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Super-Clean, Powerful Head Poll: There Can Be Only One
- Thread starter NeonVomit
- Start date
The more I think about it, the more I'm thinking about GR Bass amps:
1. The claim of GR Bass is "Pure sound", their goal is really to amplify the pure sound of your instrument (and/or external preamp). So transparent sound is really the DNA of the brand.
2. You can either get a full amp with a very versatile EQ section and a "pure" switch to disengage the EQ completely when you want to use an external preamp, or you can buy a simple power amp with just a gain and master knob if you are certain that you will always use an external preamp.
3. I noticed you live in Cyprus, and GR Bass amps are built in Italy, so you might favor that if you prefer buying local.
1. The claim of GR Bass is "Pure sound", their goal is really to amplify the pure sound of your instrument (and/or external preamp). So transparent sound is really the DNA of the brand.
2. You can either get a full amp with a very versatile EQ section and a "pure" switch to disengage the EQ completely when you want to use an external preamp, or you can buy a simple power amp with just a gain and master knob if you are certain that you will always use an external preamp.
3. I noticed you live in Cyprus, and GR Bass amps are built in Italy, so you might favor that if you prefer buying local.
Had to vote "other" - Bergantino B-Amp or Forte should have been part of your list for sure!
I know it is an inter-era modern bass head but the Warwick LWA1000 is a clean beast.
1000Wrms on 4ohms, half on 8Ohms, 2 channels with EQ and compressor.
Aux in, Phone out, good DI, dead silent noise floor and perfectly gradual master volume.
You can play in your bedroom as well as on big stages.
Not the lightest but less than 4kg (9lb in your silly metric system).
And you can grab one for less 400$.
1000Wrms on 4ohms, half on 8Ohms, 2 channels with EQ and compressor.
Aux in, Phone out, good DI, dead silent noise floor and perfectly gradual master volume.
You can play in your bedroom as well as on big stages.
Not the lightest but less than 4kg (9lb in your silly metric system).
And you can grab one for less 400$.
Oh wow, I didn't realize this, thanks for the info.
OP is located in Europe and some brands are not well available there at the moment: Mesa, GK, Quilter (ramped down), Bergantino. It is much easier to select one of the European brands with lower price and better availability: Markbass, GR Bass, EBS, Eich.
P.S. I only checked Thomann EU offering, some US brands may be available in other shops.
P.S. I only checked Thomann EU offering, some US brands may be available in other shops.
I have one and it's excellent, and next Thomann order will likely include another as a just in case spare.
People have mentioned straight up pure power amps in this thread and I thought about it, but decided against it. I mean, I use my pedals but I don't *just* use them, I very often also rely on the amp's own EQ as adjusting that on the fly during a soundcheck/show or rehearsal is way easier than physically bending over to get at the settings on my pedalboard. The Boss and other pedals are mostly for effects and drive and gain stages.
So basically, most people here get their stuff from Thomann, based in Germany. 30 euros flat shipping rate is pretty helpful! So if it's on Thomann, I can get it. I definitely prefer supporting local stores though (and the smart ones have realised they can keep business if they maintain prices in the rough ballpark of Thomann, while offering enhanced warranty & support), so I only order from Thomann when it's impossible to find something here.
Bass Direct is another option for me, as I travel to the UK frequently for gigs (and have family living there, it's basically my second home). I'd just order, have it delivered to my sister's place, and then I'd pick up on my next trip (I have a tour across the UK in September).
We do have a Dingwall and Darkglass dealer here in Cyprus (and they've been great) but not much else in terms of bass amps other than the usual Ampeg/Mark Bass/Ashdown stuff.
Thanks to everyone for their answers so far!
1. It looks like Bergantino is being mentioned a lot - I'll see if I can get my hands on one to try but I'm definitely hearing a lot of stuff I like! Bass Direct carry them.
2. GK is another strong contender - I'm very familiar with the RB series heads, and really liked my 700RB so a Legacy head might just be the ticket
3. PJB BP800 would be familiar territory as I really do like my BP200 a lot. I practiced last night through it and I just love the sound.
