Looking for advice on a class D amp and portable rig

[ELG60]

I have both the Mesa and the GK. You really can't go wrong with either one IMO, although I find myself using the Mesa a bit more regularly than the GK. I can get the sound I desire from either of them.

The GK has a "cool" factor, what with the illuminated controls, dual switchable channels, and 3 tube, 6 stage preamp, but the Mesa also can get me the tight, yet warm "round" sound which I prefer, and has the additional benefit of the HPF, which can be a real deal-maker with different cabinets, rooms, etc.

I don't have any experience with either of the cabs which you mentioned but I know both companies to make quality gear. My recent experience with cabs is with Barefaced (2-12) and Bergantino (1-12) as well as some older Schroeder 4-10's I've picked up) All have advantages.

The Barefaced and the Berg are both rather uncolored which I like because they let the amps control the coloration of the sound to a greater extent. My research tells me that I'd also be satisfied with the aforementioned Revsound, Greenboy-Fearless/Fearful, and/or AudioKinesis products. I am also tempted to try one of those Epifani D.I.S.T. 1-12's to pair with the Bergantino HD-112 I have, or use on it's lonesome depending upon situational requirements. I kinda wish that they made the D.I.S.T. in an 2-12 configuration, but perhaps the ohmage parameters for a pair of the 12" speakers preclude that possibility.



You don't mention a budget, and admittedly, each of these tend toward the upper-middle to upper end, cost-wise, but I figure you get what you pay for mostly. Some folks on TB, much wiser and more experienced than I, have said: Cost-Weight-Sound Quality...Pick 2. Also, I always buy second-hand and there's a risk with that, but the potential savings can be very worthwhile.

Good luck and happy hunting.
ELG

 

[Stu_Bass]

I ;love both my Quilter and my B|Amp. Two different animals but both awesome amps

 

[Hounddog409]

I’ve read as many threads that I could find on class D amps but I’m looking for some input from my fellow Talk Bass Community. I’m just getting back into playing bass after having to put down the bass for a bum shoulder but I’m back and I’m looking for a small portable rig.

I have two small children and I work nights so I’m looking for an amp with a headphone jack for silent practice and have enough power to play live with a rock band. I use a Spector NS4 and I’m looking at two amps a Mesa 800+ with two Subway cabs or a GK Mb Fusion 800 with either two Subway cabs or an Aguilar 212 cab.

Thanks for the help in advance.

Either is a fine choice. I had the same dilemma a while back. I went with the Mesa D800. I do not regret it for a second.

I liked the tone better. Mesa also has a better rep for warranty and support.

Made in USA was a bonus.

You may like the GK tone better. Only you can make that call. Tone tops all.

 

[leonard]

I'm happy with Markbass. Not the hottest hot here right now but works for me so I haven't felt the need to look elsewhere. Lightweight, powerful and reliable. The 1x12 and 2x10 have both been excellent.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Genzler all the way. I’ve only used Genz Benz and now Genzler for years and don’t know what else I’d use. The product is amazing. I played a jazz quartet outside at a farmers market (drums, vibes, guitar) and a trio (guitar, drums) outside for a wedding and use my MG350 combo with a single BA10-2 cab. I could feel the ground vibrate at the weding on he golf course. My Roscoe B string was thunderous. All from a 175 Watt 1x10 combo. Amazing gear and customer service. Jeff called me on a Saturday morning to help with an issue. That’s service.

Bear in mind there is a direct engineering influence at Mesa, from Genz. ( Not genzler )
Agedhorse. Mesa customer service is stellar.
Mesa.
Mesa.

 

[agedhorse]

Bear in mind there is a direct engineering influence at Mesa, from Genz. ( Not genzler )
Agedhorse. Mesa customer service is stellar.
Mesa.
Mesa.

While there is going to be some commonality in feature sets, approaches, and philosophy (particularly with customer service, something that we all share to a greater degree than not), there are also differences because each time we come to a fork in the road we might choose a different path. Each of us has different areas that we find particularly intriguing and diverge which brings different flavors of tone and feel.

Since we worked closely together for so many years (close to 20 years actually), it would be impossible not to share such bigger picture philosophies. In the end, (IMO) it simply gives players a bigger and more diverse choice of high quality, high performance gear. Everybody wins, right?

