New head search...

[James Hart]

Quick version:
I need an amp that can put about 300 watts each into a pair of 4 ohm cabs that is physically no more than 18" wide and has a simple/basic EQ section.

What do you recommend?

Long Version:
I've got an opportunity to join a working cover band doing some louder rock tunes
(Incubus, 311, Mudvayne, RHCP, RATM/Audioslave/Soundgarden, Porcupine Tree, Rush, STP, etc)...

I LOVE my AMP BH-250 sitting on a D12 but think I'll need a little more (the band has a pair of 1/2 stack guitarists).

here is my current rig

I'm definitely going to go for a second D12 to stack with my current one. I think a vertical stack of 4x12" Bagends with be more than enough for anything to come. The problem is it'll be either a 2 ohm or an 8 ohm load (or 4 ohm stereo). I'd like to hit each cab with about 300 watts RMS AND I'd like the head to be 18" wide or less.


What do you recommend?

Personal thoughts so far:
I'm looking at Eden's stuff... the WT-405 looks good since it has a similar EQ to my current head. AI series 3 Clarus 1 (or maybe the Focus 1) is a contender too after a brief evening of web hunting.

I use a lot of effects and between them, my basses and the cabinets I have the tones I need, I just need something to get me to the volume I need.

No I haven't ventured out into the world with my bass and cab to start testing heads. I'm gathering a list of prospects first

 

[peterpalmieri]

Hey man, good luck with the new venture. 1st of all if you run two D12s and decent power you will have tons of volume!

I own and use a Focus 2RIII and really like it for allot of different things, it isn't a tone monster like allot of heads that I really like for their tone but if you want small, light and loud at 2 ohms it's a home run.

So when you say 18" max width are you excluding all rack mount type designs?

Doesn't the new thuderfunk do 2 ohms? I could be wrong.

 

[RickenBoogie]

The WT-405 gets rave reviews. Better than any of the other Eden heads, for sure. Otherwise, there are a few amps that would fit the bill, but they'd all be quite different.

 

[James Hart]

So when you say 18" max width are you excluding all rack mount type designs?

Thanks for the reply... it should be an interesting gig. I'm not sure I'm up to it, I've gotten older and mellower in my musical tastes lately

It's a purely cosmetic thing that I'd like to stick to... but tone and reliability win over looks any day. My cab is 18.5 inches wide, I'd like the head to 'fit' on the cab.

Thanks for the info on the Focus... my tone is more a combo of my basses, FX and cab than head. The head doesn't need to be a tone monster... Heck I might even consider an AI slave unit! I've gotten by through most all of my gigging with 250 watts into a pair of drivers... I know the 250 is conservatively rated, that is why I'm thinking ~300 watts into each cab for my current search.

The Clarus with 500 @ 2 ohms & $800 vs the Focus with 1000 @ 2 ohms & $1200 is a hard sell for me. Yes the Focus would be better... but I'm pretty sure (trusting my real world experiences over the last 28 years of playing) the Clarus will be enough.

Otherwise, there are a few amps that would fit the bill, but they'd all be quite different.

Yeah, I've read the internet up and back on the WT-405... that's why it's near the top of my list right now.

As far as what I quoted: hence my explanation of need and statement about not heading out to try anything with my bass and cab yet... just gathering prospects

Any you've used / owned that you can list?

 

[Chef]

I dunno what your budget is, but as small as the MarBass LMII and F1 are...you might consider getting two of those...
Two F1's are only about the size of some biker wallet's I've seen chained to the crew at some of the gigs you may be playing

G'luck and have fun!

 

[Joe Gress]

Thunderfunk 550?

 

[Sean S]

SVT-5PRO?

 

[James Hart]

G'luck and have fun!

Thanks... that's the only reason I'm in it

I love my current AMP BH-250 + one D12... I guess I could always just order the second D12 with Bagend's Minima One power section.

Hmmm.... I still think I'd rather have a single unit power both cabs.

The Focus 1 is peaking my interest... the extra headroom over the Clarus might be for the best.

Thunderfunk 550?

not interested in running one at 2 ohms. They also have a more complex tone stack / eq section than I'm looking for... but I have been thinking hard about them

SVT-5PRO?

discontinued and it's a rack mount (making it wider than I specified)... but otherwise meets my needs. I guess straight tone wise, that is what most the bassists I'll be covering have used.

