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Versatile head to pair with Phil Jones C4 cab?

dfreeland83

dfreeland83

Feb 12, 2017
1,149
5,281
Durham, NC
www.unprophetable.com
#1
Hey y'all,

I'm in the market for a versatile(ish) sub-400w head for home practice and small gigs. Ideally, the budget would be sub-$700. This would be primarily for home practice, but also small coffeehouse gigs / etc. I do run a couple of drive pedals and a compressor, but nothing too crazy.

I'm moving off of an Ampeg PF500/PF115HE because it's just way too big for what I'm doing now (space-wise). If I do plug in, it's at church, and I have a decent DI.

I know guitar amps, but I'm really out of the loop on bass amps, and there's nothing locally I can try.

Here's a few features I'd love.
  • No super loud fan
  • Relatively versatile, ability to get a little bit of grit
  • Headphone out would be nice. Bonus if I don't have to disconnect the cab for silent practice (annoying thing about the PF500)
Other than that, I'm pretty open.
 
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#5
OldogNewTrick said:
In any gigging situation, an amp's cooling fan is never an issue, but practcing at home, I cannot stand them.

My recommendation would therefore be a Mesa Subway D-350.
Click to expand...
Yep. That’s my issue. Never bothered me when I was playing out. We have a kiddo now and 90% of my playtime is at home, and the loud fan like in the SVT Micro drives me crazy
 
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#9
I run a Markbass "Little Mark Tube" into a C-4 cabinet, and it sounds great. I've only played it in the basement, but it had more than ample volume to keep up with drums and guitars. The only time I played with a church band I used an SWR Workingman's 12, and this rig is louder than that.
 
#12
Another vote for the PJB BP 800 head. New, it’s a bit above your price range but there’s one for $699 on Reverb so if you look around you can probably find one used significantly less expensive than that. If price were no object, I’d recommend a Walter Woods M 100. Though rated at 100w into 8 Ohms it sounds much more powerful than that.
 
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#13
abery001 said:
Another vote for the PJB BP 800 head. New, it’s a bit above your price range but there’s one for $699 on Reverb so if you look around you can probably find one used significantly less expensive than that. If price were no object, I’d recommend a Walter Woods M 100. Though rated at 100w into 8 Ohms it sounds much more powerful than that.
Click to expand...
I'll check out the PJs. The big reason I was looking elsewhere was because I was looking for a head with a little bit of drive if I need it. I'm assuming, a PJB head would be a great platform for something to give it a little character if need be?
 
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#15
BOOG said:
Ampeg pf20t or pf50t ? Crank the gain and they’ll get some grit. Is that pj cab all that much smaller than the pf115 ?
https://media.sweetwater.com/m/prod....jpg?quality=82&width=750&ha=52179b31750e7020
Click to expand...

The PF20T has been on my radar. Just wondering if I should spread my wings a bit.

Oh yeah. Significantly smaller.
The PF115 is 23x21x14 and 45lb.
The PJB is around 14x12x13 and 29lb.

In addition to the baby, we moved into a smaller house, and my 'music room' is no longer a room, but a literal corner of my office. Also just sold my DSL40CR... to be fair, I like the 1W version a lot better.

IMG_1027.jpeg
 
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#16
Consider a Bergantino Forte D.

All the power you'd need when you add a second C4.
Does clean and drive. Fitting EQ center points.

Maybe a Mesa D-800+
You will like the HPF with that cab.

Tried the Ampeg pf50t - apples and oranges.
 
#17
dfreeland83 said:
The PF20T has been on my radar. Just wondering if I should spread my wings a bit.

Oh yeah. Significantly smaller.
The PF115 is 23x21x14 and 45lb.
The PJB is around 14x12x13 and 29lb.

In addition to the baby, we moved into a smaller house, and my 'music room' is no longer a room, but a literal corner of my office. Also just sold my DSL40CR... to be fair, I like the 1W version a lot better.

View attachment 5298341
Click to expand...
WTH…you have plenty of room there for a couple of 215’s:D
 
#18
ImTheOnlyOne said:
Consider a Bergantino Forte D.

All the power you'd need when you add a second C4.
Does clean and drive. Fitting EQ center points.

Maybe a Mesa D-800+
You will like the HPF with that cab.

Tried the Ampeg pf50t - apples and oranges.
Click to expand...
Interestingly, I just discovered this afternoon that my closest local music shop is a Bergantino dealer. I may have to pop in and see if I can mess around with one.
 
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#19
BOOG said:
WTH…you have plenty of room there for a couple of 215’s:D
Click to expand...
I *could* move my acoustic... but I like one down on the ground to grab and noodle with. :roflmao:

Before we moved, I had a room about twice this size and had stuff everywhere. Now the room is a combined WFH office for my wife and I, and a 'safe retreat' if one of us needs a small couch and time away from the kiddos while the other holds down the fort.

The new house is nice because it has a full basement, but the humidity's not the greatest, and it's just brick and concrete. Thought I'd set up shop with the amps and stuff down there, but I don't 100% trust it. We've had minor leaks once or twice with rain.
 
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