Hello,
After years of playing loaners and out of low-wattage practice combos, I would like to dip my toes into actually setting up a small but decent bass amp rig.
For my intents and uses (home recording and small occasional bar gigs, all usually with a PA) I've been looking at something around the 200-300 wattage range. I have no need to go much bigger than that, and budget constraints obviously play a factor in that too.
To start, I've been looking exclusively at Class D stuff, particularly those of the 'ultra compact' variety. Ideally I would like a relatively small amp and a small accompanying cab (110, 112, 115, etc.) with the far future plan of adding an additional cab as needs and purposes arise.
I'd like to ideally avoid combos, but if someone has an opinion on one that can be hooked up to cabs to later expand upon, I'm game.
Sound wise, something straightforward that I can tinker for just a touch bare smidge of flavor in tone is ideal.
Here's a list of what I have more or less narrowed it down to:
1. TC BH250
2. Markbass Nano 300/ Little Mark Blackline 250
3. Trace Eliot Elf
4. GK MB200
If possible, I would like to hear everyone's individual experiences and opinions, and possibly comparisons between any of them. Any separate individual threads on any of these are usually just people GASing over them, with not much objective descriptions of the sound.
I live in small college town of Iowa City, and there are only two close by music stores, both of which don't have a very good selection of bass amp rigs to test play, so I'm mostly gambling my choice with online references and opinions. (and I'm ok with that)
After years of playing loaners and out of low-wattage practice combos, I would like to dip my toes into actually setting up a small but decent bass amp rig.
For my intents and uses (home recording and small occasional bar gigs, all usually with a PA) I've been looking at something around the 200-300 wattage range. I have no need to go much bigger than that, and budget constraints obviously play a factor in that too.
To start, I've been looking exclusively at Class D stuff, particularly those of the 'ultra compact' variety. Ideally I would like a relatively small amp and a small accompanying cab (110, 112, 115, etc.) with the far future plan of adding an additional cab as needs and purposes arise.
I'd like to ideally avoid combos, but if someone has an opinion on one that can be hooked up to cabs to later expand upon, I'm game.
Sound wise, something straightforward that I can tinker for just a touch bare smidge of flavor in tone is ideal.
Here's a list of what I have more or less narrowed it down to:
1. TC BH250
2. Markbass Nano 300/ Little Mark Blackline 250
3. Trace Eliot Elf
4. GK MB200
If possible, I would like to hear everyone's individual experiences and opinions, and possibly comparisons between any of them. Any separate individual threads on any of these are usually just people GASing over them, with not much objective descriptions of the sound.
I live in small college town of Iowa City, and there are only two close by music stores, both of which don't have a very good selection of bass amp rigs to test play, so I'm mostly gambling my choice with online references and opinions. (and I'm ok with that)
I'll work with your list as it stands. LM Blackline 250 would clearly be my choice. Has a slightly better EQ than the Nano 300 due to the VLE knob being something you might find useful, and you won't really miss 50 extra watts (just stay away from the VPF filter---midscoop). Elf has a mid control at 400 hz, and while it's somewhat workable, I like the Blackline's 800 hz hi mid center better for the vibe you want, which tends to be a vibe I go after a lot of the time as well, although I don't use a Stingray. TC has lots of nifty features and gadgets and could likely cop that tone easily enough, but I don't dig the sound of budget digital, and the GK's high mid is 1k, which I don't dig at all for what you want (a former regular called it the gank frequency and I tend to agree). If you dig Bernard and Joe Dart on MM's and flats, it's not even arguable that the Blackline's the best choice. Out of those choices you listed, that is. I think you feel me.
