POLL: Help me choose my first amp

I voted Quilter BB800 only because that's what I use personally. Lots of other good choices on your list, can't really go wrong.

If I may add one more unsolicited word of advice: Make sure your 2x10 or 1x15 is 8 ohms, so that you can pair it with a second (preferably identical) cabinet when you start gigging. Choice of cabinet(s) is at least as important as choice of head.

 

I’m going Markbass - the one you’ve listed is twice the rating of my Little Mark 250 so I’m sure you would have no lack of power.

 

i read your other thread. there's no way for your needs that anyone will hear your bass using a 50 watt amp.

i voted for the GK MB500 because i really like it and it has a great tone IMO for prog and metal. and it's stupid light. i also voted for the rumble 500 - everyone seems to love it, and my experience has been very positive with fender products in every way. i like the way the rumbles i've tried sound.

if you don't mind a heavier head, you might add the hartke LH500 to your list - i have one, and of the amps i've owned, it's the one that sounds best to me. it's also surprisingly versatile considering its very simple 3 knob layout. it's got a tube that maybe adds something to the tone.

i would recommend an amp with some headroom. my friend chris blew his entire 300 watt bass rig trying to get over an aggressive guitar player with a 100 watt rig. i had to upgrade my rig to get over a loud band, and i was using a 600 watt head and an 18" cab. most people won't be playing that loud, but still, 50 watts would have been literally inaudible. i played 100% clean, btw. more gain would have helped, but it isn't my thing.

 

From your list I voted GK MB500
My choice though, Ashdown RM 500 EVO for your price point bought new. It’s sturdy, reliable, sounds great with a whole lot of versatility in sound and built in compression, overdrive, sub octave, eq override and “smiley eq”. I have a few amp/cab combos but at your price point this head with a 210, 212 or 115 can take you pretty far and provide some real usable sound for just about any situation barring stadiums or large outdoor gigs.
Yes, you can get something used but I shy away from that business as, too many people like to tinker with gear guts and too many people like to abuse gear prior to sale. Warranty benefits can be worth more than the $100 you save in the used market. However, I have bought used and been lucky. Just something to think about if you are considering going that route.
Have fun searching and enjoy the journey. I can’t wait to hear what you decide to get.

 

These are worth a look: TX600

 

From that list, Quilter.

 

Any head delivering at least 500 watts into a 4 ohm load is a good place to start, but 800 is better. At that point, you need to really focus on speaker cabinets that can deliver clean volume. I suggest two 115 cabs or two 210s. A 212 might cut it if is a good one, like wise for two 112s.

 

First Amp! I thought there was a long standing tradition in which
every player must rock a Peavey TNT 1-15 combo for no less then 1 year

 

You could get a used Mesa D-800 in that price range, but from the list I voted for the GK MB500. I like my MB200 quite a bit and was planning on upgrading to the GK MB800. Then a great deal on the Mesa D-800+ changed all that

 

I’m pretty sure that’s what I had in high school. 2 guitar players in the band with 100 watt half stacks. I was completely inaudible.

 

i never liked hartke amps much till this one. and the price was nice, but mostly it sounds good.

 

As rule of thumb you should spend a lot more on your cab(s) than on your amp. Also you're better off with a used amp and new cabs. First figure out which cabs you want to use, are able and willing to transport, and what you can afford. The amp is really far less important.

 

I'm gonna toss out another line that will give you plenty of juice, that's not om your list...

Those older Genz Benz hybrid heads come in 600-900w, and are well in your budget. Specifically the Shuttle 6.2 (on up), or the Streamliner 600-900. I see them both pop up here regularly, if you can afford to be a little patient. Many of those sellers recently upgraded to the latest & greatest, or will be typing a few years later that they wish they never sold them .)

Shuttle = 1 tube in the pre, under #4
S-Liner = 3 tube pre, about #8

 

You'd be better off with less watts and more speakers, like a 6x10. Gotto move more air to make more noise.
500 watts into 1x15 won't do it for you.