"Mini" Bass Amp Heads

[Quadzilla]

I missed seeing the Ashdown SupeFly (I did see it's box, though, as they were packing up on Sunday ).

If you REALLY want to see one, you can for $399. ZZSounds.com is blowing them out over there at that price ($699ish elsewhere).

 

[Brad Johnson]

But if you're trotting along with a 40lb cab in one hand saying "holy smokes I love how light this is" why would it be such a big deal for your head to be under 10lbs? That's all I mean, the lighter the better obviously, and yes carrying a classic 400 would be terrible. I just look at people carrying "lightweight" cabs with ease, but heads that are lighter than the cabs with grunts and groans. Maybe the day they make cabs that are under 10lbs too

On second thought, I guess it's just one less trip to take, and that makes perfect sense, does anyone carry their lightweight mini head inside their bass case? It'd be nice to have a molded area that fits the head next to the headstock.

See... you got it

Carrying a 40 lb. cab AND a 20 lb. head at the same time along with everything else adds up. More weight and or more trips, especially if you don't have a light cab. My current "big" rig consists of a Markbass Little Mark II head and a couple of small and deceptively loud Nahas cabs (a 1-12+horn and a 1-15). That's about 80 lb. total that I can use most places without worrying about PA support, loud drummers or guitarist or any of the usual stuff. One trip load in/load out and yes, lots more free time to watch others set up/break down

 

[Quadzilla]

My "mini" rig is a Epi UL210 (38 lbs) with a T-Funk (17 lbs). Loud, light and killer tone! I also can substitute my 210 for my UL410 if I feel like hauling a stout 57 lbs !

 

[SteveC]

My mini rig is my only rig - Roland Cube 100. All my gigs are PA supported and I just use this for practice and as a stage monitor. It woud work fine for any "coffee shop" type gigs as well. Under 40 pounds and easy to carry. Gig bag over the shoulder, and accessories (DI, cables, etc.) in my briefcase. All I need.

 

[tombowlus]

If you REALLY want to see one, you can for $399. ZZSounds.com is blowing them out over there at that price ($699ish elsewhere).

Okay, you talked me into it.

 

[tombowlus]

With the 8 pound Little Mark, or however light it is, it still freaks me out...This Manhattan resident can be gig ready in one trip, Bass in gig bag, Little Mark in backpack with straps and cords, and a 1x15 that will fit in the trunk of every cab in NYC..

What a wonderful thing!

I could even do subway if I needed to.

But their new head is even smaller!

 

[deksawyer]

Just got a Superfly the other day. Heavier than I thought it'd be, but half the weight of my previous amp (Warwick Profet 3.2). Well made, easy to use, great compressor and overall sounds fantastic.

Currently using with 2 12" 8 ohm Tech Soundsystem cabs, so losing a bit of power, but I'm on the road to getting 4 ohm replacement drivers (Tech do sell a 4ohm cab - but I didn't know I'd need them a few months ago when I bought these cabs).

As it sits, it's plenty loud enought to compete with a Peavey 5150 stack and a loud drummer. My only advice is to ditch the gay carry bag that comes with it.

Software screenshot (I KNOW the EQ map is way dodgy!!) You can flip between graphic and parametric EQ.

Overall, very impressed, especially at the price I paid. It does run very hot though, so I'm keeping an eye on that.....

D.

 

[seamonkey]

I didn't know the Superfly had a software editor. And it does midi, so your same pedal that's switching effects can switch the EQ and compression. This is definitely a head to look into.

 

[greenboy]

Wow, it's like the 21st Century even!

 

[Edwcdc]

See... you got it

Carrying a 40 lb. cab AND a 20 lb. head at the same time along with everything else adds up. More weight and or more trips, especially if you don't have a light cab. My current "big" rig consists of a Markbass Little Mark II head and a couple of small and deceptively loud Nahas cabs (a 1-12+horn and a 1-15). That's about 80 lb. total that I can use most places without worrying about PA support, loud drummers or guitarist or any of the usual stuff. One trip load in/load out and yes, lots more free time to watch others set up/break down

Hey Brad, How are those Nahas cabs? He was doing sound for my band a couple of years ago and he was talking to me about his cabs. I just didn't have the budget at the time to consider any gear. What is the weight and power handling?

 

[Vic]

+1... most of the other mini heads (markbass, EA, AI, Walter, Eden260, etc.) are voiced to the very clean and SS quick and crisp.

