Micro head recommendations?

[DDubs]

Hey all, i'm a young bassist looking to finally make the switch from combo amps. I know I want one of the smaller lightweight heads that have been coming out like hotcakes. Being based in NYC I can DI at most gigs and sometimes it's more convenient to take the subway with my gear. Plus I like the ability to carry my amp in a bag from our rehearsal space back to my apartment.

I play an Epiphone EBM 4 with active pickups and a five string Jazz Bass. I'd like to get something that's at least 500W. My band plays a wide variety of venues and i'd like to have the extra headroom just to be safe. I tend to prefer a warm, boomy tone but i'd like the ability to tighten it up if possible and maybe even get a bit of overdrive out of the head. My price cap is around $500 so I feel like i'm asking a lot. But really, I want to know what micro amp is gonna give me the biggest bang for my buck!

 

[orangejulius3]

There is quite a bit out there.

Kustom KXB500 - great bottom end
GK MBF500 - warm and clean
Carvin BX500 - drive is great
Ampeg PF500 - warm ampeg voicing

 

[tubenutq5]

+1 for the Kustom KCB500.

 

[Low Class]

Kustom kxb500

Buy here for $360 using the "Make Offer" button:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[greengoblin]

+1 on the Ampeg PF500. New they are around $399 new or $250 used.

I used an Ampeg Micro VR with (2) Aggie GS112's for a while and it held up nicely to a Fender Bassman with a Marshall 412 for the lead guitar.

 

[DDubs]

Well thanks for all the helpful info! Any thoughts on the CarvinBX500? Its going for around $310 through carvins site right now and I like having the option of being able to switch to a visual EQ since I don't really know *what* I like yet.

Do you have any recommendations on affordable cabs that might pair well with some of these amps? Am I usually better off going with a cab made by the same manufacturer as the head?

 

[nocluejimbo]

Gotta check out the Aguilar Tone Hammer models. I had a 350 this spring, and am looking to buy one back.

 

[Jim Carr]

Got my GK mb800 used for $520. Has become my favorite for most applications.

 

[greengoblin]

I just switched recently from the two Aguilar GS112's to one Ampeg 210AV (will get another soon) and I couldn't be happier. Light weight in a small package and great tone!

 

[Low Class]

Well thanks for all the helpful info! Any thoughts on the CarvinBX500? Its going for around $310 through carvins site right now and I like having the option of being able to switch to a visual EQ since I don't really know *what* I like yet.

I had one. I like the kxb500 much better. Fuller tone, more power.

 

[Mastermold]

My favorite micro heads are Genz Benz' streamliner and shuttles but since Genz Benz is gone you'll have a hard time finding them. Great amps however.

 

[SteveC]

Genz Benz.

 

[Linnin]

Fender Rumble 500 Head $400 or less with holiday savings at many e-tailers.

 

[jeff7bass]

Big on the Carvin. Knowing how to use the extensive EQ section if the key from going clean to thick. Punches like a mule too.

 

[MuthaFunk]

All good suggestions above but I've seen some Eden WTX500's go for real cheap in the TB classifieds lately. They won't do distortion on their own but they will fit the other descriptions you listed. They have the same power amp as the Genz Benz 500 Watters, Kustom 500, Fender 500, GK MB500... They're all the same output module with different preamps, features, and chassis.

 

[JimmyM]

Throw down another hundy and get a PF800. Sounds like the PF500, which fits all your criteria for an amp, but thanks to the headroom, it has an extra little mule kick to it, even if you don't come anywhere near maxing it out.

 

[Jefff]

Less power is seldom the answer. Go with either a GK or Ampeg 800. The extra $ is worth it.

 

[AaronVonRock]

Orange Terror Bass 500. It's super loud and is just nasty and dirty sounding.

 

[RJHall]

Tone Hammer 350/500 +1,000,000

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I currently have both the Carvin & Kustom in question from the OP. I like them both, the Kustom is quicker to eq a good useable tone, only 3 bands to mess up. The Carvin has less power but more than I would need & can do 2 ohms. The Carvin only has pre eq Di, the Kustom does post eq & has a DI level adjustment. Haven't used either DI so can't speak about the quality of either. The Carvin gave me a better tone after alot of eq work put in but I like my Tech 21 vtbass DI much better with the Kustom's much more neutral EQ & haven't used the Carvin in awhile. One more thing the fan on the Kustom is on the louder side on my unit at least.