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If you could only own one amp
- Thread starter Soberglitch
- Start date
I use Audiokinesis Changeling 1x12 cabinets, but otherwise same answer and same logic.
Most likely a Mesa TT800 since it strikes me as a versatile amp that would be at home in any situation or setting. And it is a sweet sounding rig. Just my 2¢ anyway.
I've owned two of Walter's amps, this is the model I have now. The thing just rocks. 7 pounds, 225 watts@8 ohms, 450 watts@4 ohms, two full preamp channels. I've NEVER been underpowered since I got it, but he also makes a 1200 watter
for those who feel headroom deprived or need to deafen the entire audience.I first bought one because I was tired of using an A/B box to switch between my BG and DB and have to share the EQ settings. Yeah, it was expensive...$1500 at the time as I recall...but nobody was offering dual channel heads at the time (1999?)...even today that's not real common.
This is as boutique as it gets....Walter makes some of the components himself and handbuilds every single amp. He does not advertise, has no dealers, just lots of satisfied users over 5 decades. I think he may only be making the 1200 watt model nowadays due to demand, but he used to offer four models: 100, 450, 650 and 1200 watts. All with the exact same preamp and features (who else does this?), the color of the pilot light indicates the wattage (red, green, amber and blue respectively), same size and he specs the same weight, too. I've seen exactly one bench test of a WW amp, about 35 years ago in Guitar Player. Reviewer Paul Rivera (yeah, that Paul Rivera) was checking out the 100@8 ohm model and it didn't even start clipping until it reached 150 watts, at 4 ohms it put out well over 200 watts before clipping. No fudging specs here!
The best part of course is the sound, it is the best SS amp I've ever played. Clean but not at all clinical. For years guys I knew who owned one were telling me to buy one but I thought there was no way an amp was worth that much money. I was wrong
It's been over 20 years now and I'm still 100% satisfied.For the cabs, Bergantino FTW. I have an HT112 pair right now. Stack 'em with a Walter on top and it's truly a thing of beauty.
If I could put overdrive pedals in front, my one amp would be a Reiner Amplification head: boutique all-tube hand-wired front end with Jensen DI, class D power. They are currently out of production, and quite spendy, but IME it's the best option for tube vibe in a compact, lightweight package. Yes, compact/lightweight matters to me.
I picked up a Darkglass 900v2 head because I play some gigs where I don't have time or stage space to set up pedals. The 900v2 has two onboard distortion modules along with graphic EQ, LPF, and compressor. Gotta have my overdrive, and when I can't use OD pedals, the 900v2 delivers nicely. Don't write off Darkglass as djent-only, I love this amp even for classic/warm OD tones. This one's my keeper, along with Reiner-plus-pedals.
Other "micro" amps I've owned:
- Aguilar TH500: had overdrive, but the Gain/Drive knobs were not intuitive for me
- Mesa D800+: great amp, amazing feature set for the price, but I needed onboard OD/distortion and this didn't have it
- I've owned a couple/few more (Carvin, MarkBass) but they are older, out of production
Following the criteria stated above about a”Jack of all trades amp”, after 50years of playing/ gigging , playing every genre, electric and double bass, playing thru almost every rig available I have to say the Polytone Taurus Elite is without question the most reliable and Versatile amp I have. Not going thru all the minutia I suggest people seriously check these amps out. Most any amp of quality can get a good sound if the artist knows how to use it. This is a huge problem among newer players. There needs to be a lot info out there for how to get a good sound. This day availability of great equipment is wonderful and there are no reasons not to sound good other than ignorance.
The Polytone Taurus was designed to play organ/accordion, keyboards, synths with 3 input channels fully eq’d , reverb, effects loop, 15 “ speaker wit two horn tweeters, about 40 lbs super compact. Even has a faux Leslie effect built in.
Years ago I check one out on electric bass (Precision)and double bass ( realist pickup and fishman pro bass preamp). The amp is what everyone else is trying to match. Close To a Walter Woods sound with out the price, but they are getting rare. Of course these are just my opinions.
I've got the amps I want. Mesa Boogie D-800+ and 15" cab for bass. And the Mesa Boogie Mark V combo 12" for guitar.
no love for Acoustic Image? I just scrolled this whole thread and, nothing.
I own an AI Focus and a Clarus 2-channel. Super clean and 900 watts! Built in HPF and, if you love your pickups like I do, you can plug and play.
Works for BG, DB, keys, acoustic guitar, mando, you name it!
American made and great customer service!
I own an AI Focus and a Clarus 2-channel. Super clean and 900 watts! Built in HPF and, if you love your pickups like I do, you can plug and play.
Works for BG, DB, keys, acoustic guitar, mando, you name it!
American made and great customer service!
For me it’s an 800rb with Henry 8x8 an elf 2x8 on top. Back-up GK 200mb.
this covers big small and medium and provides some back-up in a pinch.
Bergantino Forte HP with Bergantino Reference 210 and 112. ( changed the gold emblems to green) Also have a Berg HT322. It would be a coin toss between that or the stacked 210/112. Both sound phenomenal. No more amp/cab gas at all!!
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All the Bergantinos here are such classy looking rigs. Just on looks alone I would have to choose these heads and cabs.
Yes, excellent amp , gigged with one almost bought one, but so similar to my poly’s I really couldn’t justify it. Understand this is not a put down , as I would highly recommend these amps to anyone. My Taurus is so Versatile , I use it to run guitars/ vocals, fiddles , mandolins , keyboards AND my bass at the same time. When I need to get rowdy and the PA can’t handle it I hookup a “slave” Polytone and can keep up with any exuberance required. All in small reasonable package.
I only have one bass amp, and it's a Rumble 200 combo with a 2x10 Rumble extension cabinet. If I had to pare down to just a combo, or if I had to buy my combo over again, I'd go for a Rumble 500.
I'm not saying it's the perfect amp, but I've grown attached to the ease of use and transport.
I'm not saying it's the perfect amp, but I've grown attached to the ease of use and transport.
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I’m not sure why I’d need more than one bass amp? My rumble 500 combo does all I’d ever need, and more.
