I'm looking for a 500w Amp Head, any recommendations?

[Doomed666]

Hi guys, first of all, I would like to thank the people who responded to my first post, I have been in TalkBass for a short time but I already love it haha.
So, in my first post i was asking for bass combo amps, but i think i'm going for Head and Cab. I found a pretty cool HD410 4x10 (I haven't bought it yet), but now i'm looking for the head. I'm looking one that has an FX Loop and that it has some built in setting for Overdrive
Hope you guys can help me, have a nice day!
(PS: my english is terrible and i had to use translator, sorry)

 

[Qlanq]

The Fender Bassman 500 is a great amp. Not available new at the moment.
But there should be one available second hand somewhere.

 

[Al Kraft]

OD is a personal taste kind of thing and I'm not even sure there is a commonly held definition of what makes a good overdriven tone. That said, GK has some excellent heads with the features you mentioned in that 500 Watt range. I would expect that buying used would land you a super deal on great piece of gear.

If you are willing to spend a bit, the new Mesa TT and WD heads are quite nice. They have some nice tube warmth and are inspired by Mesa heads that have quite a bit of coloring and character. If darker, more wooly OID tones are more to your liking and budget is an issue, the Aguilar TH500 could be a possibility as well.

My recommendation though is to look to effects for your OD and extra coloring and get a head that is less heavily voiced unless you only play one style of music. As always, YMMV!

 

[lug]

I can whole heartedly recommend the Peavey MiniMax.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Just remember that a built in Effects Loop is for line level Effects processors. Pedals still go in front of the amplifier.

 

[mikewalker]

Samson Technologies

 

[Drucifer]

The folks I know who like OD from their bass amps use Ampeg and Orange.

 

[mikecd1]

I had a Rumble 500 head, but eventually moved over to the Mesa Subway D800 head which is 500 watts @8 ohms. Truly the finest amp I've ever played / owned and sounds so good with any speaker I've used it with. Can't say enough about it and there's a plus model if you want the semi-parametric EQ with it.

 

[Gluvhand]

Tech21 VT500.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

I had a Rumble 500 head, but eventually moved over to the Mesa Subway D800 head which is 500 watts @8 ohms. Truly the finest amp I've ever played / owned and sounds so good with any speaker I've used it with. Can't say enough about it and there's a plus model if you want the semi-parametric EQ with it.

the mesa subway D800 is 400 watts at 8 ohms..

 

[Obese Chess]

Aguilar TH500 or Hartke LX500.

 

[smogg]

Hi guys, first of all, I would like to thank the people who responded to my first post, I have been in TalkBass for a short time but I already love it haha.
So, in my first post i was asking for bass combo amps, but i think i'm going for Head and Cab. I found a pretty cool HD410 4x10 (I haven't bought it yet), but now i'm looking for the head. I'm looking one that has an FX Loop and that it has some built in setting for Overdrive
Hope you guys can help me, have a nice day!
(PS: my english is terrible and i had to use translator, sorry)

It would help if you could remind us where you are at and what brands are available to you.
That said these look fun;
Ashdown Rootmaster RM-500-EVO II 500-watt Bass Head

Blackstar U700 Elite 700-watt Bass Head

https://www.thomann.de/gb/tech_21_bass_vt_500.htm

I realize you may not be able to order from these particular shops, but a least you can check out the features.

 

[Lesfunk]

Peavey mini max is the most bang for the buck.
I’ll stand by that statement (and I play Markbass)

 

[MrSidecar]

Orange Terror Bass 500 Mk2

best
Sidecar

 

[N4860]

Darkglass Microtubes 500 would probably be a good option as it is 500w, and has 2 very good sounding overdrive circuits built-in.

 

[Wicked G]

At 500 watts with an effects loop my recommendations would be:
Orange Terror Bass 500
Ashdown Rootmaster 500

 

[Axtman]

How about Ampeg PF-500?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Depends on your budget. Rumble 500, GK MB-500 are both great heads at a good price. I would go through the classified here.

 

[FugaziBomb]

Just remember that a built in Effects Loop is for line level Effects processors. Pedals still go in front of the amplifier.

Really? I've run certain pedals in the effects loop (stuff I wanted to insert after the amp's drive section) of my guitar amp for years with no issues.

 

[jeff7bass]

I'm a big fan of the.... Probably my next head.
Tech 21 Bass VT 500