Reliable solid state heads with plenty of power

[Bassheart365]

Thunderfunk TFB750 or 800. A little pricey, but awesome. You can usually find used ones for around $1,000.00 US or less.

I will never go near a Thunderfunk Amp again after waiting 5 months for mine to be repaired by "Dave Funk" - real name Robert Gunnison. Countless emails and phone messages went unanswered before he finally got around to fixing and returning it. Bad Juju.

 

[ofguilt]

The old trusty GK 800rb is one you can add to the list. It is an older model but widely regarded as one of the best SS Tanks ever produced.

 

[Hounddog409]

Hi Bass-swarm,

I am looking for a reliable solid state head with plenty of power / lots of headroom for touring. Something like the Aguilar DB751 (but less expensive) or a Peavey FB800 (but less antique). Could be all solid-state or hybrid with a tube pre-amp. Tone and weight of the head and power-handling of the cab are secondary here. ... and I don't want to start a general discussion about valve vs. solid-state power stages.

Every recommendation is very welcome!
Thank you!
Bodiczek

Mesa. You are welcome

 

[StringslamDan]

I'll second the GK 400rb or 800rb. I'm a firm believer after trying them that they live up to all the hype! Most versatile head in existence!

 

[silvertripper]

Here is another vote for GK 1001RB. I bought mine in 2001 and played 2-4 times per week for about 3 years without any issues. Beer, heat, bouncing around in a trailer all across Texas, nothing would hurt that beast of an amp!

 

[keith1r]

GK

 

[agedhorse]

I haven't subjected it to the rigors of touring, but my GBE 1200 has been reliable (worst I've experienced was a scratchy pot or two). Powerful, 2 Ohm capable, 2 channel (FET/tube) preamp. It's 3U and 40-ish pounds, but my favorite of the Genz Benz heads I've played. Relatively affordable used, these days, and I am pretty sure that @agedhorse still services them (but he can confirm).

Correct

 

[bikeplate]

Bergantino

 

[Hevy T]

Mesa Boogie Subway D800, D800+, or the WD 800

GK mb 500, 800 for Fusion

Mark bass lm 500 or 800

That’s enough homework for ya mang!

 

[StringslamDan]

Correct

My Old GBE 600 was also a tank and sounded amazing doing it! The one head I regret selling...

 

[1bassplayinfool]

GK stuff is very reliable. The 800 Fusion can get stupid loud.

 

[lowfreek]

I've seen many good deals on used Mesa D800's and D800+'s since the WD800 was released. Check the usual used outlets regularly and you'll see them too. Can't recommend them enough.

 

[davegt666]

Pretty much any GK RB head. I have 400RB and a 700RBii.

The 1001RB are a great value right now. As said before, I've seen many under $400.

 

[baxter_x]

Interesting thread. In terms of reliability, GK seems to be the main consensus.

 

[javi_bassist]

I'd go with Ashdown. I've gigged with my ABM EVO II for years and years and it nerver let me down. Plenty of power and awesome tone

 

[Kro]

Interesting thread. In terms of reliability, GK seems to be the main consensus.

As was already mentioned, depending on model, GK RB heads can pretty much be found anywhere on the used market for between $300-400. There are just that many of them still up and running in the wild, and at that price IMO they're a steal - and why I currently have 3 of them in my possession.

I've personally never had an issue with any of mine, but if I did, there seems like there should be enough donor amps, or just outright replacement amps out there in existence that I really don't ever see myself being unable to get my fix with one.

Hell, while 800RBs - particularly those in good cosmetic condition, have gone up in price recently, that is an amp from the 80s! It's been over 35 years since it was released, and while I admit that new replacement parts for it are definitely more difficult to source, there are still a ton of the amps themselves in existence.

I guess that's a long winded way of saying that as far as GK being the consensus, they're definitely deserving, but I think a lot of that just comes down to their sheer number. BUT there wouldn't be so many in rotation if they died every 5 years!

 

[Bodiczek]

Yeehaw. That's a list. At first sight the GKs sound like an option. But I'll check the others too! Thank you all. I'll post how the whole thing ended up.

 

[joel406]

Yeehaw. That's a list. At first sight the GKs sound like an option. But I'll check the others too! Thank you all. I'll post how the whole thing ended up.

Just letting you know. I am a long time GK user. I currently have the MB-800 fusion. And I love it. I got the GK after giving the Mesa Subway D-800+ a year to wow me. It didn’t.

While a fine amp the Mesa just doesn’t punch like the GK.

 

[baxter_x]

As was already mentioned, depending on model, GK RB heads can pretty much be found anywhere on the used market for between $300-400. There are just that many of them still up and running in the wild, and at that price IMO they're a steal - and why I currently have 3 of them in my possession.

I've personally never had an issue with any of mine, but if I did, there seems like there should be enough donor amps, or just outright replacement amps out there in existence that I really don't ever see myself being unable to get my fix with one.

Hell, while 800RBs - particularly those in good cosmetic condition, have gone up in price recently, that is an amp from the 80s! It's been over 35 years since it was released, and while I admit that new replacement parts for it are definitely more difficult to source, there are still a ton of the amps themselves in existence.

I guess that's a long winded way of saying that as far as GK being the consensus, they're definitely deserving, but I think a lot of that just comes down to their sheer number. BUT there wouldn't be so many in rotation if they died every 5 years!

I would personnaly avoid GK class D amps. I tried them once and it was hissing a bit too much and the seller told me, he had to deal with lots of fried amps. He was thinking about stopping selling them.

 

[Koog]

Bergantino Forte. Read the specs. Lives up to its billing in live performance. Powerful. Articulate. Simple to operate. Very reliable. Jim and Holly Bergantino are great people.