Need a better amp. Looking for advice, and opinions.

[brian1e]

As I am playing bass more, I am really starting to dig it. It's a bit of a different perspective on music. My home practice amp is a Behringer 900 and it is becoming unacceptable sound wise. The amp that I perform thru is a Little Mark II, and a Markbass 410 cabnet, this setup sound quite good. Unfortantaly I do
not own this amp. So it is time to upgrade.

I am not opposed to getting a Markbasss, but I think there may be better options. I am not opposed to using a separate preamp/power amp arrangement. This has been my MO for 35 years with my home stereos. Tube preamps are fine, tube power amps do not interest me. What I seek sound wise is clairity,and punch in the lowest registers. I want here every string oscillation clearly, if that makes any sense, no fluffiness. I will likely use a high quality 210 cabnet.

Some of the amps that seem good choices for me are:
Glockenklang seems a good choice, but a bit pricey
Genz Benz GBE is a consideration (extra points for ability to drive 2 ohm load, one of the hallmarks of a superior power amp is the ability to handle difficult speaker loads, in my opinion)
Aguilar
Mesa
Thunderfunk
Eden, Though I have heard they are somewhat colored tone wise.
Any other suggestions?

Amps that I have heard that do not interest me:
Hartke
GK
Fender Rumble
Ampeg
Peavy
TC, Carvin. although I haven't really heard these I don't think they are what I am looking for.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

 

[B-string]

The Genz Benz will have to be used. FMIC closed production before selling off the owning parent company. G.B. may come back, but the main design engineer took a job with Mesa just recently.

You ruled out my top choice G-K, so I have no clue what you are looking for as the G-K's are extremely flexible without closing your bank accounts.

 

[lomo]

There are a ton of good options. If clarity is your prime goal and you have the cash, consider a Euphonic Audio iAmp Pro. I prefer a more coloured sound, and would choose the Mesa, hands down, or the Genz Benz and we all have our subjective favourites. To my ear, the Mesa Carbines are incredibly defined, with massive low end and warmth but no "fluff". Keep in mind that the cab(s) will be even more critical than the head for accurate reproduction below 100 Hz at sufficient volume to compete with a drummer. For that my personal preference would be either used or NOS Genz Benz Uber or Neox cab, a Bergantino or a fEarless. Happy thumpin'!

 

[brian1e]

New Amp Day

Genz Benz ShuttleMax 6
Genz Benz Uber 410 cab

 

[CrUiSeR]

Even though I have done it
I don't see a reason to run a seperate pre and power with just a 210.

 

[MarkA]

New Amp Day

Genz Benz ShuttleMax 6
Genz Benz Uber 410 cab

Interested to hear how you like this setup at volume with a drummer. I ran half of a Shuttlemax 12.0 into a single, 4 Ohm cab for awhile (it's a dual-mono design, so I was essentially playing a Shuttlemax 6.0). Beautifully clear sound. More clear and more nuanced than the Markbass SD800 I had at the time. The SD800 was a little simpler to use -- the tone had a bit more grunt and slotted better into a mix set flat -- and the power section a bit more kick, but it sounded harsh up top compared to the Max (the Little Mark amps don't seem to suffer this) and, despite both amps having dual, semi-parametric mid controls, the mid controls on the Max worked better; I could get a sound that worked really well in a mix with the Max -- I just had to fiddle a bit more. Both amps eventually went and I kept a GBE 1200 I'd acquired meanwhile. The GBE is a cumbersome beast compared to the other two, but its power section is in a different class (punny but true) than either of the lightweight amps. Voicing is similar to the Max, but with a bit more grit. Speaker control is better, especially if you have to play a tubby, inefficient cab (which I'm sure the Uber is not), as is the kick in the low end at high volume. The Max is still a clean, articulate amp, though, and should give you as much through that 410 as the Markbass setup you've been playing.

 

[brian1e]

So far, my impression of the rig is, it is very clear, and articulate. I will get out in a few days and stretch its legs a bit with the full band.

 

[rodl2005]

Nice rig. I found with my Shuttle 6.0 That I could get a good tubey drive outta it with the tube gain set high.
Nice amp and nice cab you got there.

 

[brian1e]

I played with the full band last night and this rig sounds fantastic. Plenty of power, very clear, sets in the mix easily with great flexability. The DI output is much more managable than the LM II. I am just beginning to explore the tonal possibillities, the foot switch is fantastic for changes on the fly.

 

[Amplified]

Kemper amp. You can then have all the maps mentioned above with the loaded profile,