4. The Trickfish Bullhead is also appealing as it has an extensive but also easy to use EQ - BD also carry them.
5. GR Bass is also getting some big hype! They make some fascinating looking stuff and the 'super clean' vibe is great.
At least we're narrowing down the results!
I love my GR Bass dual1400.
One clean channel with eq and "pure" switch, and the other one with added drive section.
And I like a lot that low mids and hi mids have 3 switchable frequencies on both channels.
Of the amps in the pool, don't think one can't go wrong with Eich and GK...
One clean channel with eq and "pure" switch, and the other one with added drive section.
And I like a lot that low mids and hi mids have 3 switchable frequencies on both channels.
Of the amps in the pool, don't think one can't go wrong with Eich and GK...
That's definitely a good looking one, but I'm kind of shying away from amps with a TON of built-in features, though. Maybe I'm just wary since the issues with my Darkglass head arose, but I'm sort of leaning towards something straightforward - plenty of power, a good clean input stage, musical EQ, output and a good DI. I see the GR One 800 might fit the bill!
How about Markbass Little mark Ninja? I have no experience but people say it's clean, clear and powerful. Power section is 2x 500W Little Mark IV power section. Earlier models 800w (LM III and LM III Tube) were only modified 500w power section that reported not to be much or at all louder than 500w models.
Some off-topic just for your information:
I personally ended up to Crown XLS 1002 power amp + shallow 3U Thomann plactic rack case since I had Sansamp RBI rack preamp already. That package in bridge mode has serious punch, build in HPF, compact size, light weight (11kg with covers + cables) and you can fit cables into rack case. Even many modern amps are small alone, they are not when put into case standing for abuse of touring and adding all the cables.
Trickfish is a good call, but for clean, hi-fi sound, three immediately come to mind:
Demeter VTBP-M800D
Glockenklang (Pretty much any of their models.)
Vanderkley Spartan (Now discontinued, pending an update.)
Demeter VTBP-M800D
Glockenklang (Pretty much any of their models.)
Vanderkley Spartan (Now discontinued, pending an update.)
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,636
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
I have a genzler Magellan 800 but I recently got a mint GB 9.0 shuttle ….it’s currently on its way to see agedhorse for a check up and then I hope to have it for a good long time.
I noticed OP listed reliability first and air travel conspicuously. I'm a slobbering fan of the GB Shuttle 9.0. If it were me, the head for the new gig would be a new Magellan.
Yup. I mean, I'm in no massive rush to get a new amp, my Mesa D800 does the job perfectly well for now as far as reliability and portability are concerned, but for the more high-gain sounds and projects I work in I need something a bit more neutral sounding. The Mesa is great but does require a fair bit of tweaking to get a workable sound when I'm really driving a ton of distortion into it in order to get the amp's own tone "out of the way", if that makes any sense at all, but it does get the job done.
Annoyingly, the Darkglass head does that effortlessly, but there reliability is the issue. Also the lack of an FX loop on the Mesa is a tad annoying at times (not often though) and I'd totally prefer a bright switch instead of the deep switch (which I've never actually used during a show) but beyond that it has all the features I need and none that I don't.
Bass Direct also carry the Magellan head, and that might tick the boxes, as does the Bass Gallery (actually not far from the venue where I'm playing in London). I may have to take a couple of amps for a spin if I have the time!
In the meantime, I'm going to do something I've never done before and take the BP-200 down to rehearsal on Friday with the 'nasty loud' band. It certainly won't cut it for a live show but should be ok for rehearsal.
Annoyingly, the Darkglass head does that effortlessly, but there reliability is the issue. Also the lack of an FX loop on the Mesa is a tad annoying at times (not often though) and I'd totally prefer a bright switch instead of the deep switch (which I've never actually used during a show) but beyond that it has all the features I need and none that I don't.
Bass Direct also carry the Magellan head, and that might tick the boxes, as does the Bass Gallery (actually not far from the venue where I'm playing in London). I may have to take a couple of amps for a spin if I have the time!
In the meantime, I'm going to do something I've never done before and take the BP-200 down to rehearsal on Friday with the 'nasty loud' band. It certainly won't cut it for a live show but should be ok for rehearsal.
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