to get too loud. I like clear and fast sound, with defined highs and lows rather 'gramophone chirurgic' than boomy.

There's not too many brands to choose from, as I want to test it with my setup before I buy, and the shops are empty. I've narrowed my options to:
Eich T-500
GRbass one 350
GRbass miniONE
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and I guess I'd be also happy with the same old TC BH250 again

I would greatly appreciate any insight into these (or other) amps, especially from people who had them. I prefer reliability, but that's hard to tell.

Thanks a lot!
 
#2
Each one of those amplifiers have great features. I’m not sure at this point whether the new GR amps are something
I’d be looking at, because they are new in the U.S. I’d want to know the warranty period and service period for any of the 5 amps you’re looking at.
Since you would have to ship the Genzler back to the U.S. should it have to be repaired, I’d check that one off the list, unless Genzler has service
in Prague or somewhere relatively close to you. A new TC will probably be the least expensive, my preference is the TC BAM 200 for Double Bass
they have a better sound for Double Bass. Just my opinion.

P.S.
The power amp section of the GR Mini One and the 350 are the same. For me the EQ section of the Mini One looks more DB compatible. Very similar to the BAM 200 which is a great, low cost DB amplifier.
 
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#3
If you're happy with TC, you might also consider the BQ250 and BQ500. They're bigger than the BAM200, which is just tiny, but have more features and more power. I, for one, really prefer the speakon connector on the BQs over the 1/4" on the BAM. The BQ series is also very affordable.
 
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#4
They are for a fact more powerful, that said the EQ section of the BQ 250 and 500 tone stacks are different than the BAM 200. I rarely use compression for live performances so that would always be turned off.
Since they have the midrange frequencies divided up between a Low and High Mid, depending on where the centers are for those controls the preamp will sound different than the BAM 200 which DB players (myself included)
really love. So I'd want to try it first. Just my take. The BQ 250 and the BAM 200 have the same size power amp. :)
 
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#5
Thanks! I shall add that I'm using TC BAM200 as a backup amp and it's great little thingy. Sound is very similar to BH250 and it's really useable, even the DI, which makes me wonder.
But I still feel a need for another amp, for practical reasons too boring to express here. My aim is to try something else than TC - life's too short to step into one river thrice, right?
 
#6
If you were on this side of the pond, I'd endorse Genzler - its my primary amp for both upright and electric, and its a fantastic unit. Genzler stuff is so reliable that if it were me, I'd probably not worry much about support. Given your location, I'd probably at least look closely at if not lean towards Eich, they have been around a while and get really good reviews and comments here on TalkBass. I am really not familiar with GR so have no opinion.
 
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#8
I would normally mention Traynor and Gallien-Krueger, but I guess they're both on this side of the pond as well. Perhaps GK is big enough to have good support in Europe? You could also consider Warwick. I have an LWA 500 that has a flat frequency response except for a 5db hump between about 70-100 hz (and a steep HPF below that) and a pretty good EQ section. It's very HiFi and responsive, however, the input impedance is very low, so you'll definitely need that preamp. I see Warwick is also making a Gnome amp now, but it's basically identical to the BAM200.
 
#10
If I lived on the continent I would want to know if Gentzler had service partners somewhere in Europe. While modern amplifiers are very reliable,

there are a few exceptions and returning the amp to the U:S. for repairs is expensive and could potentially take several weeks. Just my take.
 
#12
I bought the Genzler Magellan 800 with the 10 inch bass array cab (with those four tweeters). My goodness. I did not know a solid state amp could sound so warm. I use it for both upright and Fender bass. On some gigs I double and I think it is one of a handful of amps that can cutit for both. I am still experiementing with it and dialing it in. Prior to the Genzler I would use and Acoustic Image Contra small combo amp. It was ok for upright in small venues but less than wonderful for Fender bass. Much happier with the Genzler.
 

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