Head Recommendation ???

[phatduckk]

Hey guys.

I just got a bonus @ work today and im thinking that its time to ditch my swr workingman 4004 and get a better head. the obvious answer is to go to guitar center check stuff out but i was wondering what head's you folks recommend.

i play in a 3 piece punk band and am looking for a head that can give me the bright tones you hear at: http://fatwreck.com/empee/50155.mp3 but can also get growly lows if i need em.

the rest of my rig is ....
SR4, Sterling, MIA Jazz ... cab: 4x10 + 2x10 from Avatar Speakers

thanks ... i value you guys' opinions

 

[Ben Clarke]

Where does the SWR fall short? If you can tell us what's lacking, some of us may be able to recommend product that better suits you.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I would go with GK800RB, but that's me . I used it in a 4-piece pop punk band for years and loved it. If you don't need that much power, the 400RB is just as good.

 

[Czar]

I'm a big fan of Ashdown. Their new MAG series is a great buy.

 

[crazybass888]

As we all I know, I'm a Peavey fan. The firebass 700 (although I think they call it the Max Bass 700 now) is high power, buiilt like a tank, cheap, and can dial in all kinds of tones...

 

[Melv]

Whats you spending budget cause that will help alot.

 

[cgworkman]

A pretty brunette?

 

[phatduckk]

Whats you spending budget cause that will help alot.

im thinking the $1,000 neighborhood.

my issue with the swr 4004 i have is that i really just cant dial in the tone i want. its kindof hard to put it into words. and i dont knwo if this is the case with many amps w/ a stingray since my experience is limitted, but i cant get the gain passed 2 or 3ish without clipping like mad (or f'in with the eq and getting a boring sound). same thing happens with my MIA passive jazz. so im blaming the amp.

thx for the input so far guys.

as far as gk goes ... i used a 400rb when my band was playing in our guitarists garage and i hated it. couldnt dial in anything near what i wanted (granted the amps old and could've been majorly screwed with by the previous owner & our guitarist's roommates)

how do you guys like ampeg svt 3 pros? read good stuff about em and i figure im gonna have to try one of those out soon

 

[Aussie Mark]

For $1000 you could get a darn nice preamp and power amp. For around $400 you could score a used Alembic or Demeter preamp, which leaves you $600 for a QSC/Crown/Mackie/Yamaha power amp and rack case.

 

[Melv]

You could go a bit further money wise and go for the Ampeg SVT4PRO which is about $1250. If $1000 is ur highest price then the Ampeg SVT3PRO. I would say the Ampeg B4R but i havnt really any idea what its like but if its like the Ampeg B2R then its a excellent amp. I should know, i have one. Ampeg are brilliant, you cant go wrong with them.

Dont Hartke heads give out a great punk sound??? Neva played one but ive heard alot of punk bassists use them

 

[Ben Clarke]

You could just pick up a parametric or graphic EQ for a couple hundred bucks. Not as fun as buying a new amp, though.

 

[StingEye]

I'm going to beat Spector Bass guy to it... Get a Mesa Boogie 400+!!!

 

[phatduckk]

You could just pick up a parametric or graphic EQ for a couple hundred bucks. Not as fun as buying a new amp, though.

good idea ... the swr 4004 does have an open 1u slot that i could use for just that. ill look into those.

as always, thanks a bunch guys

 

[spectorbassguy]

I'm going to beat Spector Bass guy to it... Get a Mesa Boogie 400+!!!

+1 (See what happens when I miss a few hours on the forum?)

 

[tkarter]

I wanna second the Peavey Firebass or Max 700. Awesome and I am seriously GASSING for one. Cabs I don't know what I want for sure, but I know what head. Peavy 700 is awesome with a MM bass. Should be loud enough for anything holy to play too.


IMHO tk

 

[Dees]

+1 for the ampeg.
Hartke would be a nice option too, or Ashdown

 

[phatduckk]

+1 for the ampeg.

found a new svt4 at a local shop for $1099. im gonna take my sr4 there soon and check it out. but i read some bad stuff at: http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/Data/Ampeg/SVT_IV_Pro-01.html

anyone have crappy experience with an svt4?

 

[JB1]

Ashdown.

I use an EvoII 300 head through a 4x8 & 1x15. It's got all you need.

www.ashdownmusic.com

 

[cgworkman]

I just purchased a BBE BMAX pre-amp. So far, so good! My power amp has yet to arrive But running the BBE through my existing amp sounds very nice Very clear, very clean - but not sterile or artificial.

I didn't think I would use it, but the onboard compressor is very nice!

 

[TSanders]

All I have to say is Gallien-Krueger. The 1001RB is great in wattage and tone and would leave you with extra money.