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Which is better? recommendations?

serein2j

serein2j

May 25, 2008
778
7
Austin, TX
#1
I've been researching through many heads and my budged is $600 max.

the Head has to be powerful enough to push my SWR Triad Cabinet rated 400W @ 4 ohms.

After looking though many heads,

SWR 550X, SWR WorkingPro 400, Ampeg B4RE, Ampeg SVT-3 PRO, Gallien Kruger 700RB, 1001RB, EBS Fafner, Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0

Among those heads, which would be best?

I'm looking for the tone that is not too Hi-fi or not too muddy. And something versatile that can fit from RHCP to Hillsong to R&B.

So far I'm leaning toward SWR 550X, GenzBenz Shuttle 6.0, and Gallien Kruger 700RB.

Any recommendations/opinions regarding some heads I listed?
 
#3
Honestly, all of those heads will get the job done for you. I will suggest the GK 700RB/1001RB mainly because you site RHCP as a tone requirement. Flea is a GK endorser is very rarely seen without a GK backline of some sort. GK amps are very versatile and I would not call them modern sounding either. Get 1001RB if you can, if you ever upgrade your cab, you will have more power at your finger tips to mess with.

Try as many of them as you can with YOUR BASS. That way, you know what head will do you good. Below are some of my opinions - I ask you to try the heads out anyway and see if I am correct. Also, read the manuals of the amps before you try them - you can figure out what every knob does prior to messing with the amps. A good way to try out different amp heads is to read and set the closest flat setting for the amp and go from there. You can hear the inherent tone of the amp right away and figure out if it is the right match for you.

SWR 550X - I would shy away from this head. IME, the head just does not have much going on tone wise.
SWR WorkingPro 400 - Is really not in the same category as the rest of the amps listed - the other amps are higher quality. The SWR 550X is better than this one.

Ampeg B4RE, Ampeg SVT-3 PRO, Gallien Kruger 700RB, 1001RB, EBS Fafner, Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 - All good choices.
 
#4
Thanks for good recommendation. I was actually really leaning towards 550x but I think I will seriously reconsider :)

any other recommendations~?

Gearhead17 said:
Honestly, all of those heads will get the job done for you. I will suggest the GK 700RB/1001RB mainly because you site RHCP as a tone requirement. Flea is a GK endorser is very rarely seen without a GK backline of some sort. GK amps are very versatile and I would not call them modern sounding either. Get 1001RB if you can, if you ever upgrade your cab, you will have more power at your finger tips to mess with.

Try as many of them as you can with YOUR BASS. That way, you know what head will do you good. Below are some of my opinions - I ask you to try the heads out anyway and see if I am correct. Also, read the manuals of the amps before you try them - you can figure out what every knob does prior to messing with the amps. A good way to try out different amp heads is to read and set the closest flat setting for the amp and go from there. You can hear the inherent tone of the amp right away and figure out if it is the right match for you.

SWR 550X - I would shy away from this head. IME, the head just does not have much going on tone wise.
SWR WorkingPro 400 - Is really not in the same category as the rest of the amps listed - the other amps are higher quality. The SWR 550X is better than this one.

Ampeg B4RE, Ampeg SVT-3 PRO, Gallien Kruger 700RB, 1001RB, EBS Fafner, Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 - All good choices.
Click to expand...
 
#6
Not that I want one, but is Hartke in this league?

Like my 3-Pro
Used a Shuttle and thought it was great
Want to try an LMII
Not a fan of SWR as I'm not into hi-fi sound and I feel that's what it's best at
(could make you a great deal on a SM400 though!)
 
#8
GK all the way I had a 700 and just moved up to the 2001RB. I'll put it this way I have owned a SWR Super Red Head, an Eden Metro, an Eden Time traveler head and Eden 4x10 cab and I wasn't happy until I started playing GK. To be honest I'm not happy with GK CABS, I would stick with what you have for now and then go MESA.:bassist:
 

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