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HELP!

#41
Kmonk said:
On multiple occasions, I have attempted to purchase used Eden gear. Each time, I wanted a WT800 and a 410 cab. The first time I placed an order and received an email that they tested the amp and found a problem so they would either send it to me when it was repaired or they would issue a refund. I took the refund and found another one which I purchased. It was dead on arrival. I sent it back, purchased another one. When I plugged it in, it made a loud squealing noise followed by a loud rumble and then died. I returned it for a refund. While all of this was going on, I began looking for a used Eden 410 cab. I saw three 410 XLT cabs at three different Guitar Center stores. Each of them had at least one blown speaker. I then found a used cab from a private seller and decided to try a WT800 one more time. That one was also DOA. I haven't considered Eden since then. The one saving grace in this was that I paid $350 for the 410XLT and GC gave me $475 toward a Martin 12 string acoustic guitar. I love the sound of Eden but too many bad experiences for me to ever consider buying anything again. I'll stick with my US made Ampegs.
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Wow. That's some terrible experience. I would feel the same way I guess. I've had 5 Edens and have been trouble free save for one op amp chip go south on me. In a 10 year old amp. The 20 year old ones have been perfect.
 
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#48
To me, GK and Ampeg are opposite ends of the spectrum, with GK having a clearer more transparent sound with a grind when overdriven and Ampeg having the classic "rock-bass" sound, smoother and more pillowy, with a softer distortion when overdriven. I think the MarkBass falls in the second camp, especially with the VLE and VPF filters. People are suggesting them as interchangeable but they have different sounds. As far as reliability, solid-state amps are on the whole much more reliable than tube amps when comparing apples-to-apples. They do sound different. I have a GK 800RB and an Ampeg SVT both from the 80's and both have been gigged continuously and super reliable. I think you can't go wrong with any of the recommendations here from a reliability point of view. You need to find the one you think sounds the best.
 
#50
dunner37 said:
So you guys think a Walkabout with 2x2x10 cabs at 4ohms would be plenty loud with out breaking up?
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I had a Little Mark III around the same time as my Walkabout. If the Little Mark was enough volume for you, the Walkabout should be, too.
If you want the Walkabout to sound more like the Little Mark, you'll probably do okay cutting some deep lows with the parametric e.q.
The Walkabout does get dirty at the higher end of it's output, but I didn't mind that. People seem to like the Walkabout and SVT210AV combination quite a bit.
 
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#51
I like the LMII sound, but I'm hoping I can get a little warmer tone from the Walkabout. I also dig the fact that Mesa really stands behind their gear and have a great customer service department. I'm leaning heavily towards this amp now..
 
#52
A Fender Rumble 200 head is about as good as it gets and the price is right. Dependability is outstanding which is why I switched to the Rumble series from another brand. If 200 isn't enough, there is a 500. Don't underestimate the Rumble heads. They are the best thing going these days. The 500 is loud enough for just about any situation. I only need the 200.
 
#53
My Genz-benz shuttle 9.0 has never failed me. Not sure you could find one but I love it. got it new for under 500 I think. And It can power a full stack of speakers fairly well. supposedly 900w at 4 ohms. I'd say its a little less than that but still great sound, power, and the aux in + headphones out is everything I need.
I gigged the hell out of it, went on a little cross country tour, etc. I also played a full svt stack vs my stack regularly and both sounds were very good. Svt maybe a bit creamier, but I think mine was a little more punchy.

There is one in the classifieds for 375
For Sale - Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0
 
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#55
dunner37 said:
At some point in the near future I'm going to get my Markbass fixed, so I can have a back up. For my new main amp, I think ease of repair/closeness of repair shop is also a consideration when making a purchase. I really liked my LMII, but getting these worked on around here is a nightmare
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my LM III died a year ago. there is no repair place in New England as you found. I called some places in the midwest and west coast. it was going to be $350 flat price to fix it. they simply replace the motherboard, no component repairs. 90 day warranty! I figured it was better to just buy a new amp with a full warranty. since I have a Streamliner 900 and Shuttle 6 laying around, I've been putting it off, but I'm thinking about a Genzler Magellan. I played one at NAMM and it was nice. should sound good through my RevSound cabinets.
 
#57
climber said:
my LM III died a year ago. there is no repair place in New England as you found. I called some places in the midwest and west coast. it was going to be $350 flat price to fix it. they simply replace the motherboard, no component repairs. 90 day warranty! I figured it was better to just buy a new amp with a full warranty. since I have a Streamliner 900 and Shuttle 6 laying around, I've been putting it off, but I'm thinking about a Genzler Magellan. I played one at NAMM and it was nice. should sound good through my RevSound cabinets.
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That's pretty steep, considering I bought a used LM III at GC for $350. It's been a good amp for me.
 
#59
I'm pretty sure there is enough room in the housing of an ampeg SVT to duct tape a Trace Elliot ELF into a corner.
Now that would be a fail-safe amp!

The Mesa is a high quality choice. If you want something proofed as well that sounds a lot warmer than the LM,
the Tonehammer would be your friend.

And if you're running on a tight budget, a Peavey Mark IV is worth looking into. These have been working for close to 40 years now. You don't see them around very often- I heard they use them in crashtests nowadays where they are used stacked as walls and then have cars run into them at high speeds. They all still work, though.
 

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