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Micro bass amp poll (2nd try!)

Which Micro/Lightweight head do YOU dig:

  • Genz Benz Shuttle

    Votes: 31 30.4%

  • Gallien Kruger MB2 500

    Votes: 8 7.8%

  • Euphonic Audio Iamp Micro

    Votes: 8 7.8%

  • Carvin BX500

    Votes: 11 10.8%

  • Other

    Votes: 44 43.1%
  • Total voters
    102
  • Poll closed .
SanDiegoHarry

SanDiegoHarry

Inactive
Supporting Member
Aug 11, 2008
17,143
9,104
San Diego, CA
#1
Let's try this again - this time with a poll!

I've played the amps listed - wondering about the TB community's thoughts... If there's an amp I haven't thought of, please select "other" and post it!

(and yes - the Carvin is hardly micro, but it is a light class D amp...)
 
#2
My favorite so far is the MarkBass F1. I have tried the Shuttle 6.0 and 9.0, the Carvin Bx500, and the Lm ll, but the F1 was a clear winner in all regards, including tone, ease of eq, and perceived loudness. My second fave? The MarkBass TA 501 !
 
#3
I voted for the Carvin BX500. It really isn't very small, as you've mentioned, but it is lightweight. The size isn't too bad at all.

I am also pretty impressed with the Ampeg Micro VR, though the power output isn't quite as impressive as the other lightweight heads. I would like to pick one up once they start surfacing on the used market.

I've tried the MB2-500 at Guitar Center and it was pretty cool. I was actually planning on getting that instead of the Carvin. I am glad that I went with the BX500, though, because it has been an awesome head and I really like having the option of going down to a 2 ohm load. I have yet to do it but am planning on getting another Avatar cab to finish off my stack in the future. Then I will be running it at 2 ohms.
 
#7
Acoustic Image stuff is great if you play upright or both, but right now I'm waiting for the new GK MB Fusion to come out because it's the only micro head with 6 stages of tube gain. The Little Mark Tube looks sweet, but I don't trust their "micro tube" (it uses something smaller than a 12AX7 and must be replaced by a certified Markbass amp tech). I think the GK will sound more tubey than the rest. I've always been more of an Aguilar guy, but GK amps sound great so I'm thinking this will be THE amp to get.
 
#10
Perhaps it's best to define what "micro" is. I use a TC Electronic RH450, and while it consider it lightweight at 9 lbs, I don't really think of it as a "micro" head like the EA Micro of the Shuttle 3/6, all of which are under 4 lbs. The EA is also a good bit smaller than all those others. The Markbass F1 and F500 have a very thing form factor, but they aren't quite as light as those other two either.

I just bring it up because "micro" is usually used to convey the smallest of the small, and there are only a few heads in that category right now.
 
#17
good grief that TC RH450 is spendy... makes me wonder... What DO these little beasts cost...

TC RH450 @ Zzounds: $999
MB F1 @ MF: $699
EA Iamp Micro @ Bass Central: $675
GK MB2 500: @ MF: $499
GB Shuttle 3.0 @ MF: $549
GB Shuttle 6.0 @ MF $699
Carvin BX500 @carvin: $399
 
#18
BigOldHarry said:
good grief that TC RH450 is spendy... makes me wonder... What DO these little beasts cost...

TC RH450 @ Zzounds: $999
MB F1 @ MF: $699
EA Iamp Micro @ Bass Central: $675
GK MB2 500: @ MF: $499
GB Shuttle 3.0 @ MF: $549
GB Shuttle 6.0 @ MF $699
Carvin BX500 @carvin: $399
Click to expand...
The TC head is many things in one package though unlike the others, including an excellent tuner, tri-band compressor, truly lifelike all-tube simulation, 4 band semi-parametric EQ, three memory presets for instant recall of all knobs (except master volume), footswitch connectivity with tuner readout (additional cost for FS), and a digital out for recording directly into a DAW.

The TC RH450 is expensive because of all that, but if you use a compressor and some type of Tube/Overdrive pedal (such as the VT for example), then the TC easily allows you to get rid of that other stuff.

They also have the Classic450, which removes many of those bells and whistles and drops the price down a few hundred bucks.

Of course, either way this is still TC Electronic, one of the most established names in the industry. Everything they make is top shelf from quality standpoint, and that costs a bit extra.
 
#19
I currently use a Tecamp Puma 500, which I like a lot.

Have also used an AI Clarus, which was very clean and powerful.

Also a Phil Jones D200, which is super micro (about 3 lbs and very small). It had good tone and straightforward, useable features, but only 150 watts, so not recommended if you want more power.
 
#20
BigOldHarry said:
good grief that TC RH450 is spendy... makes me wonder... What DO these little beasts cost...

TC RH450 @ Zzounds: $999
MB F1 @ MF: $699
EA Iamp Micro @ Bass Central: $675
GK MB2 500: @ MF: $499
GB Shuttle 3.0 @ MF: $549
GB Shuttle 6.0 @ MF $699
Carvin BX500 @carvin: $399
Click to expand...



Lot's of great stuff. The TC is worth every penny to me, and I totally dig it. Also, be aware that there is a more fully featured F1 called the F500 that sells for the same price as the F1 (although they might be discounting the F1 now a bit since the F500 came out). Both are amazing heads, and IMO at the top of the 'small and light category, depending if you want very clean, quick and 'accurate' (F1/F500) or fat, warm, meaty, full, and LOT's of bells and whistles (TC RH450).

The Genz Shuttle Max heads and the 9.0 are quite impressive too... not as impressed with the 6 and 3 myself, compared to some of the others.

GK... too much reliability drama. Carvin.... haven't tried, but the B2000 (10 pounds, the amazing B1500 front end, plus a tube and 2000 watts for under $800) has to be the best spec on the planet for a bass amp... period. If it sounds anythign like the B1500, that might take the top spot for 'price/value' away from the amazing Markbass LMII/III.

I love my TecAmp Puma500 also, but at around $1,200 in the US, that's a bit of a 'mister money bags' sort of purchase... hard to recommend if you are looking for a meat and potato type of gigging amp and watching your pennies.
 

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