Back Up Amp Heads

[Weststarx]

Hello All,

Having recently waited 3 weeks for my amp head to return from Laney when it broke down, I've wondered if theres amp head out there thats either made or is ideal to be used as a backup.

Anyone got any advice?

[discreet]

Something Class D, small and lightweight that fits in your gig bag.

[stingrayPete1977]

I have a shuttle 3.0, a 6.0 and a shuttlemax9.2, I can carry all three in one arm and could gig with any one of them, usually the 9.2 is the main amp with the 6.0 as a spare, if the gig is smaller I use the 6.0 and the 3.0 goes in the van, the 3.0 is not much larger than 2 vhs cassettes!

[chrismuzz]

Markbass 250 watt should be fine and they're only around 225 New at the moment!

[barkin]

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1405014053' post='2497955']
Hello All,

Having recently waited 3 weeks for my amp head to return from Laney when it broke down, I've wondered if theres amp head out there thats either made or is ideal to be used as a backup.

Anyone got any advice?
[/quote]

I had an Acoustic head went up in smoke, literally, during a gig 20-odd years ago. I've always carried a spare since then, and never needed it !

Never leave home without a BDI21 too these days.

You're round Cambridge way, are you not? A bit late now perhaps, but drop me a PM if you get stuck in future.

[Lozz196]

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1405026311' post='2498158']
Markbass 250 watt should be fine and they're only around 225 New at the moment!
[/quote]

That or the GK MB200 would be a good choice.

[davehux]

Yup. Get a small Class D amp.

My current backup is a Phil Jones D200 that I got off eBay for stupidly little money. Comes to every gig, and stays in the boot of the car. Just nice to know its there in case the big one has a funny turn one night

[skidder652003]

http://www.thomann.de/gb/gallien_krueger_mb2500.htm

[discreet]

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1405027663' post='2498179']
...the GK MB200 would be a good choice.
[/quote]

+1. Tiny and a real powerhouse by all accounts. Ask Billyapple.

[BassTractor]

Ashdown CTM 300 is good as backup too.

[discreet]

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1405030718' post='2498225']
Ashdown CTM 300 is good as backup too.
[/quote]

Yes, if you have a roadie.

[Prime_BASS]

GK MB200 is spectacular for its size and feature set, surprised how full sounding it can be, only downside for me is lack of a master volume

[Weststarx]

Thanks for your input guys, really helpful...

I think I will deffinately buying a spare one, perhaps I'll be looking at some of the ones mentioned above and see if they appear on ebay or gumtree etc second hand.

I used a Fender Rumble 350 which I hired from my local studio which I thought was excellent.

What about something like a Behringer? Or is it worth buying something better secondhand?

[razze06]

I usually drop my ancient HH VS Bassamp in the back of the car. It's sturdy, loud, and relatively light and easy to carry, and very cheap to buy and repair.
I have used that instead of my TC RH450 in particularly dodgy venues, where beer may be spilt, people fall down drunk over kit, or gear just disappears from stage during breaks...

[Merton]

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1405030718' post='2498225']
Ashdown CTM 300 is good as backup too.
[/quote]
That's what I need. Good call.

[brensabre79]

I have a Behringer iNuke amp as a back-up - purely because it also serves as a backup for the PA amp.
If both amps go down together, chances are it's a problem with the venue's power, but as it's a stereo amp I can use 1 side for PA and 1 side for bass

Note: you do still need a pre-amp for bass if you take this route, but I use a Zoom B3.

[Weststarx]

Hahaha how about this thing...

[url="http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/HoTone-Nano-Legacy-Thunder-Bass/12D6"]http://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/HoTone-Nano-Legacy-Thunder-Bass/12D6[/url]

[Old_Ben]

depending on what your gig setup is, it might be worth getting your own DI box like a sansamp, which you can plug straight into a PA.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Old_Ben

[gafbass02]

I have a tc BH250, fits in my gig bag pocket along with my main amp, a markbass MoMark 800.
Very handy thing to have

[Sibob]

I just take two Little Mark IIs to most of my gigs. Still lighter than my old Ashdown EVOII.
Place them on top of each other, quick changeover if something goes down mid-gig

Si

[Happy Jack]

Do you have a Sansamp or similar?

In that case: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/240711-w-audio-horizon-1100-1u-rack-power-amp-now-only-l120-shipped/

[Horizontalste]

The cheap as chips Harley Benton one should do the job for pubs and the like, your probably never going to use it so why splash out.

Unless your ridiculously minted, then knock yourself out :-)

[gsgbass]

A TC Electronic RH450.

[zero9]

Just make sure to occasionally gig / run the back-up. You don't wanna find it ain't working when you need it to

[flyfisher]

I bought a TC BH250 as a small, light backup for my Ashdown amp and also because the toneprint thing sounded like fun.

After a couple of weeks playing with toneprints I've never used that feature since but the amp itself became my main amp because it's so light and compact to carry around that I can no longer be bothered to lug my Ashdown gear to most gigs.

So, perversely, buying a backup amp has left me without a backup amp, though it did start me on the road to using lighter gear for which I am eternally grateful!