Power Amp Recommendations

[Sean]

A while back I decided to go down the route of big rig/little rig; one for own pleasure and to let me have a great tone with loads of effects and the other for convenience when going to rehearsals or small gigs where I share limited space transport.

My rack box rig is currently using my Markbass LMK head as a power amp as a temporary measure while I find a power amp that fits the bill. What I'm looking for is a 2U poweramp that is no deeper than 300mm. [url="http://www.carvinworld.com/products/single.php?product=DCM1540L&cid=15"]This Carvin unit[/url] looks pretty good and seems very well priced (£350 imported). Does anyone have any experience of Carvin gear? It seems to get a good rap in the States but then again so does Squeezy Cheeze and illegal wars so anyone closer to home have one?

Cheers

Sean

Edited December 27, 2009 by Sean

[Mr. Foxen]

What is your preamp plan?

Also, probably best going for a PA amp, rather than one marketed for bass. Been eying this to make a crap offer on it, but spend all my pennies: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350278655034&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]QSC[/url]

What sorta power you looking for?

[Sean]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' post='694272' date='Dec 27 2009, 02:20 PM']What is your preamp plan?

Also, probably best going for a PA amp, rather than one marketed for bass. Been eying this to make a crap offer on it, but spend all my pennies: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350278655034&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT"]QSC[/url]

What sorta power you looking for?[/quote]

Interesting one that QSC - do they have a good rep?

Preamp is a DHA rack unit, it's a VT3-Twin-EQ 1u thing. It sounds great, nice and warm and the two channels makes it as versatile as the LMK for when it comes to switching sounds.

Power-wise, I guess 500watts and upwards. My cabs are 400watts at 8 ohms.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='Sean' post='694288' date='Dec 27 2009, 02:32 PM']Interesting one that QSC - do they have a good rep?[/quote]

Think AlexClaber uses one, think it is safe to describe him as fairly fussy on his gear. Might be a different type to that one though. Recall it looking similar.

Edit: Plus sound engineer mate says they are good (hence it being on my watch list).

Edited December 27, 2009 by Mr. Foxen

[DirkThrust]

If you want to know about QSC then do a search on Talkbass.

They're generally regarded over there as being some of the best power amps you can get.

[Sean]

Thanks, guys. The keys player in my band really rates QSC too. They are quite heavy and deep compared to the Carvin though. Either way it seems like a cheap way of doing things compared to the all in one head.

That link I posted to the Carvin site distorts the price when you reclick it - the price it should show is £251.

Interestingly it looks as though Carvin add the shipping, VAT and Duty and quote you a landed price. It would be cool if more US retailers did this.

[Uncle Balsamic]

I've heard good stuff about the Carvins, especially for the price.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Uncle Balsamic

[Finbar]

FWIW, I'm selling a QSC PLX1804. It's a bit shallower and lighter than some of the other PLX models.

It's here if you're interested:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67997&hl=qsc"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=67997&hl=qsc[/url]

[redzombie]

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots has been using a QSC MX1500 for his live rig since the mid-90's. Not the same model I know, but I guess it does say soming about the company in general.

Pretty sure he used it on their "Purple" album too, thinking about it.

Edited December 31, 2009 by redzombie