I don't need to hurry because the coronavirus has halted all gigs as well as band practices for me for the time being, but I am generally in the market for a new micro head in the 300-500 watt range. I play with a pick and prefer a sound that is on the brighter side with mids that can cut through. I like the Ampeg sound and this would be a replacement for a PF-500, which I liked quite a bit and was the victim of a freak basement accident caused by a cat (more details upon request but not really relevant). I have two PF-350's that I use in practice spaces and they are great for that purpose. I'd be fine with another PF-500 but am considering trying something different. I'm intrigued by the Tech 21 VT Bass 500, Orange Little Bass Thing or Terror Bass, Aguilar Tone Hammer 500, and a couple of Ashdown models. I've watched some Youtube videos of all these amps and it is really hard to tell, without band context, how they are going to sound in a real application.
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Micro amp for punchy bass sound with a pick
- Thread starter Scott549
- Start date
Aguilar gets my vote. Mesa is my 1.a and Aggy follows as 1.b
Of all the amps you have listed I would pick the Orange Terror Bass 500 easily. It's the only hybrid you have listed and it really has that tube sound and feel.
The Little Bass Thing would be cool also, but the tube in theTerror really makes a difference and begs to be played with a pick. I also see you have Ashdown listed, the Rootmaster 500 is a nice loud amp as well. Good luck.
The Little Bass Thing would be cool also, but the tube in theTerror really makes a difference and begs to be played with a pick. I also see you have Ashdown listed, the Rootmaster 500 is a nice loud amp as well. Good luck.
Peavey MiniMax or TH500. I have both and the PV is punchier (and also about 2/3 the price of the Aggie).
I think you're describing the MarkBass sound. Look at anything from the Nano on up.
After researching this for a few days and considering the responses here, I am very interested in trying out the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500. One of my favorite bands, Protomartyr, uses a Terror Bass and I think it sounds great but might be little darker and dirtier than what I am going for. It's close, though, and I am still considering it.
Hiho Orange terror bass,I like the original one cause you get full power at 8 and 4 ohm.The one I use had better valves and DI that was fixed.Cabs-Orange OBC115 and/or SP212.
Since we still can't walk into music stores and try out amps, I decided to order both the Orange Little Bass Thing and the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 and compare them with the Ampeg PF-350. Plugging them all into Ampeg SVT-210AV and Avatar SB-112 cabinets. Playing with a pick. Got the Orange first. It's a fun and good sounding amp. There is a bit of a built in drive or grind even when the gain is low and the optical compression is off. As you turn up the compression, the volume goes up and so does the tube-style breakup. It never gets really fuzzy but it does a good job emulating a tube amp and is somewhat mid-forward, rock style. Comparing it with the Ampeg the difference is not dramatic but the Ampeg is a bit cleaner; I think it would be accurate to say the Ampeg is a little more old-school.
Next came the Aguilar. It also has a bit of built-in drive before you even apply more gain or drive. Tone-wise, I really like it. Just with everything at 12:00 it sounds great, and the tone controls provide plenty of flexibility. I think I'm keeping this one.
Also, not surprisingly, 500 watts delivers noticeably more power than 350. It is hard to imagine 350 ever not being enough for my purposes but having the extra headroom is nice.
Next came the Aguilar. It also has a bit of built-in drive before you even apply more gain or drive. Tone-wise, I really like it. Just with everything at 12:00 it sounds great, and the tone controls provide plenty of flexibility. I think I'm keeping this one.
Also, not surprisingly, 500 watts delivers noticeably more power than 350. It is hard to imagine 350 ever not being enough for my purposes but having the extra headroom is nice.
