POLL: Help me choose my first amp

[armyadarkness]

I use the Fender, but voted for the GK.

What Fender are you using? I'm at a place in life where I just want it all, because I'm tired of hunting. The Fender tube stuff is the last on my radar.

I still have two full SS Markbass rigs, but now have 3 all tube Mesa and Ampeg rigs, and I'm just loving it. Fender will be next to come.

I've heard great things about GK and have gotten close, but if I'm going to do SS or Hybrid, then I guess I'm fine with my Markbass rigs. The yellow makes me sad, but they are not lacking in any other way.

 

[basscapes]

Seems that at this point in time, the G-K and Quilter seem to be the front runners.

I own the Bass Block 800, and I love the thing. It has enough power that you can pretty much drive ANY cab with it (I use it with an SVT810).

The EQ, while not quite as drastic as the other amps, is pretty good once you get a handle on how only TWO KNOBS can affect your tone!

The input GAIN control tends to work like a tube amp's- as you advance the level (usually past noon) the limiter begins to kick in with a very power tube-like squish.

If I'm running just my P-bass into the 800, I set the GAIN around the 3 o'clock position, the DEPTH around 1 o'clock, and CONTOUR at the 9 o'clock position- I can get it in the ball park or an SVT right at the edge of breakup tone.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

@ficelles could a 2x10 pull this off?

That's a very good question... in the indie trio I play in, which has a fairly loud drummer, I'm barely pushing the 250 head and 2x10 above a quarter volume. But the guitarist is using a little Cornford valve combo. I have a rehearsal coming up with two guitarists and keyboards in addition to drums, more power prog in style, and I am wondering if a single cab is going to cut it, all depends on what the guitarists are using. I guess I'll take Markbass and Ampeg rigs along and maybe end up using both, then shopping for more cabs

 

[Mushroo]

Any possibility your friend might sell you the 250 watt Hartke combo that you're currently borrowing? Then you'd have an inexpensive used combo that meets your current volume needs, and you can delay your amp purchase until you start gigging.

 

[Zbysek]

The thing with Quilter is that it is relatively new in our part of the world. As far as I know, it is still not distributed in either Slovakia or Czech Republic, and it is still rather new in Germany. The reason why I am mentioning it is that you would probably need to buy a new amp if you decide for it. On the other hand, you would be able to save buying used one if you decide for MB, Ampeg, Fender or GK as they show up regularly...

 

[armyadarkness]

That's a very good question... in the indie trio I play in, which has a fairly loud drummer, I'm barely pushing the 250 head and 2x10 above a quarter volume. But the guitarist is using a little Cornford valve combo. I have a rehearsal coming up with two guitarists and keyboards in addition to drums, more power prog in style, and I am wondering if a single cab is going to cut it, all depends on what the guitarists are using. I guess I'll take Markbass and Ampeg rigs along and maybe end up using both, then shopping for more cabs

Yeah I have to say that I'm really surprised at all of the great things I hear people saying on 2x10's. My smallest cabs are the Markbass New York 4x8's and they're rated at 800 watts 8ohm per cab, but with only one cab, I really struggle with the Little Tube 800 (assuming the guitar players are over bearing).

 

[BOOG]

What Fender are you using? I'm at a place in life where I just want it all, because I'm tired of hunting. The Fender tube stuff is the last on my radar.

I still have two full SS Markbass rigs, but now have 3 all tube Mesa and Ampeg rigs, and I'm just loving it. Fender will be next to come.

I've heard great things about GK and have gotten close, but if I'm going to do SS or Hybrid, then I guess I'm fine with my Markbass rigs. The yellow makes me sad, but they are not lacking in any other way.

yellow is supposed to engage the creative mind not, make you sad

 

[armyadarkness]

yellow is supposed to engage the creative mind not, make you sad

Lol. Orange or green usually do that for me! I bought two full Markbass rigs in 2010 and I adore them both. I love Black and yellow as a color combo too, but some times, it can be a bit much. I also like to keep a lot of my gear a mystery, but there's no chance of that with a Mark rig!

 

[armyadarkness]

yellow is supposed to engage the creative mind not, make you sad

Okay... well it doesn't make me that sad... and Yes! With my Mesa head, it's definitely inspiring and it drives my creativity off the rails!!

