I want to replace my amp.

[Powman]

Ok, here is what I currently have:

Sterling H 4 String.
Sansamp Rackmount
dBX Compressor
Ashdown 300W Combo.

I need some more power as I have graduated from the basement to doing some actual gigs live.

My style is mainly classic rock and pop covers. I am in my 40's and only started playing bass a few years ago due to a mid-life crisis. (safer than a motorcyle or a mistress).

I want something with more power (maybe 800W?). I want solid state as I don't want to fuss with tubes. I want it to be easy to transport because I dont want to lug a fridge up the stairs.

AND, since I plan on continuing to use my Sansamp for a big part of my tone, should I just look for more power?

Suggestions gentlemen? (PS did check out the What Rigs Are You Running thread. Helpful, but this is a more specific question).

 

[shakinbacon]

Ok, here is what I currently have:

Sterling H 4 String.
Sansamp Rackmount
dBX Compressor
Ashdown 300W Combo.

I need some more power as I have graduated from the basement to doing some actual gigs live.

My style is mainly classic rock and pop covers. I am in my 40's and only started playing bass a few years ago due to a mid-life crisis. (safer than a motorcyle or a mistress).

I want something with more power (maybe 800W?). I want solid state as I don't want to fuss with tubes. I want it to be easy to transport because I dont want to lug a fridge up the stairs.

AND, since I plan on continuing to use my Sansamp for a big part of my tone, should I just look for more power?

Suggestions gentlemen? (PS did check out the What Rigs Are You Running thread. Helpful, but this is a more specific question).

Since you already have rackmount gear (in particular the sansamp preamp) you might consider a poweramp and cabinet. This would be the ultimate in flexibility. However, poweramps haven't caught up to the microamp craze of bass heads yet. If you want the ultimate in portability, check out offerings from Markbass, GenzBenz, TecPuma, GallienKruger and Epifani.

As you mentioned, there is a great thread about what gear people are running too.

Personally I use and love a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 with an Epifani UL2-112

Good luck

 

[Powman]

Interesting...a power amp and a cabinet...

Would that be less money??

 

[stingray96191]

amps are very suggestive in what you may need. If you like the sound of the Sansamp a bigger power amp and cabinet may be all you need. I would try out whatever you can... A good amp is as big of a purchase as a nice bass.

 

[five7]

markbass! Power amps are too heavy and cost as much or more than my f1.

 

[syciprider]

Power + portability you want a Markbass or Genz Benz Shuttle set up. 500 watts out of an amp that weighs 5 pounds or less. MB and GB also make lightweight cabs to match.
Some folks don't care for MB cabs but love their amps. I personally like both. My setup is a 30#, 500 watt, MB Mini CMD 121P combo. I can carry that and my bass in one trip from the car Very nice and convenient for 40 somethings like us If I ever need more output I will add a 30# MB cab.

 

[zuma]

You might really just need to move more air, not necessarily more power. If you can add an extension cabinet to that Ashdown it may be the ticket. Look at it this way - you'll need another cabinet anyway. Only thing is I would go with an 8ohm cabinet as an extension. If it were my one and only cab I would go with a 4ohm to extract more juice from the amp but I don't think the Ashdown would like a 4ohm extension.

Any how, I still say get an 8ohm extension cab and see how you like it. If it's not enough juice get another 8 ohm cab along with a new amp. That way you'll have some flexibility. Take one cab for small gigs and 2 for rockin' down the house. As far as amp setups, I used to use separates for years but I just became really tired of lugging it around. These days I want one solid head that can do it all and the 2 cab setup I mention above. It's worth mentioning that some of the new super duper small lightweight amps can do a 2 ohm load. With those you can get 2 4ohm cabs.

Sorry if you already know some of this stuff. I am just talking out loud for my own sake as well! My personal setup is - one of the original Ashdown amps made in the UK through a Schroeder 1210L. I've been diggin the GK amps also and I really want to give those Markbass amps a whirl.

 

[oli@bass]

Pair that Sansamp (RBI?) with a MarkBass F1 (or F500) and lose the DBX. That yields a light 2 HE case delivering a mighty 500 Watts. All the sound and power you'll need in a convenient package!

