solo4652 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Just got myself into a really good new band. Currently, I have a GK MB500. It's my only head, and so I'm going to need a back-up head. I've been told that my plucking and volume can be a bit variable, so this is a good chance to try an amp with a good compressor. Shopping list: Small and light, most probably class D. Simple controls. I'm not a knob-twiddler, and I'm very easily distracted and confused by complex EQ's and stuff. DI out Good on-board compressor Budget = £500 max All suggestions gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 TC Electronic - whichever model you fancy. The 'Spectrocomp' is very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Yup... TC electronic - RH if you want want a warmer sort of tubey sound, the BH550/800 if something a little crisper... New BH800's are going for £449, should be able to get an RH750 for about £500 secondhand and an RH450 for rather less.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 Warwick LWA 500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 (edited) The Spectracomp on my TC BH550 is a thing of wonder! Edited March 9, 2017 by 40hz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 [quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1489053649' post='3253955'] TC Electronic - whichever model you fancy. The 'Spectrocomp' is very good. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Great! Looks like it's a TC Electronic, then. I tend to favour a cleaner sound, so I'll look at BH550 or 800. No too sure about that Toneprint thingy, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markstuk Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 [quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489061779' post='3254028'] Great! Looks like it's a TC Electronic, then. I tend to favour a cleaner sound, so I'll look at BH550 or 800. No too sure about that Toneprint thingy, though. [/quote] It's ok you don't have to use it There only seems to be £30 difference in pricing between the 550 and 800 at the moment... What cab(s) are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 I have two Tecamp XS 112's. Each is rated at 300w at 8 ohms. I tend to use one for rehearsal and two for gigs. Band is a 5-piece pub and function band, playing all the usual stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Cheapest online prices: Warwick LWA 500 for £299, or TC BH800 for £449 (BH550 is virtually the same price). Is the TC BH800 worth the extra? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcgiver69 Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 (edited) [quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489090334' post='3254365'] Cheapest online prices: Warwick LWA 500 for £299, or TC BH800 for £449 (BH550 is virtually the same price). Is the TC BH800 worth the extra? [/quote] Well the extra you'll pay for the TC BH800 is because: - 800w (300w more than the Warwick) - you'll be able to use 2 toneprints (Digital effects) at once, this means you can have the compressor and maybe an overdrive loaded and running at the same time. Having said that the price for the Warwick LWA 500 seem to be a pretty good deal. Edited March 9, 2017 by Mcgiver69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 (edited) I'm not too concerned about the Toneprint feature. I don't use any effects at all - completely dry signal. The extra 300W of the TC 800 might be useful to have up your sleeve, though. That said, my GKMB500 has always been plenty loud enough. And no - I don't want to use the MB500 with a seperate compressor pedal, thank you! Edited March 9, 2017 by solo4652 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 [quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489093594' post='3254403'] I'm not too concerned about the Toneprint feature. I don't use any effects at all - completely dry signal. The extra 300W of the TC 800 might be useful to have up your sleeve, though. That said, my GKMB500 has always been plenty loud enough. And no - I don't want to use the MB500 with a seperate compressor pedal, thank you! [/quote] The Spectracomp 'is' a toneprint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo4652 Posted March 9, 2017 Author Share Posted March 9, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treb Posted March 9, 2017 Share Posted March 9, 2017 [quote name='40hz' timestamp='1489097139' post='3254437'] The Spectracomp 'is' a toneprint. [/quote] And a TC compressor pedal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcgiver69 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 [quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1489093594' post='3254403'] I'm not too concerned about the Toneprint feature. I don't use any effects at all - completely dry signal. The extra 300W of the TC 800 might be useful to have up your sleeve, though. That said, my GKMB500 has always been plenty loud enough. And no - I don't want to use the MB500 with a seperate compressor pedal, thank you! [/quote] Then the best choice for you would be the Warwick, it's 500w with plenty of tone shaping and a compressor in a 1.5kg package. all that for £299 it's a steal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 EBS Reidmar 750. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 It's loud, clean and the compressor is excellent. You can switch the EQ off if you want to keep it really simple. There's also a drive knob for a little grit. I was well advised by the excellent EBS Freak when I was considering buying mine. Frank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spyder Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 [quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1489054689' post='3253965'] Warwick LWA 500. [/quote] The compressor is very subtle, it gently flattens your signal without changing your tone. I've got one and really enjoy its uncoloured tone. Your bass just sounds like your bass unlike some coloured amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 (edited) Drew at The Great British Bass Lounge seems to have a Warwick, so at least you get to try one before buying Steve. Just chuck the Hartke TX600 into the mix. Edited March 10, 2017 by BassBunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 [quote name='BassBunny' timestamp='1489135262' post='3254553'] Just chuck the Hartke TX600 into the mix. [/quote] From what i have read these are way underpowered to what they claim to be. Shame as i like the hartke sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cameltoe Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 There's a RH450 in the marketplace... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krispn Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Markbass TTE 500. Valve comp, valve pre amp, analogue power module. Italian made and sounds great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxyFuze Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 I'm selling my BH550, should that still be of interest: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/302892-tc-electronics-bh550/page__fromsearch__1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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