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which backup head?

#21
If you go Genz Benz, go with a 6.2 rather than the 6.0. The 6.2 has more bass at the flat setting, more volume, and the 3DPM limiter which is supposed to be better than the 6.0 limiter. I'd like to say it is, but I actually have not been able to hit it yet, lol. That amp is pretty loud.

Edit: I do know that I like the limiter on the NEO PAK 3.5. So if the 3DPM on the Shuttle 6.2 is better, it should be really nice.
 
#24
Hounddog409 said:
The Rumble DOES NOT meet the OP's criteria of being in the same ballpark tone wise.
No speakon is also a big turnoff.
I have the D-800 and a Rumble. They could not be more different as far as tone is concerned.

Cant beat Carvin for the price, but not sure if the tome is close.
Click to expand...
How would you describe the tone difference of the Rumble and D800?
 
#26
Jonesy said:
Not trying to be smart, but backup head for what reasons?
Is your band going on the road for the 1st time? Or are you playing local gigs?
Do you play shows with other bands or just your own band?

Just asking cause in 1000+ gigs over 20+ years and playing shows with many other bands, I never saw a bass amp fail except once and it was a guy who stopped at Guitar Center on the way to a wedding gig, bought a 1st gen Ampeg Class D amp, un-packed the amp at sound check and it didn't work. They happened to have rented my PA for the gig and I happened to have a Sansamp Bass DI in my bag which saved the bass player a long drive and very late start to the gig. We just ran bass through the PA and monitors. Not as good sounding as a D800, but none of the guests complained and everyone got paid.

As a bass player, on my 1st year as a full timer, I carried a spare head in the band van and never needed it. Just took up space in the van. Then I went through a phase of running 2 combo amps in stereo for 5 or so years. It was great, but I eventually got tired of hauling the extra rig. Still keep the spare amp,but it hasn't left the basement in years.

Odds are extremely good you'll never need a backup bass head for gigging especially if you play shows with other bands.
I still carry that old Sansamp Bass DI just in case...
Click to expand...


All excellent points... Maybe "2nd" amp would have been a better title than backup. I am a teacher and often leave an amp in my classroom, or in a rehearsal spot for periods of time. I do not have any reservation about gigging with just my Mesa in tow. It's a rock solid amp and Mesas have never let me down. I carry an MXR preamp pedal just in case though. And yes, in a pinch, I could always run to my local GC and pick up something that could at least get me by until the Mesa is returned.
 
#27
wizard65 said:
How would you describe the tone difference of the Rumble and D800?
Click to expand...

I am really bad at describing what I hear in words....but I will try. The D-800 is definitely the Mesa tone. It is also a very crisp or precise sound. Great lows and very adjustable to get a wide variety of options. and loud. this can really push the volume if/when needed. It also sounds better to me when the volume is cranked.

The Rumble is not as flexible and definitely not as crisp. Definitely the Fender tone. usually get scolded by the Rumble crowd - but to me the rumble sounds muddy when compared to the Mesa. I am not trying to say the Rumble is a bad amp. I have had zero issues with it. I just cannot get a tone I like out of it.

I will not deduct loudness from the rumble, because it is not a fair comparison. I have 800 watts to 2 1x15 cabs with the Mesa. only 100W to a single 12 in the combo. Will saw the tone is effected when pushed too hard.
 
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#30
My source of backups has always been my primary amp when I buy a new one. :laugh:
Never any learning curve on the backup that way.
Both Murphy and Forrest Gump have already explained why a backup is a good idea.
Then too, it's nice to be able to leave one at the practice place.

If there is no rush, I'd be watching the classifieds to see what comes up.
Sometimes you can find something that you had never considered until you see it listed
at a price you just can't pass up.

If this needs to be new and happen fast, I vote Carvin.
 
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#31
I've owned a few Genz heads, and still use the Shuttle 6.2. You can find them used in the classifieds frequently. Rock solid amp, but I would go with the 6.2 over the 6.0. Other choice would be a Carvin BX250, a nice little, chunky sounding amp, that I use for a backup, surprisingly loud, with a 4 ohm cab.
 
#33
Hounddog409 said:
I am really bad at describing what I hear in words....but I will try. The D-800 is definitely the Mesa tone. It is also a very crisp or precise sound. Great lows and very adjustable to get a wide variety of options. and loud. this can really push the volume if/when needed. It also sounds better to me when the volume is cranked.

The Rumble is not as flexible and definitely not as crisp. Definitely the Fender tone. usually get scolded by the Rumble crowd - but to me the rumble sounds muddy when compared to the Mesa. I am not trying to say the Rumble is a bad amp. I have had zero issues with it. I just cannot get a tone I like out of it.

I will not deduct loudness from the rumble, because it is not a fair comparison. I have 800 watts to 2 1x15 cabs with the Mesa. only 100W to a single 12 in the combo. Will saw the tone is effected when pushed too hard.
Click to expand...


I've got a bit of a different take on this. I have a Rumble 500 head and have no trouble getting a tone that is similar to my D800+ through the same cabs. Sounds like you are comparing two very different cabs.
 
#34
SpruceApple said:
I've got a bit of a different take on this. I have a Rumble 500 head and have no trouble getting a tone that is similar to my D800+ through the same cabs. Sounds like you are comparing two very different cabs.
Click to expand...

possible cause - as stated the rumble is a combo with a single 12 inch speaker. I run the D-800 through 1 or 2 Epifany UL2 1x15's.

Even running one cabinet - cannot get the tone's close. never tried a Rumble head through my cabs. Like I said, its a good amp, just don't like the tone out of this combo unit.
 
#37
You have to test the "backups" to see if it
sheltjo6 said:
Another Mesa.
Click to expand...
+1

You'd have to rotate in the backup to be sure it's still working. The same amp would be best to rotate in.
The idea of a backup isn't much needed any more. Primary heads weight a couple of pounds. The don't break anymore like heads of the past. Especially a Mesa D800 with it's 5 year transferable warranty - they have this because it doesn't break.
There always seems to be a spare channel in the FOH.
 
#39
If you love the Mesa (sounds like you do)..shop used for an identical backup. Maybe more than your projected budget..but worth it in the time spent knob twiddling. No muss or fuss in the event of equipment failure. Plug in and continue without fussing.
 
#40
NickFromNY said:
All excellent points... Maybe "2nd" amp would have been a better title than backup. I am a teacher and often leave an amp in my classroom, or in a rehearsal spot for periods of time. I do not have any reservation about gigging with just my Mesa in tow. It's a rock solid amp and Mesas have never let me down. I carry an MXR preamp pedal just in case though. And yes, in a pinch, I could always run to my local GC and pick up something that could at least get me by until the Mesa is returned.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification. Since you have a reliable amp that you like and trust, I'll suggest don't get the same thing again or anything similar. If you want to stay light weight, I'm curious about the Traynor SB500H others have mentioned so go ahead and get that and write a review! Or if you've never owned a decent all tube amp that weighs a ton, then get one! Sucks to carry and maintain, but so worth it sometimes.

On the other hand, I used to teach bass at the local music store for a few years, years ago and the most usefull amp I ever bought for teaching, and for most band rehearsals and the odd corporate gig was an old Yorkville 100 watt 1X12 wedge keyboard amp off Craigslist for $150.00. You can plug in 2 instruments, an Aux and a Mic and it sounds pretty good on all sources (you'll want your MXR preamp for bass). Gotta be 25 years old and never a problem.

I love my Pignose Hog 30 once or twice a year too!
 
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