Members ItchyFingers Posted November 20, 2012 Members Share Posted November 20, 2012 Hey guys, I have been jamming with a couple guys in a jazz trio. We now have a sizable set together and are about to start gigging - just small venues mainly. I've got my instrument, a couple pedals (nothing too crazy, just tuner, compressor, and fuzz), and a 4x10 cabinet. My 100W Sunn Beta Bass head from the late 70s probably isn't going to cut it though. Its not super loud, has no DI out, its also sorta scratchy and temperamental. So I've been doing a bit of research on the class D amps that are popping up. I like the idea of having a small and easy to transport head, but I want to be able to sit in the mix nicely and keep up volume-wise with my drummer. I was wondering if you guys had any advice on the following amps, which you like best, horror stories or stuff to avoid, etc. I've been looking at: TC Electronic GH250 - the toneprint thing is cool but not sure how much I'd use it Ampeg Micro VR - seems simple and straightforward Ampeg Portaflex 350 - a few more options than the MVR, but not as many as the 500 Eden E300 - not alot of info available on this one, but it looks nice Let me know what you think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 I have a TC RH450. Awesome amp. I don't know how the GH250 head compares, but if they even come close you'll be set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lz4005 Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Take a look at the Gallien Kreuger class D heads too. They have 200 and 500w ones that are very small and sound good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dparr Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Acoustic Image "CLARUS". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members georgestrings Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Originally Posted by perrydabassman Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 Yeah, for my money Genz-Benz is creme of the crop when it comes to smaller sized amps... A NeoPak 3.5 recently sold on TB's classifieds for under $250 - that's ALOT of amp for that kinda dough... I have a Streamliner 900 I really like, but think one of the Shuttles would be a better fit, given the OP's described purposes... - georgestrings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 100W thru a 4x10" not cutting it with a Jazz trio in small settings? Wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rpsands Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 In my opinion GK and Markbass make some of the best more traditional solid state sounding class D's. The only 'tube-sim' class Ds I will touch are- Markbass TTE for clean sounds Orange BT500 for dirtier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lz4005 Posted November 21, 2012 Members Share Posted November 21, 2012 Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith 100W thru a 4x10" not cutting it with a Jazz trio in small settings? Wow. A scratchy 100W head with no DI thats pushing 40 years old. Time for a new head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members melancholy mechanic Posted November 22, 2012 Members Share Posted November 22, 2012 Originally Posted by lz4005 A scratchy 100W head with no DI thats pushing 40 years old. Time for a new head. Yeah, I don't think he's talking about volume.Another vote for the Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 here. The only thing I wish mine had was a gain control on the DI but that's easy enough to work around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted November 22, 2012 Members Share Posted November 22, 2012 I have a Micro-VR, a GK MB200, and a GB Shuttle 3.0 . I paid about $250 each (the Shuttle was slightly used). All sound great. The Micro-VR wins on "vintage looks", the MB200 on size, and the Shuttle is the most "HiFi" of the bunch (it's my home practice amp at the moment). The Shuttle is a bit "project boxy" looking IMO as are many other microheads. I do like the looks and "GK sound" of the MB200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members One Bad Monkey Posted November 23, 2012 Members Share Posted November 23, 2012 Originally Posted by melancholy mechanic Yeah, I don't think he's talking about volume. Yeah, it sounds like he wants reliability and options. It's not on your list, but I'd recommend the iAmp Micro from Euphonic Audio. I gigged that sucker heavily for two years, and it was a very nice amp. Super clean, nice headroom and the line out wasn't bad. It's worth a look. Otherwise, the GK stuff I've played in stores has been solid. If you even wanted to, you could splurge for an MB-150 GK amp and have a sick little combo that has been THE jazz combo for decades. I've had one of those that worked extremely well for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted November 23, 2012 Members Share Posted