Super-Clean, Powerful Head Poll: There Can Be Only One

[NeonVomit]

Long post alert!

Right, so after a whole massive bunch of gigs, tours and what have you, I've gotten an evolved idea of what I'm after, and streamlining my gear. I play mostly power/progressive metal and grindcore/thrash. For some projects, I use a few pedals to give myself a pretty driven but tight sound (Boss GT1B and Darkglass B3K) and I use effects like chorus or reverb at some points. For other projects, I might use a touch of drive or grit from a SansAmp BDDI and that's basically it.

I have a Darkglass MT500v2, which I really like, but has been way too temperamental for me, with weird volume cuts, buzzing fan sounds coming out the speakers etc. Credit to the dealer who has had it back and fixed it a couple of times, but I'm at the point where I'm not confident taking it out on the road anymore. I can almost replicate the sound with my B3K pedal into any clean amp, so I'll be using it for rehearsals or something, or selling it for very cheap (I'd be upfront about it's repeated issues to any prospective buyers and price it accordingly)

My Mesa D-800 is an absolute tank, and has never failed me. It's my go-to touring amp. However, I'm after something a little more hi-fi and less old-school sounding (I will keep ahold of it of course, for projects needing that kind of sound)

I have a Phil Jones Bass BP-200 which is excellent - I got it for studio work and smaller rehearsals, and it's the amp which has my favourite sound. It has a super natural, clean tone and takes pedals extremely well. However, the 200w are really not going to cut it in terms of volume for the types of shows I play.

I've been considering either getting its big brother, the BP800, or one of the other really good hi-fi sounding amps out there these days. Sadly where I am, it's almost impossible to find them to try them out. Logic would dictate me picking up the BP800 (since I already like the small version, I SHOULD like the big version, correct?) but I want to see what y'all experiences with it and/or other heads of similar specs/aims are. I've liked what I've heard of Trickfish in reviews and videos, the new Trace Elliot TE1200 looks sweet and I always liked Trace amps back in the day, the Ashdown 12-band looks fascinating (if a bit heavier), GK are great with clear, crisp sounds and I once had a 700RB which I did like, etc.

I'm after reliability, super clear natural tone, and compactness for travelling by air (which I do a lot), and something that can handle being tossed onto any house/promoter provided 4x10 or 8x10 for medium stages. I'm not super keen on loads of extra features/bells & whistles, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker. Budget is up to $1.5k US/1.3k Euro but can push it a bit more for something really good.

Thanks for reading all this and apologies for the rambling!

 

[el murdoque]

 

[NeonVomit]

I said I could push my budget a bit, not by a whole grand lol

 

[Zooberwerx]

I voted GK as (a) I recognized the brand as being popular t/o the TB community (b) I assume there is some level of global support should service be required.

Riis

 

[el murdoque]

I said I could push my budget a bit, not by a whole grand lol

I've read the text only half way down, then posted the pic of the Noble, then read there was a budget . . .

 

[gtirard]

I would look for a used Quilter BB800 or 802, or wait for their next bass amp (coming soon, hopefully).

Clean, powerful, compact, reliable, what's not to love?

 

[gtirard]

Why not Bergantino or GR Bass 800?

 

[Mister_argentum]

I voted eich, although I am biased. I have been using a T500 for the past year and a half. I like it because it fits in the gigbag and it has a ton of volume, the “character” knob gives you some versatility. I found the center frequency of the bass eq not super useful (30hz). Hope you will find something you like!

edit: the eich is still not my main head, I use it when I need to travel light.

 

[Lammchop93]

Don’t doubt it based on the brand, but the Peavey MiniMega was one of the best sounding “clean” amps I’ve played. More punch than any other class D head I’ve played.

 

[NeonVomit]

I've read the text only half way down, then posted the pic of the Noble, then read there was a budget . . .

Oh well! In another timeline maybe!

 

[NeonVomit]

Why not Bergantino or GR Bass 800?

Not against either of those, hearing good things about both.

 

[McFarlin]

I recommend eliminating the Ashdown from consideration if you are wanting “more hi-fi and less old school” than the D-800.

 

[rojo412]

Clean, powerful, reliable, and hi-fi are GK's bread and butter, IME.
I wouldn't hesitate to get one of their products if you like those aspects. I know I do!

 

[ctmullins]

Crown XLS 2502

Loud. Clean. Will drive lots of cabinets. Adjustable input sensitivity. Adjustable HPF.

 

[bearhart74]

Invalid Link Removed

 

[NeonVomit]

I recommend eliminating the Ashdown from consideration if you are wanting “more hi-fi and less old school” than the D-800.

The 12-band 600 is essentially an updated version of the MK500 signature head, which was basically designed to replicate the hi-fi Trace Elliot sound (seeing as Ashdown is made up of the folks who jumped ship when TE got bought out...) I tried one of those once and really liked it, very VERY different from the 'normal' ABM models, but this was about 18 years ago. It's definitely not 'lightweight' but the AB power section is something to keep in mind.

 

[NeonVomit]

Clean, powerful, reliable, and hi-fi are GK's bread and butter, IME.
I wouldn't hesitate to get one of their products if you like those aspects. I know I do!

I really did like my 700RB, but it was starting to give out so I put it out to pasture at a local studio (i.e. sold it for a decent amount). I haven't tried the Legacy heads yet (nowhere to actually get my hands on one...) but am hearing good things about them.

 

[NeonVomit]

Crown XLS 2502

Loud. Clean. Will drive lots of cabinets. Adjustable input sensitivity. Adjustable HPF.

Pretty interesting concept here! Would you have any idea if a Boss GT1B or even a SansAmp can drive it, or would I need something else in between?

 

[rojo412]

I've had many GKs over the years and only had issues with 2. One of them came with problems (vintage and abused 800RB) and it was fixed easily and for a reasonable price, the other (1001RB) I sold to a friend and then he had some issues, but it was fine for me for years, so user error perhaps? We lost touch, but last I remember, he had it fixed reasonably too.

But the MB2-500 head I had was incredible. Tiny, tons of power, clear as a bell. I got it used here, played it for almost a decade, then only sold it because I wasn't playing out with that rig anymore. My buddy @rogerbmiller owns it now and is taking it to an out-of-town gig in a little while, as a matter of fact.
My need for that head was essentially replaced by the GK MB210-II combo I still have, which I bought used a decade ago, and is incredibly loud, reliable, and clean.

They seem to know their way around class D amps. And when I need that kind of power again, I'll be buying another GK product, no doubt.

 

[NeonVomit]

Invalid Link Removed

I had no idea this company even existed. Pretty fascinating, but they seem to be difficult to find in Europe, and apparently they've ceased trading which would make any potential warranty/support an issue... shame!