• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Spare amp advice

bassgod76

bassgod76

Garbage bassist, but I love this goofy instrument
Mar 13, 2003
5,329
1,133
South Florida
#1
I own an Eden Amp, and it is giving me fits. I don't have a spare head.

I've seen some older SWR SM 400's on my local Craigslist for around $350-400.

I don't want to spend a ton. I just need a spare in case my Eden goes down.

I was also looking at that Genz Benz 3.0


Any advice???
 
#3
The Shuttle 3.0 is a good choice, but for $200 or less used (average) the Gallien Krueger MB200 is the ideal backup amp. Tiny enough to be stowed in your gigbag so it's always available. Very respectable power and tone. Check out the MB200 thread here.
 
#4
Floyd Eye said:
My advice is to find a head that you really like, use it as your main amp and relegate the Eden to back-up status. I'd also take the Eden to a tech and have it fixed.
Click to expand...

I really like my Eden. I enjoy it's tone, and I'm kinda attached to it. In 12 years of owning it, I've never had an issue until now. Well, there was that time my drummer fell into my rig and cracked my amp's audio iunput...

My goal is to get a decent backup amp.
 
#12
bassgod76 said:
LMII? MF carries the LMIII? Is that what you meant?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search/search.jsp?sB=r&question=Markbass+Little+Mark
Click to expand...

Little Mark II was the predicessor to the LMIII. IIRC, the only change between the two is the DI. LMII's can usually be had for pretty cheap on the used market.

bassgod76 said:
Can this size amp hang in a band situation? The PA can take up for the slack. I was just wondering, off hand.
Click to expand...

That's what they say, but I don't have any first hand experience.

As for a backup amp: It's tiny, inexpensive, and would fill the role of being heard if something happened to your main amp.
 
#13
bassgod0dmw said:
Little Mark II was the predicessor to the LMIII. IIRC, the only change between the two is the DI. LMII's can usually be had for pretty cheap on the used market.



That's what they say, but I don't have any first hand experience.

As for a backup amp: It's tiny, inexpensive, and would fill the role of being heard if something happened to your main amp.
Click to expand...

I will investigate. Thanks for the help.

More suggestions, please!
 
#14
I have used/owned the Peavey Tour 450 amp for going on close to 4 1/2 years now and it is a great performing and reliable head. I would suggest possibly looking into it and you can usually find them used in the $200-$300 (and change) dollar ranges. Also depending on the amount of watts you are looking for they make a 700w model as well.
 
#15
+1 for the GK MB200. Surprisingly loud for a little 200 watt amp! It's so small and light that you will hardly know you have it with you. I used mine for a gig while my main head was in the shop and it worked great. It was a large venue so I did run it through the PA as well but honestly I could have done it without PA support too. Also I have started taking just the MB200 to practices without a cabinet. I run it through the PA as a preamp and it sounds great without having to drag around a cabinet!
 
#16
gjbassist said:
+1 for the GK MB200. Surprisingly loud for a little 200 watt amp! It's so small and light that you will hardly know you have it with you. I used mine for a gig while my main head was in the shop and it worked great. It was a large venue so I did run it through the PA as well but honestly I could have done it without PA support too. Also I have started taking just the MB200 to practices without a cabinet. I run it through the PA as a preamp and it sounds great without having to drag around a cabinet!
Click to expand...

The fact that I coulld toss this in my cords bag is pretty huge. I never really considered such a possibility. I could easily rack a bigger unit, but that is added weight, and I'd have to remove it if one of the amps was going in the shop.
 
#17
bassgod76 said:
The fact that I coulld toss this in my cords bag is pretty huge. I never really considered such a possibility. I could easily rack a bigger unit, but that is added weight, and I'd have to remove it if one of the amps was going in the shop.
Click to expand...

I use a laptop bag that is approx. 12"x16"x2". I put the MB200 along with a Zoom B2, power supply and cables in it. The whole thing only weighs a few pounds and I can carry it over my shoulder. It's a great little portable setup.
 
#20
I have both the 200 and the 500. I would opt for the 500... Mostly for the variable contour. They show up in the classifieds here in the under 4 bills range pretty often. It will fit in the pocket of my Protec gig bags...

I love the 200 as well. Mine is buried into a combo cab I had built for acoustic support gig's- i don't ever need the contour there... They're both great amps. The MB500 is going to feel more like your Eden if you use the WT's Enhance though. The DI's on each are clean and quiet.

I sold off my last WT head. Miss that tone, though not the size and weight. Eden and GK are my two fave sounds when it comes to solid state amps.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back