November 23, 2012 The Shuttles do have great support and a reputation for reliability. OTOH until they discontinued the 3.0 you could buy two MB200's for what a Shuttle 3.0 cost. The 3.0 is available for under $300 new on eBay:http://www.ebay.com/itm/271097307315 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spinedriver Posted November 26, 2012 Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 I own a MarkBass LMII (which has since been updated to the LMIII) and for the price, it's absolutely great. Very highly recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ItchyFingers Posted November 26, 2012 Author Members Share Posted November 26, 2012 Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Really digging the GK MB200 and the GB Shuttle, those are definitely going on my list of things to try. And yes, I'm more concerned about reliability and sound quality, which is why I'm looking for something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chugheshc2 Posted January 26, 2013 Members Share Posted January 26, 2013 Look at acoustic image amplifiers, little company, cool amps, big sound and power for their size.I have a "New Yorker" model, been bulletproof for 8 years.Adjustable Xlr light weight and I don't need to carry a cabinet. Not much larger than a milk crate and weighing just 23 pounds, this single-channel, 250-watt guitar/bass amp meets the demands of car-less musicians in cities who travel on foot and in cabs and subways. In addition to being plenty loud for jazz gigs, the New Yorker sports a four-band EQ, an effects loop and a direct output. And Acoustic Image's reputation for superb sonic clarity will remain intact as this one carries the same speakers used in the company's other combo amps. acousticimg.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members northernotis Posted March 29, 2013 Members Share Posted March 29, 2013 I play bass in a blues band. We do a matinee every week. I tried a few combo amps like a roland cube 100 and a polytone minibrute iv but they just didn't have enough bottom. So I decided that yes, I would have to carry my "big rig" after all. So I dusted off my AMP BH-420 and Harke 15" cab with celestian loaded and added a little more punch with a Fender Rumble 2 X 8" cab. And I have to say this combo rocks. It has everything I need for any gig. However, the BH-420 is at least 25 pounds, so I decided to look at D class amps to lighten the load a little.The first one I tried was an Eden WTX-260. The tone was incredible, but it wasn't powerful enough. Don't get me wrong. I am not talking loud. I am talking full. So the next one I tried and still use is a Fender Rumble 350 head. Except for the distortion part of the amp, which I never use cuz it sucks, the amp is great. I never have it turned up past 10 o'clock and it sounds great. It sounds okay with an 8 ohm load, but with a 4 ohm it is awesome. There is a rumour out there that because Fender now owns Genx Benz, that the power amp section of the Rumble 350 is identical to the GB Shuttle.....I am very happy with the rumble and they are only $399 retail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members I stink at bass Posted March 29, 2013 Members Share Posted March 29, 2013 Genz benz Shuttle Series all the way! I have been using Genz Benz for 13 years now. While i have tried MANY different amps over the years, NONE of them have ever stood up against the Genz benz amps. My gig rig is Shuttle max 12.0 through two Neox-212 cabs, and my band practice rig is a Shuttle 6.0 through a Uber 410. And I just recently purchased the New Contour 500/210, which will be my home practice amp. They all kick butt!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members I stink at bass Posted March 29, 2013 Members Share Posted March 29, 2013 BTW, how do you reply with a quote now? Disregard, I fiured it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kostyk Posted April 1, 2013 Members Share Posted April 1, 2013 I use an Orange Terror Bass 500w with a range of cabs, depending on the gig and find it to be excellent for all kinds of music. I DI from a Aphex Punch Factory compressor pedal in front of the amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members frunobulax Posted April 1, 2013 Members Share Posted April 1, 2013 i have a Neo-pak and never use it. after powering up with a GBE600 for years, the Neo just didn't have the balls. not loud enough. no headroom. i'm now running an EA iAmp500 that i'm very happy with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members I stink at bass Posted April 2, 2013 Members Share Posted April 2, 2013 OK, after only 0ne week with the GB Contour 500 210, I have come to a conclusion. This thing kicks ass just like ever other Genz Benz product that I have owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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