• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Which bass head?

F

findtheonlyway

May 19, 2011
13
0
#1
I am looking to change bass rigs. I had some obscure Ibanez soundgear paired with a GK MB115. The tone was neat, but not my style anymore. I recently purchased a Fender Precision copy (SX, if you must know) that sounds pretty great to my ears, even better than most mexican Fenders I've played. But through the GK amp it was just too muddy.

I've played around on some Hartke, Ampeg, and Markbass heads/cabinets and decided that I enjoy the clarity of ten inch speakers. My favorite cabs were the Hartke aluminum cones and I intend to get one of their XL cabs.

But my quagmire lies in selecting the head. I've played through a Hartke HA3500, Ampeg PF-500, Markbass Little Mark Tube 800, and an Acoustic B600H. Of those four, I only liked the Hartke and the Ampeg. The Hartke was my favorite but I know there are many more options out there.

I play gigs of all sizes so I need something that will be able to at least keep up with a guitar and drums as a moniter on stage. I'm looking in the range of 250W to 600W, so my options are pretty broad. One amp that particularly interests me is the Eden WTK264 but other than that, I have no clue as to what I should purchase.

So here's where I need your help. I understand that amp selection is entirely subjective, but I would truly appreciate some advice from experienced folks such as yourselves :)

tl;dr Something portable, below $500 (I hope to buy used), powerful enough for full band moniter purposes, and a clean, defined tone.
 
#2
What style of music? I would say there are a lot of amps that would work for you. Have you checked through the classified section of talkbass? I think you will find lots of good deals there. Also, it would help if you told us why you preferred one amp over another of the ones you are considering.
 
#3
Thanks! As for the style of music, I'm kind of all over the place. I'm in a prog rock band, I play in a praise band at my church, and I do quite of bit of intimate acoustic style sets (pop and folk).

The reason I preferred the Hartke to the other amps (I think anyway) is because it was the cleanest tone with the most definition in comparison to the others. I think the extensive eq, compressor, and aluminum cabs lent to that. I just want to know more about what's out there and if there would be a better option. But at this point, the Hartke 3500 looks to be the best option, price and tone considered.

The Eden really intrigues me though, any opinions on it?
 
#4
Never was an Eden fan. People tell me it's because of the cabs, but I figure that if I don't like the cabs, the same people designed the heads, so I imagine I'm not on their wavelength at all.

Since you seem to be favoring the Hartke rig, I say get it. It's good stuff. I'm an Ampeg endorser but Larry is my bro, he's got a butt-ton of personal integrity (which counts in my book), and he makes a terrific product.

I will say, however, not to rule out cabs made with other speakers besides 10"s. The size of the speakers is but one of about 30 factors why a cab sounds and performs like it does. I'm sure I could find you a cab made with 10"s that you would hate and a cab made with 15"s that you would love. OTOH, if the 410xl is hitting your buttons, that's OK, too.
 
#5
findtheonlyway said:
I am looking to change bass rigs. I had some obscure Ibanez soundgear paired with a GK MB115. The tone was neat, but not my style anymore. I recently purchased a Fender Precision copy (SX, if you must know) that sounds pretty great to my ears, even better than most mexican Fenders I've played. But through the GK amp it was just too muddy.

I've played around on some Hartke, Ampeg, and Markbass heads/cabinets and decided that I enjoy the clarity of ten inch speakers. My favorite cabs were the Hartke aluminum cones and I intend to get one of their XL cabs.

But my quagmire lies in selecting the head. I've played through a Hartke HA3500, Ampeg PF-500, Markbass Little Mark Tube 800, and an Acoustic B600H. Of those four, I only liked the Hartke and the Ampeg. The Hartke was my favorite but I know there are many more options out there.

I play gigs of all sizes so I need something that will be able to at least keep up with a guitar and drums as a moniter on stage. I'm looking in the range of 250W to 600W, so my options are pretty broad. One amp that particularly interests me is the Eden WTK264 but other than that, I have no clue as to what I should purchase.

So here's where I need your help. I understand that amp selection is entirely subjective, but I would truly appreciate some advice from experienced folks such as yourselves :)

tl;dr Something portable, below $500 (I hope to buy used), powerful enough for full band moniter purposes, and a clean, defined tone.
Click to expand...

1425_1_full.jpg
 
#6
JimmyM said:
Never was an Eden fan. People tell me it's because of the cabs, but I figure that if I don't like the cabs, the same people designed the heads, so I imagine I'm not on their wavelength at all.

Since you seem to be favoring the Hartke rig, I say get it. It's good stuff. I'm an Ampeg endorser but Larry is my bro, he's got a butt-ton of personal integrity (which counts in my book), and he makes a terrific product.

