Micro Bass Heads, why doesn't everyone use them?

[Ironderby]

I normally only use combos, but I have used an Ashdown little giant 1000 and mibass 550 and I love them, they can pack a lot of punch and they are small and light, so don't more bassist use them? And why don't more companies buy into the idea? What are your oughts tb?

 

[KJung]

Well, most companies do offer micro amps, and they are very popular.

Lots of guys like all tube designs though, and there really isn't a way to do that in a small format.

Also, there are many different playing/schlepping contexts. If you don't play out much, or play out with a band that helps you load your stuff, or are 17 years old and don't care about weight, etc., etc., then the premise of an ultra light amp would hold very little interest with that group of players.

However, to your point, the 'heavy solid state' amps do seem to be going the way of the dodo bird, for the most part.

 

[matti777]

That's a good question. I have wondered, if the micro amps are so good, , why anyone would buy a full size ss amp? Either there is some compromise that I am unaware of (long term durability?) or they will go the way of the dodo bird. Surely the small amps are cheaper to build. IIRC a few of the small amps even have tube front ends.

 

[KJung]

That's a good question. I have wondered, if the micro amps are so good, , why anyone would buy a full size ss amp. Either there is some compromise that I am unaware of (long term durability?) or they will go the way of the dodo bird. Surely the small amps are cheaper to build. IIRC a few of the small amps even have tube front ends.

My Tube comment was concerning 'all tube amps'. There will always be a market for that. To your point, there now are even multiple tube hybrids in the micro market. Amazing stuff these days.

Large SS amps have already gone the way of the dodo IMO. You primarily see them in the very low end of the market these days. There are exceptions, of course (Thunderfunk, DB751, some of the Glock and EBS stuff, etc.), but I would guess if you remove the real low end stuff like Acoustic, etc., the share of SMPS amps in the solid state category is way high. I would guess, 75% or more.

 

[christw]

I have owned a bunch of tube amps mostly for their unique voicing, overdrive characteristics, and the way they each inspire me to play differently.

However, I bought a ShuttleMax 12.0 to be my main amp so that I don't have to cart tube amps around or replace tubes I burned up in a bunch of rehearsals. Having the SS and tube pres that you can mix doesn't hurt either.

 

[Coop Soup]

I'll probably end up getting one in the near future. I've had my SWR head for a decade and am very happy with the way it sounds. I'm sort of in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" category. I'm playing a very small rig these days, with one Epifani PS112 cab, and the cab is significantly lighter than the head. Heh.

 

[matti777]

I think your theory is probably right Ken. Yes, the big companies have already bought into the micro amp movement. I wonder if this will hit the used market hard. It might make for good buys for guys who don't mind lugging larger heads and combos or don't move them often.

 

[R Baer]

It's all personal preference. Me personally, I have no interest at all in the micro format and have no problem with any head in the 20lb. to 30lb. range. And while I agree that large, solid state amps, don't seem to be as popular with the TB crowd, I still see them being used by the large majority of bands I go out and see.

 

[jewbageled]

I like tubes.

Come to think of it, I like anything phallic shaped.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I think your theory is probably right Ken. Yes, the big companies have already bought into the micro amp movement. I wonder if this will hit the used market hard. It might make for good buys for guys who don't mind lugging larger heads and combos or don't move them often.

I think the issue will come down to convenience. You see a lot of people with larger SS amps running them in racks with tuners, power conditioners, etc and it's all one big "convenient" package. Not many of the micro heads come with rackmounts, so someone who is used to having that setup all together might not buy into the microhead business as quickly. Could be a power issue too. A lot of people focus on the wattage numbers, and for the most part, the micro market isn't up there as high as high as the heavier solid state amps, so a person focused on wattage might still want their bigger amp. But, given the pace of technological advancement I can see micros getting there soon enough.

All that said, until they can get the sound, responsiveness, and presence of an all tube amp into one of these things I will stick to lugging my heavy relics to every gig. Or until my back gives out. We'll see how it goes.

 

[lowendblues]

They're nice heads, I've had 3 different ones, sold them all.

I've been playing since the '70's and have a real tough time wrapping my brain around these little lightweight things no bigger than a cigar box

I'm sure their just fine, but I'm just to old fashioned / set in my ways to accept them yet.

 

[Bassmec]

I normally only use combos, but I have used an Ashdown little giant 1000 and mibass 550 and I love them, they can pack a lot of punch and they are small and light, so don't more bassist use them? And why don't more companies buy into the idea? What are your oughts tb?

Ashdown bought into it and to a certain extent it sadly cost them a bit of reputation early on but Ashdown did not go the whole hog to the exclusion of all the other established technologies the brilliant designer has far more experience with.
Like for instance this sort of expensive technology:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[christw]

Elaborating further, my choice of using micros was prompted by the current physical limitations of the AC separation in my right shoulder that's still at least half a year from "as good as it's going to get." Until then, I shouldn't and won't be carting my "relics" around.

