Micro Head Suggestions

[Wasnex]

I'm in the market for a tiny bass head that I can pair up with either my Mesa Subway 212 or Bergantino CN212 cabs for a pit orchestra gig. I have a Mesa D-350 which is great but not small enough to put in my bass gig bag pockets. Trying to eliminate multiple trip from my vehicle to the theater which is "buried" in the school. Here's my requirements:

• Tiny footprint to fit in a gig bag pocket
• Very little to no fan noise (this is a musical theater gig with a lot of dialogue)
• Speakon output ideal but TS not a dealbreaker
• DI output for the PA system
• Don't need a lot of wattage as the orchestra is all acoustic instruments

Looks like a Warwick Gnome may work. Any other suggestions?

????

Surely you can figure out a way to carry the D350 so that multiple trips are not required. In fact the webpage for the amp says the included amp bag has a shoulder strap.

If anything is too big, perhaps it's your cabs? I think they are fine, but I have had people bust my chops for a 112 before.

 

[TheReceder]

Does it have a fan? Noisy? I like the little carry bag, lol.

I've heard people complain about that, But I never really noticed it.

 

[bertthebassist]

You may want to consider an Eich T300, 500 or 900. Made in Germany.

Bass Heads | EICH Amplification

www.eich-amps.com

I bought mine from Thomann

Thomann Buy Solid-State Bassheads at Thomann

Buy Solid-State Bassheads + accessories online at Europe's largest music retailer ✔ Fast shipping ✔ 30 days money-back ✔ 3 years Thomann guarantee

www.thomannmusic.com

The T900 fits comfortably in my gig bag's pocket.
I don't remember the fan sound.

 

[thisSNsucks]

The tone hammer crushes with a CN212. If you can track down a used Tone Hammer 350, that would kill.

 

[PolkaHero]

The tone hammer crushes with a CN212. If you can track down a used Tone Hammer 350, that would kill.

Used to own one, replaced it with the Mesa D-350. I think the fan was noisy in the Aguilar.

 

[PBassAcidJazz]

I've had a Gnome. Excellent value there with minimal fan noise. Currently have a Genzler Magellan 350. Very quiet fan in that and it's very compact and light, but I think the Gnome was a bit smaller from memory.

 

[DWBass]

I don't think I've ever heard the fan on my MB200.

 

[ole Jason]

I've been gigging a Gnome for the past year or two on upright and sometimes electric. It's great, no complaints at all. I just use a 1/4" to SpeakOn cable w/ my cab.

 

[ashtray]

Since your main goal is just to save a trip back and forth to the car, I’d say there are a lot of options out there to consider that would fit in a small carry bag that can be clipped on to another carry bag, or just thrown over your shoulder.

Otherwise, the ELF seems like it fits the bill and also fits in a pocket!

Do be aware that tiny lightweight amps can easily be pulled off the cab by accident, so having a way to secure it down is necessary. Velco, strap, etc. The Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 was sold in “combo” form as well - which was a pair of metal brackets bolted to the top of the speaker cabinet. The amp slides in and is secured by two bolts with thumb screws. (or whatever you call them). If you buy a used Shuttle, you might look for the combo, and use the brackets on the cabinet you are bringing to the show. That said, if you buy the combo, you can just use the combo and leave your other cab at home. Or just use some velcro on the bottom of an ELF amp (don’t block any ventilation holes, if there are any!).

 

[joe vegas]

you can't beat the TC BAM200. 200w @ 4 ohms.
pocket-size, around 100 bucks, ($119 today on Sweetwater), they're built great, with excellent tones.
I picked up a few over the last 3 years, they all sound excellent for 6-string, they're punchy & loud for their tiny size.
also, dead quiet.

I sometimes run 2 separate 2x12" cabs, each powered by its own BAM200 through a splitter pedal. huge clear Anthony Jackson-like
bottom.

 

[MindinAction]

I need a really clean sound. Can this amp achieve that or is there always a hint of overdrive?

I will test. At the volume I platinum there's none, but I'll check it and let you know.

LOL "platinum" -- sh/be "I play..."

 

[gtirard]

I know there's no DI out (only a line out, so you need an adaptor).
But it's super small, completely silent (no fan), and… it sounds great

View attachment 7331500

Some may think it's underpowered, with a max of 45W at 4 ohm, but I've used it for an outdoor gig (in a band stand in a public garden), and it was plenty (with a moderate drummer). With a efficient cab, but it was a 8 ohm, so 33W only. I could hear myself perfectly, the band and the audience could hear me well too.

The size of a pedal, it's a preamp (I use it for recording), or and amp for home practice and little gigs.
The "VINT" voicing sounds great.

 

[Dabndug]

GR Bass Mini One - 350 watts into 4 ohms (170ish into 4ohms). Weighs around 3 lb, roughly 8 inches by 7 inches by 2 inches. I'm looking at this for similar reasons to the OP.

 

[RomanS]

Used to own one, replaced it with the Mesa D-350. I think the fan was noisy in the Aguilar.

If you found the fan in the ToneHammer too noisy, you won't like the TE Elf, either - I've got a TH500 and an Elf, and fan noise is about the same...

 

[Craig22221]

The Genzler 350 is almost silent. I use mine for late night practice in a very quiet setting. Never hear a fan. Smaller in size. Very capable. Highly recommend.

 

[PolkaHero]

you can't beat the TC BAM200. 200w @ 4 ohms.
pocket-size, around 100 bucks, ($119 today on Sweetwater), they're built great, with excellent tones.
I picked up a few over the last 3 years, they all sound excellent for 6-string, they're punchy & loud for their tiny size.
also, dead quiet.

I sometimes run 2 separate 2x12" cabs, each powered by its own BAM200 through a splitter pedal. huge clear Anthony Jackson-like
bottom.

Too bad they're backordered everywhere and there aren't any used ones for sale either.

 

[InkCow]

A bag for your Subway is going be a lot cheaper than an amp that gets you remotely in the vicinity of the tone. It’s a 3 lb. amp so it’s barely adding anything to your load.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I have a Mesa Subway D 350 and my backup is a Traynor SB 200H.

The Traynor is more voiced for rock IMO, very powerful for the size and the small fan is very quiet. If it suits your needs, I wouldn’t hesitate to get one.

Otherwise, for me, that would be the tiny Trace Elliot that fits in your jean's back pocket. Very good for the size and price.

 

[Passinwind]

I have a Mesa Subway D 350 and my backup is a Traynor SB 200H.

The Traynor is more voiced for rock IMO, very powerful for the size and the small fan is very quiet. If it suits your needs, I wouldn’t hesitate to get one.

I use my SB200H mostly for jazz, bluegrass, and Americana stuff, always with a fretless. It seems pretty neutral to me, FWIW. Great for URB with the right preamp pedal in front too, IME.

 

[Zigmundfloyd]