Lightweight bass amps

[northstreet]

I'm looking to replace my Hartke LH500 - I'm really happy with the tone and the volume but it's a heavy old beast and I'd prefer something more portable. Sticking with what works for me (and my TC Electronics 2x12 cab), I'm looking for 500W into 4 Ohms. Budget sub-£600 if poss. Had a quick look online but noticed (i) there aren't many amps that fit the bill, (ii) supply of those is quite limited, and (iii) none of my local shops have anything suitable. So I'm after canvassing some opinions on the options available, which seem to be: Fender Rumble, Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex, Orange Little Bass Thing, Markbass Little Mark and Hartke LX5500. The Hartke appeals on the basis that it could be a like-for-like swap, but I heard bad things about their previous Class D offering. But any views/thoughts/other suggestions would be appreciated.

[BassAdder60]

The Orange LBT is a great amp and so are the Ashdown RM series 

Avoid the Ampeg PF range as they I believe still suffer from shutdown issues 

The GK Legacy range is nice ( Polar sell on EBay at low prices )

Edited July 30, 2022 by BassAdder27

[northstreet]

2 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said:

What about the new Mark Bass IV ? 

 

If you mean this one https://www.andertons.co.uk/markbass-little-mark-iv-500w-bass-head-10009296 then yes that's on my list. Have you played through one?

[Lozz196]

From what I’ve read the LH has quite a thick warm (but clear) sound so I’ll recommend the Ashdown RM. Of all of the Class D amps I’ve had these have the weightiest sound to them.

I like the Markbass amps as well but prefer the eq options on the Ashdown, plus being UK based in the unlikely situation you have a problem you can send/take it there and they can sort it.

[Ed_S]

1 hour ago, northstreet said:

Fender Rumble, Ampeg PF-500 Portaflex, Orange Little Bass Thing, Markbass Little Mark and Hartke LX5500

 

Purely my own opinion and experience, but I'd actually say there's something about the basic sound of the Fender Rumble (mine's a 500 v3 in the combo) that reminds me a bit of my old LH1000, whereas I found a Markbass Little Mark (2, 800 and 3) to be a better replacement for my HA5500. The lightweight Ashdown amps I've owned (Mi550 and RM800) didn't really remind me of either, nor did the Ampeg PF-800. All good amps, don't get me wrong, but they didn't make me think 'Hartke'. I've only ever seen lukewarm reviews of the actual lightweight Hartke amps, so probably wouldn't be headed that way on name alone - I'd want to try one myself. If I was going to offer up another amp that kinda reminded me of an LH I might actually go a bit leftfield and say the Mesa D800, but getting them seems to be tricky at present.

[mep]

Ashdown RM series. Great amps, great features, great customer service. Hard to beat.

[northstreet]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Please add yours! Off to a gig shortly so will do a bit more internetery in the morning and check out the ones not on my shortlist.

[King Tut]

Bugera Veyron 1001T. Don't worry about the Wattage figures, they're more than loud enough with  a nice thick valve sound. If you want a more flexible EQ try the Mosfet version. I use mine regularly with Stray and I've never run out of volume - and we are not a quiet band. I think they're going for around £250.

 

[Downunderwonder]

There's a well priced Genzler 350 in the classifieds. 500 v 350 isn't really here nor there unless you are in the habit of running your Hartke hard out just to hear yourself.

[jezzaboy]

3 hours ago, King Tut said:

Bugera Veyron 1001T. Don't worry about the Wattage figures, they're more than loud enough with  a nice thick valve sound. If you want a more flexible EQ try the Mosfet version. I use mine regularly with Stray and I've never run out of volume - and we are not a quiet band. I think they're going for around £250.

 

I sold bought a M version earlier this year and sold it as there was no band on the horizon. Had some spare cash so for £229 I bought another one. As KT says, ignore the silly watts, it`s a great piece of kit end of. Lots of love on here for them, try one and you may be surprised.

[MrDinsdale]

The GK Legacy and Fusion are great heads. I have the Fusion S and it’s incredibly versatile, I don’t feel like it sacrifices much for it’s size. They crop up on here every now and then for good prices. 

[Japhet]

Another vote for GK Fusion. Also, Tecamp (or Eich) make great lightweight heads. Tecamp Puma is a great little amp.

[TorturedSaints]

Quilter Bass Block 800?  Just about in budget new.  Solid little amp, works for me.  Possibly a bit lacking in high frequency sparkle if you’re into tweeters though - I have a dull set of flats on my fretless and through the Quilter into a BF One10 it still sounds dull!  

[MrDinsdale]

3 hours ago, TorturedSaints said:

Quilter Bass Block 800?  Just about in budget new.  Solid little amp, works for me.  Possibly a bit lacking in high frequency sparkle if you’re into tweeters though - I have a dull set of flats on my fretless and through the Quilter into a BF One10 it still sounds dull!  

I really wanted a Bass Block but couldn’t find them anywhere. I think the selling point for me was that it seems to sound great but it’s transparent enough that you could just drop whatever preamp pedal fit the bill. 
 

In the end I went GK fusion and super happy though, it sounds great and I can always go straight into the return and use as a power amp if I fancy a different preamp pedal. 

[TorturedSaints]

16 minutes ago, MrDinsdale said:

I really wanted a Bass Block but couldn’t find them anywhere. I think the selling point for me was that it seems to sound great but it’s transparent enough that you could just drop whatever preamp pedal fit the bill. 

I can only find them for sale at Wembley Music Centre now.  How strange. 

[Norris]

On 30/07/2022 at 16:38, Ed_S said:

Purely my own opinion and experience, but I'd actually say there's something about the basic sound of the Fender Rumble (mine's a 500 v3 in the combo)

I've never had any complaints about my Rumble 500 v3 either. If the standalone head is as good as the combo it will be hard to beat. Great value for money too (cheap as chips really)

[robiredale]

I was going to suggest Quilter too, I've got a Bass Block 802 and its excellent. Nice tone by itself, but also plays very well with external preamps if that's your thing.

 

Pretty sure I got mine from Wembley Music Centre.

Edited August 1, 2022 by robiredale

[Bankai]

Darkglass Microtubes 500?

[Jaybeevee]

You ought to check out the Hanndbox R400. weighs 10kg, so though not in class D territory it is still a one hand lift... the upside is theR 400 has a ´full plate´ 3x 12AX7 pre amp, with a modern toroidal transformer solid state output at 400W. Hand built amp for about 500 quid. 

 

 

[Owno]

Aguilar Tonehammer 500 run 500w on 4ohm, is pretty lightweight and sounds amazing!

[tauzero]

Second-hand Tecamp Puma 500 or 900.

[Marty Forrer]

My vote is for Genzler Magellan. One of the few class D heads that have the "heft" of the class A/B amps. Being as I'm in the industry I have had access to, or owned, most amps out there. My search is over.

[Muzz]

This, above...the 800w/down to 2.67 ohm power unit in the Magellan (and quite a few others now, too) is a step up from the original Class D offerings, and the preamp is very, very flexible (two channels, two/three-way contour control, etc.). The HPF is very well implemented, too.

 

If I hadn't run out of money, I'd still have mine...it was the last in a long run of (a dozen or more) Class D (and quite a few A/B) amps I went through, and stayed the longest...

Edited August 2, 2022 by Muzz