New lightweight amp...

[aldude]

I am thinking of replacing my big Trace head with something a little smaller and lighter. I've got it down to a choice of three different amp makers but I would like to hear if anyone has any experience or opinions. As some background, I have a Barefaced Super 12T which is a fairly transparent cab so I don't mind colour from the amp. I am in a loud, heavy rock covers band so would love some deep tones but also play a fair amount of higher register stuff so mids are important. Also, something warm sounding appeals to me. A compressor would also be handy but not essential.

Here are the choices:

1. A Markbass head. Probably a choice between the F1/F500 and the LMIII. The F amps are comedy small so that appeals. However it's a digital power amp and don't know how that compares to the analogue of the LMIII. Also both are rated at 500W but I have heard reports of the LMIII not quite having as much apparent power of the F amps.

2. TC Electronic - the RH450 appeals, as does the RH750 but that's expensive.

3. Something Genz Benz.

Any ideas?

EDIT: judging by research and other threads like this one [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=146242"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=146242[/url] I am probably leaning towards the Markbass and particularly the F1 or F500. But I would still like to hear others' experiences!

Edited July 18, 2011 by aldude

[Lozz196]

TC amps are good, I had the Classic 450 and it was a very nice amp. Had the Spectracomp compressor, Tubetone, tuner out, and had a nice tone to it, quality piece of gear.

However, once I heard the Ampeg PF-500, I knew I had to have one. Compressor, Ultra-Low/Ultra-High features, 5 band switchable mid-control, tuner out, pre/post eq DI, 300 watts at 8 ohms, 500 watts at 4 ohms. I use it with an 8 ohm 4x10, plenty loud enough. It also fits into a lap-top case, so nice and portable.

And, can be got for under £380 - may be worth a look and adding to the list?

Edited July 18, 2011 by Lozz196

[andydye]

I asked a similar question recently (see below thread link)

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=145496&st=0&p=1301011&#entry1301011"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...p;#entry1301011[/url]

[Sibob]

I have an Orange Terror Bass (albeit with non-stock valves) & a Markbass Littlemark 2, I have to say both are great through my Barefaced Compact.
The Markbass has a much more powerful EQ section, although to be fair I've just got both amps set absolutely flat at the moment. You won't make the Markbass overdrive, whereas you can with the Orange, although I never take it that far.

Si

[dannybuoy]

Surprised Orange and Ampeg aren't on the list for a rock covers band! The new Ampeg PF heads are getting glowing reviews as is the Orange Terror Bass.

Edited July 19, 2011 by dannybuoy

[markstuk]

I've got a BF S12T and very happy with my RH450 - nice range of tones on offer...

Probably worth giving a GB streamliner a go as well...

CHeers


Mark


[quote name='dannybuoy' post='1307841' date='Jul 18 2011, 02:02 PM']Surprised Orange and Ampeg aren't on the list for a rock covers band! The new Ampeg OF heads are getting glowing reviews as is the Orange Terror Bass.[/quote]

[dave_bass5]

Having owned a SA450 and LMII for a few years, and now having a F1 and GB Streamliner i would say the F1/F500 might not be ideal, based on the needs stated.
All great heads but the LMII/III are a bit warmer and thicker than the F1/F500. There isnt a lot in it but its definitely there.
The statement about the LMII/III not seeming to give the same power output is right IMO, but the key word is seemingly.

As Mark suggested, have a look in to the GB Streamliner as well.
I have a Streamliner 600 and it sounds like it might be ideal. Its has 3 tubes and a very thick, but not muddy low end. What struck me when i first played mine was how much punch it produced on the higher notes. Its very articulated compared to the MB heads, and having played both F1 and Streamliner on a couple of gigs (1 per set) the Streamliner just seems to fill the mix out, it had more presence. It also has a nice smooth overdrive if needed, with nothing digital sounding about it, although i only use that on a few songs and its no replacement for a distortion pedal.

[xgsjx]

A visit to the shops is in order me thinks. Try some out & see if you can return if not happy.
You could always buy 2nd hand off here & if you're not happy with what you get, swap for something else.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1308960' date='Jul 19 2011, 11:39 AM']A visit to the shops is in order me thinks. Try some out & see if you can return if not happy.
You could always buy 2nd hand off here & if you're not happy with what you get, swap for something else.[/quote]

Good advice, and ill add take your own cab to the shop to get a better idea of how the amps sound.

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1308964' date='Jul 19 2011, 11:44 AM']Good advice, and ill add take your own cab to the shop to get a better idea of how the amps sound.[/quote]

Not many shops out there that would appreciate someone playing loud, heavy rock through a variety of 500W amps into a Barefaced cab just to see what it sounds like when playing on their own, with no band around them to supply a mix.

