Good Bass Head?

[RickenBoogie]

Not sure we're on the same page, as Orange is known for it's grindy tones, and the Acoustic B200 is a pretty clean, albeit vintage sounding amp. I think what you want is ONE good amp, (pick one), and an overdrive pedal.

 

[lowfreq33]

You've been misinformed. Tubes can do clean just as well as dirty. It just depends on how much you turn up the gain.

 

[dylanrlarsen]

@RickenBoogie - Well I like the clean settings on an Orange and the dirty settings on an Acoustic. I don't care what the companies are "known" for. These are just the tones i like.

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I would recommend looking at the Gallien Kreuger MB800. I just picked one up as the alter ego to my Genz Benz Streamliner 900.

The packaging is great- it has all the gozintas and gozoutas you could need, and it slips nicely into the front pouches on my gig bags.

I've never been all that hot on the G-K "grind", but rolling back the treble and upper mids smooths it out very nicely. Rated at 800 watts, apparently puts out closer to 1K on peaks, so it would drive a pair of 8-ohm 4*10's very nicely.

To my ear, it makes a nice middle ground between the roundness of the Streamliner 900, and the spiky quickness of the Shuttle 9.0. The price is right, and it packs more punch than either.

 

[Sav'nBass]

LOL

Right back atcha..

Just because he says he doesn't wan't a GB head it is obvious that he has no clue as to what he wants.. because with a GB even a 6.0... you can get clean.. very clean... and dirty... It's all in the knobs between the bass and the head... At the prices listed above.. if they are even still there.. it is a very good buy on a very well rounded , versatile head.

 

[Jimmy Stump]

Did you read the rest of the thread? The reason he didn't want a Genz is basically null & void.

Right back atcha..

Just because he says he doesn't wan't a GB head it is obvious that he has no clue as to what he wants.. because with a GB even a 6.0... you can get clean.. very clean... and dirty... It's all in the knobs between the bass and the head... At the prices listed above.. if they are even still there.. it is a very good buy on a very well rounded , versatile head.

No disrespect meant fellas, I'm certain that Benz makes a quality product. I just thought it was funny that the OP stated no Genz Benz, quickly followed by everyone suggesting just that.

 

[iualum]

I just didn't want the Genz Benz because it didn't have a tube bypass feature.
So I'm actually pretty naive about all of this.

What are the pros/cons of tubes versus tubeless bass amps?

I want to be able to have a CLEAN sound most of the time.
Maybe overdrive for rock sometimes.
I play mostly jazz :^)

inform away my lads!

I have a suggestion. May I politely suggest that you locate the search function and search away, lad.

 

[Dave W]

^^^ None taken, no worries!

I kinda thought it was funny too, but from the 1st post the only amp I could think of was a Genz

 

[steve_rolfeca]

I would also suggest that the OP check out JohnK_10's NAD thread about the Ampeg 7 Pro.

That's thing's got to be worrying all the other makers of compact, high-power amps about now, especially with reports of open-box deals in the $600 bracket...

 

[robd]

I used to have a Hartke head that had both tube and SS pre sections each with it's own volume knob, you could use either separate or mix the two.

 

[WoodyG3]

I think what you want is ONE good amp, (pick one), and an overdrive pedal.

This is what I would suggest, as well.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

I think most amps will be able to get pretty close to what you're hearing in the Acoustic and the Orange. The gain and EQ knobs can make drastic changes.

I've found a big range of clean to dirty tones (and everything between) with a Shuttle 9.0 and a Programmable Sansamp. The Genz can get super clean, and I use the Sansamp to add how much warmth and grind I want depending on the song.

 

[mdbrown78]

Carvin BX500 has just such a switch. This applies only to the first gain stage, however.

OP: the reality here is that you're going to have to go out and plug into some amps and get a feel for what you like. You'll get lots of suggestions on this thread, and then lots more, and then lots more but none will really tell you what they sound like. There are dozens of amps that will give you a good clean sound and also give you some grit if you want it and they're all from reputable brands (including G-B) and they will all have their advocates on this board.

I'm not saying the recommendations from TB aren't useful - they're very useful - but you need to have some sort of reference point, some basis for comparison. For that reason, I suggest you go out and try as many amps as possible to get a baseline (a bass line?) so that the suggestions here relate to something tangible. Once you've done that, you can say "I tried X and I liked it for this reason, but not for this reason. I liked Y for another reason. Which amp sounds more like Y?" We'd all be in a much better position to help you then.

I hope I'm not too late, but I have to agree. That Carvin BX500 is a sleeper. Not many know about the brand because its not sold in stores, you have to get it direct from the manufacturer (or their store in Cali). But it is KILLER and its tonal range is awesome. There are videos on YouTube where you can here it (make sure to use good headphones or good speakers). It takes only one rackspace and weifhs only 5 pounds. It does have a tube bypass switch and you can't beat its price. I just got one (May 4). I play lots of jazz too. I have it pushing a 2-10 cab and have tied another 2-10 cab (making a total of 4-10) and it goes HARD. Just my two cents. And no I DO NOT work for, own stock in, or receive endorsements from Carvin. I'm in the Air Force. LOL