I (nervously) use a single 15" 300w 8 ohm cab. As long as i keep her under 12 o clock the cab should last?!? (I have another 2x10 but stacking them seems excessive for the venues I play)
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Simplest no-frill Bass Amp. Does one exist?
- Thread starter MGR
- Start date
Yes, I've been looking at that B2000, but while it has amazing tone and an acceptable amount of knobs, I wonder if I'll ever actually need that power. Regarding the 500 watt Carvin head, I saw it listed, and while I agree with you that I can always bypass the eq section, I still feel (rightly or wrongly) that even disengaged, it's just another step the tone has to go thru before the output stage. In other words, I never trust these bypass switched to truly work as advertised. Again, I could be wildly off base with that opinion.
Which amp are you referring to here? The orange, Hartke or Carvin? If you're talking about the Orange, I'm with you. I used to run an American Hot Rod precision thru the Terror 500 and even with the small 2x10 isobaric, the tone was humongous and the volume was out of control.Actually, it sounds fab with a p bass. Old school, punky, if you like that sort of thing..I do
And that kind of power translation is widely understood. Its not a trick.
Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
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Most likely more knobs and buttons than you are wanting, but a Fender Rumble 500 combo, one box, very light, very loud. Turn all the switches except the horn and power off, and leave the shaping knobs at noon. At that point you have adjustment for gain, set as much input as you like, and main, set it as loud as you want. Need more air to be moved? Shove a Rumble 210 cab under it...
I am quite certain that there are other, quite good options out there as well.
I am quite certain that there are other, quite good options out there as well.
Orange TerrorBass 500.
loud as balls with a simple EQ.
of note, the Orange bass amps have a built-in mid scoop, but setting the treble-mid-bass knobs at 0-10-0 respectively will give a flat EQ response.
loud as balls with a simple EQ.
of note, the Orange bass amps have a built-in mid scoop, but setting the treble-mid-bass knobs at 0-10-0 respectively will give a flat EQ response.
Orange Terror Bass 500 pretty straight forward....I also like my Traynor SB200H..they also have a SB500H (#'s=watts @4ohms),...small light , powerful
You might want to get your tone from your fingers, but that won't mean poopie when you get into a horrible room. You'll be glad to have extra EQ options for when you've got a boomy crapfest rumbling the stage and leaving you with no definition out front.
I know it's not really what you are looking for but I can't resist posting this Electric Amp Power Unit: http://www.greenamps.com/green-tube-amps-for-guitar-and-bass.html
Just scroll to the power units 3/4 down the page and they talk about just plugging in a bass or guitar into the unit. That would be awesome!
Just scroll to the power units 3/4 down the page and they talk about just plugging in a bass or guitar into the unit. That would be awesome!
So how's this for an example if the Universe working in mysterious ways......
I post this topic thread earlier today and the responses are fantastic. Many people steering towards the Hartke LH1000. And I just go on NYC craigslist and the moment I click on Musical Instruments for sale, the first ad is an LH1000. Guy is asking $225 for it, which seems like a steal, however no way to test it out as he has no cabinet. I'm gonna pass because of that, but to me this is a weird coincidence.
I post this topic thread earlier today and the responses are fantastic. Many people steering towards the Hartke LH1000. And I just go on NYC craigslist and the moment I click on Musical Instruments for sale, the first ad is an LH1000. Guy is asking $225 for it, which seems like a steal, however no way to test it out as he has no cabinet. I'm gonna pass because of that, but to me this is a weird coincidence.
Very valid point. This is why after reading the responses I am changing my tune a bit. EQ is totally cool, but my main thing is simplicity. I don't need a knob for every frequency. Just a simple 3 band works. The Hartke LH is looking like a winner for this very reason. Tons of power, extremely simple circuit, musical and flexible eq. Great price point too.
I'm with you in wanting simplicity. My VB2 is very straightforward but has a couple extra bits that can really help make noticeable changes quickly without a lot of knob twiddling.
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/212MBP You just need a +10db signal to it, no controls except a power switch. 212, 500 watts.
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Chef
In Memoriam
Depending how many watts you need, I really like the Gallien Krueger MBFusion heads.
The come in 500 and 800 watts.
The come in 500 and 800 watts.
Problem is, you will need EQ if you want to cut through the mix in a live setting. Not all basses are designed with a "straight-in" configuration in mind, most designers assume there is some type of shaping available. Different room sizes/shapes, different basses, and other variables are what make EQ a necessity.
Best bet is getting a straightforward head like the GK MB200. It's very inexpensive, sounds great, basic EQ, and gets very loud when you use a decently efficient cab. I use it with an Avatar neo 2x10 and it absolutely slays without even breaking a sweat. I'd recommend something along those lines.
Seems like the Carvin B series would fit the bill nicely.. Simple eq, etc.. I sold my B2000 because I wanted more eq and a little more "baked in" sound, both of which the b series does not have..
