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

[telecopy]

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)

Tech 21 VT 500. Great amp.

 

[captainofsmooth]

Ampeg pf500. Great amp. Lightweight, great tone, fx loop, etc.

Separate gain and master controls so you can get some grit, but I’d suggest a decent drive/Fuzz pedal if you want some good crunch.

 

[dbase]

 

[fivestringgecko]

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.

Effects loops do not need line level signals. An effects loop is simply an insert between the amp's preamp and power amp sections, and you can run pedals into either the front of the amp or into the effects loop.

Running pedals into the amp's main input means that your bass signal will go through the pedals and then into the amp's preamp, and then to the power section (Bass > pedals to amp input > preamp > power amp output). Using the effects loop simply means that any pedal(s) in the loop are inserted in the signal chain after the amp's preamp rather than before it (bass > amp's preamp > pedals > power amp output).

Phillip McKnight did a quick tips video that explains this quite succinctly.

I've had a Shuttle 6.0 and an Ampeg PF-500 for a while and both are great amps that fit the requirements. (Shuttle is discontinued though). But if I were going to get a new amp tomorrow, I'd pick up a Tone Hammer 700 in a New York Minute. It has a nice warm character without imparting TOO much flavor, and the gain sounds quite nice. The Ampeg is definitely "the Ampeg sound," if it matters.

However, you may want a little more juice to power a 1000w 8ohm cabinet. I'd look at either a Hartke TX600 if you're on a budget (450w @ 8ohms, tube preamp), a Trickfish Bullhead 1K if you want to really give it some juice (1000w @ 8ohms, and a Mike Pope designed preamp), or the new hotness on the market, Mesa Boogie TT-800 (800w @ 8ohm, tube preamp, and two channels).

5sg.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

You can also get higher wattage heads, and just watch your volume.
The upside of higher wattage is more clean headroom.
I just checked out the Ashdown Rootmaster, and the difference between 500 watts and 800 is only about $150.
I’d spring for the 800 watts.
Same with the Peavey.
The MiniMega is 1000 watts, and at that price, that’s a bargain!!

 

[chris_b]

Buy the best sounding amp you can find. If you want overdrive or any other effect, it's better to buy a pedal.

 

[Nobis17]

Bergantino

 

[Zooberwerx]

Buy the best sounding used amp you can afford. If you want overdrive or any other effect, it's better to buy a pedal.

Revisions are mine. Use the leftover dough and buy a decent OD pedal to kick in & out.

Riis

 

[Nebadon2000]

If you need built in overdrive/distortion Genzler 800 watt amp and Aguliar 500 are worth a listen.

 

[Indiana Mike]

Buy new , my advice , take it for what it’s worth.

 

[Al Kraft]

Effects loops do not need line level signals. An effects loop is simply an insert between the amp's preamp and power amp sections, and you can run pedals into either the front of the amp or into the effects loop.

I'm not sure this is 100% true for every effect/pedal and every amp that has effects send and return jacks. I would agree it is true for many effects and amps...IME it's worth double-checking before you buy and not making a general, global assumption on this point.

I offer this from a well known TB member who has seriously excellent (to use his own words) "hobbyist engineer" skills: Effects loops, and pedals vs. rackmount

 

[SemiDriven]

I'd pick up a Tone Hammer 700 in a New York Minute.

While I have zero experience with Tone Hammer's, if the OP is interested, there happens to be a Tone Hammer TH700 for sale in the TB classified. (No affiliation with seller).

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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)

What is your budget?

 

[RoketRdr]

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

The TC Electronic BQ500 smokes it as far as "bang for the buck". And the Mini Max has a long history of failures and malfunctions. The DI output is extremely noisy as well and pretty much useless.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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

I doubt one would notice much difference between 400 and 500 watts, but it’s good to know the right info. The cool thing about the D-800 is the the built in HPF which will help maximize what useful frequencies you can get out of it. Secondly, it comes with a parametric midrange range EQ, and per the OP, a way to create “Drive”. Agreed, this would an excellent choice.

 

[jeff7bass]

It would help if the OP gave us a price limit.

 

[Ric5]

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

I like Ampeg and Hartke

 

[Lesfunk]

The TC Electronic BQ500 smokes it as far as "bang for the buck". And the Mini Max has a long history of failures and malfunctions. The DI output is extremely noisy as well and pretty much useless.

I’ve never owned the TC electronic. They seem to be highly regarded.
I’ve only tried one briefly. I can’t say that the sound was my preference, but it could have been the speaker cabinet I suppose.
I do have experience with the peavey. I bought two of them In 2018 (one as a backup) for a bunch of road dates I had committed to and didn’t want to have my “nice” rig Bouncing around in a van all summer, getting abused nightly.( and daily)
I agree that the fan was noisy but for My application it for it was a non issue.
I never had any FOH issues with my D.I. At least none of the sound engineers bothered to mention it to me.
They never failed on stage or acted unreliably. The mute button on one would make a popping sound when engaged but that’s about it.
Perhaps the peavey are junk as you suggest. I simply based my recommendation on my personal experience Of using the product .

 

[RoketRdr]

I doubt one would notice much difference between 400 and 500 watts,

Did you really just say that? A 25% increase in power is negligible????

It would help if the OP gave us a price limit.

This!! And also weather he's looking for a clean or colored tone.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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)

Why 500w?