Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by incubass68, Jul 18, 2003.
Hey guys, I'm finally almost ready to complete my new rig. I've already got my cab SWR 12 stack 4x12 8ohms 800 watts RMS. My bass will be here later than expected since my parents are "making" me go on vacation till the 29th (gotta wait an extra 10 days). The bass is a Warrior Armed soldier. Now I need a new amp. I have roughly $500 and am looking for a used head. I don't need a whole lot of power but I do need versatility since I play jazz, funk, rock, metal, blues; basically still trying to find myself musically. What are the recommendations here? I've been thinking GK 1001RB, Eden WT 400 or WT500,SWR SM-400s, SWR 350x, Mesa Walkabout. Please help this hard-working high school kid.
More specifically, I'd say the Pro 500 head. It's quite a versatile head.
yeah...I haven't heard much of the pro-500,is it sweet?
Before Munji says it, I will say it. The answer is Eden. You can probably find a used WT 400 for around the money you want to spend. Check the specs on that Peavey 500...its only 500 watts when run at 2ohms.
Hey guys sorry, but no peavey, I already have one and am not extremely fond of it. I was wondering on opinions of the amps I listed. What do you guys think of the GK heads? The Walkabout? The SM-400s?
walkabout might me a little weak for a 4x12 stack considering Mesa puts it with a 12 in or 15 in and call it their "Scout combo" or something.
Even if your not interested in power, a 300 watt head driving a big stack like that might not be enough.
I really like the Walkabout, and while I can attest to the fact that should drive a 4x12 just fine (I've used mine with a 4x10 and 2x12 simultaneously), it really does prefer to be driven at 4 ohm. The only time it ever cam close to overheating on me was when I was trying to drive an 8 ohm load too hard. I then plugged another cab in, backed off on the gain, and viola! Problem solved.
So, if your cab is 4 ohm then I think that the Walkabout would work well. If not, then I would add another 8 ohm cab if you want to use the Walkabout. The M-Pulse 600 would of course be great, but may not be available in that price range.
I also like Eden gear, too, so something like a WT-550 would be nice as well. You might even be able to find an iAMP in that price range, and they are schweet.
Tube preamp, solid state poweramp. It has a fully parametric EQ, none of that semi-parametric for the mids stuff.
Meaning, it has Q, gain and frequency knobs for bass, mids, and treble.
It is 500w at 2 Ohms, which would probably equate out to about 350w at 4ohms, which should still be enough for anyone.
For 500.00 bucks I would check out some of those pawn shops around Dyer street or Montana avenue. You might get lucky and find a decent tube amp.
For the diverse music styles you mentioned I'd go with thhe SWR. It's a good honest head, reasonably powered, with decent tone shaping capabilities and besides you already have the SWR cab so what the hey! Overall I don't think you could go wrong with any of those choices but it depends how they sound with that cab. That's why I say keep it in the family (SWR that is).
for a rock funk mix, is one superior to the other?
Versatility has a lot to do with the player. I will concede certain amps don't do much beyond "their sound" though. However, I've used my SVT-II and P Bass for metal, punk, pop punk, funk, classic rock, blues, ska, country, and more. My 1001RB-II has about the same list under it's belt. I would vote for that, personally.
^i am on a tight budget and am planning to build a 2x12 cabinet loaded with deltalite II drivers (99db sensitivity) i will have professional help with cab design. But i am torn between the 350x and m-pulse 360.
Out of the choices and applications you listed I'd go for the GK. Lots of bang for the buck.
EDIT: Sorry - only now noticed that this refers to an age-old query!