I like tubes.

Come to think of it, I like anything phallic shaped.

Hahahahaha! That just made my morning.

 

[smogg]

Micro bass amps as a "mainstream" product is still a relatively new technology in the larger scope of things. Maybe it will come down to traditional amps will be only a the far end of the spectrum, IE: entry level low dollar stuff or perhaps branded as "pro level touring gear." Genz Benz still offers the full size GBE 750 & GBE 1200 and they are by no means cheap in build quality and still maintain their price slot (which is definitely not entry level $$)

How many people can say they have had a micro head for 10+ years with never a hick up?
I've had mine about 2 1/2 years and so far so good ( knocks wood )

 

[KJung]

It's all personal preference. Me personally, I have no interest at all in the micro format and have no problem with any head in the 20lb. to 30lb. range. And while I agree that large, solid state amps, don't seem to be as popular with the TB crowd, I still see them being used by the large majority of bands I go out and see.

I totally understand that. However, it is amazing how little information most players have (are or even interested in) regarding available products in the bass amplification category.

I have had multiple, multiple situations of bassists coming up to me after a gig and saying 'my god, that sounded great, what the heck IS that thing'. I then explain it is an LMII that has been on the market for 5 years, and is available at Guitar Center

Also, to be fair, gigging is a tough business now, and there are a lot of guys still gigging those SVT3Pros and Eden WT800's that sound absolutely fine, and that have no cash to even make it worth 'keeping up with things'. So, +1 to your point that TBers represent a the population of what are called 'early adopters' in the new product marketing/R&D literature. Kind of the 'edge of the sword' as to predicting where the market is going in the future IMO.

Of course, there will ALWAYS be room for a product like yours, or the Thunderfunk or whatever from high quality, specialized, boutique manufacturers. That is a good thing!

 

[coreyfyfe]

How many people can say they have had a micro head for 10+ years with never a hick up?
I've had mine about 2 1/2 years and so far so good ( knocks wood )

Probably anyone with walter woods, AI, EA, ampeg portabass, crate power block amps, or even some of the older single rack space power amps, etc. The technology has been around for a while, though not necessarily as well developed and implemented as it has become.

 

[KJung]

Micro bass amps as a "mainstream" product is still a relatively new technology in the larger scope of things. Maybe it will come down to traditional amps will be only a the far end of the spectrum, IE: entry level low dollar stuff or perhaps branded as "pro level touring gear." Genz Benz still offers the full size GBE 750 & GBE 1200 and they are by no means cheap in build quality and still maintain their price slot (which is definitely not entry level $$)

How many people can say they have had a micro head for 10+ years with never a hick up?
I've had mine about 2 1/2 years and so far so good ( knocks wood )

Used a Walter Woods as my primary gigging head from around 1993 to 2005 or so. Also, as has been posted many times, the class D power amp design, and also SMPS (ultra lightweight power supplies) have been used successfully in high end PA applications for a LONG time.

FYI, Genz has discontinued the GBE750. And +1. there will always be a place for the lead sled thing, and products like the Genz1200, the DB751, etc. will continue to be available IMO.

 

[pacojas]

i use both and for the same volume levels it sounds better to me through the older non SMPS amps. i get a better quality watt from them, IME/IMO. the fundamental, harmonics, and overtones just explode from my ol' school gear. the constant inefficient rail voltage is a blessing for sure and heat is exponential.

but, i welcome the trade for that higher quality tone!

 

[smogg]

Probably anyone with walter woods, AI, EA, ampeg portabass, crate power block amps, or even some of the older single rack space power amps, etc. The technology has been around for a while, though not necessarily as well developed and implemented as it has become.

Exactly my point, a very small percentage of the overall bass player population at this point. But, I believe the tech is/has proved itself and we are seeing a trend developing. Either that or we (the TB types) will get branded as gear snobs

 

[Buster Brown]

I use both. When I'm playing out - I use either a SVT4Pro with a SVT6X10 or a Heritage CL with a HSVT810. I'm nearly 60. The weight means nothing to me and (truthfully) I enjoy the exercise. We load in and out into a Dodge Sprinter and we ALL help out, so it's not really much to worry about.

I also have a Mark Bass CMD121P that I use for small jobs and rehearsals. I love it! We recently went into the studio and I had the opportunity to use it (Yes, the Engineer approved!) and it sounded GREAT!!!

I understand (and get) the idea that most everyone is into the "micro" heads and I have no problem with it. However, at least for me, I PREFER the heavy, big-assed transformer inside the tube amp!! I have always loved the tone and, while the little fellas can cop pretty decent tone - I haven't heard one yet that can (for me) do the job as well as the "fat boy"!!


Cheers!