Having trouble with Bass Amps?

So 8 amps bought, and 8 amps broken or fried...many of them within a day.

I would start considering factors outside of the amplifier as the source of the problem.

 

SWR has been out of business for years, so I’d avoid them.

Ampeg, I just question the quality of their Chinese made amps.

GK, I’d look at their new Legacy amps but they are not even out yet so they are unproven. Existing models are discontinued. But hard to argue with their build quality and they are made in the USA.

So my choice would be....Mesa Subway. They are probably the most rock solid amps out there and have the best warranty and support.

 

GK 700RB- II
USED they go for about 350$
I've had 3 , and none of them gave me a single issue.
And the 3rd one I had for 10 yrs.
When I think of good tone and a solid workhorse , that's my go to.
( currently lugging around SVT 2pro cuz I love its signature tone)

 

Mesa Mpulse 600. More bells and whistles than a carnival.

 

Beat me to it! @Lance Bunyon is correct. Mine was in a Venture 2x12 combo form, &
It.
Flat.
Rocked!

600W, 2 seperate EQ's, any tone you want, very nice onboard compressor, I nicknamed mine the mini-fridge if you catch the reference. My main amp for many moons...

 

OP,

I've purchased a used amp or two that had issues when I got it and received a couple of new amps with issues out of the box -- I've also seen amps develop problems over time, so I'm not saying that the problem can't be with the amps you've had, but you seem to have a pretty rough track record so far.

Questions that come to mind:

• How hard are you pushing the amps? It's okay to push a good amp hard, but if it's all dimed, all the time, that's too much. You need more amp, more cab, or both.
  
• Are you ever running the heads below their recommended minimum impedance? Like running a 4-Ohm minimum head at 2.67 Ohms?
• Are your cabs all wired up correctly?
• Possible problems with the power where you play? ( I know less about this.)

You mention that the Aggie (which model?) "kept blowing fuses". If the fuse blows, there's a problem -- whatever the problem was, if it's still there, you'll blow another fuse (or maybe fry the amp if it doesn't blow).

The GK head (which model?) that played hard for six hours but never sounded right after that - probably worth taking to a tech to see what the problem is and if it can be fixed.

Crackly knobs on SWR - sounds like basic maintenance/cleaning.

Are your cabs 4 Ohm? 8 Ohm? Ever run them together?

GK RB heads should be solid and grind-friendly, but are 4 Ohms minimum. If you're running below 4 Ohms (might or might not be a good idea with your cabs -- that's why I ask if they're 4 Ohms or 8), you'll need a head that can handle it. If you don't mind carrying a bigger head, sometimes a GBE 750 or 1200 will show up in the classifieds. They will drive loads down to 2 Ohms and are pretty beastly amps. My GBE 1200 has been very reliable. (Other GBE models might be good, but I don't know if they'll go below 4 Ohms - you'd have to check.)

Subway amps that mmbongo mentioned will do 2 Ohms and have a transferable warranty.

There are other options - lots, actually, depending on budget and other requirements - but it makes sense, first, to make sure that you're not inadvertently doing something that's going to result in more fried amps.

 

It sounds like you may be pushing the output sections of the amps beyond their design limit. Some really old solid state amp can be pushed into heavy distortion and survive, but I am not sure any of the ones you mentioned can take it for long. I do know you can get some nice distortion from a GK RB series amp by cranking up the drive, but the distortion occurs before the power amp so you don't have to push the output section to meltdown (lower the woofer and tweeter master as necessary). Here's a related thread that might give you some insight into the the problem Unmasking the Duty Cycle 'Elephant in the Room'

Are you pushing the output sections of the amps into massive distortion? If yes, is the goal volume or the sound? If the goal is volume you need more speakers and a more powerful amp. If the goal is the sound, either find a pedal that gives you the gnarly tone you desire, or get a good tube amp. But even a tube amp pushed routinely in deep distortion is going to need frequent maintenance.

 

Stick w the swr, crackly knobs - no big deal. Or keep trying stuff out.
Sounds like you need something with some balls.

 

Looks like there is no good thing for you, out there.

 

I have a GB1200 and it is stupid loud and built like a tank; very heavy and solid. It's an incredibly versatile amp and it has a switching preamp with a tube and FET channel that can be mixed or used separately. You can find them with the foot switch for very low prices. The only down side is they are relatively heavy, rack mount heads, and I think you may find it a bit too clean sounding and transparent for your taste. You can dial in some dirt, but by nature it's a very HiFi amp. It's actually probably my favorite amp though.

If bone crushing volume is not your priority, you might also consider a Mesa Big Block 750. These have 4 tubes in a foot switchable preamp. Clean uses two tubes and when you want OD it switches two more tubes into the circuit. This amp makes 750W at 2 ohms, but there were a fair amount of people that felt it was underpowered at 4ohms where it only makes 550W, and 8 ohms where it makes even less power. If the power is sufficient, I think you will find this amp is a punchy, brawling beast that loves to rock, and easily one of the most tubey hybrids ever made.

For the record I own the BB750's big brother, the Titan which uses the same preamp design but makes a lot more power...given the problems you are having, I would stay away from the Titan as it has a reputation for melting down if pushed hard, even after the reliability updates are done.

 

Hmmm, what is the common denominator in the failure of all these amps?

 

I don't understand the Aggie blowing fuses. Sounds like either pushing it too hard or some issue with the amp.

You obviously should avoid combos, it sounds like you need significantly more amp and cab then you have been using.

What exactly is "too much headspace (headroom?) ?" I don't think that is possibly a problem.

How big are these amps that didn't work? Watts and cabs.

Personally I run a Tonehammer 500 into one or two Berg cabs and have never had any problems.

 

The badassest head ever.
The Titan V12.
Tube pre check
Distortion onboard check.
2 channels check
Switchable boost check
1200 watts!


Also try a Mesa 400+

 

Grab a Traynor. They are indestructible, sound amazing, and are shockingly reasonably priced.