Off Topic Please help: Shopping for a lightweight/powerful/versatile bass head

[Alvabass]

Hi everybody and thank you in advance for your input!

After five years of having my big bass rig, I've decided to sell it and get a lightweight bass head (my back is begging for a "dramatic" weight decrease). I've posted this question at TalkBass as well and I've received many undobtedly great recommendations, but I'm still so undecided! I hope my friends at the EBMM forums will help me settle my decision.

The first piece of info you need to know is the cab I'm planning to use with my new amp: It's a 4-Ohm Schroeder 1210R, rated 850W. I'm looking for the best match for this cab, bot in terms of power and voicing. Plus, a feature I definitely look for is the parametric or semi-parametric mids. I think that middle frequencies are crucial in the overall bass tone, so the more control over them, the better.

Now, here's the "problem": If I were going to choose based strictly and solely on specs and features, there's a clear winner in my list: The MarkBass SD 800. Lightweight, 750W @ 4 Ohms, semi-parametric mids... but as far as I've read on TalkBass, its voicing doesn't seem to be very popular. I've read comments like "not as punchy as other MB heads", "lacking in the lo-mid department" and "harsh hi-mids". The F 500 has way more acceptance and I agree that it seems to be a terrific amp, with almost everything I'm looking for, but I'd like something with an RMS power closer to the 850W that my Schroeder allegedly can take.

So, my questions are:

- What are your opinions on the MarkBass SD 800?
- What other head(s) -not necessarily MarkBass- could you recommend me, assuming that you are not so fond of the MB SD 800? BTW, the Genz Benz ShuttleMAX 6.0 looks tempting, but someone said that its tone doesn't match well with the "extreme" voicing of the Schroeder. Others say that GB amps' power ratings are inflated.

The worst thing now is that I already sold my big rig and the money is itching in my pocket. :^S Again, thank you so much for your input.

 

[keko]

Hi Alvabass,

if money itching in Your pocket and want a really lightweight powerful amp bass head, why don't You consider TC electronic Staccato '51?

It's only 4kg / 8.8 pounds weight and gives 450w (800w Peak) of digital power!!!

Whole amp is digital, including 3 possible presets to complete, and wide range of midrange parametric equalization! (million of possibilities)

Visit TC web page, there You'll find lots of video demo clips, very interesting!

Also consider TC RH 450 head!

Good luck!

 

[Lynottfan]

SWR are making a very neat little unit at the mo, forget the name, but it is a very light weight amp head, saw one being demoed in a shop last week, the guy was using a Ray classic as well and the sound was pretty impressve.

 

[Movielife]

TC Elec RH450

Markbass LM3 or F500

Genz Benz Shuttle Max 9.0 (the new one just released and due to go on sale after NAMM-ish) or Genz Benz Streamliner 900, (the new one just released and due to go on sale after NAMM-ish).

Dont worry about wattage so much...its 'more speaker' that tends to make the biggest difference.

 

[keko]

Here's one video test from one German magazine, it's in German, but contains beautiful older Music Man Sterling 4 (with very dirty board ), so after first 30 seconds move forward to 2:40 where very versatile bass player make some great demo playing!

Staccato ?51 & RS 410 / Tests / Equipment / MusikMachen.de

It's tested with 410 cab, but it's very close to Your Schroeder 1210R in tune, well, I suppose so?

Just click on "play video"!

Enjoy!

 

[jlepre]

Genz Benz Shuttle 9 will definitely handle that cab. I would however look at possibly 2 8 ohm cabs instead. But either way, this head will drive that cab quite nicely.

 

[mynan]

I had a MB LMII/210 combo and loved it, so I got the MB SD800 to power my 410/212 stack. I later traded the 410/212 for a 4ohm Berg AE410. I loved the power of the SD800, and it's definitely a MB, but it didn't sound as good as my LMII did. I've since traded the SD800 for a GB Shuttle 9.0 and couldn't be happier. It's different than the LMII...definitely not a MB, but it sounds great and it's so versatile and does everything I need it to do.

