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Help me find an amp!

Pleshrocket

Pleshrocket

Guest
May 5, 2015
4
1
Illinois
#1
I've been looking through a bunch of "what amp should I get" threads on here and am a bit overwhelmed so I thought I would ask this question as it pertains to my particular situation.

I currently have an early 90's SVT-CL and SVT410HLF, a rig I enjoy very much most of the time (depending on how I try to dial it in I sometimes get a honky midrange sound I don't like out of the cab). I *was* going to pick up a GK 1001RB ii just to have a second option for more aggressive styles, but I threw my back out hauling the Ampeg up stairs and am now looking for a lightweight option to cover everything. I will retain the SVT to use on special occasions.

I currently play a Hamer Jazz bass copy in a blues/70's cover band and also jam with a bunch of different folks doing a lot of different styles, mainly with my Ibby 5-string (soon to be replaced with a Stingray or L-2500). I want a head that can handle everything from vintage tones to more hi-fi Tool/Isis type stuff (so pretty much everything). Ideally the head will weigh less than 20 lbs and have enough power for metal with two guitars and a loud drummer. I also don't want to spend much more than $600. I am tentatively planning on building a fEARful 12/6/1 (or two) to use with this head.

Options I am considering so far:

-Carvin BX1500/BX1600- Leaning toward this one because of the tone shaping options but can't play it in person. I have also heard they can sound a bit sterile and have reliability issues.

-GK 1001RB ii/MB800/MBF800- High on the list but not keen on the GK tone for the blues and 70s band. Maybe would work with a VT bass pedal?

-Markbass LM tube- played this at GC and liked it but didn't seem like anything special, especially for the price

-Ampeg SVT-3 PRO- same deal as the markbass

-GB Shuttlemax 9.2- Looks about perfect on paper but never played through one and they are hard to find.

-GB Streamliner 900- might not have the versatility I need?

-Aguilar TH500- Clips sound good but never played through one and concerned about limited EQ with the fEARful

-Just get a power amp and run a Tonehammer for modern stuff and a VT bass for vintage tones.

-Something else?

Any help with this dilemma would be appreciated.
 
#2
You could do what I do: get a lightweight, relatively hi fi sounding amp with sufficient watts...and then use other gear to shape your sound as needed. Stop worrying about what your amp sounds like. Between my programmable EQ pedal and my Aguilar Agro for some dirt, I have all the tonal options I need under my foot.

If you really want to drive those fearfuls hard you might need more than 500w @ 4 Ohms, though. I'd look for 800-1000 just to have some headroom.

I'd go GK again in a minute, but I'd be looking at the MB series. Small, light weight. Their other series seem more geared toward their biamping cab capabilities--something I'm not into. Like you, I'm also intrigued with the Carvins these days. Never tried one, though.
 
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#3
Yeah GK and Carvin are probably the two at the top of the list. Haven't tried the MB series but I remember the RB being a little light in the low end. For most of the stuff I do I like a big round low end as opposed to the tightness of the GK. Do you think I could get there with the GK and some pedals?
 
#4
Pleshrocket said:
...
-Carvin BX1500....

...-MB800/MBF800- High on the list but not keen on the GK tone for the blues and 70s band. Maybe would work with a VT bass pedal?...

-Aguilar TH500- Clips sound good but never played through one and concerned about limited EQ with the fEARful
Click to expand...

These are all known to play well with fEARfuls, i.e., they have enough EQ.
Also, I've done the VT Bass pedal v2. into the MB800 with great results.

Sadly, the GB head you mention is disco'd. The Carvin gets high marks from Tom Bowlus. Sally Forth!
 
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#5
I can't recommend the Aguilar AG500 (which I currently use) enough. The massive success of the TH500 has caused the Class AB AG500 to be forgotten, but it's an incredibly clear head with a great EQ AND it comes with a distortion channel that, to me, is the most usable I've ever heard when it comes to light, "always on" grind. Based on what you said in your post, I think it'd be a great option to cover stuff from vintage to Tool.

I don't think they make them new anymore, but they usually pop up used in the $500-600 range.

EDIT: I believe it comes in around 15-20 lbs.
 
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#7
Pleshrocket said:
Yeah GK and Carvin are probably the two at the top of the list. Haven't tried the MB series but I remember the RB being a little light in the low end. For most of the stuff I do I like a big round low end as opposed to the tightness of the GK. Do you think I could get there with the GK and some pedals?
Click to expand...

The older RB heads (800RB and 400RB) are lighter in the lows but not the new stuff.
 
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