You of course would know more about that than I! I'm not aware of any amps that match your description but an amp that matches what I described is the EBS Reidmar 752.
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Seymour Duncan Powerstage Bass
- Thread starter Spector2112
- Start date
Here's another amp. So, I guess what I'm saying is that if I have to have a 2 ohm load in order to get the power that I need, it's less favorable for me. Now, if the power at 2 ohms is equal to or better than the power at 4 ohms, my ears are still perked up….
Ashen APG1000.2
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,080
- 5
- 221,185
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Any of the Subway models for example, same for the Magellan 800, Bergantino, Fender Rumble/Bassman 800, etc.
Your particular choices are exceptions.
I'll add the first generation UL901 by Epifani. Of note, the current (2nd) generation is 4-ohm minimum.
The last time that I had an opportunity to try any Epifani product I don't believe that they were making amps at the time if I'm not mistaken. There was a local dealer in my area that is no longer in existence. Now I basically have to buy to try stuff that I'm interested in.
I am actually fine with a minimum 4 ohm load. All of my four current amps provide power in the range of 800 watts into 4 ohms. I've got a pair of small 8 ohm cabs that handle 400 watts each and two different 4 ohm cabs that can easily handle 800 watts.
All of the amps that I was aware of capable of supporting a 2 ohm load also got the max power output when operating at 2 ohms. I guess when I saw an amp that could do a 2 ohm load I just assumed that it was like the other 2 ohm minimum amps that I was aware of.
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three pages of bitching about what it isn't: has anyone actually tried the damn thing yet?
)
I'm in agreement with everyone's comments about this just being another Class D Bass Amp option. I think they missed an opportunity here.
700 watts at 4 ohms for $700 makes it basically about $300 - $700 cheaper than most of it's high end "competitors" (Mesa, GK, Aguilar) which IMO are in a completely different class.
It appears that it is really only in direct competition with:
Quilter 803
Ampeg V7
Fender Rumble 800
The Quilter is a hell of an amp for the price, the Fender Rumble and the Ampeg V Series have their fan clubs so I'm not sure that a ton of people are going to take a chance on the SD.
Interested to see how it catches on / if it catches on.
700 watts at 4 ohms for $700 makes it basically about $300 - $700 cheaper than most of it's high end "competitors" (Mesa, GK, Aguilar) which IMO are in a completely different class.
It appears that it is really only in direct competition with:
Quilter 803
Ampeg V7
Fender Rumble 800
The Quilter is a hell of an amp for the price, the Fender Rumble and the Ampeg V Series have their fan clubs so I'm not sure that a ton of people are going to take a chance on the SD.
Interested to see how it catches on / if it catches on.
Why do you feel that the Mesa, GK and Aguilar heads are in a different class? Why do you feel that the Powerstage isn't in competition with those amps? Is it simply because of the price point?
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Fair question.
In terms of the Mesa's, They are very feature heavy compared to the SD. For example the TT800 is dual channel and utilizes 3 tubes, a HPF and advanced EQ'ing. The WD800, although one channel, offers very advanced EQ'ing, a preamp tube and HPF, etc...
In the case of the Aguilar's, although I am not a fan per se of the tone and gain structure, they are a very respected amplifier in the market that have been put through the paces and have a large group of active users.
The GK's also tend to be hybrid amps and have pretty beefy EQ'ing options, etc...
I guess I would say that when comparing apples to apples I'd look at wattage, price point, reputation and features. The SD is close in wattage, lacking quite a few features (particularly when compared to Mesa) and hasn't been battle proven over the course of several years. If it can compete in performance then it certainly would be a value for the money!
Alright, I get you now! I have no experience at all with any Mesa amp but I'm personally not interested in GK & Aguilar offerings. In my opinion those amps have more of a baked in tone and I prefer more transparency.
The Seymour Duncan apparently is pretty transparent so that is what has me interested. It also has a power rating suitable for my needs and while the EQ may not be as powerful as those in other amps, it seems to be more than just simply functional. Of course, the jury is still out on its build quality and reliability.
I don't really have a need for an amp right now but I always try to keep my ear to the ground. Each of my current amps perform well with the gear that I have. If I could find another option that is clearly better than something that I have at a reasonable cost, I'm interested!
The Quilter V803 is one option that might be of interest to me and I've had it in a cart on multiple occasions. Its modern vocing is similar to that of the BB800 from the reports that I've seen but it has some other voices that I could possibly find useful. I've got a BB800 though so if I added the V803 it would be more about what it offers that is different.
Arguably the cleanest sounding amp that I have right now is an Ashdown Retroglide 800. It's just a good sounding amp with no drive section. Having an amp with transparent tone that also has the ability to get dirty intrigues me but I need more information.
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,080
- 5
- 221,185
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I recommend playing a few more amps first before relying on your assumptions, especially your assumptions of transparency.
I try to play as many as I can touch. The problem is that you just don't see a very diverse selection on amps in my local area. If I can't find it in a GC then I probably won't be able to find it. What you called my assumptions is simply based on what I've been able to try, how it sounds to me. and to a lesser extent the feedback that I get from those who have tried what I'm interested in. Of course that's subjective.
I am not a fan of the Aguilar line of products either. I also am not a GK guy. Not saying that there is anything wrong with either brand, they just don't work for me.
I played Ampeg SVT-CL's for decades and then went to the Ampeg V4B to shed some weight. Around 2000 I went to Ashdown's ABM 500 series for about a decade and loved it.
When Mesa dropped the Subway line I started out with the D800+ and it met every need I could possibly have. It can get really close to the Ampeg vibe as well as Ashdown. I also tried out the WD800 and it was a killer amp but I preferred the D800+. When the TT800 came out I was GAS'ing hard and tried it out but IMO at that time I preferred the D800+. The D800+ was my main amp for many years and then recently I went back and tried the TT800 again and absolutely loved it this time around so, it has been my primary for the past year.
I still own the SVT-CL, V4B, Ashdown ABM 500 and the D800+ but they stay in my studio.
The TT800 is my primary gigging amp and I couldn't be happier!
If you don't have anything close to you where you can try various amps out, consider an online retailer that has a good return policy like Sweetwater. Treat the amp like it is borrowed from a close friend and put it through it's paces at home. If it's not for you, contact your sales rep and return it. As long as you aren't abusing it and you are using white gloves (so to speak) they will work with you! It's not going to be the same as gigging with it but neither would trying it out in a shop. You should know enough about it to fall in love or know it's not for you.
Side note...the 803 is a great amp but I'm telling you as a working musician that plays 100 times per year, consider the Subway series and make the investment!
In my uneducated brain, the Quilter's triple-voicing option and onboard limiter makes it the top-contender. I'm still in the midst of decision-paralysis.
Riis
It's a pretty damned good amp for a SS and especially at its price point. I really liked it but it just couldn't displace my Mesa!
Thanks! In my area there are three GCs and quite a number of mom & pop shops. Some of the locations do a little better job of stocking bass gear than others but the overwhelming majority of them are VERY guitar-centric. That's especially true regarding amps and cabs. If either has something in stock it tends to be similar brands.
Sometimes I get lucky and find something that I'm interested in locally but in general, I have to buy to try. I perform my due diligence by reviewing as much information as I can on the item, ask questions and then find the best possible deal if I decide to go through with the purchase. It's how I've operated for years.
The V803 is the amp that has the most of my attention right now and I'm intrigued by the Powerstage. It remains to be seen if I will ever pull the trigger on either of them. I don't feel that my current amps are terrible options so I'm not in a rush.
