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Portable Amp Head for 90% Jazz Playing

Amplified

Amplified

Jan 19, 2014
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#1
Need a recommended amp for jazz. Bass used is the classic Fender Jazz bass. My ask is just the regular jazz tone and amp to be neutral sounding with minimal adjustments.

Any high end portable amp head with high power output? I have seen GK, Bergantino, Genzler, Aguilar, TC Electronics. Other inputs from the community here would be appreciated.
 
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#2
GR Bass have an interesting range of amps, all very light for their specs, and claim to provide the "pure tone" of your instrument.
- The pocket amp is tiny, super light (weight: 0,75 Kg - 1,65 lbs), and it is battery powered with 8 hours of autonomy. OK, only 50W :-(
- The 800W model weights 2,35 Kg - 5.18 lbs
- They also have two 350 W models, and a 1400 W model (2x 700)

I never tried one but they have great reviews

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The Quilter Bass Black 800 (and 801) are also super portable and super powerful: 800 W / 4-lb (1.8kg). Great tone, "neutral but not sterile". It really respects all the character of each of my instruments and the nuances of my playing. And it sounds identical at very low volume and super high volume - I have often been upset by amps that sound nice during rehearsals but tiny at home and breathless or crushed at the gig.
 
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#8
A recommendation from a TB'er who is still "meh" about class D: I still consider the 1980's-90's GK amps "lightweight." Class D mini amps to me are "ultralight."

The good old GK400rb (older or newer versions) is out there for $200 or even cheaper -- ultra reliable, versatile, and they just respond in a musical way that I can't seem to experience with current gear. And they're still only like 15 pounds. YMMV
 
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#14
A Genzler Magellan 350 would probably do you pretty well. I like mine and use it a lot in a Brazilian jazz band. I do have an Acoustic Image Clarus as well, but for electric bass guitar, it doesn't work as well as the Genzler for my tastes. However, the Clarus is perfect for my acoustic bass guitar.

The good news is that you have a lot of good options available.
 
#15
I've owned and used most of the amps you list in your first post, with the exception of the Aguilar 700. The other Aggies (350, 500) were way too tone-colored for me, I do not know about the 700. I'd avoid TC, there have been issues with some of their models. Genzler is great, until recently the MG350 was my amp of choice. Plenty of power with a 4-ohm cab. I now use a Quilter Bass Block and love it. Very transparent but beefy at the same time. And simple to use (I like simple).

Of the others on your list - I have owned several GKs and found them too voiced for my tastes. The Bergantino Forte is a great amp, but a bit bigger than the others. I owned and used MarkBass some years back, but not lately. Nothing special about them for me.
 

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