Modern Amp Shopping - Negligible Differences?

[MCS4]

Sorry, I disagree with the OP's premise. I have multiple combo amps and amp heads now sitting stacked and unused in a spare room that I went through before I discovered a head and cab combo that was "just right" for me and my situation. You can't tell from in-store demos.

Same for me. While the OP may be technically correct that there are bunch of different amps that might sound more or less interchangeable and serviceable in a live setting for one particular player, in my experience finding amp that that sounds "great" in live settings for that one player takes a lot of effort but is possible and well worthwhile.

 

[Zbysek]

I agree with your premise, OP.

I care more about quality cabs. I am less picky about amps.

ymmv

 

[JohnnyChatter]

We all have different tastes and needs. If I felt the same as you and I don’t totally disagree I would just go buy a lead sled head used and save my money for a light nice cab. I run through gear like crazy but it’s more about feel for me… like when people say a class D head can do just as good as a tube head I agree… but… it’s not the same. Is it better or worse… na. I love them all but to me at least it’s more of a feeling thing. I know people get tired of hearing it but if you want high quality stuff that’s reliable/has a good feel/has a tone of tonal options/great warranty and customer service the answer is Mesa. I had a harder time finding light weight cabs that did what I needed. Mesa/Bergantino/Schroeder were the top 3. If I was going to go low price/good sound/reliable I would go Peavey or Traynor. Both brands are far underrated and valued in my book.

Sorry for the lack of help….

 

[mikecd1]

My Traynor SB112 is getting more work these days especially if I'm carrying PA gear in tow to a gig. Great combo amp, light and they also have an SB115. I have no idea what class the amp section is, but I have no problem keeping up with a drummer, guitar and keyboard with that rig.

 

[Koshchei]

My Traynor SB112 is getting more work these days especially if I'm carrying PA gear in tow to a gig. Great combo amp, light and they also have an SB115. I have no idea what class the amp section is, but I have no problem keeping up with a drummer, guitar and keyboard with that rig.

Yep, played through one of these last night. It was more than loud enough to keep up with a 7 piece ensemble, with drummer, percussionist, two guitars, singer, and keyboardist.

 

[Yahboy]

IF you always jam with effect pedal, Hartke are nice choice.

 

[lug]

$399.99, 600 watts, leaves a few more bucks to put towards your cab.

MiniMax V2 600-watt Lightweight Bass Head - Sweetwater

There are 2 caveats to this amp. The fan is a bit loud and some folks have a problem with the DI being a bit noisy. I've run the older 500w version for years and it's been bullet-proof. Fan doesn't bother me and I don't typically use the DI.

 

[SharpCat]

$399.99, 600 watts, leaves a few more bucks to put towards your cab.

MiniMax V2 600-watt Lightweight Bass Head - Sweetwater

Just got one of these today--sending it back. Noisy continuous fan, noisy headphone out.

 

[SharpCat]

Just got one of these today--sending it back. Noisy continuous fan, noisy headphone out.

I may have to learn to live with the fan--it does sound pretty good.

 

[Coot]

IMHO.. having a great cab is as much if not more important than the head, an opinion of a head can change immensely when it's paired with a quality cab.

 

[lowendblues]

I had the Peavey, sold it because of the fan noise. It was a really good amp though.

At least you know the fan is doing its job.....

 

[SharpCat]

Tested the frequency response of the Peavey. Thru the DI (post), with all EQ controls at center, it’s just about exactly flat response 30-10k, and less than -3dB down 20-20k.

 

[Marko 1]

Just got one of these today--sending it back. Noisy continuous fan, noisy headphone out.

I may have to learn to live with the fan--it does sound pretty good.

If/when I recommend that amp again, I'm gonna mention the loud fan because it's obviously important to some folks.

 

[SharpCat]

If/when I recommend that amp again, I'm gonna mention the loud fan because it's obviously important to some folks.

I was looking hard at the Ashdown tone pocket for a home headphone amp, and separately looking for an amp bigger than my Rumble 40. This looked like it could cover both with a suitable cab (which is still TBD) but hooking this up with my closed back phones on the fan is still very loud.

 

[c-ba55]

Go to youtube and look for class D shootout. There's a bunch of them. Indeed to a certain degree much more than before, amps are a commodity now if you're not too fussy.