Most iconic hard rock/metal amp & speaker?

[Wicked G]

Mark Bass for heavy metal?

Saxon comes to mind although I can't think of anyone else.

I keep seeing people say Darkglass? They have only been producing amps for probably 2 to 3 years. I had one and now it's gone. Are they good? Depends on who you ask. Iconic? Definitely not.

Now if you were too ask me what amps I personally like the most that I have tried within the last 10 years being a hard rock/heavy metal musician?
Genz Benz Streamliner
Genzler Magellan 800
TC RH750
GK 700rb II

 

[NKBassman]

Saxon comes to mind although I can't think of anyone else.

I keep seeing people say Darkglass? They have only been producing amps for probably 2 to 3 years. I had one and now it's gone. Are they good? Depends on who you ask. Iconic? Definitely not.

Now if you were too ask me what amps I personally like the most that I have tried within the last 10 years being a hard rock/heavy metal musician?
Genz Benz Streamliner
Genzler Magellan 800
TC RH750
GK 700rb II

"Whats your favorite amp" certainly wasn't the question. lol

Darkglass is making huge waves in some metal circles. Yes they've only been making amps for a few years, but their amps are based on their pedal preamps, which they've been making now for some time. There's basically an entire sub-genre that is essentially defined by the Darkglass/Dingwall tone combination.

 

[JimmyM]

Saxon comes to mind although I can't think of anyone else.

Bob Daisley is a Markbass endorser. He's pretty metal when he wants to be.

 

[Wicked G]

"Whats your favorite amp" certainly wasn't the question. lol

Darkglass is making huge waves in some metal circles. Yes they've only been making amps for a few years, but their amps are based on their pedal preamps, which they've been making now for some time. There's basically an entire sub-genre that is essentially defined by the Darkglass/Dingwall tone combination.

That is true, but since a lot of others are throwing their opinions out, might as well throw mine out as well.

Bob Daisley is a Markbass endorser. He's pretty metal when he wants to be.

There you go and a great bassist at that.

 

[Downunderwonder]

The truly iconic amps have all been well mentioned, but from the last 30 years it gets a bit less obvious. I think this is mostly because the tech in bass amps evolved quickly from the early 90's on and bass players more than guitar players embrace new amp tech. SWR and Eden were both popular in the 90's and the Ampeg SVT3 and SVT4pro are both really popular with rock and metal guys who use amps from the past 30 years. G-K's newer offerings were well used too. Be hard to call them iconic though. Maybe the Ashdown ABM 500 would be an iconic amp from the past 30 years, because it's unique looks and couple features stick out. but that's no where near SVT/Bass400+/800RB status.

@agedhorse If you're wondering about this because you are going to design a new amp geared towards rock players, my advice is don't overcomplicate the control features, do not make it silver (keep them black for rock and metal), do not add a meh to average built in compressor. Make it loud and high wattage rated. I'm not saying that's necessary in the real world but on paper most rock guys have a "more is better" mindset for watts.
Mesa did a lot right with the Titan V12 in power and tone. But of course it'd need to be smaller and lighter now. The Titan was actually quite light for it size but I think many people assumed it was in line with the weight of similar 3u sized amps like the Aguilar DB750 and Ampeg SVT 4 Pro. It looked heavy.
The 5 position eq shift on the M6 and M9 is pure gold. Put that control with the Titan preamp and overdrive and you'd have the start of a killer rock amp. the Mesa Titan V1200.

I think it's very hard to create an iconic rock or metal bass amp these days, but Mesa has some features from past amps that could be used in a new design to make for a popular modern aggressive music bass amp.

Call it the War Horse.

 

[Riff Ranger]

If (as many of us suspect) @agedhorse isn't just idly wondering which metal amps qualify as iconic but is in fact thinking about what the metal bass market might want, I say a) awesome! thanks for taking us seriously! and b) there's probably an opening for the *next* iconic heavy bass amp, and Mesa is in perhaps the best position to make it. A Mesa SVT or Mesa 800RB won't displace Ampeg or GK. Looking toward old Acoustic/Sunn/Peavey might be interesting, but I think the best place to look for inspiration is within Mesa: the Dual/Triple Rectifier. The Marshall Stack was to heavy guitar what the SVT/Fridge has been even longer for heavy bass, but the Rectifier has provided a clear alternative to the Marshall Stack rather than a variation on it, mixed up the market, and gone on to redefine heavy guitar tone. I think that should be the goal for bass (and to do it before Darkglass does). And when you get there, @agedhorse: take my money!

 

[3rdcurve]

I think an amp with the 1200 watt ice unit and 2 switchable channels - the d800+ and the WD800 preamps would be the ultimate. 2 ohm stable of course so you can run a pair of your Subway 215s.

 

[3rdcurve]

If (as many of us suspect) @agedhorse isn't just idly wondering which metal amps qualify as iconic but is in fact thinking about what the metal bass market might want, I say a) awesome! thanks for taking us seriously! and b) there's probably an opening for the *next* iconic heavy bass amp, and Mesa is in perhaps the best position to make it. A Mesa SVT or Mesa 800RB won't displace Ampeg or GK. Looking toward old Acoustic/Sunn/Peavey might be interesting, but I think the best place to look for inspiration is within Mesa: the Dual/Triple Rectifier. The Marshall Stack was to heavy guitar what the SVT/Fridge has been even longer for heavy bass, but the Rectifier has provided a clear alternative to the Marshall Stack rather than a variation on it, mixed up the market, and gone on to redefine heavy guitar tone. I think that should be the goal for bass (and to do it before Darkglass does). And when you get there, @agedhorse: take my money!

