Small, simple, light head with good compressor. Ideas, please.

[solo4652]

Just got myself into a really good new band. Currently, I have a GK MB500. It's my only head, and so I'm going to need a back-up head. I've been told that my plucking and volume can be a bit variable, so this is a good chance to try an amp with a good compressor.

Shopping list:

Small and light, most probably class D.

Simple controls. I'm not a knob-twiddler, and I'm very easily distracted and confused by complex EQ's and stuff.

DI out

Good on-board compressor

Budget = £500 max

All suggestions gratefully received.

[Paul S]

TC Electronic - whichever model you fancy. The 'Spectrocomp' is very good.

[markstuk]

Yup... TC electronic - RH if you want want a warmer sort of tubey sound, the BH550/800 if something a little crisper... New BH800's are going for £449, should be able to get an RH750 for about £500 secondhand and an RH450 for rather less..

[Lw.]

Warwick LWA 500.

[40hz]

The Spectracomp on my TC BH550 is a thing of wonder!

Edited March 9, 2017 by 40hz

[grandad]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1489053649' post='3253955']
TC Electronic - whichever model you fancy. The 'Spectrocomp' is very good.
[/quote]

+1

[solo4652]

Great! Looks like it's a TC Electronic, then. I tend to favour a cleaner sound, so I'll look at BH550 or 800. No too sure about that Toneprint thingy, though.

[markstuk]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489061779' post='3254028']
Great! Looks like it's a TC Electronic, then. I tend to favour a cleaner sound, so I'll look at BH550 or 800. No too sure about that Toneprint thingy, though.
[/quote]

It's ok you don't have to use it There only seems to be £30 difference in pricing between the 550 and 800 at the moment... What cab(s) are you using?

[solo4652]

I have two Tecamp XS 112's. Each is rated at 300w at 8 ohms. I tend to use one for rehearsal and two for gigs. Band is a 5-piece pub and function band, playing all the usual stuff.

[solo4652]

Cheapest online prices: Warwick LWA 500 for £299, or TC BH800 for £449 (BH550 is virtually the same price).

Is the TC BH800 worth the extra?

[Mcgiver69]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489090334' post='3254365']
Cheapest online prices: Warwick LWA 500 for £299, or TC BH800 for £449 (BH550 is virtually the same price).

Is the TC BH800 worth the extra?
[/quote]
Well the extra you'll pay for the TC BH800 is because:

- 800w (300w more than the Warwick)
- you'll be able to use 2 toneprints (Digital effects) at once, this means you can have the compressor and maybe an overdrive loaded and running at the same time.

Having said that the price for the Warwick LWA 500 seem to be a pretty good deal.

Edited March 9, 2017 by Mcgiver69

[solo4652]

I'm not too concerned about the Toneprint feature. I don't use any effects at all - completely dry signal. The extra 300W of the TC 800 might be useful to have up your sleeve, though. That said, my GKMB500 has always been plenty loud enough. And no - I don't want to use the MB500 with a seperate compressor pedal, thank you!

Edited March 9, 2017 by solo4652

[40hz]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489093594' post='3254403']
I'm not too concerned about the Toneprint feature. I don't use any effects at all - completely dry signal. The extra 300W of the TC 800 might be useful to have up your sleeve, though. That said, my GKMB500 has always been plenty loud enough. And no - I don't want to use the MB500 with a seperate compressor pedal, thank you!
[/quote]

The Spectracomp 'is' a toneprint.

[solo4652]

[Treb]

[quote name='40hz' timestamp='1489097139' post='3254437']
The Spectracomp 'is' a toneprint.
[/quote]

And a TC compressor pedal...

[Mcgiver69]

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489093594' post='3254403']
I'm not too concerned about the Toneprint feature. I don't use any effects at all - completely dry signal. The extra 300W of the TC 800 might be useful to have up your sleeve, though. That said, my GKMB500 has always been plenty loud enough. And no - I don't want to use the MB500 with a seperate compressor pedal, thank you!
[/quote]

Then the best choice for you would be the Warwick, it's 500w with plenty of tone shaping and a compressor in a 1.5kg package. all that for £299 it's a steal.

[machinehead]

EBS Reidmar 750.

[machinehead]

It's loud, clean and the compressor is excellent. You can switch the EQ off if you want to keep it really simple. There's also a drive knob for a little grit.
I was well advised by the excellent EBS Freak when I was considering buying mine.
Frank

[spyder]

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1489054689' post='3253965']
Warwick LWA 500.
[/quote]

The compressor is very subtle, it gently flattens your signal without changing your tone.
I've got one and really enjoy its uncoloured tone. Your bass just sounds like your bass unlike some coloured amps.

[BassBunny]

Drew at The Great British Bass Lounge seems to have a Warwick, so at least you get to try one before buying Steve. Just chuck the Hartke TX600 into the mix.

Edited March 10, 2017 by BassBunny

[bonzodog]

[quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1489135262' post='3254553']
Just chuck the Hartke TX600 into the mix.
[/quote]

From what i have read these are way underpowered to what they claim to be. Shame as i like the hartke sound

[cameltoe]

There's a RH450 in the marketplace...

[krispn]

Markbass TTE 500. Valve comp, valve pre amp, analogue power module. Italian made and sounds great!

[foxyFuze]

I'm selling my BH550, should that still be of interest:
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/302892-tc-electronics-bh550/page__fromsearch__1