 

[pertyman]

I own a MoMark TA 500.
An amazing head, lightweight, powerful and versatile.

 

[Soul 24-7]

How about the Carvin BX500? Sounds pretty good to me...

Or the SWR Headlite...

I'm looking forward to testing the to be released Genz Benz Streamliner

A Mesa Walkabout would probably be underpowered for your cab...

 

[five7]

LMT 800 and a tech 21 vt pedal and you are set! The 800 is a great amp with more tone adjustment than any other amp I have played thru. Between the bongo and 800 if a tone can't be had there is something seriously wrong. The vt is just icing on the best tasting cake you have ever had.

 

[Alvabass]

I own a MoMark TA 500.
An amazing head, lightweight, powerful and versatile.

Speaking of MoMark amps, does anybody know about the differences between the MarkBass SD 800 and the MoMark SD 800 aside from the customizable modular design and slightly higher power?

 

[Daniel Piper]

Tone Hammer 500...when it hits.

 

[syciprider]

What will an 800 watt amp do that a 500 watt amp won't? And venue that calls for 800 watts will probably need PA support anyway.

 

[Alvabass]

What will an 800 watt amp do that a 500 watt amp won't?

As far as I understand, a cab works more efficiently with an amp that delivers an output power close to the cab's rated handling. Maybe it's a misconception?

 

[cyoungnashville]

i have one of just about every markbass head / cab inbound right now. shouldnt be much longer before i have them and can intelligently reply to threads like this. that being said, the mb stuff i have heard and used in the studio just kills. i have never heard anything that sounded that good come out of an amp at any price / weight. i would not have signed on with them if i didnt whole heartedly love the tone. if you hang in there a bit, i will be able to post audio samples of all the mb models mentioned above.

 

[Alvabass]

if you hang in there a bit, i will be able to post audio samples of all the mb models mentioned above.

Thank you so much!

 

[oli@bass]

As far as I understand, a cab works more efficiently with an amp that delivers an output power close to the cab's rated handling. Maybe it's a misconception?

That's the first time I hear something like this...

I'd go for either a F1 (which I have) or an F500 (for the semi parametric mids) or get a MoMark and taylor to your needs if you don't care about the phsyical size of the amp (and price).

A word about the semi-parametric mids: As soon as the F500 was announced, I thought that I'll get one ASAP. But by the time I finally tried one, I've had enough stage experience with my F1 to know I'd probably never need the semi-parametric mids, and that they'd probably be more confusing than helpful in a live situation. The center frequencies on the F1 are very well selected.

A thought about power: If you really need an 800W amp on stage, something is terribly wrong. The reality for me was that I had a hard time getting as little volume out of my F1 as the respective sound techs wanted before yelling at me

Something else: Depending on your local climate you may want to check whether the amp you're looking for is reliable when running at high power in damp and hot conditions.

 

[dmarotta]

I have the Markbass SD800 and the Momark SD 800. For my needs , these are incredible amps. Personally , I like lots of headroom so the high power works for me.Harshness has never been an issue for me but any perceived harshness can be dealt with the VPF or VLE filters as well as the EQ.
The main difference between the two amps is the flexibility of the Momark.I have a nice selection of modules and they are easy to switch out.My current favorite configuration for live playing is the T1MHe Tube preamp module, the no eq module, and the MVVL output module . This gives me a very warm , punchy sound that I can tweak via the VPF and VLE filters. This set up allows me to make quick changes while playing a live gig.
You will be happy with either amp, especially since you play (I assume) a Musicman bass.These amps are very transparent and allow the sound of your bass to be amplified with little coloration and they work well with all models of Musicman basses.

 

[dmarotta]

What will an 800 watt amp do that a 500 watt amp won't? And venue that calls for 800 watts will probably need PA support anyway.

I have a car with lots of horsepower but I don't drive it fast all the time.Its nice to have the power when you want it.
Its all about the headroom. Many of the high power rated speaker cabs like the headroom .

 

[Alvabass]

You will be happy with either amp, especially since you play (I assume) a Musicman bass.

Of course. Proud Bongo player here!