Been using a Eden WTX-260 for the past 20 yrs and it's in its finals days. Since I haven't been on the market in quite some time, I'm looking for something comparable to the WTX and in approx the same price range. Would like it compact, like the WTX and easy to use. Let the recommendations begin...
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Looking for a new amp head
- Thread starter dadams162
- Start date
Can you define what you mean by same price range? If you bought it new 20 years ago, it is hard to judge what you want to spend. If you are looking to buy something that sells for what the WTX-260 brings used, that is also hard since there are not many of them available.
Good point. Let's say keep this on, or under, $1k. If I remember correctly, I paid in the $300 range for the WTX when I got it. Also not looking to get a used WTX. Most of the ones I seen are in pretty rough shape.
I think at the time, the Eden WTX-260 was incredibly lightweight, almost all class D amps are also super lightweight now.
It sounded "transparent" and had a effecient EQ, and a lot of modern amps are also transparent with good EQ.
It was quite affordable, and that eliminates Mesa or Bergantino for example, but there are still many affordable amps nowadays.
And it was very reliable - That eliminates TC Electronics IMHO and a few other disposable cheapos.
There are still many candidates for replacement. Everybody will have different opinions (for example, can we say that Markbass sound transparent? I think they do when we don't use the filters, but others may think differently…)
I think Quilter checks all the boxes, but there are probably many others.
It sounded "transparent" and had a effecient EQ, and a lot of modern amps are also transparent with good EQ.
It was quite affordable, and that eliminates Mesa or Bergantino for example, but there are still many affordable amps nowadays.
And it was very reliable - That eliminates TC Electronics IMHO and a few other disposable cheapos.
There are still many candidates for replacement. Everybody will have different opinions (for example, can we say that Markbass sound transparent? I think they do when we don't use the filters, but others may think differently…)
I think Quilter checks all the boxes, but there are probably many others.
If you are after something with roughly the same output (believe the WTX260 was 300 watts). My vote in order is...
- Mesa D350
- Genzler Magellan 350
both of the above are 350 watts at 4 ohms.
To me the D350 is the perfect lightweight amp. No fan, lightweight, but does not feel like a toy. All the tone shaping options I want with nothing extra. Voicing control covers a good range, EQ handles the rest.
I like the Genzler for similar reasons, but it has a fan. The EQ section is slightly different than the D350, but overall I can approach it the same as the D350. Contour for initial voicing (Genzler has a contour button to change the voicing of this knob). I prefer the Low Mid/High Mid control on the D350, but Genzler has a parametric mid which is just as usable. Genzler 350 is stable at 2.67 ohms if you need that. This is why I originally bought one since I was using it with 3 Phil Jones Bass Compact 2 cabinets.
- Mesa D350
- Genzler Magellan 350
both of the above are 350 watts at 4 ohms.
To me the D350 is the perfect lightweight amp. No fan, lightweight, but does not feel like a toy. All the tone shaping options I want with nothing extra. Voicing control covers a good range, EQ handles the rest.
I like the Genzler for similar reasons, but it has a fan. The EQ section is slightly different than the D350, but overall I can approach it the same as the D350. Contour for initial voicing (Genzler has a contour button to change the voicing of this knob). I prefer the Low Mid/High Mid control on the D350, but Genzler has a parametric mid which is just as usable. Genzler 350 is stable at 2.67 ohms if you need that. This is why I originally bought one since I was using it with 3 Phil Jones Bass Compact 2 cabinets.
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I’ve got a Mesa TT800, an TE Elf (combo and head), and a Markbass (combo). All different, all great—- I’ve owned a Model T and a 360 years ago.
The Mesa is the best and has the most variable sounds, though some might not like the complexity.
The Elf is simple.
The Markbass sounds good for my needs, though it doesn’t do “modern and clear” well.
The Mesa is the best and has the most variable sounds, though some might not like the complexity.
The Elf is simple.
The Markbass sounds good for my needs, though it doesn’t do “modern and clear” well.
