High End Bass Amps- What do you like?

[Bruiser Stone]

Anything Genz Benz.
I recently acquired a HandBox 400R, and it’s all smiles so far.
I briefly owned a Glockenklang Blue Rock. It was a beautiful head, but a little dry for my tastes.

 

[rodsnhawgs]

Really? I mean Really? 22 Lbs is heavy? Maybe for a 5 year old! 1001 RB Specs — Gallien-Krueger

Well...I mean comparatively speaking to class D heads... LOL

 

[bylar13]

My “highest end” amp:

 

[S-Bigbottom]

It is all different flavors of great.

To some, not so great.

 

[monsterthompson]

I quite liked the Demeter VTBP 800D I owned for a few years. I only sold it to downsize to a DI rig (not playing out where I need an amp and cab).

The Darkglass head was pretty decent. I wasn't blown away, but it was nice. If you like their drive pedals, then the head will be worth considering.

 

[Burwabit]

Ampeg V4B Reissue is still my favorite amp for tone. I really like Mesa Subway and Bergantino amps too.

 

[got_the_bug]

I guess I should have given a little more info about my playing situation. I play strictly in church. So, weight doesn’t matter. I don’t move it. I need something with decent headroom because I do use a cab for presence on stage, but I need to go direct in for live streaming and for the in ear monitor system.

I’m curious about the tube heads. Do they have XLR outs? That’s incredibly uncommon (and useless if it was a thing) on guitar amps. But for those of you using all tube heads, how do you go through the system?

I play in church, too, and I have two rigs that sit at the back of the stage -- a Fender Super Bassman/Fender 810 Neo, and an Ampeg SVT-CL Heritage/Bergantino NV610...I don't use them both at the same time, but I like options and overkill, especially since they are fixtures and I never need to move them.

Both tube amps have XLR outs...as it sounds like in your situation, we also use IEMs...the amps are used for a little extra presence/support/monitoring on stage, with the signal being sent to FOH, primary volume coming from the PA, and the mix sent to our IEMs.

 

[leftybassatl]

I've dragged an Epifani UL502 with a 210 cabinet through hell and back since maybe 2007(?), and somehow it still sounds amazing.

 

[jeffb28451]

My Bassics 900 for practices. My Wayne Jones for real (almost too) clean and my DNA 1350 for the best sound with every bass I've ever owned or heard.

 

[slagbass]

Thanks so much. You guys have mentioned a lot here that I haven’t thought of.

I guess I should have given a little more info about my playing situation. I play strictly in church. So, weight doesn’t matter. I don’t move it. I need something with decent headroom because I do use a cab for presence on stage, but I need to go direct in for live streaming and for the in ear monitor system.

Glock is the one that has grabbed my interest the most, but the Bergantinos have as well. Trickfish showed up on my radar too. There are some others mentioned I’m going to have to learn.

I’m curious about the tube heads. Do they have XLR outs? That’s incredibly uncommon (and useless if it was a thing) on guitar amps. But for those of you using all tube heads, how do you go through the system?

I do like Mesas and I’ve owned 3 (and still own one) Of their guitar amps. It has been all over the place with me and it still works like a champ.

I use both a Mesa Prodigy and Buster. Both are tube amps and on the "clean" side tone-wise (which I like). Both have XLR outs which sound great and I have used often live to go FOH without issue. Both are out of production but available on the used market. I've leaned toward the Prodigy for gigging as I prefer a bit more portability for my situation. My Buster stays in the rehearsal space and while the tone stack takes a little getting used to, it sounds fantastic once you dial it in and push the volume a bit.

 

[31HZ]

Anything Genz Benz.
I recently acquired a HandBox 400R, and it’s all smiles so far.
I briefly owned a Glockenklang Blue Rock. It was a beautiful head, but a little dry for my tastes.

Exactly (the Blue Rock), glad I'm not the only one!

 

[4stringfarley]

I'm really happy with the tone I get out of the top end Ashdown stuff. Really GASing after a CTM 300.

 

[MDBass]

I’ve been a fan of Eden amps for a while. I don’t know if they’re really considered high end or not, but they’re pretty solid beasts. I’ve played them exclusively for a while. I’ve owned other brands- Trace Elliot, Peavey, Warwick and some others I’ve long forgotten.

But I’m curious about what else is out there on the higher end of the spectrum. It’s quite hard to test any of these out, as your local Guitar Center doesn’t exactly stock a wide variety. I’m a couple hours from Bass Central, but I prefer to buy used. I’d like some recommendations, as that’s probably all I will have to go off of if I end up moving that way.

I’ve never gotten to play a Glockenklang. They seem super nice to me. I’m also interested in Darkglass. But I’m really open to hearing about anything.

I am super knowledgeable about guitar amps, but bass amps are a bit different.

Thanks!

I’ve owned or played through most of them, including an endorsement for a number of years with one of the bigger name brands.

Haven’t heard anything that can touch Bergantino.

 

[mikewalker]

I don't see it on their current website, but these guys used to make a REALLY NICE all-tube bass amp

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[DJ Bebop]

I wish I had High End money for a High End amp....

The only reason I have my Mesa WD-800 was someone here said Sweetwater had a deal,
48 months no interest. I had no High-End money for a High-End amp, just Low-End money.
They were willing to take that

 

[bubba-b]

not to derail the thread, but some of you mentioned using the glockenklang bass art classic preamp. are these somewhat readily available here in the u.s. or is it 'wait in the weeds' and wait til one pops up on the used market?

 

[emoterply]

I own a berg/Monique Combo and also have SVT, Aguilar Tone Hammer and cabs. Plus an Alembic pre. Though I feel my Jule sounds the best, if I play the Tone Hammer separate from the Jule, I think how awesome it sounds. My point is there is so much awesome stuff out there and it is a matter of degrees. No one who is not a bass snob who hears you probably can tell the difference. Get the high-end stuff for yourself, not for others. And only if you can afford it. BTW I have played the cheaper stuff for years and was envious of the high end stuff other players had. But it doesn’t make you a better bass player. Eden is mighty fine stuff! And if you geek out like me following other TBer’s, you can obsess on equipment only to find what you have already does the job!

 

[Stranger Danger]

Mesa and Bergantino for me.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I own a berg/Monique Combo and also have SVT, Aguilar Tone Hammer and cabs. Plus an Alembic pre. Though I feel my Jule sounds the best, if I play the Tone Hammer separate from the Jule, I think how awesome it sounds. My point is there is so much awesome stuff out there and it is a matter of degrees. No one who is not a bass snob who hears you probably can tell the difference. Get the high-end stuff for yourself, not for others. And only if you can afford it. BTW I have played the cheaper stuff for years and was envious of the high end stuff other players had. But it doesn’t make you a better bass player. Eden is mighty fine stuff! And if you geek out like me following other TBer’s, you can obsess on equipment only to find what you have already does the job!

In the end, I always sound like me no matter what gear I play through

 

[emoterply]

The only reason I have my Mesa WD-800 was someone here said Sweetwater had a deal,
48 months no interest. I had no High-End money for a High-End amp, just Low-End money.
They were willing to take that

I am a huge fan of Sweetwater with their payment plans plus their service is really decent. Though they don’t have all the brands, they definitely make it affordable and justifiable for nice stuff!