Help me choose an inexpensive class D head

[Stewie]

Around here you can buy an Ampeg B2R for 100-150 used. Nice amp, and anyone who says it isn't loud enough won't be able to hear you when you ask "why?"
DI with ground lift, effects loop, et.c. No mute button, but you can always just turn down the gain or master.

 

[Wicked G]

You're not going to find anyone with any hands on experience with the TC BQ500 as they are not even out yet, but you're not going to find a 500 watt head brand new with warranty at that price so it might be worth your wait.

The Hartke TX600 lacks significant volume. I agree with guitarflinger, the Genzler Magellan 350 is an excellent amp and would be my pick right now unless you can wait for the TC, because again that is a lot of amp for a little bit of cash.

 

[Sanchan]

Bugera Veyron MOSFET: Some of us in TB really love this amp! Brand new $399!

Bugera Veyron M BV1001M 2000W Bass Head

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I recently got a very nice-sounding Traynor 115, which I'm currently using as an extension cab for my combo. Now, I'd like to get a separate head for the cab. (It's an 8 Ohm cab with 100-ish dB sensitivity and a 45-5000 Hz frequency range; no tweeter.)

My ideal budget is in the $200-300 range, up to $400 at pinch. (And I'm open to buying used.) I'm looking for a tone that's somewhere on the warm-ish spectrum (pretty classic sounding) that delivers about 200-300 watts into 8 Ohms, with a functional DI.

Since I don't have easy access to try any of these, comments/recommendations are much appreciated.

The brand new TC BQ500 for just $250 is very appealing, unless there's something else that's vastly superior.

For $300, there's the Ampeg PF-350, which is also appealing for its simplicity--no bells and whistles I don't really need. Any concerns about the very basic (no ground lift, no pre/post EQ) DI for running to FOH? Another plus, they're easy to find used.

In terms of price and overall features, these two would be my top picks, but there are also some more expensive options probably worth consideration:

Inching up to $350, there's the Peavey MiniMax. I'm a bit put off by the loud fan reports, since I sometimes play gigs that require extended silence between songs, and it has several features I don't need.

Then there are the $400 offerings: Fender Rumble 500 (also easy to find used), Ashdown OriginAL, Ampeg PF-500 (not sure if buying used is a good idea given the early years' reliability issues?), and Hartke TX600.

Any recommendations based on this list? Any glaring omissions? Thanks!

The ampeg 350 is a good one. Itll do warm, it'll do bite. But, I'm quite fond of TC at the moment. And, you most likely won't blow out your 15 with it. My BH500 does anything I want it to. The rumble is sweet as all hell too. But, with 1 15, you might want to look at something a little lower in power. Just in case.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Bugera Veyron MOSFET: Some of us in TB really love this amp! Brand new $399!

Bugera Veyron M BV1001M 2000W Bass Head

I had one for 2 years. Played it everyday. Gigged with it at least twice a month. Solid, nice looking little amp. But, it sounds very modern, not traditional. Very very clean, at just about any settings. The tube one sounds better, but it's another 100 bucks. I had that one too for a while.

 

[ObsessiveArcher]

I really like the GK-mb200.

But would also look into a Trace Elf...intriguing....

+1

 

[arbiterusa]

“Used” GK MB500s, which I suspect are blowout old stock, are going for $299 at Guitar Center right now. I picked one up a few weeks ago. If it was used in any way, I couldn’t prove it.

 

[lug]

peavey minimax only $308 on musicians friend.
fan louder than my ampeg 7pro; about the same volume as cental air conditioning vent noise during hot part of day. but no, not silent.
on-board tuner/mute helpful, 'psycho' bass-frequency spectrum shift useful, mid frequency selector useful.
a stout/convincing 500 w into 4ohms; 300 @8 ohms
pleasing tone
not teensie like the new trace 'cigarette pack" or swr headlite
provided carrying bag..... er, not a plus.

This. I think the Peavey is the best bang for the buck out there right now.

 

[BadExample]

If you find a used Genz-Benz Shuttle 3, 6 or 6.2, you will be stunned by how good they are. The 3 is a bit on the lower powered end - a 6 or 6.2 would be killer.

This or save some coin for a GB Streamliner 600. It is:

I'm looking for a tone that's somewhere on the warm-ish spectrum (pretty classic sounding) that delivers about 200-300 watts into 8 Ohms, with a functional DI.

