Ashdown MAG 300H EVO II 307W Bass Amp Head, Black with Silver Face Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have owned this bass head for over a year now and have had no problems with it thus far.
It's rated at 307 watts @ 8 Ohms, thats 307 real watts not 300 @ 2 or 4 Ohms like most bass amp companies try to wow you with. Has a warm clean sound without the hiss you'd get from other amps in this price range, but is still able to get a little ratty if need be, just crank up the input. cool lit UV meter helps you visualy to see if youre pushing it too far and the sub harmonic generator pumps out serious low end sound.
my only qualm is, no footswitch for the sub harmonic gen.
paired with the right cabinet this thing will shake stuff off of your walls!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Ashdown MAG 300H EVO II 307W Bass Amp Head, Black with Silver Face

MAG is designed for the busy semi-pro player who wants classic ABM tone without the more sophisticated facilities and connectivity. The MAG 300H head features a potent fan-cooled 307-watt RMS power section. Rotary bass, middle, and treble controls are supplemented by smaller rotary controls—providing 15dB of cut and boost at 220Hz and 1.6kHz and effectively creating a comprehensive 5-band EQ section. Additionally, front panel push switches for Bright and Deep settings provide instant access to attacking and warm, rounded sounds, respectively. On the subject of low-end response, the trademark Ashdown sub-harmonic generator is willing and able to deliver truckloads of earth-moving tone if called upon. Inputs are provided for active and passive instruments, and the front panel also features an effects send and return; a tuner/line output; and a balanced DI output for direct connection to a mixing console. The amplifier also includes a built-in compressor with precision sonic control, and the cabinet is finished in a tough, retro-style vinyl covering.

Get 31% OFF

Click here for more information about Ashdown MAG 300H EVO II 307W Bass Amp Head, Black with Silver Face

Read More...

Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 Bass Amplifier (300 Watt, 2 Channel) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had my Backline 600 for a about 4 years now and everything about it is superb, especially considering the price.
After some research, I found that unlike the other Backline series amplifiers the had a true professional GK Preamp. More specifically it is either the same or modeled after the famous 800rb that became a standard for big acts in the 80's and continues to be one of the most popular stage amps.
300 Watts is more than enough to power most rigs. Most 1x15 and 4x10 cabs are rated around 200 watts and full rigs like a 2x10 paired with a 1x15 blare at 4ohm.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 Bass Amplifier (300 Watt, 2 Channel)

Affordability, power, and diverse features place the Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 head in the forefront of the product line. Featuring 300W of power, distortion/sustain & clean channels, full 4-band active EQ and adjustable contour, the Backline 600 packs quite a punch for the price!

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Gallien-Krueger Backline 600 Bass Amplifier (300 Watt, 2 Channel)

Read More...

Gallien-Krueger 800RB Bi-Amp Bass Amplifier (300/100 Watt) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was actively playing shows as part of a succession of bands for about an eight year span of time, and for about six of those years the 800RB bass head was my rig. It went through several levels of hell; clubs, outdoor shows, extreme temps, extreme moisture, etc... and it was a steady and dependable performer. I never had to have it serviced and it never quit on me.
While the amp is rated at 400 watts total, it should be made absolutely clear that this is really two amplifiers (300/100) in a single unit. It states clearly in the manual that you should never hook up both amplifier outputs to the same speaker. There's a pre-amp section that includes a basic EQ, a switchable effects loop out/in, a master volume/gain, and a footswitchable boost(loudness) adjustment as well. The boost adjustment is great because it can provide you with some pretty good distortion options.
The style of music I was mainly playing was hard rock/metal, but also used the amp for industrial/electro-rock and a little bit of jazzy lounge music. The 800RB has just enough adjustments available via the EQ section and the preamp/gain knobs so that it can deliver a wide variety of tonal options. It truly excels, however, when you're going with straight ahead rock. I liked to set mine with the "California Smile" EQ (boost the 60hz and 4khz and "scoop" out everything else...) which the 800RB was able to accomodate perfectly.
I was using the dual amp configuration to run both a Mesa/Boogie 4x10" PowerHouse 8ohm cab along with a 1x15" of indeterminate make/model. In the bigger clubs with weak or non-existent PA's, I did have trouble with filling the room, but I think that had more to do with my speaker setup than the amplifier itself. I was able to keep up with the guys that were running the Ampeg 215/SVT rigs, and the additional bite of overdrive distortion was similar to what they could acheive with their tube amps.
One thing though - after I purchased the amp I immediately secured it in a dedicated hard plastic roadcase with enough room to breathe on top and underneath, and I think that made all the difference in the world regarding it's durability.
I would definitely recommend this amplifier to anybody that wants a fairly simple, maintenance-free, and durable bass amp head to play in the practice space or take on the road. The 800RB has a well-deserved reputation as one of THE choices for 'Gig Warriors', and having used one as the heart of my rig for more than 1000 hours of playing and full volume practice, I can attest to it's ability to back up the reputation.
However, if you're looking for an amp head that is clean and pristine enough to use as a recording rig, you might want to go with something a little more high-end, because the one issue that I encountered with this amp head is that it has slightly 'noisy' electronics that can create some sound issues when you're using it plugged straight into the board.
So, while this amp may not have as many knobs or pretty lights as some of the other amps out there, it's got enough functions/adjustments to satisfy most bassists, and it's purpose-built so that it will never break.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gallien-Krueger 800RB Bi-Amp Bass Amplifier (300/100 Watt)

300/100 watt bi-amp bass amplifier

Click here for more information about Gallien-Krueger 800RB Bi-Amp Bass Amplifier (300/100 Watt)

Read More...

