which brand of amp head do you prefer?

[Mish_]

i really just can't get into those combo amps. so i want to ask all of you which amp head you prefer that runs 200-400 watts;; (peavey, GK, etc)

thanks.

EDIT;; (update)

getting an old peavey bass amp mark IV 300 watts head.
any cab suggestions?

 

[fdeck]

Welcome to TalkBass. You have to weigh your own choices, and listen to as many amps as possible. Each of us has a preference based on our own situations, playing style, and so forth. I am quite happy with my EA Micro300 head, and have written a favorable review of the GK Backline 600 at my little website. But it comes down to tone, according to your own ears.

But combo amps continue to develop. Some of the new lightweight heads on the market are also available in combo versions. I would choose a combo if I was not committed to a DIY speaker.

 

[tomzilla23]

for heaver rock or metal i would say that your best bet maybe geting a GK amp

 

[Connor]

markbass +2
ampeg +1
GK -2

 

[Gruntollio Bass]

One thing you may find with a lot of manufacturers is that the amps they use in combos are pretty much exactly the same as some of their sepparate amp head models particularly in the wattage range you've mentioned.
Have their been any combo amps that you've used that you've particularly liked the tone?
Pretty much every bass amp manufacturer will have several amps in this range but I guess what is important is the tonal charachteristics you are looking for in a bass amp and also what type of situations you are going to be using it in.

 

[Geddy Claypool]

Look at Ashdown before you throw all combos out the door.

But for heads in that range, I'd look to Markbass or Ampeg.

 

[DanielleMuscato]

+1 Markbass for that amount of (SS) power. The only reason I'd go with that little power is for a mini-rig à la my Markbass LMII + Schroeder 1210L. I much prefer a separate pre & power amp, most of the time (I use a Line6 Bass POD xt Live and a Crown K2).

 

[GreyBeard]

getting an old peavey bass amp mark IV 300 watts head.
any cab suggestions?

Yes, that amp works well with a 4 ohm 2x15 cab. (210 watts) I used one for years with a 2x15 (EV's) Sunn cab and it rocked. So I can tell you from 1st hand experience I know it works well with a 2x15 cab.

 

[amper]

Man, I *love* these purely opinion threads...

For me, all things considered, and in that power range, it would have to be:

Trace Elliot (either solid-state or tube), especially the V-Type series and the mid-1990's SM and SMX series

and

Mesa/Boogie (also either solid-state or tube), especially the Buster! Bass series, the Bass 400/400+ amps, and the Walkabout.

 

[BlackLake]

Ampeg....

and Fisher Price

 

[Ric5]

AMPEG!