Dave_the_bass Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Hey all, First a little about me. I've been playing bass for a lot of years now, think it's about 15 years but I can't remember when I started. My first amp was a little Trace Elliot Combo (one of the early commando's I believe). My second, and current, amp is an early Ashdown MAG 250 4x10 Combo with a 1x15 extension cab which I've had for approximately 10 years. Both of my amps have been purchased because I like the tone that I could achieve with them. My current situation is that I can no longer get the sound that I'm looking for from my amp, I think I've just reached the limit of what is possible from a solid state pre-amp, so I'm looking to get myself a new bass rig. I have been looking around the interweb for possible amps to pick up and potential cabs to go with, but I figured I'd ask you guys for some opinions on what might be worth getting. And before anybody says "go to a shop and try some out", that is my plan, but my local music shops think that all a bass player needs is a 30W Laney or Marshall 1x10 combo. So once I've got a few ideas I'll take a nice day out to a music shop a little further away and try out ones that I think will be what I'm looking for. So here's a breakdown of what I'm looking for. Amp, preferably rack mountable but not essential, somewhere in the region of 500W. I'm in two bands, one of which requires a clear rich tone which I can get from my Ashdown, the other band needs more of a crunching overdriven valve tone. Before anyone suggests the Ashdown ABM 500 Rackmount, I've considered it but I don't need all of the extra toys on it and I'd like something with all of the connections, except for the Input socket, on the back. As for budget on this purchase? I've not had financial approval from the wife yet. I'd like to stay below £1500 (for insurance purposes) and the closer to £500 we can get, the more likely it is to get a financial go ahead. Thanks for any advice you can give. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Are you looking for a combo or an amp to go with your 1x15? Scrap that, you said "rack mountable", so that rules out the combo. I'll get 1st shout & say try some Mark Bass amps. Well within your budget, or are you looking to buy a cab as well & keep in budget? If you want a cab too, then Barefaced gets a lot of love (even from those who don't own any). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 My opinion would be don't write off solid state preamps. A lot of very nice bass amps are solid state, you'll see far less different between SS and valve in bass gear (unless you're overdriving the amp) than you would in guitar gear (where you probably will be). I'd recommend the GK MB500 or Fusion if you want the valve pre, does crunch and clean great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 (edited) Yes, the GK MB range, both the MB 500, and the MB Fusion 500 are great amps. Started off with the MB500, but then went for the Fusion for the added valveyness. The Fusion, having the pre-amp valves, has more "thickness" to the sound, whilst still retaining the GK sound. The 500 is typically GK, very crisp and precise, with the GK grind. Both have two channels, so added grind can be accessed by foot-switch operation. Both amps are very loud, when connected to efficient cabs. With Gain set at approx 3 o`clock, I`ve never had either of these amps at over 9 o`clock on volume, for gigs, in either of my bands, one of which is an 8 piece (inc drums, 2 basses, 3 gtrs & keys) the other a punk covers band, so neither being particularly quiet. Cab-wise, well there are some great cabs about, my recommendations would be either Barefaced or Schroeder. Barefaced are very transparent, what you put in comes out, virtually uncoloured. The new Super 12g is getting much lurve at present. Schroeder have a scratchy/middy/nasal quality, which doesn`t sound particularly nice on its own, but, when in the mix, these cabs are amazing. Can be expensive, but get one from here, 2nd hand, be a good purchase. Barefaced go within minutes on here 2nd hand - a good indication of how highly they are thought of. Lastly, Markbass - never heard a bassist yet using this gear, that I haven`t thought sounded awesome. Not had any myself, so can`t recommend any specific models, but to me, they`ve all sounded great. Edited July 7, 2012 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 Hey guys, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. You've all provided me with some food for thought. The budget quoted is for the head only, plan being to buy the head, use it with my 1x15, sell the 4x10 combo, use money towards new cab, sell 1x15 cab, use money towards 2nd cab. I'm glad to see that so far everyone has much love for Markbass, everything I read about them seems to suggest that if I grab the right model it'll be exactly what I want. I've been considering the MoMark as that way I can have a SS preamp for my Rock Covers band and the crunchy valve preamp for my psycho/motor-billy band. The fact that people seem to be pointing me towards GK is bizarre, they're a manufacturer that I'd discounted off the cuff as last time I was looking for an amp they were up there with Ampeg on the price stakes and as such seemed to be a waste of money. It's probably because Flea was considered to be god by sooo many people and that's what he used. So that's two potential avenues to go down. The other two options I've come up with are the Genz Benz shuttle 6.2 or the SWR Headlite. Does anyone have any opinions on these, especially the headlite as that seems like it'll have to be a buy it, try it, and if I don't like it, sell it? As for the Cabs I'm looking for, so far I'm thinking: Purple Chili Barefaced Dr Bass Vanderkley or if I get a MarkBass head I might go all poser and get markbass cabs so it looks pretty on stage! Keep sending those ideas through for me. I'm reading all posts with great interest. Cheers Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmcgoo1964 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Can't offer any advice but isn't looking just great! get the "fun prevention office"r onboard and go mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted August 6, 2012 Author Share Posted August 6, 2012 A bit of an update/further question. I'm still looking for a new amp, and I've still not made the trip to bass direct to try out any amps as the funds for purchase are still being gathered, but I think I've narrowed my choice down to one of two amps. Looking at the features I'm after I've hit upon either: A, Genz Benz GBE 750 or B, Genz Benz ShuttleMAX 9.2 I was wondering what fellow bass chatters thought of them and if anyone has done an AB comparison on them. Once again, any comments greatly appreciated. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Don't look at the features. You can't see sound (unless you use a non newtonian fluid). Use your ears. There's probably been a few on here that's compared those 2 amps though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 [quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1341761652' post='1723683'] ....As for the Cabs I'm looking for, so far I'm thinking: Purple Chili Barefaced Dr Bass Vanderkley.... [/quote] Are Purple Chilli and Dr Bass still making cabs? If your budget can run to Vanderkley you should also be looking at Bergantino. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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