 

[Chef]

YBA 200 will do two ohms...pretty simple; nice tubey tone...
Eden WT550?
Mesa Walkabout?

 

[watspan]

hartke 7000

seriously, these can be had quite reasonably used and do 350+350--it has two poweramps or can be bi-amped. I've owned almost every AMP model made (including a 250) and have a 420, GB 440 and a t-funk-420 currently ( along w/ a hartke 5000--little bro of the 7000). The hartke has a nice tone, is flexible and has a well written manual. A tad heavy w/ 2 power sections, but not too bad.

 

[Sean S]

discontinued and it's a rack mount (making it wider than I specified)... but otherwise meets my needs. I guess straight tone wise, that is what most the bassists I'll be covering have used.

The front panel is 19", and the main case is 17.4". Is 1" too much?

 

[James Hart]

YBA 200 will do two ohms...pretty simple; nice tubey tone...

while I am missing my tube head... I don't think "YBA200" and Mudvayne, RATM, 311, Incubus, Porcupine Tree, etc in the same sentence

The WT550 is right behind the WT405 on my 'find and try' list

I've heard good things about the Walkabout... I think the local shop is still dealing Mesa stuff. I'll check out the specs and take one for a spin.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Yeah, Mesa Walkabout, but it's only 300 watts total. Maybe the new M6 Carbine. I haven't played one, but it does have a real simple eq.

 

[fenderhutz]

What about the Nemesis 650 or 700? Great sound, great price.

 

[Chef]

The Walkabout does 550 at 2 ohms.
I've not needed more than that head can provide when coupled with one efficient cab, or enuff cones....

 

[James Hart]

hartke 7000

Don't hide, I am not a Hartke hater! I A/Bed my old Schroeder cabs with a Hartke and GK hear... Hartke smoked the GK to my ears

The front panel is 19", and the main case is 17.4". Is 1" too much?

The rack ears are permanent... and yes. My cab is 18" and I'd like my head to NOT be wider if I can find a solution. I'd like to tote my head in a bag like my basses and pedalboard.

If I go rack width, my first choice / stop will be SWR I think.

 

[Chef]

One other thing you might consider:
putting one 8 ohm 115 under your 2x2; that'll leave whatever amp you get running at 2.67.

Have you ever messed with a Carvin B1500?

 

[James Hart]

Yeah, Mesa Walkabout, but it's only 300 watts total. Maybe the new M6 Carbine. I haven't played one, but it does have a real simple eq.

I'll check that out too

The Walkabout does 550 at 2 ohms.
I've not needed more than that head can provide when coupled with one efficient cab, or enuff cones....

I hear ya, I can't get behind the crazy wattage game. 250 watts into 2 drivers always did right by me indoors or out. This new gig is just a tad more metal so 4 drivers are gonna be needed. Otherwise I'm golden with my BH-250 -> D12

What about the Nemesis 650 or 700? Great sound, great price.

the current Nemesis and the WT405 seemed close enough in specs and price to just go with the Eden... but I'll keep it on the list.

 

[James Hart]

One other thing you might consider:
putting one 8 ohm 115 under your 2x2; that'll leave whatever amp you get running at 2.67.

Have you ever messed with a Carvin B1500?

My head gets hot pushing 4 ohms hard... so I won't go lower with it at all. the D12 does it for me cab wise, another cab added will match it.

The B1500 is just overkill... I wouldn't mind the littler one if they were still around (B800 I think it was). I owned a Carvin head in the 80s and a Carvin bass in the 90s... I've no problem with their product lines either.

 

[peterbright]

Carvin BX 1200 for $599!

The BX1200 dual mono block bass head offers rich tone generated from discrete Class A preamps and the extensive equalization features. The EQ starts up front with the contour control going from a flat mid response to a heavy scooped mid response for slap bass players. The 5-band tone control section features three semi-parametric EQ controls and high and low shelving controls. The EQ includes a footswitchable 9 - band Graphic EQ. To warm up the sound, the preamp DRIVE can push the Class A preamps to a slight warm growl. The BX1200 provides the ultimate in tone.