Emergency amp needed: Advice on options please.

[Marvin]

My Peavey MiniMax head no longer works. I need a new amp, from an online retailer, to get it by midweek. Unfortunately,  2nd hand isn't an option.

 

I've got a Fender Rumble 210 cab, just for reference. 

 

Just thought I'd ask for opinions on the following. Good, bad, core sound sort of thing. These are the heads that seem available at within my budget.

 

TC Electronic BQ500

Peavey MiniMax Mkii 600

Laney Digibeth 500H

Orange Little Bass Thing 500

Markbass Little Mark IV.

 

Thank you in advance. 

 

[Lozz196]

Unless you fancy a change of sound given you already had a Peavey I’d go for the Mkii 600, you’ll know pretty much what you’re going to get and what to work with. 

[Hellzero]

Totally agree with @Lozz196, but if you decide to go the MarkBass road, take the 58R series as everything, but the Speakon out and Power in, is on the front, which is very handy if not clever, and they are made in Italy again.

 

I had this with a dedicated 58R cabinet and the tone was a pure delight: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/markbass-little-mark-58r/

 

And the fan is quiet as I just saw your other post...

 

Edited Saturday at 16:59 by Hellzero

[Hellzero]

If fan noise is an issue, then buy a GR Bass One 800 as the there's a defeat function (studio mode) and the fan will only work if needed, which means after 2 or 3 hours...

 

Price tag is higher, but it's a terrific amp: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/grbass-one-800/

 

The lower wattage versions don't have this capability.

[BassAdder60]

I have the MarkBass LM IV and chose it over the 58R because it has a metal case not plastic 

 

There is a Laney Digbeth 500H for sale on here too 

 

As Lozz suggest perhaps the new Peavey is a good choice 

 

I had the Orange LBT and it’s a great amp and warm sounding 

 

I play rock / pop / indie / punk 

[Stub Mandrel]

I'd buy a Trace Elliot Elf as a stopgap - if budget  allows.

 

Cheap and it gives you a genuine emergency amp you can keep hidden in the car. 

 

Perfectly gig-worthy and gives you the time to try things before you decide on what should be your main amp.

[BassAdder60]

48 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I'd buy a Trace Elliot Elf as a stopgap - if budget  allows.

 

Cheap and it gives you a genuine emergency amp you can keep hidden in the car. 

 

Perfectly gig-worthy and gives you the time to try things before you decide on what should be your main amp.

Yep good idea TE Elf is very good but may struggle into only 8ohms ? 

[Hellzero]

18 minutes ago, BassAdder60 said:

Yep good idea TE Elf is very good but may struggle into only 8ohms ? 

 

In this case, a Warwick Gnome i Pro V2 would be better as it's even a tad cheaper and more powerful.

[lemmywinks]

The 600w Warwick Gnome iPro is also an option, about £350 as well which might be appealing if you're using it as a stopgap:

 

[Stub Mandrel]

1 hour ago, BassAdder60 said:

Yep good idea TE Elf is very good but may struggle into only 8ohms ? 

 

It's only 140W into 8R from memory, true, but the built in compression makes up for a fair bit of lost headroom. 

[Marvin]

Thank you.

 

I've been very tempted by the Markbass Little Mark IV, as I fancied a change to be honest. After a random search though, I've managed to source a 2nd hand Ashdown RM EVO 500 ii, from one of the big online music retailers. It's due to be delivered on Tuesday, fingers crossed.

 

The Peavey MiniMax is a good amp, but I think a change is in order. I had an Ashdown ABM600 chrome faced head once. It sounded really good, unfortunately it had a fault whereby it would hiss as the note decayed. The RM isn't an ABM but I think it'll fit in with what I'm playing now.

 

What has struck me whilst searching, is how the level of choice and availability has dropped.

 

Again, thank you. 

[BassAdder60]

Good choice and top tip the RM has a speaker defeat headphone button on the rear. Caused many worried owners to think the amp was dead !! 

[Lozz196]

Yes good choice, the RM amps are unsung heroes imo.

[Marvin]

Got the Ashdown. All I'm getting is a faint crackle from the cabinet.

The level meter isn't registering any input signal at all. There is a bit of a pop when you depress any of the switches and the volume knob crackles. Otherwise no output at all. 

 

The packaging is atrocious. It was just put in a cardboard box with no transit packaging. Gear4Music will be getting a phone call.

 

[Lozz196]

That`s not good at all, bit surprised at G4M acting so shoddily. Re the amp itself, there`s a small headphones on/off switch on the back, have you seen/tried that, I ask as it`s caught me out numerous times.

[Marvin]

I can't see a headphone switch on the back.

Now I have to send a video to prove its not working. 

 

Also a picture of how it was shipped.

 

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Marvin

[BassAdder60]

Pop a lead in the send / return loop 

Push in and out a few times then leave it in ie send to return bridged 

 

that will fix it perhaps ?  

Edited 4 hours ago by BassAdder60

[BassAdder60]

And if you plug straight into the fx return do you hear anything ? 
 

That will check the power amp section is good 

[lemmywinks]

Having to send a video to show a damaged item is out of order IMO, as is sending the amp out packed like that in the first place. Tell them they can make their own video when they receive the amp back.

 

Poor service so far from G4M here.

[rwillett]

Pmed you

[Lozz196]

43 minutes ago, Marvin said:

I can't see a headphone switch on the back.

Now I have to send a video to prove its not working. 

 

Also a picture of how it was shipped.

 

 

Ah, that`s the EVO-1 version, apologies for leading you up the path so to speak, mines the EVO-2, thought they all has the headphone switch.

[Marvin]

I've bought from G4M before with no problems. This is not at all impressive. 

[lemmywinks]

You only find out how good retailers are when something goes wrong tbh, any idiot can stick something in a box and take your money in exchange. Well maybe not the guy who packed your amp but the point still stands.

[jonno1981]

That’s crap packaging. I can’t believe they sent it out like that. It’s just inviting problems and a return, causing them and you misery and effort to resolve.