Mesa Strategy 88 with 16 Speakers

 

[kev451]

I'll be using this amp for my band, we play prog rock;

I play with two guitarists and a drummer, who likes to go wild;

I'll be using a 2x10 or a 1x15 cabinet with it;

FYI my budget is ideally around 500, but 600 is the limit;

I included all amps in this price range I was interested in and that were available in my region, but feel free to leave any additional suggestions;

My expectations are - versatility for solos, melodies, but also sitting in the groove; reliability; mostly a clean tone.

Thanks

P. S.: Sharing your experience with any of these amps is very welcome

There’s one which isn’t on your list which I would recommend it’s the the TC Electronics RH450 it’s a great little bass head. 450 watts built in compresor which you can elect to not use and a built in tuner and a storage bank for 3 different amp settings which you can program and store.

 

[BOOG]

Lol. Orange or green usually do that for me! I bought two full Markbass rigs in 2010 and I adore them both. I love Black and yellow as a color combo too, but some times, it can be a bit much. I also like to keep a lot of my gear a mystery, but there's no chance of that with a Mark rig!

I'm glad the MB stuff is working for you. Me, not so much and disappointed with QC. My Ashdown, Peavey and TE gear keeps me happy and satisfied. Now, can't decide whether to go MESA or GK in the future. For now, I'm good and have plenty but....GAS

 

[leamdav]

I and the TH350, however, I never played a gig with it. But just noodling around in my basement this amp had the most transparent sound I've heard. I testing it against a micro tubes 900 which was an incredible amp, but the darkglass had it's own sound. The Aguilar let me hear the bass as it was the most. Really a powerful little amp that sounded great.

The only other option I would suggest would be the Trickfish Bullhead .5k, probably within your price range, used. That is a very cool amp with a really spectaculae EQ.

 

[bass40hz]

GK...all day...every day.
Rock on.

 

[Bodeanly]

may i ask why?

methinks the fender may be a bit more reliable where the GK is better for leads.

The Fender has a baked in tone that I am quite fond of, but only because of the style of music I play. While I can get a good, “proggy” tone by using pedals, if OP is looking for something to use straight out of the box, my instincts tell me that the answer is the GK.

 

[pcake]

The Fender has a baked in tone that I am quite fond of, but only because of the style of music I play. While I can get a good, “proggy” tone by using pedals, if OP is looking for something to use straight out of the box, my instincts tell me that the answer is the GK.

thanks for the reply, and i definitely agree. i like both, but the GK has a tone i feel is good for prog.

 

[Bodeanly]

What Fender are you using? I'm at a place in life where I just want it all, because I'm tired of hunting. The Fender tube stuff is the last on my radar.

I still have two full SS Markbass rigs, but now have 3 all tube Mesa and Ampeg rigs, and I'm just loving it. Fender will be next to come.

I've heard great things about GK and have gotten close, but if I'm going to do SS or Hybrid, then I guess I'm fine with my Markbass rigs. The yellow makes me sad, but they are not lacking in any other way.

I use the Rumble stuff. 500 head through a GK 410 and a 500 combo with a matching 12 cab. Both are amazing and on a number of ocassions, people have been in disbelief that they’re not tube amps. I grew up on tubes, so I don’t really hear it (definitely don’t feel it when I schlep em). They’ve been great amps, though. And Fender sent me a new combo when I busted the power switch on mine, without any question. That said, if I were going to play straight prog, I would go with something more trebly and gritty, which is why I voted for the GK.

 

[leonard]

I haven't tried Quilter or TC but I'd gig happily with any amp on your list. I have a Markbass and I like their choice of EQ points.

 

[buldog5151bass]

You play in a loud band, you are going to want to have the entire 500 watts, with the thought of ending up with 4 10s, 4 12s (2 if they are really good), or 2 15s.

I own the GK and the Fender. GK gives a cleaner, brighter tone.

 

[chuck1073]

I voted for the MB500. Love mine. If you want to keep the price down and don't mind a bit of extra weight, you can't go wrong with a 700RBII. There's lots out there used. Rock solid dependable.

 

[BergerHead]

I propose you a loud one ... or you won't go into dogfight with your guitarist!