Replace the old amp or go with something new

[FFEJY]

Peavey MiniMega with two Ampeg PF-115LF cabs; drivers replaced with Peavey 1502-8DT Kevlar Black Widows with Neo Magnets. Weigh nearly nothing and will take the MiniMega's 1000 watts all day long without a sweat all the while deafening little old ladies and making wee lil' children run screaming...in utter terror!!!

 

[6-3-2]

I would consider a Markbass or Phil Jones solution. Your back will love you for it. SO will your ears.

I'd second Phil Jones. Zero regrets over my combo. Extremely focused and musical sounding equipment.

I wonder why no one is saying Aguilar? (Maybe I missed it) All the ones I've played sound fantastic and they've got nice light heads these days. Are the cabs really heavy?

 

[Grinderman]

I would suggest trying the D-800+ as that's closer to the Ampeg voicing than the TT, though the TT-800's Subway channel is also close. The Boogie channel is quite different however.

In regarding to voicing, I'm interested to see how you may describe the WD-800. It wouldn't change my mind about how much I like this amp but I'm curious nonetheless.

To the OP/Mark Mac: Seeing that is heartbreaking.

 

[DJ Bebop]

View attachment 4642836

 

[groovaholic]

Peavey MiniMega

I loved the sound of my MiniMega - but it was unreliable, and Peavey service isn't what it used to be.
Peavey MiniMega 1000

After the MiniMega, I got a Genzler Magellan and really liked it - plus the build quality was FANTASTIC.

But based on your reaction to the Fender Rumble 500 combo and the fact that a V4R and a pair of 212 cabs were making you happy, I think something with a more tubey tone might be a better fit for you.

So I'll second the Aguilar recommendations.
And you might want to try the Orange Terror Bass with a couple other cabs; I really loved the sound of mine, it just didn't have enough kick at 8 ohms.

 

[Bassiclees]

Mesa yes but before you go TT you really should look at the 800+.

 

[agedhorse]

In regarding to voicing, I'm interested to see how you may describe the WD-800. It wouldn't change my mind about how much I like this amp but I'm curious nonetheless.

The WD-800 is a little more voiced and textured. While the texture is similar to the Ampeg, the voicing is different. It’s all so much a personal taste thing really.

 

[coy garcia]

The WD-800 is a little more voiced and textured. While the texture is similar to the Ampeg, the voicing is different. It’s all so much a personal taste thing really.

I do love my ampeg pf50t as a alternative to carting around my boogie 400+ but I do regret not test driving a boogie TT800. Amazing amount of love for them here.

 

[MichelD]

That is sad to see. I have a V4B but don't really want to gig with it ever again (I think it is 65,not 45 pounds) so in February I got a Traynor SB500H.

Right now I have a 1x12 home-made cab for it, adequate for the basement, rehearsals and if I do play out, it has
Selectable Pre / Post EQ XLR DI Output jacks in the back. And is is 500 watts of Class D amp weighingin at four pounds. Lots of variation in the settings so I found I can approximate my Ampeg V4B sound with it.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

@Rip Van Dan Thats a nice rig. Ive got the 800 and 2 DNS112 cabs.

That's a Great Set-up. was hoping DNA was coming out with a 212 back in 2010 and then David said they were just going to make the 112's. I couldn't afford two 112's but I could get the 410 and my big Eden amp bridges 800-watts into 8Ω, so I bought that and ran either my 210 or 410 into it...little slice of heaven.

You know those DNS-112's you have produce the lowest bottom end of all his cabs at 32Hz. My 410 gets down to 37Hz and my 210 gets to 34Hz, but the low-end winner is the DNS-112 with 32Hz. There's an early video of Roy Vogt running the prototype of the DNS-112 through its paces back in 2010 that you might enjoy. His last statement at the end of the video after he plays a standup with a bow through it, will make you smile.

 

[Bald-N-Bassy]

@Rip Van Dan I knew they went low, but I wasnt aware the 112's went lower. Once I heard my Lakland 5 through 1, I bought a second the next day and the 800.

 

[Mark Mac]

I got to test out a few more examples this weekend.

Mesa D800+ - Sounds great. I want to try it with the Mesa 2x12 cab but haven't been able to locate one here yet.

Ampeg SVT 7pro - tried this one through a Barefaced Super Twin that a friend owns. I like that combo a lot. It has the Ampeg sound I'm used to but the cab is miles better than my old 2x12 stack and about a third of the weight. I've emailed Alex to see how long it would take to get my hands on one.

Tonehammer 500 - I like this one too but would like to hear it through the Super Twin.

Decisions, decisions....

 

[Mark Mac]

Got the cab sorted out. Ordered a Barefaced Super Twin today.

 

[Mark Mac]

For the head, I ordered a Mesa D800+ and an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500. I'm going to run them both through a borrowed Barefaced Super Twin at the next band practice to see which one I like better in our mix. Stay tuned.

 

[agedhorse]

Don’t connect the two amps to the cabinet at the same time, even if one is turned off.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Don’t connect the two amps to the cabinet at the same time, even if one is turned off.

 

[agedhorse]

Sometimes, the seemingly obvious needs to be reinforced BEFORE damage occurs.

 

[Mark Mac]

Don’t connect the two amps to the cabinet at the same time, even if one is turned off.

Ha. I guess I should have specified that I'm going to run them separately using the same cab to do a little A/B test with the band.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Sometimes, the seemingly obvious needs to be reinforced BEFORE damage occurs.

I had a former band mate try to punch me out because I told him that wouldn't work, running two amps into one cab even if one is off. So to "prove" to me I was wrong, he turned on both amps. The attempt to punch me after also went wrong for him as well.

 

[Mark Mac]

Well after playing a few sets at practice with each head I've decided to go with the Aguilar Tone Hammer 500. It sounds great with my p bass, mustang and especially with my hollow body. The Mesa D800 + is also a great amp but the Aguilar just sounds a little warmer and sits in the mix with my current band perfectly. Now I've just got to wait for my Super Twin to get here.