600 quid to spend. Recommend an amp.

[BottomE]

Hello folks

Time to replace my Little Mark II amp which has been brilliant over the last few years.

Criteria: reliability, ability to run at 4 and 8 ohms, lightweight. Cabs can handle about 750 watts at 4 ohms.

Mainly playing without a PA so needs to have clarity at reasonable volume.

Ideas welcome.

Thank you.

[Roland Rock]

I'd say the Aguilar Tonehammer 500 would be worth checking out. I've never heard a bad word said about these heads

£629 at Bass Gear

Edited January 5, 2014 by Roland Rock

[chris_b]

+1 for the TH500....

....but why change?

[BottomE]

Thanks.

Main reason for change is to get something whilst the funds are available and partly bored with my setup. Whilst I've been really impressed with Little Mark just want something different.

[TheGreek]

Can't believe I'm the first to recommend a Genz Benz - several for sale right here on BC.


(just noticed that this is my 2,000 post)

Edited January 5, 2014 by TheGreek

[ratman]

You can get massive discounts on Genz Benz Shuttle & Streamliner amps at the moment.

[skej21]

+1 for the TH500. Brilliant head and the next thing on my GAS hit list!

[BottomE]

Ta folks. Prefer to buy amps new. Amps are probably the only bit of bass gear (as well as strings) that I insist on owning from new.

[RandomBass]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1388948810' post='2328016']
Ta folks. Prefer to buy amps new. Amps are probably the only bit of bass gear (as well as strings) that I insist on owning from new.
[/quote]

In which case get yerself to a few shops and try some different gear out, based on the suggestions above, but also try different things too - just in case.

[Lozz196]

And also get out and listen to a few bands, when you hear a tone you like investigate said bassists amp - what you hear in a band context gives a great idea of whether it`s right or wrong for you.

[RandomBass]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1388950117' post='2328049']
And also get out and listen to a few bands, when you hear a tone you like investigate said bassists amp - what you hear in a band context gives a great idea of whether it`s right or wrong for you.
[/quote]
Definitely this too.

[0175westwood29]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1388950117' post='2328049']
And also get out and listen to a few bands, when you hear a tone you like investigate said bassists amp - what you hear in a band context gives a great idea of whether it`s right or wrong for you.
[/quote]

this is totally the reason i went out and got a terror bass, saw a pink band and fell in love!

i cant recommend the terrors enough, would be a 500w version for you budget but that will be loud as hell! also the gk mb heads are really nice.

andy

[BottomE]

Not many shops to choose from round these parts unfortunately. Any thoughts on Ampeg?

[BottomE]

[quote name='0175westwood29' timestamp='1388951502' post='2328084']


this is totally the reason i went out and got a terror bass, saw a pink band and fell in love!

i cant recommend the terrors enough, would be a 500w version for you budget but that will be loud as hell! also the gk mb heads are really nice.

andy
[/quote]

They had one of those in one of the local stores. It was loud but I found it limited tonally. Need something more flexible.

[0175westwood29]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1388951536' post='2328086']
Not many shops to choose from round these parts unfortunately. Any thoughts on Ampeg?
[/quote]

a band i played with bassist had a pf350 sounded......well like an ampeg he did say it wasnt the loudest but from having a svt pro 6 i know ampeg sometimes inflate there wattage rating.

honestly would consider going secondhand as you could grab a bargain
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/224382-gallien-krueger-2001rb/"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/224382-gallien-krueger-2001rb/[/url]

andy

[Roland Rock]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1388951760' post='2328094']


They had one of those in one of the local stores. It was loud but I found it limited tonally. Need something more flexible.
[/quote]

For flexibility and clarity, I'd go for a Genz Shuttle 9.2. It really impressed me.
Be wary of the PF500. Search on Basschat to see how many have had issues

[BottomE]

Googling some of the suggestions. Thanks folks..

[BottomE]

So far the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 is looking favourite.

[Mudpup]

Genz Shuttle 9.2 would be on my list.

[hamfist]

[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1388960275' post='2328253']
So far the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 is looking favourite.
[/quote]

The Shuttle 6.0 is known for having rather a "light" bottom end, as Genz filtered off rather too much in the way of low frequencies. THe 6.2 remedies this completely.

I can thoroughly recommend the GK MB500. I have owned a shedload of amps and the MB is loud, clear, articulate and reliable. I'm near Southampton if you're anywhere nearby and want to try one out with your cab.

[CamdenRob]

I got my ShuttleMax 12.2 for less than that new... Works for me and is seriously loud!

[Roland Rock]

Also, you said you only wanted new, and I don't think the 6.0 is available anymore

[Musicman20]

Call Mark at Bass Direct. They have Shuttle 6.2 and 9.2 amps on offer.

I'd pick up the 9.2 and be done! Or, if you want to go the extra mile, get the Max 12.2 or Max 9.2.

[discreet]

Portaflex PF800? Plenty of power and no issues - unlike the PF500.

[BottomE]

Both my 8 ohm cabs are rated at 400 watts each. Do you think that they will handle the shuttle 9.2 safely?