Micro head recommendations?

[strictlybass_ic]

They all have similar power sections, so go try a few out and see which brand's "sound" you prefer. That's the only major difference. Now if you're willing to spring the extra $$$ to get an 800 watt instead of 500 that narrows the options a bit, but it'd be money well spent.

 

[buldog5151bass]

+1 on the Carvin. Lots of EQ to play with, more than enough power, and they are on sale.

 

[Peke]

You can't go wrong with Aguilar Tone Hammer 350 or 500.

 

[Spuk]

Nothing beats the gk mb800 IMHO. But carvin makes quite possibly the best bass amps for the money. You can get a half stack with 800w and a 4x10 cab for $800...

 

[1960jbass]

GK MB Fusion 500. Best head I've ever owned.

 

[GMC]

My next amp is also an Aguiliar TH500

 

[static0verdrive]

Loving my Traynor SB500H (500W) at about 4lbs! It's small, 4ohms or more, has XLR DI out, tuner out, 2 Speakons, effects loop in/out, limiter, bass expander, headphones out (cab doesn't need to be connected) etc. It was $470 CDN so even less in USD I'd imagine.

 

[Slapstyle]

My GK - non fusion version - mb500 has never let me down. It's REALLY clean though. Kinda sterile. I also have a Shuttle 6.0 that has never let me down, and considering the tube preamp, it's also really clean and kind of sterile. You can dial in a little mud and dirt but it's not quite where the amp lives really. I love it as a combo for my upright. Nice lightweight rig. I'd really like the fusion version of the GK but I got the standard version before the fusion came out and it runs so perfectly and consistently, I can't justify replacing it. My favorite micro that has a bit more tube flavor is the MESA Walkabout. Nice warm fat tubey tone. I have a buddy who swears by Aguilar. I guess it all boils down to preference and music style. What works for me may not work for you, unfortunately.

 

[edencab]

Loving my Traynor SB500H (500W) at about 4lbs! It's small, 4ohms or more, has XLR DI out, tuner out, 2 Speakons, effects loop in/out, limiter, bass expander, headphones out (cab doesn't need to be connected) etc. It was $470 CDN so even less in USD I'd imagine.

+1 Static.....I have the 200 watt version...tons of tone and volume....in some ways more tonal options than my TB500 (also a great head)

 

[KevInDaBassment]

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?

Used to own a Carvin BX500 and I have an anecdote to go along with it lol

It's a very clean amp, but sometimes when you want to push the rails and get something grindy and aggressive, it falls short before getting there. Mine eventually pooped out despite being babied to the extreme and not even having dust inside the unit when I cracked it open. Carvin couldn't care less, they said it would be $200 + shipping to repair it. I would personally recommend staying away.

If anyone tells you that GKs are "clean" or "sterile", they haven't played one at a decent volume or don't know how to dial in a good sound on them. The GK MB200 made me a believer in the GK stuff. Very grindy, aggressive, and sounds good with several types of basses with minimal re-EQing. With the Carvin, you had to adjust your EQ if the stage lights were too bright that evening.

Can't say I've played through the Kustom, but I hear people say good things about it (Especially mr. Low Class ). If you can try any of these amps in person, bring your bass and do just that. No need to pair cabs up with the same manufacturer, but there are some advantages. A lot of them try to promulgate or bring out their "signature sound" and rely on the cabs to do that as much as the head. I have a Fusion 550 from GK paired with two Fender Rumble V3 1x15s, it sounds great and tubey, exactly what I was going for. If I dial it in right, it can sound big and aggressive as well...VERY big and aggressive.

FWIW, the MB200/500/800 and MBF500/800 have the same tone stack as my big Fusion 550 does. Some thought to chew on.

 

[cnltb]

For me its' either glockenklang blue sky or Hevos 1000S at the moment.

 

[mbelue]

Have you put any thought into cabinets?
I know you said you'd be able to DI at gigs, but you'll need something for rehearsal.
What's your cabinet budget?
Don't blow every cent you have on a head.
Cheap cabinets can sound like crap and will be damaged with too much power.
Make sure you have enough cabinet for your rehearsal needs.

 

[dgrizzly]

I've been really happy with my new GK MB800. It can run really clean or dial up the gain to make it a bit warmer. The MB500 looks like it would fit the bill for you as well (500 watts with a direct out on the back). If you want something really warm, check out the MB Hybrids (tube preamp section), but they'll run you an extra $200 above their solid state companions. Let us know what you wind up going with. Good luck!

 

[DDubs]

Have you put any thought into cabinets?
I know you said you'd be able to DI at gigs, but you'll need something for rehearsal.
What's your cabinet budget?
Don't blow every cent you have on a head.
Cheap cabinets can sound like crap and will be damaged with too much power.
Make sure you have enough cabinet for your rehearsal needs.

We have a SWR Redhead from the early 90s in our rehearsal space. You can easily disconnect the speaker cabinet in that. I'm gonna see if that is something that can be done. I need to figure out what speaker rating is goin on

 

[Gnal]

I bought an Aguilar TH500, the Tone Hammer is great. Definitely check 'em out .

 

[tubatodd]

+1 for the Carvin

 

[venturawest]

+ a zillion on Genz Benz. You can still find them. My 6.2 fits in a backpack or gig bag so you can take it to a rehearsal or a gig.

 

[The Regulator]

I have played all of these and they are all good in their own way. I would recommend each one depending on the what sound you are looking for.

Genz Benz Shuttle 6.2
GK MB500
Aguilar TH500
Ampeg PF800

 

[beer&bass]

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.

I wonder, would it be possible to change out and replace the fan in the Kustom with one less noisy? That's about the only negative I have read about that amp.

 

[Low Class]

I wonder, would it be possible to change out and replace the fan in the Kustom with one less noisy? That's about the only negative I have read about that amp.

The fan is not that loud. The only time I had an issue with it was in a church when everything else was dead quiet. Otherwise it is not an issue. My GK fan sounded like a vacuum cleaner whereas the kxb500 is barely audible.