Ibanez Promethean

[Bassflute]

Put the Promethean through the paces Friday night and yesterday. Got lucky Saturday night and was able to A/B it against a GB Shuttle 3.0 and a Mesa Walkabout head (both rated at 300w), cabs used for test were a SWR 410 and my NeoX 212T. Both cabs sounded good but I was really impressed once again with the GB cab. It held its own against two Marshall twins and an aggressive drummer.

It's not as hi-fi as the 3.0 and not as organic as the Mesa but seemed to fit nicely in between the two. Was able to hit gig volume easily and seems to have more headroom than the other two heads. Very user friendly EQ with lots of tonal options and more than enough in the bottom. As I stated in my initial test post; this head sounds really really good with the GB cab, very tight and focused.

The input gain really likes passive basses. Was able to get gain up past 1:00 before input clip light came on with a passive Warwick 5er and a Fender Jazz 4. With my active Mill 5er could only get the gain to about 9:30 and input starts clipping. (the 18 volt pre?).

Power amp clip starts flashing by 12:00 on the master but does not seem to hurt tone. It seems more like very subtle compression.
The taper on the master dials up very quickly so noon on the master is very loud.

Vibe control is subtle but works nicely at gig volume, would have loved the foot switch to be able to punch in and out. Amp stayed cool both nights and fan is very quiet.

CONS:
no active pad
no post eq slave option unless you use balanced out. So can not slave to a power amp and run to front of house at the same time
Foot switch not yet available and will not include graphic EQ on/off, only mute and vibe on/off

Overall: pros outweigh the cons and this amp seems to a great bang for the buck. So far I'd say its a keeper.

About what I expected from Ibanez...they always seem to do inexpensive stuff better than anybody.

Look forward to trying it out. And I'd be interested in an A/B with a LM II or III. And in the combo configuration.

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[DWBass]

The input gain really likes passive basses. Was able to get gain up past 1:00 before input clip light came on with a passive Warwick 5er and a Fender Jazz 4. With my active Mill 5er could only get the gain to about 9:30 and input starts clipping. (the 18 volt pre?).

Power amp clip starts flashing by 12:00 on the master but does not seem to hurt tone.

I've found that to be the case with my Shuttles. I can turn the gain almost all the way with my JO5 passive bass but only around 10 O'clock with my 55-01. I'm interested in this amp. Does it have Limiting features? That is one feature I don't like with the Shuttle 3.0 (@ 8ohms). It kicks in way too easy especially when I used my active bass just killing my sound!

 

[smogg]

I've found that to be the case with my Shuttles. I can turn the gain almost all the way with my JO5 passive bass but only around 10 O'clock with my 55-01. I'm interested in this amp. Does it have Limiting features? That is one feature I don't like with the Shuttle 3.0 (@ 8ohms). It kicks in way too easy especially when I used my active bass just killing my sound!

Well according to the block diagram there is a limiter after the master control and before the power amp but it dose not crush the tone that I could tell. At this point I believe most if not all of the micro amps use some kind of limiting feature before the power amp.

 

[Supertanker]

It's not as hi-fi as the 3.0 and not as organic as the Mesa but seemed to fit nicely in between the two. Was able to hit gig volume easily and seems to have more headroom than the other two heads. Very user friendly EQ with lots of tonal options and more than enough in the bottom...

The input gain really likes passive basses...

Power amp clip starts flashing by 12:00 on the master but does not seem to hurt tone. It seems more like very subtle compression.
The taper on the master dials up very quickly so noon on the master is very loud.

Vibe control is subtle but works nicely at gig volume, would have loved the foot switch to be able to punch in and out. Amp stayed cool both nights and fan is very quiet.

Overall: pros outweigh the cons and this amp seems to a great bang for the buck. So far I'd say its a keeper.

I agree completely with your review.
It's on target with my experiences.

I discovered you can set the input gain with the mute button engaged,
that allows you to quietly set the gain.

I thought I would miss my tubes, but I don't.

This amp has a very finished sound, but you can also eq it to sound raw.

It sounds great with my Aguilar cabs and my passive PJ5 and JO5.

It also works well with my Zoom B2 multi-effect pedal.
Sounds great!

 

[soulbrother]

Hi all,

I'm reading this thread with great interest! I would really love to hear comments on the Promethean 10" combo. I'm wondering if this little boy could be used in live situations. In other words: subscribed!

Cheers, Werner.

 

[llamalor2112]

BUMP!

Would also like to know about the combo.

