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Small Class D head as backup

jlepre

jlepre

Nov 12, 2007
8,013
3,858
Cedar Knolls, NJ
www.youtube.com
#1
I'm in the market for a small amp head to fit in my front pocket of gig bag as a backup. I've never had an issue with my Genzler MG800 but I always like to be prepared. Looking at 300-500 watts to pair with my Fearless F112 8 ohm cab. I have a 20% off coupon at GC so I'm not opposed to buy new.

No worried about budget, but the cheaper the better I always say. Hey it's just a backup right?

Let's see what you all say...
 
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#4
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#5
Bodeanly said:
You can grab a Fender Rumble 500 head from our classifieds for 300 bucks. I believe there are two up for that price. Worth every penny, plus one of them comes with a five year warranty (original owner never registered. Even has receipt).

For Sale/Trade - FENDER RUMBLE 500 V3 HEAD

No longer available - Fender Rumble 500 v3 Amp
Spoke too soon. This one is no longer available.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that heads up, but I already have the Rumble 500c combo, so I'm looking for something different.
 
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#8
Basically Bob said:
The new Genzler Magellan 350 or a Tone Hammer 350. If you want to go with something smaller, look at the GK mb200, Traynor's SB200H or perhaps the new Trace Elliot Elf. I am extremely pleased with my TH350 and am really looking forward to hearing more about Genzler's Magellan 350.
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Thanks for those options, but I'm looking for 300-500 watts at 8 ohms. Too bad the elf doesn't have more power, as it's pretty cute.
 
#10
Depends on your definition of "backup." I've had various ones over the years. If you're not worried about budget and are thinking D800+, Puma, etc, then you're not necessarily looking at "backup" so much as another possible "first grab" amp with a different voice. I've owned/gigged a lot of the usual suspects (D800+, D800, Puma 500/900, GB Shuttle 9.0, Streamliner 900, GK MB Fusion, MB LMTube, TH500/350, GLock BlueRock, etc.). It really depends on if you're looking for relatively uncolored or something more voiced. From what I've heard the MG800 is in the ballpark of the Shuttles, which I found fairly uncolored. I think the TH500/350 are great amps but in my hands they were a one-trick pony - that more vintage "bit of hair" vibe. Other guys claim you can clean them up but when I did I found the magic went away. The Pumas tend to be reasonably neutral as well, and the taste knob is a nice voicing tool. GK has a baked in tone (again, in my hands) that is pretty edgy. I could eq it out, but then I didn't have a lot more room to play.

I've settled on the D800+/D800 as my main/backup. It is voiced a bit darker than the Puma, but I don't really dig a lot of top-end sheen. It has a great eq section (especially the 800+), and the DI is good. I keep the D800 in my car, the 800+ goes on most gigs. When I'm lazy I'll just use the backup. The advantage is that I know exactly what tone I'll be getting and how to push it around given the room I end up in. There is a good argument to have something different as a backup so you can change things up, but thats another reason to buy a 3rd amp :D
 
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#12
nostatic said:
Depends on your definition of "backup." I've had various ones over the years. If you're not worried about budget and are thinking D800+, Puma, etc, then you're not necessarily looking at "backup" so much as another possible "first grab" amp with a different voice. I've owned/gigged a lot of the usual suspects (D800+, D800, Puma 500/900, GB Shuttle 9.0, Streamliner 900, GK MB Fusion, MB LMTube, TH500/350, GLock BlueRock, etc.). It really depends on if you're looking for relatively uncolored or something more voiced. From what I've heard the MG800 is in the ballpark of the Shuttles, which I found fairly uncolored. I think the TH500/350 are great amps but in my hands they were a one-trick pony - that more vintage "bit of hair" vibe. Other guys claim you can clean them up but when I did I found the magic went away. The Pumas tend to be reasonably neutral as well, and the taste knob is a nice voicing tool. GK has a baked in tone (again, in my hands) that is pretty edgy. I could eq it out, but then I didn't have a lot more room to play.

I've settled on the D800+/D800 as my main/backup. It is voiced a bit darker than the Puma, but I don't really dig a lot of top-end sheen. It has a great eq section (especially the 800+), and the DI is good. I keep the D800 in my car, the 800+ goes on most gigs. When I'm lazy I'll just use the backup. The advantage is that I know exactly what tone I'll be getting and how to push it around given the room I end up in. There is a good argument to have something different as a backup so you can change things up, but thats another reason to buy a 3rd amp :D
Click to expand...
That was a great dialogue and I thank you for that. I'm looking for something voiced a little different than the MG800 that I currently have, but with a smaller footprint to store in my gig bag. That's why I'm considering the Puma 500 or 900.
 
#15
jlepre said:
That was a great dialogue and I thank you for that. I'm looking for something voiced a little different than the MG800 that I currently have, but with a smaller footprint to store in my gig bag. That's why I'm considering the Puma 500 or 900.
Click to expand...

Hard to beat the form factor on the Pumas. They are in the classified pretty regularly - I'd say go 900 for the extra headroom but the 500 gets plenty loud.
 
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#16
nostatic said:
Hard to beat the form factor on the Pumas. They are in the classified pretty regularly - I'd say go 900 for the extra headroom but the 500 gets plenty loud.
Click to expand...

^^^^ 100% Agreed!

If you're already thinking Puma, then I'd suggest going for the Puma 900. There are a couple in the TB Classifieds right now. Not only do they have a small form factor, but a giant warm, clear and crisp tone as well.
 
#18
bassbooty said:
^^^^ 100% Agreed!

If you're already thinking Puma, then I'd suggest going for the Puma 900. There are a couple in the TB Classifieds right now. Not only do they have a small form factor, but a giant warm, clear and crisp tone as well.
Click to expand...
See I've already tried out the Puma 900 at Scabbey Road studios (@popgadget) let me use it with my F112 and I was very impressed. That might be the way I will go. I have a friend who just gave me a great price (sub $500) on a brand new Quilter 800 so this is making it very difficult.
 
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