For cabs, I seem to be one of the few who likes the MarkBass 410 cabs... so I'm going to recommend them. But I tried their classic 810 cab lately and it sounds killer as well. However, I prefer to have 2 4x10 cabs which I can more easily pack in the car and even lug around on my own.

As with many of these threads... everybody will suggest their own rig

 

[T Alan]

Any more specifics you can share as far as tone goals go?
1st thing I would do is loose the rack. Because of your preference for the Sansamp sound, I wouldn't give Markbass too much consideration. 300W should be enough for what your doing. Your just not pushing enough air.
That said...
Because of your size/weight concern, I would give serious consideration to Genz Benz neo stuff. Their 2 channel 600 watt micro head is quite nice. Their 2x12" neo cab is great. Their customer service is 2nd to NONE.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Power amps are too heavy

They used to be.

My QSC PLX1804 power amp weighs 12lbs and puts out 2x900w @ 4 ohms.

The OP already has a great rackmount preamp, so a lightweight power amp makes the most sense.

 

[five7]

My f1 weighs 5 lbs.

 

[Aussie Mark]

My f1 weighs 5 lbs.

I know it does, I've got a LMII too

My point is that power amps don't need to weigh 40 or 50 lbs anymore. Phone me when Markbass build a stereo 900w poweramp that weighs 5lbs. Until then I think I can handle the extra 7lbs, even at my age

 

[five7]

How much do the Qsc's cost? I need a new amp for my practice P.A.

 

[Basspro]

+1 on the power amp, it seems you already have the tone you want from the Sansamp,
so a good power amp would be the logical choice.

 

[Powman]

Maybe I should rent an extension cab first to see if I like the results. FYI...the back of my Ashdown says minimum 4 Ohms. So...if I am reading the suggestions correct, a 4Ohm extension cab would be louder than an 8 Ohm, correct?

Otherwise some of these new smaller yet powerful heads and cabs by markbass and others seems interesting...

New development...I am in the process (with my engineer brother in law) of making my own extension cab. There was a sale on weekend at some place in Toronto selling Ashdown 10 inch bass speakers for only $40 CDN each. So we bought two...we will try this out. If we fail, it would have still been a good experiment.

 

[shakinbacon]

Maybe I should rent an extension cab first to see if I like the results. FYI...the back of my Ashdown says minimum 4 Ohms. So...if I am reading the suggestions correct, a 4Ohm extension cab would be louder than an 8 Ohm, correct?

Otherwise some of these new smaller yet powerful heads and cabs by markbass and others seems interesting...

New development...I am in the process (with my engineer brother in law) of making my own extension cab. There was a sale on weekend at some place in Toronto selling Ashdown 10 inch bass speakers for only $40 CDN each. So we bought two...we will try this out. If we fail, it would have still been a good experiment.

You can rent poweramps too. Most music stores do this for the "DJ" crowd. Try a Mackie or QSC... if they don't cut it tone or power wise, nothing will

 

[cellkirk74]

The Alto D1 is a good digital poweramp for reasonable money. For cabs i would look out for any 2x12 neo cab.
http://www.altoproaudio.com/

 

[coastie72]

I was looking for power and portability when I searched for a new rig. I found both from Genz Benz, along with unsurpassed customer service! The Shuttle 6.0 600 watts into 4 ohms probably would have suited all my needs, but I opted for the Shuttlmax 12.0 which is basically two 6.0's combined and a ton of eq options. I went with the 212T, a 2-12 cabinet with tweeter that easily rides in the back seat of my car, or trunk, weighs 50lbs has rollback wheels. The 1200 watt head is 6.75 lbs.

 

[steve f]

I recently invested in a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and 12T cab.
It's light (35lbs) and will handle small to medium rooms.
If I need more, I can add another cab. It does have a tube stage though.
The 6.0 and 12.0 Shuttlemax give you the option of tube or FET channels (blendable). I'm very happy with the setup so far.

 

[shakinbacon]

I recently invested in a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and 12T cab.
It's light (35lbs) and will handle small to medium rooms.
If I need more, I can add another cab. It does have a tube stage though.
The 6.0 and 12.0 Shuttlemax give you the option of tube or FET channels (blendable). I'm very happy with the setup so far.

Again, I'm in love with my Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0

I'm using an Epifani UL2-112

The Shuttle's 12T is a nice cab but voiced differently.

Can't go wrong with Genz Benz stuff and works well with Musicman instruments.