• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

High Efficency, High Powered Heads?

#21
alexclaber said:
However, I suspect the energy cost in terms of transporting a large heavy rig between gigs is more significant than the energy it consumes from the mains during gigs.
Click to expand...

Yep. And that's one significant reason neo drivers and lightweight power modules will continue to make inroads. It starts where they are made and on the first leg of being shipped. By the time they've gone through assembly into finished cabs or heads and then distributor or retailer hands they might have traveled quite a bit. With a lot of units moving across oceans and nations in an oil-chained economy that's a significant chunk of change. And big touring companies, they sure want more power and SPL in lighter packages!
 
#23
loonybob123 said:
You mind elaborating on your bad experiences with Mesa?, because you would be one of the few
Click to expand...
I had an M-Pulse combo for about half a year that ended up being a lemon. Problems with one of the transformers, if I remember right. Sunk several hundred dollars into getting it fixed. Even after all that, the amp was just unbelievably weak. Even band members commented on how the amp really didn't sound good or provide enough bass...a quiet, mostly acoustic band I should add. I've played many combo amps with half the power, weight and price that could cut it. Very disappointing and costly.

I know that this experience was probably isolated, and there was a time where I really wanted to like Mesa, but the sour taste still lingers.
 
#25
alexclaber said:
However, I suspect the energy cost in terms of transporting a large heavy rig between gigs is more significant than the energy it consumes from the mains during gigs.

Alex
Click to expand...

Sure, but every little bit helps the carbon foot print. And as I mentioned in another thread some halls are actually charging the renters for how much power they want to plug in. Anything to recover a buck.
 
#26
rythmicillusion said:
Maybe I should restate what I'm looking for more articulately, from greatest to least in priority:

1) Output: A head powerful enough to drive a 610 or 810 setup with some headroom to spare, used in the context of a hard rock/metal group.
2) Reliability: Built to withstand rigors of transport and accidents (falls, changes in temp, hours of use without rest)
3) Electrically Efficient: Lessen my carbon footprint for a number of reasons. More energy converted into solid sounding bass rather than wasted heat and fuel, essentially.
4) Cost: Don't want to spend $4000 on this amp, but I haven't limited myself to a shoestring budget either. If I can do it for under $1000, I'll be very happy.
5) Weight: Can't be hauling around an iron briefcase at this point, but on the flip side it doesn't need to be a featherweight.
6) Features: I need Basic EQ, and maybe a built in DI, tuner output and mute switch would be nice, but otherwise I don't need anything fancy or "loaded"
7) Origin: If I can buy this amp from a company that treats everyone in their "food chain" decently, and has responsible practices when it comes to manufacturing, that's a plus in my book.

So far, the Carvin B1500 is a top candidate(I've done many a gig with a B800 and thought it was acceptable). I am not so sure about the Mesa stuff after some bad experiences. SVT might be up my alley, but also might be a bit on the expensive side. Same issue with the MarkBass stuff.

Thanks so far for the input/suggestions!
Click to expand...

Good requirements.
Treating the food chain decently is a great one. More should check into this. And all I've heard about Carvin is they do.

You could get a BX500 (class-d/SMPS) for smaller gigs. And add one of their new lightweight power amps, class-ab/SMPS,
 
#31
greenboy said:
Yep. And that's one significant reason neo drivers and lightweight power modules will continue to make inroads. It starts where they are made and on the first leg of being shipped. By the time they've gone through assembly into finished cabs or heads and then distributor or retailer hands they might have traveled quite a bit. With a lot of units moving across oceans and nations in an oil-chained economy that's a significant chunk of change. And big touring companies, they sure want more power and SPL in lighter packages!
Click to expand...

I agree except that Neodynium is a rare earth metal. The mining is probably not an eco-friendly proposition. It's almost impossible to weigh all the variables and find a perfect solution. I have two neo cabs.

KO
 
#32
MEKer said:
you're worried about your "carbon footprint" with your amp power usage.........uh, OK
Click to expand...

Still a little weird to say out loud or print in a venue for the public to comment. But it's true. I've been trying to reduce what I waste/what is wasted on me in little ways. Because I'm not a politician, eco-scientist/engineer, someone calling the shots in big business basically, all I can really do is the little stuff and hope it makes a difference. And I'm sure along the way, decisions I've made might come back to bite me despite my intentions. Maybe this is an example in progress or maybe not, we'll see.

I do have other things that are important in an amp, as I listed...if it doesn't have a sound I like, isn't usable in a band, proves to be unreliable, is unreasonably heavy, etc, but runs on my own piss and the waste energy is converted into free range organic bird feed, I'm not going to buy it. Though I might try the bird feed.

It's kind of like if you were to buy a new car today. It still has to be comfortable, drive well, be the proper size, but higher MPG is also something you may look into as well.
 
#34
rythmicillusion said:
I had an M-Pulse combo for about half a year that ended up being a lemon. Problems with one of the transformers, if I remember right. Sunk several hundred dollars into getting it fixed. Even after all that, the amp was just unbelievably weak. Even band members commented on how the amp really didn't sound good or provide enough bass...a quiet, mostly acoustic band I should add. I've played many combo amps with half the power, weight and price that could cut it. Very disappointing and costly.

I know that this experience was probably isolated, and there was a time where I really wanted to like Mesa, but the sour taste still lingers.
Click to expand...

If you only had it for half a year and then it broke you never would have had to put any money into. All Mesa amps have a five year transferable warranty you should have sent it back to Mesa and if they couldn't have fixed it they would have sent you a new one.
 
#40
rythmicillusion said:
So far, the Carvin B1500 is a top candidate(I've done many a gig with a B800 and thought it was acceptable). I am not so sure about the Mesa stuff after some bad experiences. SVT might be up my alley, but also might be a bit on the expensive side. Same issue with the MarkBass stuff.

Thanks so far for the input/suggestions!
Click to expand...

I ordered a B1500 late last week, so it should be here within the next couple days hopefully. Not really much help, I know, but I can update when it gets here and I try it out!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back