Well built reliable amplifier head...$500/$600 and under

[patman]

Have been running direct for most of a year...a lot of summer stuff is outside with a sound company (different companies), and you never know what you're gonna get...

I used my son's Ashdown Mag 600 through my JBL EON last night at an outdoor show for a monitor and got a sound I really liked. Think modern Ampeg, very warm and clean.

Question is...if I purchase an amplifier (head), which ones are inexpensive, sound good and are qualitybuilt and reliable.  I'm a weekend warrior, I play a lot, don't need a ton of power, but need an amp to be untempermental and reliable.  Would prefer something that's been on the market for years with a proven track record.  Would probably only be used at outdoor shows, so it should be good at running cool.

Ashdown/Acoustic/Ampeg/Eden/GK/Kustom...newer Peavey...Carvin? Others?

Have played Ampeg Ashdown and Eden...and liked the sound...

[maxschrek]

I've had really good luck with those new, inexpensive ACOUSTIC amps. I have the B600H and the B100 combo
that I use when it's not practical to haul around a 100lb tube head. Both have served me well for a couple years
now with no problems whatsoever and they sound really good, especially for what I paid for them.


T

[Pilgrim]

I'm well known to be  Genz-Benz fan. Their Shuttle 6.0 series amp weighs under four pounds and delivers 375W peak into 8 ohms.  For you, it's possible that either a Shuttle 3.0 or 6.0 would work, depending on the power you need.

They're pricey new, but if you search for a used one you will be able to get in at the budget you mention.  FANTASTIC amps, part of the new Class D lightweight generation that are very portable and still put out power and sound great.

[ramone57]

the GK 800rb is a nice amp. reliable, sounds good, been around forever.

http://gallien.com/manuals/800rb.pdf

[dadagoboi]

I have a feeling this belongs (belonged?) to Birdie.   800RB GK

http://austin.craigslist.org/msg/2361280437.html

[birdie]

Nope. Owned one for about 3 days in the 90's. Not my cuppa at all.

[dadagoboi]

Sorry, saw the Austin CL and a guy moving to NYC...how many could there be?

[birdie]

All my stuff is at Bass Emporium! I got enough packing and running around to do, AND have to fly the Helio to Warwick NY, then to the ASIA symposium and,and and........

[patman]

Have heard nothing but good stuff about the Genz Benz Shuttles...but I'm afraid even the 6.0 is probably not enough power to amplify the electric upright for "rockabilly" music.  Have found that even though we don't play loud at all (think "oldies music"), the transients you get when slapping want lots of juice.

the 6.0 is probably 200 watts or so into an 8 ohm EON, I'm not sure I would have enough headroom?  

[dadagoboi]

Here's what I got for $425 total.  Ampeg B1 1 rackspace 200 watts. Also has preamp out (2 12AX7s) which I use into an s.s. Ampeg SVP 1600 power amp, 1600 watts bridged into 4 ohms. $125 for the B1, 300 for SVP.  All the amp(s) you'd ever need, from practice room to arena.  SVPs are pretty reasonable these days, ditto other SS old tech power amps.

[Pilgrim]

the 6.0 is probably 200 watts or so into an 8 ohm EON, I'm not sure I would have enough headroom?  

Peak rating is 375W into 8 ohms, 600W into 4 ohms.  The Shuttle 9 boosts that to 500W / 900W.  If that's not enough headroom, I'd be concerned.

[patman]

Shuttle 9.0 would work well, I'm sure. Shuttle 6.0 would probably do well also. When I used to use a Peavey Combo 300 on stage, occasionally I would have pretty severe "headroom" issues when slapping both upright and regular electric.  I partially solved this by just going direct to the board and using the better quality stuff we already carry around in the PA racks, and getting rid of the old Peavey amps.  I also lowered the action on the upright, and started trying to play with a lighter touch, so the transient signal when you slap isn't quite so mondo loud. That helped, also.  It's not a volume issue, as much as a distortion issue.

I find the small size of the shuttle pretty darn attractive...as well as the fact that our resident amp expert PBM has said that they are well built...

I notice he has been silent regarding my other choices, so maybe that should tell me something.

I'm 100% sure a shuttle 3.0 would also work well, if it were not for the rockabilly slap stuff, and the R & B slap stuff we do.  On stage we're just not that loud.

[Spiritbass]

A used Thunderfunk would sure do the trick. I've been playing through them for years without a hiccup. Tonal capability is first priority for me, but reliability is right behind it. They also do uprights justice according to the Chef (Mr. "Cookin' in the basement since the 70's" on TB is a neighbor).

[Boomer]

Agree 100% on the Thunderfunk but I'm not sure you'll find a TFB-550 under $600.

[Spiritbass]

Agree 100% on the Thunderfunk but I'm not sure you'll find a TFB-550 under $600.

More likely a 420 or an old AMP...