Warm, loud amp...that does 2 ohms???

[ric4682]

Sounds like I need to give the Walkabout a second look. Are they usually pretty easy to find/not too expensive?

Also, the pictures of the back of the Mesa M-pulse all say "recommends 4 ohms" or something like that. It safely goes down to 2?

 

[Mystic Michael]

I like warm, fat, thick bass tone.
Give me some direction!

You want Aguilar. Just bite the bullet, go for the big iron - and get an Aguilar DB751. Sure it's big and heavy. And pricey. But sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Find a way to make it happen.

MM

 

[Mystic Michael]

You can use a special cable to wire the cabs in series so they total 8 ohms instead of 2.

Pretty much any tube amp can output full power info 8 ohms, but so can the Orange Terror Bass! The OTB 500 is immensely loud, but if you really want to blow the roof off there's always the 1000W version too!

It won't handle a 2-ohm load.

MM

 

[jastacey]

One amp that comes to mind is an old Peavey Pro 500, it has a tube in the front end and it does 500 at 2 ohms, and it is an honest 500 watts

 

[andrew]

If weight isn't a concern as you mentioned, why not just get a second amp to run the other cab instead of one amp that does 2 ohms?

You could throw two rackmountable amps in one rack, and the right heads could still come out being lighter than one big iron amp. Plus, Ric-o-sound.

other than price, you seem to be describing the Aguilar DB750/751. If it's gotta be a single amp, try that amp and see if you can stretch your budget as a couple guys suggested.

 

[johnpbass]

If weight isn't a concern as you mentioned, why not just get a second amp to run the other cab instead of one amp that does 2 ohms?

You could throw two rackmountable amps in one rack.

I like that idea. You could get a second PF500 to run as a slave amp to power the second 15.

 

[andrew]

I like that idea. You could get a second PF500 to run as a slave amp to power the second 15.

Or run them separate with a splitter or ric-o-sound and be able to eq both differently, run effects on one and keep the other clean, etc.

And two PF500's would be 22 lbs. together. Get a light weight SKB or Gator rack and you'll still be until 30 lbs.

 

[jj4001]

Loud, warm and does 2 Ohms?
Sounds like you need an Acoustic 370.

A 450, 470 or 320 would work really nice, too.

 

[johnpbass]

Or run them separate with a splitter or ric-o-sound and be able to eq both differently, run effects on one and keep the other clean, etc.

And two PF500's would be 22 lbs. together. Get a light weight SKB or Gator rack and you'll still be until 30 lbs.

Mmmmmm. Rick-o-sound. Yes!

 

[garmenteros]

Vintge acoustic 370. Way louder than their suggested watts. I've run a couple of 15s with it and its ungodly loud.

 

[bolg55]

Acoustic B600?

 

[C130AVN]

old Traynor Monobloc II

Monoblocks are only 325W into 2 ohms.

 

[ric4682]

I never even considered getting another PF500. They are relatively cheap second hand. I hadn't considered vintage Acoustic and I know that sounds good. If John Paul Jones liked it, I'll probably like it too.

 

[TheOxRocks]

You need to use the CARVIN BX 1500.....Awesome sounds and very diverse.....

+1000

Have only owned this amp for a week, and can barely believe the variety of tone and control I have. I will swear by this amp from this day forward.

BTW, bi-amped it's rated at 750 watts per channel at 2 ohms.

 

[Geri O]

I was gonna say EBS Fafner, but if you can't afford the SVT, you certainly won't be able to afford the EBS.

Another PF500 might be the ticket.

Geri O

 

[10cc]

Loud, warm and does 2 Ohms?
Sounds like you need an Acoustic 370.

A 450, 470 or 320 would work really nice, too.

Yep 370. Got one and a 320 both are great. My 370 gets a little warmer, more like my SVT.

 

[Larry6153]

Hello, I have a Portabass 800 for sale.
USA made, 2 separate channels, and 800 watts at 2 ohms.
Weighs around 20 lbs.
Pm me if that sounds like something that work.
I am asking $375
Larry

 

[two fingers]

Here's the long and short of the Walkabout and 2 ohms. The original versions' manual stated plainly that 2ohms was fine and even gave a rating for it (500 and some odd watts IIRC). The new versions aren't really any different from a circuit standpoint. I run mine at 2 ohms all the time. There have been LONG threads (arguments) about this here. But I run mine loud as crap with two 4 ohm 15" cabs all the time. In fact, they are matching cabs (one combo and one extension) that came from the Mesa custom shop from the factory together.

Here's the thread from when I bought the rig. It all came together.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f127/fs-mesa-walkabout-scout-2x15-custom-cabs-836438/

 

[jj4001]

Yep 370. Got one and a 320 both are great. My 370 gets a little warmer, more like my SVT.

Totally agree. I own a 320 and 370 too. I find the 320 can sound similar to the 370 if you boost the lows and cut treble. The 370 is the only amp I've used that pretty much has my ideal bass tone with everything set to 12 o'clock/zero.

To the OP:

If you are considering vintage Acoustic, the upside is that you get a lot of high quality amp for the cheap prices they can be had for. Though they are built like tanks and have been very reliable IME, the downside is that a 35-40 year old amp will need replacement parts on occasion.

Best of luck on your search!

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I was gonna suggest the dual PF500 setup with Ric-o-sound, but someone beat me to it.

So, instead, I'll suggest the SWR Bass 350 and it's 450W into 2ohms. It's a VERY warm amp with the AE bypass mod. I just happen to know where you can pick one up for cheap...

(PM me if you're interested...)