Anyone use a Roland DB-500?

[Baseman]

I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club gigs. I've read
all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they all say the Roland DB-500
is a great amp, especially at $499.

Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK MB150S.
Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it dearly. I think
this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both situations.

TIA,
-B

[Todd H.]

Post by Baseman
I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club
gigs. I've read all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they
all say the Roland DB-500 is a great amp, especially at $499.
Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK
MB150S. Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it
dearly. I think this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both
situations.

I'm not sure if this is useful or not, but I recently bought a Roland
KC-550 for use as a bass amp, and also for my electronic drumkit. It
sounds quite wonderful. It has a 15, a horn, 160W or so, and a 4
channel mixer including one XLR input. At practices, we actually run
the Vox through it recently.

I'm not sure if the KC-550 and the DB-500 share much in terms of
design, though, but the KC-550 "keyboard" amp makes a very very nice
bass combo.

Best Regards,

[Baseman]

Post by Todd H.

Post by Baseman
I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club
gigs. I've read all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they
all say the Roland DB-500 is a great amp, especially at $499.
Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK
MB150S. Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it
dearly. I think this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both
situations.

I'm not sure if this is useful or not, but I recently bought a Roland
KC-550 for use as a bass amp, and also for my electronic drumkit. It
sounds quite wonderful. It has a 15, a horn, 160W or so, and a 4
channel mixer including one XLR input. At practices, we actually run
the Vox through it recently.
I'm not sure if the KC-550 and the DB-500 share much in terms of
design, though, but the KC-550 "keyboard" amp makes a very very nice
bass combo.
Best Regards,

Thanks for the feeback Todd. I've heard over the years that keyboard amps are
indeed great for bass. However, I think I'd tend to choose the DB over the KC
because of the modeling and effects available that are geared toward bass.

Regards,
-B

[LowEndLarry]

I've gotten a lot of miles out of my DB-500. Relatively light weight - good
for rehearsal and small rooms. Very punchy at high volumes. The louder it
gets the beter it sounds! I use it in a bi-amp setup with an Avatar B115 and
BX3000T and the sound is awesome. I especially like the presets which allow
you to jump between sounds quickly. The on board tube/tube compression
modelling, compressor and chorus make it very functional for the size and
price.

LowEndLarry

Post by Baseman

Post by Todd H.

Post by Baseman
I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club
gigs. I've read all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they
all say the Roland DB-500 is a great amp, especially at $499.
Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK
MB150S. Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it
dearly. I think this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both
situations.

I'm not sure if this is useful or not, but I recently bought a Roland
KC-550 for use as a bass amp, and also for my electronic drumkit. It
sounds quite wonderful. It has a 15, a horn, 160W or so, and a 4
channel mixer including one XLR input. At practices, we actually run
the Vox through it recently.
I'm not sure if the KC-550 and the DB-500 share much in terms of
design, though, but the KC-550 "keyboard" amp makes a very very nice
bass combo.
Best Regards,

Thanks for the feeback Todd. I've heard over the years that keyboard amps are
indeed great for bass. However, I think I'd tend to choose the DB over the KC
because of the modeling and effects available that are geared toward bass.
Regards,
-B

[Baseman]

Post by LowEndLarry
I've gotten a lot of miles out of my DB-500. Relatively light weight - good
for rehearsal and small rooms. Very punchy at high volumes. The louder it
gets the beter it sounds! I use it in a bi-amp setup with an Avatar B115 and
BX3000T and the sound is awesome. I especially like the presets which allow
you to jump between sounds quickly. The on board tube/tube compression
modelling, compressor and chorus make it very functional for the size and
price.
LowEndLarry

Thanks for the re-assuring post. This only backs up the rave reviews this amp is
getting.

Regards,
-B

[Mark Marsh]

I use mine primarily for string bass. It does pretty well for that,
though 'the holy grail of tone' search is still on.

It is not bad for electric, but I have other (tube) amps
I like better for for that. Perhaps if I didn't I'd
tweek with the Roland more for that application.

The amp has given me no problems, and I am glad to have it.
I still want to get my hands on a Polytone mini-brute IV.
I did some casuals with a borrowed one of those and remember
it fondly.

Post by Baseman
I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club gigs.
I've read all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they all say
the Roland DB-500 is a great amp, especially at $499.
Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK
MB150S. Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it
dearly. I think this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both situations.
TIA,
-B

[Baseman]

Post by Mark Marsh
I use mine primarily for string bass. It does pretty well for that,
though 'the holy grail of tone' search is still on.
It is not bad for electric, but I have other (tube) amps
I like better for for that. Perhaps if I didn't I'd
tweek with the Roland more for that application.
The amp has given me no problems, and I am glad to have it.
I still want to get my hands on a Polytone mini-brute IV.
I did some casuals with a borrowed one of those and remember
it fondly.

Post by Baseman
I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club gigs.
I've read all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they all
say the Roland DB-500 is a great amp, especially at $499.
Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK
MB150S. Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it
dearly. I think this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both situations.
TIA,
-B

Hey Mark,

What are you using for tube amps? Are they in the same size/weight/wattage range
as the DB-500?

-B

[Jay S]

I saw Alain Caron in a small club with Mike Stern, and he was using 2
DB500's.
He also used a Boss GT6B so I assume he was using 2 amps to run in stereo.
He had a fantastic tone, but I suspect he'd sound great plugged into
anything.

Having tried a DB500 myself, I can say they have a ton of low end for a
small amp.
I particularly liked the tube drive setting, it has a nice growl to it, and
the chorus is definitely usable.
For small clubs, as long as you don't play with a super loud drummer and
keyboard player it should be fine.

Jay S

Post by Baseman
I'm looking for a small combo for both practicing and small club gigs. I've read
all the reviews, although there aren't many, and they all say the Roland DB-500
is a great amp, especially at $499.
Can anyone here back this up? I think my second choice may be a GK MB150S.
Although it's more expensive, I used to own one, and I miss it dearly. I think
this and a 2x10 cab would sound good in both situations.
TIA,
-B