Had a gig about 2 months ago and my 3 month old eden head crapped out first song. Anl as i am i always have another head in my rack so 3 minutes and my backup in this rack GK 600 Backline , is on and i finish the gig. My next few gigs i pretty much make do with a few amps i have around....
So i go to GC on a sunday (only place open) and start my odyssey. First purchase - Ampeg PF 500 head - new class d made in china but great reviews.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ampeg-pf-500-portaflex-500w-bass-amp-head/h71373000000000?src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=765395754
On tuesday thanks to talkbass i find a great deal on a micro Eden head from Amazon (even thgough the other crapped out ) so i can't resist a deal.. IIRC about $250 dollars versus the 450 normal
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250930708473&hlp=falseGig following saturday night third song - Jessica not the heaviest tune .... the new ampeg head starts to cut out as i dug in only - limiter/ compressor etc...) as it somehow reached its peak very prematurely
Could n't get it to happen at home next day but.... Fourth tune i hook up the new micro eden head. sounds great but the limiter light is coming on and it is clearly undepowered. (only 264 watts so i didn't expect that much. We were pretty loud as 6 peices for that gig. Everyone through PA but me....but not a hugh room and the guitarist on my side is way too loud and his brown fender clapton type amp is on a box so right at my ear level. Few songs later I switch to the GK 600 BAckline amp and i am fine volume wise for the resyt of the night.
Really like the sound of the new micro Eden ( 3lbs ) and decide it is a keeper for smaller venues and softer groups i gig with. New Ampeg has to go back. Off to GC and return it. Next day GC has a clearance on a Markbass Sd 1200 head. very expensive head but MB stuff highly rated etc. The clearance is for $650 on a $1100 head so i have to give it a whirl. Takes GC 3 days to get me one and finally one ships from indiana. Shows up and it is clearly used head.. Decide to give it a try to see if i like it and it is awesome sounding. any sound from very vintage tubey to very modern. really like it. Give music 123 a try to se if they will match the price of the clearance price. they do so i order it and am very excited. next day backorder notice.... WTF. but i can wait.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/markbass-sd-1200-bass-amp-headSunday rolls around and i go back to GC to return the clearance markbass head. Clearance items are not returnable except if damaged. Again WTF. So i start to make a scene in the store , on purpose, about getting a used item not new. Manager agrees to give me a credit. Not really what i want but I go into negotiation mode. I willtake the credit if and only if you A give me a new markbass sd1200 or B you sell me a ampeg SVT 7 pro for the best price i can get delivered. He agrees to the later as the markbass for half off he refuses to do because they don't have in stock and to order to " lose money " he will get in trouble. not sure i believe him but... Best price for the Ampeg SVT 7 is 699 tax and delivery included. so he honors that deal after about 30 minutes of arguing over tax..
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ampeg-svt7pro-1000w-class-d-bass-amp-head ampeg shows up on wednesday. will try out tonight .
Thursday at work phone rings - first Eden amp is fixed. So i have 4 new amps - time will tell which ones are keepers.