 

[Supertanker]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Woodchuck]

I have nothing but good things to say about this amp and the Promethean 4x10 cab. Also, I'm running my Ibanez SGR5005 through it. Growls like a horny grizzly!

 

[bongomania]

I've found that to be the case with my Shuttles. I can turn the gain almost all the way with my JO5 passive bass but only around 10 O'clock with my 55-01. I'm interested in this amp. Does it have Limiting features? That is one feature I don't like with the Shuttle 3.0 (@ 8ohms). It kicks in way too easy especially when I used my active bass just killing my sound!

The solution is to turn down the input gain on the amp, and turn up the master volume. That will completely eliminate the problem you're describing. If the result isn't loud enough, then you need more power or more efficient cabs.

 

[Eublet]

The solution is to turn down the input gain on the amp, and turn up the master volume. That will completely eliminate the problem you're describing. If the result isn't loud enough, then you need more power or more efficient cabs.

There's also a channel volume on the Shuttles controlling the feed into the poweramp. So turning down the gain should mean you turn up the channel volume, then control over all loudness with the master.

There's no reason a high-output active bass won't work with the Shuttle. In fact, you should have more control over the gain stages with those 3 knobs on the Shuttle than you would with most any other head.

 

[DWBass]

The solution is to turn down the input gain on the amp, and turn up the master volume. That will completely eliminate the problem you're describing. If the result isn't loud enough, then you need more power or more efficient cabs.

I should have specified that it only does it with the active bass (55-01). I have the gain at 12 oclock or less with the 55-01. The JO5 is fine at all settings. The minute I start slapping on the 55-01, the sound thins out considerably but only when I run it at 8ohms. It's cool at 4ohms. This is with just the Shuttle 3.0. Just wanted to clarify.

 

[Eublet]

I should have specified that it only does it with the active bass (55-01). I have the gain at 12 oclock or less with the 55-01. The JO5 is fine at all settings. The minute I start slapping on the 55-01, the sound thins out considerably but only when I run it at 8ohms. It's cool at 4ohms. This is with just the Shuttle 3.0. Just wanted to clarify.

Again, it might not be the gain, but the channel volume. If you're putting to much signal into the poweramp, then that could cause the sound to vary. You might need to turn the channel volume up or down. I used a Shuttle with a 55-02 with no problems, and long with several other very hot 18v active basses.

 

[HugoM]

Again, it might not be the gain, but the channel volume . . .

Pardon me for jumping in, but the 3.0 has just two volume controls - the master, and another named "Volume" that appears to work as a gain control.

 

[Eublet]

Pardon me for jumping in, but the 3.0 has just two volume controls - the master, and another named "Volume" that appears to work as a gain control.

Ah, you're right! Thanks for correcting. All the other Shuttles have a gain and volume in the preamp section. I had never noticed that on the 3.0.

 

[bongomania]

Either way though, the solution is still to turn down the input gain and turn up the master.

 

[DWBass]

Here's a pic with my usual settings with the 55-01. (Stock image, ignore eq settings)

 

[bongomania]

If the active bass is triggering the limiter too soon, then change your settings.

 

[rovito]

Stupid me, I thought this was an Ibanez thread.

 

[smogg]

Well speaking of the Promethean...I just got back from an audition for a very popular local cover band tonight. All I took was my Peavey Mill 5er, the Promethean head and my GB neox 212T.

Half way through the second tune the band leader stopped the song turned to me and said, "That is one of the nicest bass tones I've ever heard, I feel like I'm listening to the CD." The audition was to end at 8pm but we ended up playing 'till almost 9.

I really feel that the Promethean does the Genz cab justice and if I don't get the gig I can only blame myself not my gear. Needless to say I'm in a very happy state of mind right now.

Wish me luck, these guys have a very big following and get the better jobs here in my neck of the woods.

peace,
smogg

 

[Eublet]

Well speaking of the Promethean...I just got back from an audition for a very popular local cover band tonight. All I took was my Peavey Mill 5er, the Promethean head and my GB neox 212T.

Half way through the second tune the band leader stopped the song turned to me and said, "That is one of the nicest bass tones I've ever heard, I feel like I'm listening to the CD." The audition was to end at 8pm but we ended up playing 'till almost 9.

I really feel that the Promethean does the Genz cab justice and if I don't get the gig I can only blame myself not my gear. Needless to say I'm in a very happy state of mind right now.

Wish me luck, these guys have a very big following and get the better jobs here in my neck of the woods.

peace,
smogg

That's always nice to hear, especially at an audition!