 

[Sanchan]

I had one for 2 years. Played it everyday. Gigged with it at least twice a month. Solid, nice looking little amp. But, it sounds very modern, not traditional. Very very clean, at just about any settings. The tube one sounds better, but it's another 100 bucks. I had that one too for a while.

So what do you use now? I am just curious!

 

[Hounddog409]

I recently got a very nice-sounding Traynor 115, which I'm currently using as an extension cab for my combo. Now, I'd like to get a separate head for the cab. (It's an 8 Ohm cab with 100-ish dB sensitivity and a 45-5000 Hz frequency range; no tweeter.)

My ideal budget is in the $200-300 range, up to $400 at pinch. (And I'm open to buying used.) I'm looking for a tone that's somewhere on the warm-ish spectrum (pretty classic sounding) that delivers about 200-300 watts into 8 Ohms, with a functional DI.

Since I don't have easy access to try any of these, comments/recommendations are much appreciated.

The brand new TC BQ500 for just $250 is very appealing, unless there's something else that's vastly superior.

For $300, there's the Ampeg PF-350, which is also appealing for its simplicity--no bells and whistles I don't really need. Any concerns about the very basic (no ground lift, no pre/post EQ) DI for running to FOH? Another plus, they're easy to find used.

In terms of price and overall features, these two would be my top picks, but there are also some more expensive options probably worth consideration:

Inching up to $350, there's the Peavey MiniMax. I'm a bit put off by the loud fan reports, since I sometimes play gigs that require extended silence between songs, and it has several features I don't need.

Then there are the $400 offerings: Fender Rumble 500 (also easy to find used), Ashdown OriginAL, Ampeg PF-500 (not sure if buying used is a good idea given the early years' reliability issues?), and Hartke TX600.

Any recommendations based on this list? Any glaring omissions? Thanks!

Id choose the Hartke unit. Sounds the best of those listed.

 

[nun lover]

I was in the same boat and got a Rumble 500 head. I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[CapnSev]

I used to hate the Ampeg 350 until I saw some videos of people cranking the gain past “clipping” and getting a really killer grind out of it. So, I went to a store and did the same thing and fell in love. I love the Uber simplicity of it. I’ll be getting one when I get a new amp one day.

 

[jeff7bass]

Waiting to hear reviews on the new TC.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

So what do you use now? I am just curious!

Tc BH500 and 2 k212s. I was running the veyrons through an ampeg 610

 

[Thundar]

Another vote for Rumble 500

 

[fermata]

Thanks for all the replies...some good ideas here to explore! As for blowing out the 115, it's rated at 400 W program, so I'm thinking a head that can deliver up to 200-300 W RMS will be a good fit. (It's unlikely I'll be turning anything up to 11...I'm more interested in having a bit of headroom to maintain a clean tone.)

 

[The Mogpipe]

peavey minimax only $308 on musicians friend.
fan louder than my ampeg 7pro; about the same volume as cental air conditioning vent noise during hot part of day. but no, not silent.
on-board tuner/mute helpful, 'psycho' bass-frequency spectrum shift useful, mid frequency selector useful.
a stout/convincing 500 w into 4ohms; 300 @8 ohms
pleasing tone
not teensie like the new trace 'cigarette pack" or swr headlite
provided carrying bag..... er, not a plus.

I recently got Peavey Mini Max. I love it!
Running through a Peavey Headliner 1×15.
Sounds great so far.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Thanks for all the replies...some good ideas here to explore! As for blowing out the 115, it's rated at 400 W program, so I'm thinking a head that can deliver up to 200-300 W RMS will be a good fit. (It's unlikely I'll be turning anything up to 11...I'm more interested in having a bit of headroom to maintain a clean tone.)

400 watts "program" is no more than 200 watts RMS of thermal power handling, usually, which means its mechanical limits will be considerably lower than that even, probably. Something to keep in mind while turning up the volume.

 

[somebrains]

I used to hate the Ampeg 350 until I saw some videos of people cranking the gain past “clipping” and getting a really killer grind out of it. So, I went to a store and did the same thing and fell in love. I love the Uber simplicity of it. I’ll be getting one when I get a new amp one day.

That's like 400rbs or non-master volume SVTs, you only fall in love with them when you dime them.