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Warm sounding class d head?
- Thread starter happychicken
- Start date
I'm a big fan of GK amps, but "warm" isn't really their wheelhouse. Generally that falls more to the Aguilar TH500 or Genz Benz Streamliner 600 type amps. And, i guess could also apply to the Orange Terror Bass 500 and Ampeg PF-500.
You may want to read up on the Kustom KXB500 or the Carvin BX500. I haven't used either personally, but they are very reasonably priced and I have heard good comments regarding tone. I don't know if they are "warm" enough, but you can save some coin at least.
You may want to read up on the Kustom KXB500 or the Carvin BX500. I haven't used either personally, but they are very reasonably priced and I have heard good comments regarding tone. I don't know if they are "warm" enough, but you can save some coin at least.
Would OP be able to get the warmer sound he is seeking by adding the Tone Hammer pedal? There are a few up in the CL. Not sure how similar the preamp circuitry is to the 350/500. Just thinking in the interest of his wallet, not sure if the GK is returnable at this point. Maybe someone that has experience with both could weigh in.
I have the GB and I love it for upright, with a single 12" PA speaker as my stage monitor. I've always felt it was sterile for electric bass though. You can dial in some grind, turn down the contour all the way, and boost some mids. It's always going to sound solid state though. It's a great amp with great power but it definitely doesn't have the same soul as like a RB 700 or one of it's bigger brothers. I've never tried the Fusion, with the tube pre but I bet it sounds largely the same.
I found the Markbass little mark stuff to be pretty warm. Not sure the used cost but it probably qualifies. If I were to buy an ultralight right now, I'd be shopping for a Mesa walkabout. That is a warm, kinda tubish, wooly amp and I love the tone. Again, not sure the used cost but it might fall in your range.
I found the Markbass little mark stuff to be pretty warm. Not sure the used cost but it probably qualifies. If I were to buy an ultralight right now, I'd be shopping for a Mesa walkabout. That is a warm, kinda tubish, wooly amp and I love the tone. Again, not sure the used cost but it might fall in your range.
I have a TH500 amp and used to have a Portaflex 800. I A/B'd the TH500 vs. a Tone Hammer Preamp/DI through the FX return of the PF 800. The results were good, but the DI/PF combo fell ever so indescribably short of the full mojo of the TH500 head. That said, if money is an issue, you can go the DI route with confidence as long as you can bypass your head's preamp section.
Not a bad idea. Maybe run the TH pedal into the effects return of the GK. Not sure how much baked in tone is in the GK power section though but the pedal might be worth a try.
The big difference in the amp and pedal is the separate variable Drive control on the amp. When you kick on the AGS in the pedal, it gives you a big volume boost depending on your other settings. It sounds great though!
I can't speak to going directly into the front with the TH pedal; I only ever went in through the FX return since the point for me was to bypass the PF's preamp. The TH pedal is capable of some pretty hot output, so I'd be a little wary about the gain staging if running into a second preamp section. It could probably work, but I'm not sure how much headroom you'd have.
What about running the MXR M108 Equalizer through the GK's FX loop?
What about running the MXR M108 Equalizer through the GK's FX loop?
Good question. I would try both approaches. Going directly to the effects return would bypass the GK pre so it would be all TH pedal tone.Would he be able to run it direct to the amp to warm it up a bit or is the FX Loop mandatory? Forgive me, I've only had Combo Amps.
It's easy to get bogged down trying to rescue a "meh" amp with outboard gear. There's a lot to be said for the direct approach: If you ain't feelin' it, sell it. I know that if I had a fire and had to replace my rig, I'd buy two things on day one: a Fender Jazz bass and a ToneHammer 500 head. Add a 2-12, and Bob's yer uncle.
EDIT: The Jazz/TH500 combo has the added advantage that you can point all the amp knobs at noon, plug in the Jazz, and you're sitting on prime tone right out of the chute.
EDIT: The Jazz/TH500 combo has the added advantage that you can point all the amp knobs at noon, plug in the Jazz, and you're sitting on prime tone right out of the chute.
Just thinking, if you don't need a ton of volume (I know that some church gigs can get pretty loud) the Ampeg PF350 is a great sounding amp and nicely priced, IMO.
I don't know if everyone would find the tone of my Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 "warm", but I find if you dial in a little tube gain and roll off the tone knob a little on the bass you can get in that sort of territory. 900w into 4 ohms, and weighs 4 lb like many others.
Rumble 500, particularly with the "vintage" switch engaged.