The Walkabout is about as tubey as you are going to get in a relatively small and lightweight package. HIGHLY recommended for all tube guys looking for a smaller alternative for some situations.

+1
I had one and it was a great head... probably the "loudest" 300W I've ever heard. The only reason I got rid of it was because the DI was affected by both the gain and master controls, which drove me crazy 'cause I couldn't adjust my stage sound without affecting FOH.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Hey Brad, How are those Nahas cabs? He was doing sound for my band a couple of years ago and he was talking to me about his cabs. I just didn't have the budget at the time to consider any gear. What is the weight and power handling?

I'm running a couple of cabs, a 1-12+horn and a 1-15. The 1-15 is the size of a Bag End 1-15 but 3" deeper. The 1-12 is about the size of a Hartke 1-12 Kickback (not very big either). The heavier cab is no more than 40 lb. The power handling is 400w RMS for each cab. It's my "big" rig and I currently run it with a Markbass Little Mark II head, which pushes them effortlessly.

 

[Akami]

But their new head is even smaller!

Did you get a chance to plug into one of those?
With all the interest in the Mark Bass II I imagine it will be even higher for the F1 if it is capable of delivering the same kind of sound quality in an even more compact package.

 

[Sean S]

What about the GK MBE150 or whatever it is? I just saw one tonight for the first time...

 

[tombowlus]

Did you get a chance to plug into one of those?
With all the interest in the Mark Bass II I imagine it will be even higher for the F1 if it is capable of delivering the same kind of sound quality in an even more compact package.

Yes, I did, and it sounded great. It did sound slightly different than the Little Mark and other heads using the 500w analog output section, SMPS amp, but I don't even want to conjecture on the differences I heard, as NAMM is not an ideal place to audition gear.

But if I were to buy either an F1 or the Little Mark, I would get the F1.

Tom.

 

[B String]

Yes, I did, and it sounded great. It did sound slightly different than the Little Mark and other heads using the 500w analog output section, SMPS amp, but I don't even want to conjecture on the differences I heard, as NAMM is not an ideal place to audition gear.

But if I were to buy either an F1 or the Little Mark, I would get the F1.

Tom.

One thing I've heard often about the LMII is that its not
unlike the Eden sound, warm and punchy, but more
articulate and faster. The F1 is a little faster and cleaner
sounding than the LMII. In my opinion its just a little more
modern sounding. Its possible the LMII could be a better
match with neo type speakers, to add a little low-mid
grunt. The F1 might be a better fit with more conventional
speakers. However, this is really splitting hairs. Both are
very nice light weight amps.

 

[Edwcdc]

I'm running a couple of cabs, a 1-12+horn and a 1-15. The 1-15 is the size of a Bag End 1-15 but 3" deeper. The 1-12 is about the size of a Hartke 1-12 Kickback (not very big either). The heavier cab is no more than 40 lb. The power handling is 400w RMS for each cab. It's my "big" rig and I currently run it with a Markbass Little Mark II head, which pushes them effortlessly.

Thanks Brad!

 

[tombowlus]

One thing I've heard often about the LMII is that its not
unlike the Eden sound, warm and punchy, but more
articulate and faster. The F1 is a little faster and cleaner
sounding than the LMII. In my opinion its just a little more
modern sounding. Its possible the LMII could be a better
match with neo type speakers, to add a little low-mid
grunt. The F1 might be a better fit with more conventional
speakers. However, this is really splitting hairs. Both are
very nice light weight amps.

Well, that's what I get for trying to listen at NAMM. I heard slightly more balanced low mids from the F1, versus the Little Mark. But you are right, it's splitting hairs, for sure.

 

[Smallequestrian]

Well, that's what I get for trying to listen at NAMM. I heard slightly more balanced low mids from the F1, versus the Little Mark. But you are right, it's splitting hairs, for sure.

If thats the case, I will definitely look forward to trying out the F1. If I have one complaint about the Little Mark is that the low mids were somewhat lacking. I noticed this especially when playing my fretless and comparing it to my Thunderfunk.

 

[jmain]

... If I have one complaint about the Little Mark is that the low mids were somewhat lacking. I noticed this especially when playing my fretless and comparing it to my Thunderfunk.

I'm kinda looking around for another small head and this concerns me. I've read this from others also.

Also, I'd like some more hi-fi treble response than what I get now from my Focus. I can tweak in with the onboard, but doesn't sound the same as getting it from the amp.