I will second this... the triple rec is by far my favorite heavy guitar tone.

 

[agedhorse]

Actually, I'm trying to understand the market, what's real and what's imagined legend. The comments have been very helpful actually.

Regarding the 1200 watt IcePower module, I come from the pro audio industry where higher power is more common. I have designed 1200+ watt amps in the past (including one for the bass guitar touring market) and discovered that players would use the higher power as an excuse for not having enough cabinet and then damaging speakers. That was 10 years ago, do you guys think that the sophistication of the market has changed?

 

[BasturdBlaster]

I think an amp with the 1200 watt ice unit and 2 switchable channels - the d800+ and the WD800 preamps would be the ultimate. 2 ohm stable of course so you can run a pair of your Subway 215s.

Yes, but instead of the the 1200 watt amp, two of the existing 800 watt amps in stereo

 

[smeet]

Actually, I'm trying to understand the market, what's real and what's imagined legend. The comments have been very helpful actually.

Regarding the 1200 watt IcePower module, I come from the pro audio industry where higher power is more common. I have designed 1200+ watt amps in the past (including one for the bass guitar touring market) and discovered that players would use the higher power as an excuse for not having enough cabinet and then damaging speakers. That was 10 years ago, do you guys think that the sophistication of the market has changed?

It feels to me like "the market" has changed, but maybe I'm seeing that through the lens of talkbass. It has always seemed like a no-brainer to me to run a high-powered amplifier into whatever speaker is handy, and just keep the volume at a sensible level. I guess since myths like underpowering are still around, the general populace probably can't handle the truth.

 

[agedhorse]

Yes, but instead of the the 1200 watt amp, two of the existing 800 watt amps in stereo

That certainly buys a LOT more power into both 4 and 2 ohms. That's exactly what we did with the ShuttleMax 12.0/12.0, and a lot of them went out to power a pair of 4 ohm cabinets. With the existing 800 watt amps, you would then have 800 watts per 4 ohm load... perfect for a pair of 410's, 212's or 215's.

Thoughts???

 

[_Some Dude]

Actually, I'm trying to understand the market, what's real and what's imagined legend. The comments have been very helpful actually.

Regarding the 1200 watt IcePower module, I come from the pro audio industry where higher power is more common. I have designed 1200+ watt amps in the past (including one for the bass guitar touring market) and discovered that players would use the higher power as an excuse for not having enough cabinet and then damaging speakers. That was 10 years ago, do you guys think that the sophistication of the market has changed?

Although the Internet means gear heads have access to more information and potentially know more than they used to, the non-gear heads still know as little as they ever did and drugs still mess up your judgement.

IMO

 

[JimmyM]

Regarding the 1200 watt IcePower module, I come from the pro audio industry where higher power is more common. I have designed 1200+ watt amps in the past (including one for the bass guitar touring market) and discovered that players would use the higher power as an excuse for not having enough cabinet and then damaging speakers. That was 10 years ago, do you guys think that the sophistication of the market has changed?

As long as nobody past 50 plays bass, then you'll be in pretty good shape overall. But as long as there's youthful enthusiasm (and you don't have to be young to have it), then you're always going to have to consider that someone's going to blow those 210's with 1200w

 

[swarfrat]

Wait wait, I know - push pull triode 1.2w power stage just to get some push-pull clipping available, 800w and 5 lbs. You could call it the SVelTe.

 

[matante]

Link? Iommi has been brand loyal to Laney afaik. Geezer has used Laney as well, but also Hartke, rack setups, ashdown. Outside of that paranoid video from german tv, the oranges were not used. I believe the particular tv show had an all orange back line. There is a similar clip of Free playing on air with orangea, and they were all-Marshalls live

I don't recall where I saw it but it was a concert on a small stage and they were young. Not a music video.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Actually, I'm trying to understand the market, what's real and what's imagined legend. The comments have been very helpful actually.

Regarding the 1200 watt IcePower module, I come from the pro audio industry where higher power is more common. I have designed 1200+ watt amps in the past (including one for the bass guitar touring market) and discovered that players would use the higher power as an excuse for not having enough cabinet and then damaging speakers. That was 10 years ago, do you guys think that the sophistication of the market has changed?

Outside of the TB microcosm, unlikely.

 

[_Some Dude]

I don't recall where I saw it but it was a concert on a small stage and they were young. Not a music video.

Beat

Link? Iommi has been brand loyal to Laney afaik. Geezer has used Laney as well, but also Hartke, rack setups, ashdown. Outside of that paranoid video from german tv, the oranges were not used. I believe the particular tv show had an all orange back line. There is a similar clip of Free playing on air with orangea, and they were all-Marshalls live

Iommi has used different gear over the years, including Mesa Mark IIB Coliseum Series 300s.

Although everything I've read about Sabbath is that they only used Orange at the Beat Club in Germany because it was the provided back line.

 

[JimmyM]

Although everything I've read about Sabbath is that they only used Orange at the Beat Club in Germany because it was the provided back line.

The Beat Club producer insisted that everyone use those amps, too.

 

[_Some Dude]

As long as nobody past 50 plays bass, then you'll be in pretty good shape overall. But as long as there's youthful enthusiasm (and you don't have to be young to have it), then you're always going to have to consider that someone's going to blow those 210's with 1200w

I'm 40, and if there was a 1200w version available I'd assume the 800w version must be the practice/beginners amp.

I guess some people never grow up...