 

[VincentGrim]

Gonna have to plug Peavey's current line up here. I've tried most of the class D Amps mentioned here and while the Peavey minimax/minimega may lack some quality of life features, I have yet to find another class D amp that can match Peavey in terms of...idk... not sounding like a class D amp. Peavey's class D power amp just has a weight and girth to it's sound... In my experience, it sounds and performs more like a tube amp, or old hefty solidstate amp. Also, the transtube circuitry is really underated.​

 

[Kukulkan61]

Get the Mesa gear, I have the Subway 112 and 115, they are light, very portable and nice tight punchy sounding cabs. I don't have Mesa's class D amps I use Mesa Walkabout Head and Mpulse 600 when needed, the only class D amp I have is the tiny GK MB200 that I use with the 112 for home practice, it's all pretty versatile for my needs..

 

[Brent Davenport]

I'm happy with Markbass. Not the hottest hot here right now but works for me so I haven't felt the need to look elsewhere. Lightweight, powerful and reliable. The 1x12 and 2x10 have both been excellent.

I have to second Markbass. I have the Tube 800 head with the 210 cab. I love the tone and it's seriously loud and light. The head fits in my backpack and weighs 6#. The cab weighs 29#. I can load my pedals, cords and head in my backpack and carry my bass and cabinet. My bass is really light, but when it's in its case, my cabinet is actually lighter.

 

[Bubble]

I think you may need an amp for full band gigs and for home practice in living room size, a smaller speaker like a 1 x 10 or maybe a 1x12. Those small rooms are notorious for peaks and nodes from all the powerful reflections bouncing around. With a larger speaker such as an Ampeg BSE115T the "dead zones" in the room are almost silent. They start getting tolerable with a 1 x 10". Must have to do with aperture size vs beaming. I'm thinking the wider dispersion of a smaller aperture weakens the reflections.

I have a little hand clap test, if it reverbs like a spring boing sound or that sound a knife makes when tossed into a wooden board, the acoustics are going to stink. I need lots of thick tapestries to hang.

Those are my observations, your results may be different.

 

[Breslin dp]

Dont forget to take a look at the Quilter Bass Block 800, a really good amp if you're not looking for a specific tone ( Ampeg, GK etc).
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I’m loving the feedback from you guys! You guys rock! Thanks!

 

[Breslin dp]

I'd switch avatars... Go Cowboys!

Just kidding... but not about 'Go Cowboys!'

I have an MB500 (used, from a fellow TB'er) and both a new and used NEO 212 (used off of Reverb)... if you just consider the used, you can get a system meeting your needs, at an awesome price!

Good luck, my little Iggle...

I get teased a lot living in Texas being an Eagles fan. Trust me. Thanks for your input!

 

[NeonVomit]

Can't go wrong with Mesa, GK or Genz. They're all different flavours of awesome.

 

[Sav'nBass]

Another Genz .. Genzler fan here.. I have owned GenzBenz Shuttles in the 6.0, 9.0, 12.0Max and 9.2 max.. and a SL900 .. all fantastic heads.. I currently own a Genzler Magellan 800 which is great. The only reason I sold the other stuff is because I am not in a position to buy stuff and keep stuff.. I have to sell stuff to buy stuff otherwise I'd still have everything.. I have heard nothing but good things about the Mesa stuff too...

 

[seamonkey]

It's good for kids to get use to sound while they sleep.
They fall asleep in the car on a noisy road with the radio blasting.
But get a good amp so they don't have nightmares

If you have to use headphones
Some of the new Fenders have bluetooth so you don''t have to wire in the Aux in with a cable. Play along with the tunes on your smartphone or PC.

 

[MrLenny1]

GK MB heads and Neo cabs.
Best bang for the buck IMHO.

 

[Breslin dp]

Just wanted to update everyone, I ordered a Mesa Subway 800+ and now I am trying to decide which which Subway cab to buy first. I’m looking at either a 210, 115 or 112 and then I’ll add a second cab in a few months.

 

[mmbongo]

Just wanted to update everyone, I ordered a Mesa Subway 800+ and now I am trying to decide which which Subway cab to buy first. I’m looking at either a 210, 115 or 112 and then I’ll add a second cab in a few months.

Get the 115 first, then get a 115 later

You can also get a 112 later instead. Personally I prefer the 2x115 stack, but sometimes I'll run with a 112/115 and it sounds fantastic as well. I just prefer the depth and clarity of the 115's.

 

[jdthebassman]

Dont forget to take a look at the Quilter Bass Block 800, a really good amp if you're not looking for a specific tone ( Ampeg, GK etc).
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I 2nd on the quilter bb-800 in my opinion they are the best class d out there also I would consider a cab from duke audiokineisis. I f you get one of these you will never need another cab.

 

[Breslin dp]

Get the 115 first, then get a 115 later

You can also get a 112 later instead. Personally I prefer the 2x115 stack, but sometimes I'll run with a 112/115 and it sounds fantastic as well. I just prefer the depth and clarity of the 115's.

I’m really leaning towards the Subway 115 over the other cabs at this point.