• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Please help me choos a Lightweight Head...

Please help me to choose a Lightweight Head

  • Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0

    Votes: 21 30.4%

  • Carvin BX 500

    Votes: 7 10.1%

  • Gallien Krueger MB 500

    Votes: 11 15.9%

  • Ampeg Portaflex PF 500

    Votes: 11 15.9%

  • Other (please specify)

    Votes: 19 27.5%
  • Total voters
    69
  • Poll closed .
AREA

AREA

Dec 13, 2005
729
655
60
Moenchengladbach, Germany
sixfold-music.de
#1
Thanks Guys and Girls..

There are so many out there and it is impossible to try them all out. I know it should have 500, max. 600 Watts and should sound clean but also round and warm...

So wich one would you choose. If any other, please specify and say why.

At the Moment the Carvin would be the Head I like most, because its light, but not soo tiny and it could handle 2 Ohms too and seems to be well equiped..
 
#2
What cabs are you using it with?

Do you *need* 2ohm capability?

ADD: Any of these can do round and warm just fine, and can do some more other tones too. I bought my Shuttle 6.0 from TB (US to Indonesia), so I'm sure you an work something out ;)
Shuttle 9.0
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/f-s-genz-benz-shuttle-9-0-a-837596/
ShuttleMAX 12.0
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/fs-genz-benz-s-max-12-0-rack-ears-footswitch-carry-bag-836014/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/genz-benz-shuttlemax-12-a-824299/

ADD:
Forgot to vote :p

I have a Shuttle 6.0 and it can do round and warm nicely, and with a couple of knob turnings, can do other tones as well.
A close second will be the Ampeg PF-500 but that's because I like the Ampeg tone. It'll do round and warm depending on the cab.
A third choice will be a Ashdown MiBass 550 - it'll do the classic Ashdown warm tone no problem.
 
#3
I, personally, would go with the Shuttle 6.0 but I don't know if I'd consider it round and warm. While it does have a tube in the pre, it's a very precise, crystal clear sounding head that has a modern personality.

For a warmer tone, I would go with the PF500 in an instant. I've tried it out extensively at the local stores and LOVED it! If it weren't for how much I love the Shuttle series heads, that would've been my next choice.

If you haven't figured out your cab situation either, I've found that running my modern sounding Shuttle 3.0 with more traditional sounding cabs (SVT210AV in my case) has found me in near sonic nirvana! IMO the mix of the 2 gets me to the perfect blend of modern and warmer Ampeg sound.

These are all things that have worked IME and IMO, but you'll be the best judge of what works for you!
 
#4
I vote Carvin BX1500, because I'm so happy with mine. It's light. It's cheap for what it is. It has ridiculous EQ options. It is "voiced" in a way that I like (extra clean and modern sounding). Most important, bridged it will go to 1500 watts @ 4 ohms. Headroom is a wonderful thing, and I need a bunch of amp sometimes, not so much others. You can always turn a big amp down, but a small one only goes up so much.

I'm running it through a fEarful 15/6. I LOVE my rig now. My fEarful only weighs about 50#s, and only sounds better when driven hard.

Good luck in your search.
 
#8
It will depend on what you're looking for, but I'm very pleased with the GK MB-Fusion. It's also a 500 but it has a 3-tube preamp. Warm & versatile for a GK. ...and as loud as you want :D
 
#10
You really can't go "wrong" with any of the micro's out there. For me the Ibanez Promethean really gets the job done matched with my GB NeoX 212.

I'm very curious about the new Genz products about to be released. ShuttleLiner 18.2 anyone? :hyper:
 
#11
I was in the same situation recently, had to blindly buy an amp head. First choice was the GK MB500, but I bought an Ampeg PF-500 because the GK was unavailable. Well it's not your 1 kg micro amp head, but it's definitely not too heavy either, fits in most backpacks with all the cables and stuff. I like the tone and versatility of this amp, sounds just great (and loud) through my fEARful 15/6. :D
 
#12
Maybe another Point of View, that is important to me. Maybe more important then any other...

The Head in Combination with one or two 2x12" has to "cut through" the Mix...

I'm no Solo Player who needs to hear any "Sizzle". I'm definately a Band Player where the Bass must sit right in the Mix. So a well defined Bottom is what I need...

1.Band: Guitar, Keys, Drums, Bass, Voc(m), Voc(f) --> Cover Top40

2.Band: Guitar, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Voc(m), Voc(f) --> Rock
 
#17
Not sure what you have available in Germany, but you may have a chance to check out some of the EU brands that are hard for us to try in the US. And, I assume they are not quite as pricey as they are in the US.

TecAmp has updated their wonderful Puma line of micro heads. The Puma500 is now one rack space, and is a beautifully voiced head for a very clean but warm tone.

Glockenklang has just introduced a lightweight version of the HeartRock/Soul type heads... not small, but nice and lightweight. Worth a look since you are in Germany.

The Markbass LMIII remains at the top of the list for 'clean, warm and powerful' IMO.

EBS has introduced a small, lightweight head. The wattage is a bit lower than you requirements, but reports are that it is quite powerful for its rated 250 watts.

Finally, Genz Benz does a good job with EU support, and will announce a new line of Shuttle type heads next week, and they will be shipping soon. Nice stuff, great support, and a tight, warm and somewhat bright voicing.


Edit: If for some reason you need 2 ohm operation, the Carvin is about the only choice in a small, lightweight head.
 
#18
PS Regarding assessing max volume of these heads, make sure to realize that the master volume and gain controls have quite different designs across different brands. For example, the Markbass heads (and most others) use a typical 'linear' type gain and volume control, so you get to max volume VERY early in the travel of those knobs. In other words, with the Markbass heads (like the LMIII and F500) set with the gain just below the clip light coming on, you will reach the full volume of that head at around noon or so on the master). With the Genz, the Tecamp stuff, and the Glock, the volume doesn't even START to crank until the master is at noon and beyond, due to the different pot taper design, etc.

Test with your ears, NOT with your eyes. An amp that doesn't get loud until you dial that master to 2 o'clock is not an issue as long as you realize that you can't compare amps set at the same 'knob position' regarding evaluating output.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassdudepat
#20
My understanding is that the shuttle 9 uses the same power module that most 500w micros use so it should be the one to compare here rather than the 6. I second the recommendation of Carvin with fEARful. I'm using the bx500 with a 15/6 and it's fantastic. I will probably be buying the bx1500 at some point soon too. I'm a big fan of having gobs of excess headroom, especially in a lightweight package.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back