I've owned both the Mesa and the Genzler 350's. (still own the Mesa).
Both excellent and to be fair, the fan on the Genzler is practically inaudible.
Otherwise, I agree with everything in this post. Can't go wrong with either and they will outperform the Eden which seemed to run out of breath sooner.
It is extremely quiet. Still slightly louder than no fan. On the flip side I expect the fan is part of the reason it can go below 4 ohms.
Mesa D800 plus, D800 or if you want some extra color in your tone the 800D
For sale Aguilar ToneHammer 700
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My first thought is the Genzler Magellan 350. I’ve had mine for several years and it would provide a similar tone to the Eden.
The GK Legacy or MB200 might be good options as well. I haven’t owned the WTX260, but I did own a WT300 for a few years. From what I remember it had a very clean, somewhat scooped mid-range sound. Lots of highs if you wanted them. And Eden rated their power specs on the high side (at least for the WT300). My GK MB200 seems to get louder than what my Eden could do.
The Mesa D350 might also work, but it’s going to be a little darker sounding, more warmth, and more mids than what Eden delivers. I owned one for a few months and while I loved the construction and control layout, I couldn’t get the open and bright tones I was looking for.
I haven’t played an Aguilar AG, but those should get in the ballpark of the Eden tone.
The GK Legacy or MB200 might be good options as well. I haven’t owned the WTX260, but I did own a WT300 for a few years. From what I remember it had a very clean, somewhat scooped mid-range sound. Lots of highs if you wanted them. And Eden rated their power specs on the high side (at least for the WT300). My GK MB200 seems to get louder than what my Eden could do.
The Mesa D350 might also work, but it’s going to be a little darker sounding, more warmth, and more mids than what Eden delivers. I owned one for a few months and while I loved the construction and control layout, I couldn’t get the open and bright tones I was looking for.
I haven’t played an Aguilar AG, but those should get in the ballpark of the Eden tone.
For me that would be either the Mesa Subway D350 or the Traynor SB 500H.
Both are power full, sound great and are extremely reliable.
The Traynor is voiced for rock while the Mesa has a more detailed sound IMO.
Both are power full, sound great and are extremely reliable.
The Traynor is voiced for rock while the Mesa has a more detailed sound IMO.
I’m incredibly happy with my Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700 Bass. 700 bucks, great clean and drive section, simple controls, sounds fantastic. It’s a little on the large size which I like since it doesn’t rattle off my cab like other smaller Class D heads have done for me.
Maybe look at the GK MB Fusion 500? Modern sound, plenty of power. I bought one for a practice amp for about $500 recently.
I've used a Blackstar Unity 700 for the past 3-4 years. It's a solid amp with a lot of different tones on tap, a few built in effects, not crazy expensive, puts out 500W into 4ohms.
But I bought a Mesa D-800+ about a month ago, and it is on another level. Headroom for days, huge range of tonal adjustability, and it has that 'clean but with heft' tone that I was looking for. Its not cheap, but really good gear rarely is. If I had it to do over again, I'd have waited a few more gigs and saved to buy the Mesa in the first place 3-4 years ago. My Blackstar is officially retired to backup or Jam Session duty. For the record I don't use pedals or preamps or devices, 98% of the time it's bass, amp, cabinet. I'm relying on the amp to be the 'voice'.
If I was looking for a 300-350W amp and not a 700-800W amp, I'd go Mesa D-350 and call it a day.
But I bought a Mesa D-800+ about a month ago, and it is on another level. Headroom for days, huge range of tonal adjustability, and it has that 'clean but with heft' tone that I was looking for. Its not cheap, but really good gear rarely is. If I had it to do over again, I'd have waited a few more gigs and saved to buy the Mesa in the first place 3-4 years ago. My Blackstar is officially retired to backup or Jam Session duty. For the record I don't use pedals or preamps or devices, 98% of the time it's bass, amp, cabinet. I'm relying on the amp to be the 'voice'.
If I was looking for a 300-350W amp and not a 700-800W amp, I'd go Mesa D-350 and call it a day.
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