@ the OP, you'd be better off trying to borrow (or rent) amps from other local BC-ers for single gigs to see which one comes closest to what you want.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='1308980' date='Jul 19 2011, 12:05 PM']Not many shops out there that would appreciate someone playing loud, heavy rock through a variety of 500W amps into a Barefaced cab just to see what it sounds like when playing on their own, with no band around them to supply a mix.

@ the OP, you'd be better off trying to borrow (or rent) amps from other local BC-ers for single gigs to see which one comes closest to what you want.[/quote]

The good one's wont mind if someone takes a cab in. No need to play at full volume.

Edited July 19, 2011 by dave_bass5

[Matt_Arlita]

+1 for the Ampeg PF-500. Serious amp!

[aldude]

Thanks all and food for thought certainly.

Hadn't really considered the GB Streamliner but I like reading things like "warm tones straight out of the box". The EQing seems nice and simple too, for a simple guy like me. (My current Trace's 12-band EQ is a bit mind boggling.)

Dave, I notice that you happen to have your Streamliner up for sale. Send me a PM if you still want to sell and I will certainly consider yours!

[lojo]

Ampeg pf500 gives an amazing tone and has a great di , this is what I've settled on

Lots of terror lovers on here also, a little harsh for me but still a great amp

Rh450 if after a range of sounds

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='aldude' post='1309586' date='Jul 19 2011, 08:12 PM']Thanks all and food for thought certainly.

Dave, I notice that you happen to have your Streamliner up for sale. Send me a PM if you still want to sell and I will certainly consider yours![/quote]

It is still for sale, all the details are in the add. To be honest I keep changing my mind so I'm not actively pushing to sell it now, I'm just going to see what happens but I'd anyone does want it I'm happy to sell.

It's a great amp but quite a bit different from my usual MB heads. When it works it works very well but at some gigs I'm finding a more solid state amp works better, especially one whith more EQ for the trickier gigs.

[Grand Wazoo]

EA Micro a.k.a. Euphonic Audio

[url="http://www.eaamps.com/index.php?p=micro&m=products"]http://www.eaamps.com/index.php?p=micro&m=products[/url]

[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/EA_Amps.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...ts/EA_Amps.html[/url]

[markstuk]

Good to see you back mate..
[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1310000' date='Jul 20 2011, 09:33 AM']EA Micro a.k.a. Euphonic Audio

[url="http://www.eaamps.com/index.php?p=micro&m=products"]http://www.eaamps.com/index.php?p=micro&m=products[/url]

[url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/EA_Amps.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...ts/EA_Amps.html[/url]

[/quote]

[aldude]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1309969' date='Jul 20 2011, 08:59 AM']It is still for sale, all the details are in the add. To be honest I keep changing my mind so I'm not actively pushing to sell it now, I'm just going to see what happens but I'd anyone does want it I'm happy to sell.

It's a great amp but quite a bit different from my usual MB heads. When it works it works very well but at some gigs I'm finding a more solid state amp works better, especially one whith more EQ for the trickier gigs.[/quote]

I sometimes have a problem with gigs that just don't sound right.

The consistency - or lack of that you have experienced - concerns me. Have you tried something like a Gramma pad? That might help.

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='aldude' post='1310021' date='Jul 20 2011, 10:03 AM']I sometimes have a problem with gigs that just don't sound right.

The consistency - or lack of that you have experienced - concerns me. Have you tried something like a Gramma pad? That might help.[/quote]

Yes, i always use a gramma pad. To be honest ive always found an inconsistency with whatever rig i use, after all, no two rooms are the same.
My problem is the lack of EQ to correct it, plus my cab isnt the ideal partner for this head (apparently).
I have no idea if my F1 would have copped any better with the poor sounding gigs, and ive had many poor sounding gigs my other heads so maybe im over reacting.
What i can say is that every Marquee gig ive done (6) with the GB its worked perfectly, plenty loud, great chunky tone and good solid low end, and this is whats keeping me with it. Saying that, i doubt ill have many more of those after the wedding season finishes.

If i keep the GB ill certainly be looking to get a BF compact to replace the 1212L.

[chris_b]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1308992' date='Jul 19 2011, 12:16 PM']....The good one's wont mind if someone takes a cab in. No need to play at full volume....[/quote]
I took my whole rig in just to test a bass once and this week I took my TC into a shop to A/B it with another amp. As Dave says, good shops won't mind.

[Bottle]

Just been reading through the threads - you've got a cab (BF Super 12T) that will partner up with a lot of lightweight and micro heads - Markbass, Genz-Benz etc, plus at 4 Ohms you can dump an awful lot of power into the cab, certainly the micro heads in the 500W-into-4 Ohm range should be more than up to the task.

You may also want to look at the new stuff that's around, Ampeg PF500, GB Streamliner 900, GK MB500/MB800/Fusion heads can all make use of the extra power handling you have available in the cab.

HTH,
Ian