Favorite Amp(s) with Fearful-type cabs?

None of the above? I use a GK 1001RB-i with my F115. IMO it's the perfect amount of power (340w into 8ohm), and it's an amp that I can run up to and past its clean power limits without fear of Bad Things(R) happening - it just seems to get warmer/grittier, not to mention louder, the more I turn it up.

For that older-school tone, I have my SansAmp VTDI in front of the amp. IMO I love the combination of the three: amp, cab, and VT.

 

I just got a f112, and just using the minimega that I was using for the 12/6/1 before. I had thought about getting something different though. I like the idea of better power, but really I have no complaints. Its loud enough so far.

 

I use a Markbass Ninja 1,000 watt for my F112. No complaints. Fearful/Fearless love power.

 

I couldn't vote for all of the first 3 choices, which is my actual answer.

I've used a Mesa Subway D-800, an ART pre racked with a Crest ProLITE 3.0 non-dsp, a Mesa Prodigy, and a GK MB800. My gigs are usually a Psychobilly trio (upright), a 10 member gospel group (active 5-string), and a 5-piece Reggae band (passive Jazz). I've used each of the heads with most of the bands. The cab is usually a 12/12/6/1, though I've also used a 15/6/1 (with and without a 15sub), a pair of complementary baffle 15/6/1s, and a 12/6/1.

If you need to really use what a 4 ohm 12/12/6/1 or an 8 ohm 15/6/1 cab or two can do, I'd recommend a pre with a sizable power amp, unless you can count on good PA support—I usually can't. However, if the venue is small, it's not Reggae, and I'm using the 4 ohm cab, the 800 watt heads are plenty. Recently, I used the Prodigy (~200+ watts @ 4 ohms), and was a little short on clean power, but I didn't feel compelled to switch to my 800 watt Subway back up.

So, it all depends. I should also add that I am pretty obsessed with having tons of volume and clean lows on tap, even if I don't end up needing them.

Can you tell?

 

I'm not sure. I really don't have any complaints, but would like a little more headroom, and I feel like my time is a little tinny. But, that could be a few things. I think I just want to try something different, really

 

The reality is that they work well with any amp. It’s a common misconception that they need a lot of power, the reality is that while they can handle a lot of power, but still perform well with small amps. Lots of power just brings them to the next level.
To answer the question, I generally use a Puma 900 or a Demeter Pre / Crown XTI-2002 combo.

 

I use my Genzler MG800 with no issues. This cab puts out whatever this amp can throw it. I get tons of compliments on my deep clear tone. Oh and it just so happens that the post above mine is the builder of my F112 @popgadget

 

I'm using a Yamaha PB1 into a Peavey IPR2 2000 DSP with my nEarful 12/6 (neo Avatar 126 with CBG xover). The PB1 gives me all the clean gain I could ever want without a hint of distortion. One power amp channel @ 8 ohms gives me 300W or so and easily fills any bar I play. Crisp, punchy, full-range reproduction of all the dirt I feed it, as well as chest-swelling lows for when I play clean.

For me, this is a great low cost setup that sounds fantastic. If I had all the money, I guess I'd be tempted to try some of the class D heads. I'd likely pick up a second cab first, though.

 

Honestly, when I used the Prodigy with an SWR goliath II 410, one of the original and sweeter low-mid bump 410 cabs, it sounded righteous with a P-bass strung with pyramid flats. Then again, anything with that cab and bass would sound pretty righteous.

Furthermore, IMHO the idea that "warm tube-ness" is only available from an all tube amplifier is mistaken. The Mesa D-800, ART tube-channel 259/ProLITE amp, and even the vaunted GK MB800 all have features that make them plenty warm. I've used the GK a lot with a 15/6/1, and it was fine, though I felt I could use a little more power for a "loud-ish" Reggae band—so I got a Crest Prolite 3.0 non-dsp with the ART 259 tube channel for that. Yet, as noted above, fEARful/Fearless cabs sound fine with lower powered amps. It's not the tone, it's the loudness that is limited. When needing lot's of volume, you may run into clipping from the amp if it doesn't have enough power. I found I could clip a Mesa M9 carbine when powering two 15/6/1 cabs in a loud situation. Yes, really.

That said, are you concerned that not having a conventional cabinet with "low mid love handles" will somehow neuter your tube sound? Well, only you you can decide that, but a Prodigy is really not enough power to make any fEARful sing at full volume, IMHO. Oh, it's fine and lovely for a packed small venue with a reasonable volume level, but with a 4 ohm fEARful 12/12/6/1 or an 8 ohm 15/6/1, the ~200 "tube watts" (snort) is not really enough to take advantage of the clean low end and loudness that is available. It (the amp) will fart out. Yes, I said that.

 

Believe it or not, what pushed me towards Markbass was the tone from the XLR direct out. A local bass player friend told me he got a Markbass Little Mark III head years ago. He normally has a terrible tone IMO. When I went to hear him/it I was blown away by the tone coming through the PA. I then bought one blind off GC used. Three Markbass heads later, I still prefer it to anything. My trick with the tone controls is to simplify things. I turn the VLE and VPF completely off. I run things almost flat with a little bass and low mid boost. Sounds great and I get a full, warm, punchy tone. Very tube-like.

 

My approach is exactly the same. I could sign your every word...

 

The PB1 is a great preamp and an incredible value on the used market.

 

I am using a Mesa Subway D800. I also have a GK MB Fusion 800. The GK /F112 combo is super loud. More power than I would ever need. The Subway sounds great at all volumes.

 

I have used the mbf500 with a 15/6, it slammed. Then moved onto 2× 12/6 with mesa subway d800. I found the mesa super articulate and a great match with the cabs. Sold one 12/6 and bought a crest prolite 3.0 and Jule Amps Monique preamp. This has been, by far, the best setup i have come across. Beautiful tube tone from the monique coupled with outrageous power from the prolite. With that setup, i have heard the 12/6 bottom out a few times but i was digging in pretty hard(generally not normal)

 

In Bass Gear magazine they tested a fEARful 12" 3-way cab and 15" 3-way cab together with a Carvin B1500 head sitting on top. Of course it kicked major ass, but I kinda wished they had my BX-1200 to test them with because it has two amps (400w each in bi-amp mode) and an active crossover built-in. Would have been interesting. Two volume knobs, you set the cutoff (bottom cab to top cab) for the ultimate in flexibility.

 

Given that both cabs are equally capable full-range, I do have to wonder what benefits, if any, that might have provided. Just thinking out loud.