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Pros & Cons. Fender Vs. Eden heads

V

Village Idiot

Jul 31, 2008
34
0
#1
I've been looking to play bass again. I have a Hughes & Kettner Triamp I took to the local guitar shop and I'm trying to decide on which head to start with.

They had a Eden WT405 with the 2x10 and 1x15 cabinet in the store. I was playing that with an Active P Bass Special that I'm going to be picking up. It sounded amazing. So I went onto Eden's site, poked around, and did some reading. I saw that a lot of their users prefer the Eden WT550. I was also reading about the Fender Bassman 300 Pro head that's all tube. Ever review I've seen by customers (as it's damn near impossible to find real reviews through google...that or I'm not trying hard enough) say it's the best amp head they've ever played through.

I'm going to end up getting the store to bring in which ever I want so I can test it out, but I'd like to know if anyone's played with these two units and how they compare. The WT405 Eden setup had a very big fat bottom end and great tone across the board. It was so much better than the Ampeg B4R I was using previously. I've also played through SWR, Hartke, and other Ampeg gear and after hearing the Eden, I was no longer impressed. Does the Fender stack up to that? Is it better? It's an actual tube amp where the Eden I played on and the 550 is not. Unfortunately the Eden tube amps start at about $2000 iirc.

Thanks for any input.
 
#3
AxtoOx said:
To me it's not even close, Eden.

Any quality tube amp is going to cost over $1500 for the head new.
Click to expand...

wt550 vs. bassman 300?

I can get the WT550 for probably about $1200 new and the Bass man for about $1400.

I'm going to be playing at bars and clubs, nothing huge yet, but when it does get big we'll rent sound. Is the Eden WT550 going to be powerful enough?
 
#7
I have (2) Eden WT405 heads and I feel it's the best amplifier they make.
I had the WT550 and while I liked it alot there was certain things that I hated about it. I loved the warm tube like tone that it had but I absolutely HATED the compression circuit in that model. There also is no mute or Pre/Post DI on the WT550.
The WT405 is a bit cleaner sounding amplifier as it is all Solid State, it has a great sounding compression circuit, full mute button and Pre/Post DI.
The WT405 is the perfect all in one amplifier IMO.
 
#8
Well if its tubes you want, get the new Eden 300T. Its all tubes. 300 watts. Its actually shown upwards of like 700 watts in some test if I'm not mistaking. Don't quote me on that. I've not heard one yet, but everyone that has is completely floored. Any Eden is great. Now I am an endorser, but I originally hated Eden. But when I learned how to use it, I found the sound in my head. That's what we're all after anyway. You should check out the Eden forums and you could get a lot of info there. Best of luck on finding the sound in your head.
 
#9
daddycal said:
Well if its tubes you want, get the new Eden 300T. Its all tubes. 300 watts. Its actually shown upwards of like 700 watts in some test if I'm not mistaking. Don't quote me on that. I've not heard one yet, but everyone that has is completely floored. Any Eden is great. Now I am an endorser, but I originally hated Eden. But when I learned how to use it, I found the sound in my head. That's what we're all after anyway. You should check out the Eden forums and you could get a lot of info there. Best of luck on finding the sound in your head.
Click to expand...

I was more than happy with my B4R that I played for about two years, but then again, I never played anything super impressive. I'll have to check on that 300T. My budget's about $1600. I guess that would have been important to mention.
 
#10
You know, it's a tough call. I love the Eden WT405 (and the WT330 and WT390). Like Vinny, it's my favorite Eden product. However, I also just played a festival in PA, and one of the other bassists was playing a Sunn 300 (which is now the Fender 300). It was a stellar sound that I loved. And with the two channels, he just footswitched between a great, thick, warm clean sound, and a really nice tube distortion sound.

Of course, with a WT405, you can just add a tube-like pedal to get the same sort of multi-channel behavior. I really think you need to try both if you can. I like them both. Of course, the Fender is waaaaay heavier.

Cheers,
Liam
 
#11
I wouldnt go to this extent unless you were planning on playing with a band eventually. If your budget allows it then go for it. If not then Id look into a combo amp or get a line 6 pod and plug some good headphones into it.
 
#12
MusicMan810 said:
I wouldnt go to this extent unless you were planning on playing with a band eventually. If your budget allows it then go for it. If not then Id look into a combo amp or get a line 6 pod and plug some good headphones into it.
Click to expand...

That's why I'm doing this, I got an offer to play bass in a band again. I sold off all my stuff because I wanted to play guitar and I got a killer deal on the amp of my dreams, a MK I H&K triamp. I played guitar in a band and have tried several times to put a band together, but I kind of lost interest. I'm just not as good at guitar and I don't have the time to put into it as where I was actively in a band when I played bass the first time and we practiced at least three times a week.

My guitar stuff just sat in the studio for the past year and a half and I've turned it on maybe ten times in that time frame.

I'm probably going to use some of my contacts to get some gigs in the Baltimore area and we're probably going to be playing out within a month or so. I'm not playing a little combo amp through a PA when the other guitar players have half stacks. I'd be better off playing along and sitting at the bar for as well as that solution would work.
 
#13
There is one on Ebay for $1269.00 with the "Best Offer" option. I think this is the normal street price on these. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I've loved every Eden I've played through. I'm a WTX guy because I fly so much.


Village Idiot said:
I was more than happy with my B4R that I played for about two years, but then again, I never played anything super impressive. I'll have to check on that 300T. My budget's about $1600. I guess that would have been important to mention.
Click to expand...
 
#18
Hey no worries. Well not yet on the 500. I was on the road when NAMM was in town or I would have tried it. I've got an order in. I'm just waiting like everyone else unfortunately. Lane says its amazing. I believe him. If its the 260 just with more power, I will be more than pleased. I'll get back after the 8th. I'll call you when I get back.


Calvin



liam_g said:
Hey, Cal,

Sorry for the thread derail, but have you gotten to try the WTX500 yet??

See ya when you back to Nashvegas,
Liam
Click to expand...
 
#19
I've played the WT405 and the WT550... I OWN the WT550! The 405 is O.K. if you don't like complicated EQ but like the Eden sound...Round and warm...Its not exactly the same as the 550, but its close. the 405 is cheaper and lighter than the 550.

between fender and eden I'd go eden, but that a bit of a tone preference...405 is a little lower in power to BTW...
 
#20
It's Eden. Extremely Sensative EQ so you can get any sound you want with a click or two to either side.. Great power.. Good Size. Great Tone.. I just personally Love the Eden WT550. If you want the 405 I DO believe that you can upgrade it through EDEN. Send them the head and some cash and they can upgrade the specs for more power handling etc. Go EDEN and you wont be disappointed. :)
 

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