Thoughts on Bassbreaker 007 head for gigging?

MazzaG

As the title says, I need an amp head for gigs, I don't drive so the smaller the better and from what I can tell the Bassbreaker ticks many boxes for me. I'm not overly fussed about the gain settings, I'd mostly be using it for cleans/slight crunch as I get my dirt from pedals which is why cheaper options like the micro terror etc are not suitable. 

Any one who has played/owns one, is it gig worthy? How is it for volume when joined with a cab? I don't have a cab so will use whatever cab I can get either supplied from the venue or through band sharing. 

If you have any other recommendations of a similar quality that are cheaper I'm all ears too.


Also, if anyone is looking to sell one drop me a PM or reply here!

not_the_dj

Are you playing venues where you're miked/mic'd (what's the correct way of spelling that?) up all the time?

ICBM

I tried the combo recently and it was a horrible-sounding thing - muddy, too much gain, no dynamics or clarity. I can't imagine it was just the speaker, they don't make *that* much difference. I would strongly suggest trying one before you buy.

Much as I'm not a huge fan of the Tiny Terror (not Micro, which is awful), it's in a different league.

Modellista

Check out the Peavey Micro Head range. I've not tried a BB007 but as above, they're the opposite to what you want if you want clean live volume. The Peavey's clean channel is lovely. 

MazzaG

not_the_dj said:

Are you playing venues where you're miked/mic'd (what's the correct way of spelling that?) up all the time?

Yup 90% of the time the amp is mic/miked/mic'd haha

ICBM said:

I tried the combo recently and it was a horrible-sounding thing - muddy, too much gain, no dynamics or clarity. I can't imagine it was just the speaker, they don't make *that* much difference. I would strongly suggest trying one before you buy.

Much as I'm not a huge fan of the Tiny Terror (not Micro, which is awful), it's in a different league.

Hmmm you've thrown a spanner in the works now! I'll most definitely try before I buy, based on demo videos though the head seems pretty good soundwise. And the Tiny Terror isn't what I need clean sound wise :-/ 

modellista said:

Check out the Peavey Micro Head range. I've not tried a BB007 but as above, they're the opposite to what you want if you want clean live volume. The Peavey's clean channel is lovely. 

They're certainly a hell of a lot cheaper, i'm going to check out some demos, thank you.

ICBM

It's probably physically bigger than you want - although not that heavy - but maybe look at the Jet City 20 head as well. Only just over £200 new, and with a lot of clean headroom if you keep the gain down. It's a 'Marshall clean' rather than a 'Fender clean', but it's a lot louder and clearer even than the Tiny Terror.

MazzaG

ICBM said:

It's probably physically bigger than you want - although not that heavy - but maybe look at the Jet City 20 head as well. Only just over £200 new, and with a lot of clean headroom if you keep the gain down. It's a 'Marshall clean' rather than a 'Fender clean', but it's a lot louder and clearer even than the Tiny Terror.

Thanks a lot mate i will check it out, Marshall clean works for me

earwighoney

ICBM said:

I tried the combo recently and it was a horrible-sounding thing - muddy, too much gain, no dynamics or clarity. I can't imagine it was just the speaker, they don't make *that* much difference. I would strongly suggest trying one before you buy.

Much as I'm not a huge fan of the Tiny Terror (not Micro, which is awful), it's in a different league.

Yep.  

The Bassbreaker series are not Fender's finest moments.  I'd rather go for the Jet City 20w head or even the Custom 5. 

simonk

Quilter 101 Reverb.

Sassafras

What about one of those new Vox miniamp things? Aren't they about 30 or 50 watts?

not_the_dj

I love my Jet City JCA22, and I've just taken delivery of a Custom 22. Seriously worth a look at those. 

Sassafras

Yup, 50 watts and tiny

rico

Sassafras said:

Yup, 50 watts and tiny

Doesn't the output depend on the speaker impedance on these?

ICBM

rico said:

Doesn't the output depend on the speaker impedance on these?

Yes, and if it's as loud - into any impedance - as a 15W valve amp I will be quite surprised.

I am *not* a valve snob as most of you will know, but there's just something about the power delivery and presence of a valve amp, especially in a mix, that can't be matched by a solid-state amp of the same power, even an old-school Class AB 'big iron' one with a heavy power transformer and discrete output transistors. Switch-mode power supply and Class D IC output section - not even close. Plenty of 'wattage' on paper, but doesn't translate into real-world volume. Just my personal experience...

darthed1981

If you are miked up have you looked at something like a Blackstar HT5?  Or even as it hasn't been mentioned yet a boss katana?

kennedydream1980

I've gigged a Blackstar HT5R head and Egnater Rebel 1x12 for the last 3 months. It's held it's own no problem. I always mic'd it up and it sounded great. Actually hearing it from the cab on stage was hit and miss depending on the venue and drummer, but I always used in ear monitors so I could always hear what I was doing.

I ran both channel volumes up around 3 quarters, with a compressor on the clean channel to boost it a bit. Plenty of clean headroom for me with low output pickups.

I used the amp previously with a Victory 1x12 open backed cab (The Egnater cab is closed back) I found it far easier to hear the amp on stage with the open backed cab, it filled alot more space on stage.

It also has a nice effects loop and a nice reverb built in. 

menamestom

What's your budget?  I'm selling a PTP handwired mini head that's ultra portable.
Would be ideal for your needs, lovely cleans and plenty of power.

 http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/113914/fs-mjw-bantam-head-and-2x10-cabinet#latest

MazzaG

Thanks for all the replies guys, big big help! 

And @menamestom ; it's slightly out of my range unfortunately, but thanks :-) 

p90fool

I have three 20w Jet City heads so you can put me down as a fan, but they're not particularly portable for someone who doesn't drive. 

I'd rather go direct-to-desk with some kind of multi-FX than gig with a cheap underpowered valve amp tbh, alternatively I just bought a Roland JC 22 which is light, very portable and simply fantastic sounding.