Behringer BX4500H 450-Watt Bass Amp Head Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This has better tone than my 500 watt Hartke.
The 2 button foot switch is hooked to useful effects.
I like the Ultrabass set below about 2, and leave it off most of the time. The Shape sounds good on about 5.
I skip the bright and deep, they add more noise than good tone.
Set the gain on 6 for my Fender Jazz with S1 button. The guitars tone controls seem more versatile than with my old amp.
I set output on 2 for practice with lots of punch. Set it on 3 if you want to blow cats across the room, it can play gigs with room to spare. I have it hooked to a Hartke 15VX and an Avatar 2 x 12. The DI out sounds pretty lifeless compared to a mic in front of the speaker for recording and PA. This is a great sounding, high powered amp.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Behringer BX4500H 450-Watt Bass Amp Head

The ULTRABASS BX4500H is a massive 450-Watt bass amp head with patented Dynamizer technology, boasting a switchable Ultrabass sub-harmonics processor for unbelievable low-end power and a revolutionary Shape filter for extreme sound range. Since flexibility has become a particularly important factor in the music business over the past few years, modern bass players need to offer a broad range of sounds, but should still be able to play in different kinds of settings at short notice: home recording, studio or live concerts.

This is why you get a complete set of useful functions that are simple enough to be operated intuitively and quickly. An extremely musical 5-band EQ with "Bright" and "Deep" functions gives you the ultimate in tone-shaping. There is an integrated limiter and an active, temperature-controlled cooling system for ultimate protection. You also get a vintage-style VU meter for precise signal level control. A dual footswitch for Ultrabass and Shape functions is included, and there are 3 speaker outputs on 1/4-inch jack and touch-proof connectors compatible with Neutrik Speakon. With this amp, you can certainly rock the stage like a pro.
Patented Dynamizer technology When it comes to amplifying the signals delivered by electric instruments, you've got to separate the wheat from the chaff. Unlike mixed or mastered signals, electric instruments usually deliver extremely high signal peaks which, when raised in gain, produce nasty distortion. How an amplifier responds to these signal peaks can therefore be seen as one of its most essential quality features.
Many manufacturers use limiters preceding the power stage to limit dynamic signal peaks. However, the problem is the preamp, which is why Behringer equipped the BX4500H with unique Dynamizer preamp circuitry that gives you a lively and punchy sound with signal peaks--even if the amp reaches its power limits. Extreme signal peaks are limited effectively while the average level and hence the power of the overall signal is raised. The sound gets more vivid and powerful in character, without any unmusical distortion. With its limiter in the power stage it is virtually impossible to overdrive the ULTRABASS BX4500H.
Shape Function The Shape function on the BX4500H provides a revolutionary type of filter that you can use to modify your bass sound in full detail. Extreme filter settings will give your bass sound more power. For example, if you want to play a live bass solo but the sound doesn't cut through, set up a solid basic sound plus a very distinctive solo sound using the SHAPE filter. Connect your footswitch to control the SHAPE filter and you're all set.
The Shape filter is also handy for using two different bass guitars. Maybe you want to change from a jazz bass to a fretless bass, and vice versa--two instruments with a completely different sound. Use the Shape filter for your fretless sound, and the basic sound for the jazz bass. Problem solved.
Ultrabass Function Extremely low bass sounds playing one octave below the lowest available bass guitar frequency are quite trendy in current music productions. Often, you can do this in studios only, because most bass amplifiers have no sub-harmonics function. Not so with your BX4500H: the ULTRABASS processor gives you the ultimate tool to shape up-to-date sounds.
You'll be surprised how deep your bass can sound with the ULTRABASS function of your BX4500H. Extreme settings can be particularly interesting if you want to give your sound some flavor in the treble range. By the way: when you use the SHAPE filter set to a low cut-off frequency (which is a nice setting for growling sounds), but feel that there's not enough power in the bass range, the sub-harmonics processor will be there to help you: even though the sound is still growling, now it has much more depth.
The ULTRABASS function can easily be switched on and off via the supplied footswitch. This allows you to fine-tune certain passages only.
What's in the Box Behringer BX4500H 450-Watt Bass Amp Head, Power Cable, User's Manual

Get 50% OFF

Click here for more information about Behringer BX4500H 450-Watt Bass Amp Head

Read More...