I will say, however, not to rule out cabs made with other speakers besides 10"s. The size of the speakers is but one of about 30 factors why a cab sounds and performs like it does. I'm sure I could find you a cab made with 10"s that you would hate and a cab made with 15"s that you would love. OTOH, if the 410xl is hitting your buttons, that's OK, too.
Click to expand...

+1

SVT-CL and 810e is an industry standard. Check one out to get a baseline. It works for so many people that they cant all be wrong. Doesnt mean its your sound, but it might point you in the right direction.
 
#7
I also never got Eden, I did get the little bit of Hartke I tried. Sadly, when I was getting ready to pull the trigger and start looking for a new head, the Hartke dealer in town went boobies up...

Why are you still looking anyways? Sounds like you need a Hartke... I don't even know you and I can tell it.
 
#8
I have a Hartke 200 watt head that I bought used (16 years ago) and I still use as my backup. It is plenty loud so I imagine the 3500 would be more than most people would ever need.

If you like Hartke go with it as they are some of the best bang for the buck amps out there. The only one you didn't mention that I might recommend is some of the SWRs. To my ears they were in the same ball park as a Hartke, but they may not have been as clean so it might not be what you are looking for. When I buy gear I like to try as many options as I can.
 
#13
findtheonlyway said:
Something portable, below $500 (I hope to buy used), powerful enough for full band moniter purposes, and a clean, defined tone.
Click to expand...

megaback.jpg


Lots of stuff out there that fits your description, but let me put a plug in for one of my favorites, the Peavey MegaBass. Here's a video demo:

http://youtu.be/UdDxwE-dHLo

Peavey made TONS of these back in the day, so they pop up pretty regularly used in the $150 - $200 range (one just sold on eBay for $122). Very flexible and dependable. I ran one with Hartke XL cabs back when both this head and those cabs were new items! I got tons of compliments on this head, including props from gear snobs who looked down their nose at anything with "Peavey" written on it.

There are two 200w amps in there, and they work equally well in full-range and bi-amp. Honestly, this head is much louder than a 500w head I have as a backup.

In a 2-space rack case, it's fairly portable (but certainly not by the ultralight class D standards of today). Funny though: I am running two very light neo cabs with this thing now, and it's actually good to have something heavy on top of them so they don't skate across the stage on a gig!!

--Steve
 
#14
Thanks for all the help everyone! Keep it up :)

DiabolusInMusic said:
I also never got Eden, I did get the little bit of Hartke I tried. Sadly, when I was getting ready to pull the trigger and start looking for a new head, the Hartke dealer in town went boobies up...

Why are you still looking anyways? Sounds like you need a Hartke... I don't even know you and I can tell it.
Click to expand...

You've got it right :D that's where I stand right now, but I fear it's only because I haven't played much else. Unfortunately, I live in the boondocks so testing out a plethora of amp heads is probably not an option...I've looked at Peavey Mark heads and they seem nifty, as do the Carvin heads. It just seems to me that the general consensus here is to buy amps that you've played on; blind buying is bad. Is this right guys?
 
#15
findtheonlyway said:
I've looked at Peavey Mark heads and they seem nifty, as do the Carvin heads. It just seems to me that the general consensus here is to buy amps that you've played on; blind buying is bad. Is this right guys?
Click to expand...

Four quick thoughts for you:
  1. If you are buying used, it's much easier to "buy blind" because you can usually flip the amp for close to what you paid (not usually the case when you buy new).
  2. Lots of people love the Peavey Mark series heads, but they are nothing like the MegaBass. Personally, I like the sound of a Mark IV, but I would not describe it as "clean defined tone." The only reason I chimed in on your thread was those three words, which really describe the Mega.
  3. The Carvin BX1500 looks very similar to the MegaBass in terms of its flexibility. I'd be very tempted to try one of those if you found a used one out there.
  4. There's a Hartke 3500 in a rack case on eBay right now--I've been watching it myself. Check it out--it might be calling your name!

Good luck!

--Steve
 
#16
Stop looking and just Stick with the Hartke. It sounds like you are digging that set up and if you like the Hartke cab which is what the head was made for then all is good and no more searching needed. If you keep on you will start second guessing yourself and like they say your first choice is usually the best choice.
 
#18
Once more, thanks again for all your help everyone.

My cabinet plan is to get a Hartke 210xl cab for now and I'll add a 15" speaker later.

Then for the head I'm going to order the Carvin BX500. Carvin has a 10 day return policy so I plan to use that period to test out the head and decide if I enjoy it. If the head doesn't really trip my trigger, I'll send it back and get a Hartke HA 3500.

On top of all this, I have more spending money than I originally thought so I think I'll pick up an OLP Stingray I've had my eye on for a while :D
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back