Best Solid-State Bassheads for Metal 2026

Perfect solid-state bassheads for metal - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Modern Rock For Metal For Pop For Funk For Live Performance For Reliable Bass Tone

BRANDS: Markbass Eich Amplification Ampeg Darkglass Warwick

Trace Elliot TE-1200 Bass Amp Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Trace Elliot TE-1200 Bass Amp Head

by Trace Elliot

Modern Rock Reliable Bass Tone Pop

Key Feature:

• Lower maintenance costs

✓ PROS

• Lower maintenance costs
• Instant-on convenience

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth
• Needs separate speaker cabinet

Trace Elliot TE-1200 Bass Amp HeadTransistor Amp Head for Electric Bass1 ChannelPower: 1200 Watt RMS (4 Ohm minimum...

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602284

$1,088

Buy at Thomann View Details

Markbass Nano Mark II Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Markbass Nano Mark II Head

by Markbass

Funk Metal Pop

Key Feature:

• Lower maintenance costs

✓ PROS

• Instant-on convenience
• Usually more affordable

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth
• Can sound clinical

Markbass Nano Mark II HeadAmp Head for Electric BassPower: 300 W at 4 ohmsIntuitive user interfaceIntegrated bi-band...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 526071

$417

Buy at Thomann View Details

Darkglass Alpha·Omega 500 Bass Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Darkglass Alpha·Omega 500 Bass Head

by Darkglass

Live Performance Modern Rock Funk

Key Feature:

• Consistent, reliable performance

✓ PROS

• Usually more affordable
• Instant-on convenience

✗ CONS

• Can sound clinical
• Needs separate speaker cabinet

Darkglass Alpha·Omega 500 Bass HeadAmp Head for Electric Bass1 ChannelPower: 500 WHigh efficiency custom designed...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 505037

$868

Buy at Thomann View Details

Markbass Little Mark Vintage 1000 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Markbass Little Mark Vintage 1000 58R

by Markbass

Reliable Bass Tone Funk Modern Rock

Key Feature:

• Consistent, reliable performance

✓ PROS

• Instant-on convenience
• Usually more affordable

✗ CONS

• Limited natural overdrive
• Less character than tube heads

Markbass Little Mark Vintage 1000 58RAmp Head for Electric BassPower: 1000W at 4 ohms600W at 8 ohmsPreamplifier with...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 604286

$1,099

Buy at Thomann View Details

Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 V2 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 V2

by Aguilar

Live Performance Reliable Bass Tone Metal

Key Feature:

• Consistent, reliable performance

✓ PROS

• Usually more affordable
• Instant-on convenience

✗ CONS

• Limited natural overdrive
• May lack warmth

Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 V2Amp Head for Electric BassPower: 500 wattsMinimum resistance: 2.67 OhmPreamplifier: Solid...

⭐ 4.4/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 593325

$1,209

Buy at Thomann View Details

Glockenklang Blue Bird - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Glockenklang Blue Bird

by Glockenklang

Funk Metal Modern Rock

Key Feature:

• Usually more affordable

✓ PROS

• Clean, precise bass response
• Instant-on convenience

✗ CONS

• Needs separate speaker cabinet
• Less character than tube heads

Glockenklang Blue BirdAmplifier Head for Electric BassPower: 900 W into 4 ohms450 W into 8 ohms600 W into 4 ohms or 300...

⭐ 5.0/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 557844

$1,924

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ampeg Venture V12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Ampeg Venture V12

by Ampeg

Reliable Bass Tone Metal Pop

Key Feature:

• Instant-on convenience

✓ PROS

• Lower maintenance costs
• Usually more affordable

✗ CONS

• Can sound clinical
• Limited natural overdrive

Ampeg Venture V12Amp Head for Electric BassTransistor amplifierPower: 1200 W at 4 ohmControls: Compressorgrit and level...

⭐ 4.8/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 576152

$1,099

Buy at Thomann View Details

Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass

by Seymour Duncan

Live Performance Modern Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Instant-on convenience

✓ PROS

• Consistent, reliable performance
• Usually more affordable

✗ CONS

• Less character than tube heads
• Can sound clinical

Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 BassBass Amplifier HeadSolid-state design preamp suitable for a wide range of vintage and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 616890

$879

Buy at Thomann View Details

GR Bass Mini One - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

GR Bass Mini One

by GR Bass

Live Performance Modern Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Clean, precise bass response

✓ PROS

• Lower maintenance costs
• Instant-on convenience

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth
• Limited natural overdrive

GR Bass Mini OneAmp Head for Electric BassClass D amplifiierPower: 350W @ 4 OhmDI with pre/post switchSwitch: Deep...

⭐ 4.6/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 604993

$483

Buy at Thomann View Details

Aguilar AG 500 V2 Bass Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.4/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Aguilar AG 500 V2 Bass Head

by Aguilar

Reliable Bass Tone Metal Pop

Key Feature:

• Consistent, reliable performance

✓ PROS

• Instant-on convenience
• Consistent, reliable performance

✗ CONS

• Needs separate speaker cabinet
• Less character than tube heads

Aguilar AG 500 V2 Bass HeadAmp Head for Electric BassPower: 500 wattsMinimum resistance: 2.67 OhmPreamplifier: Solid...

⭐ 4.4/5 (13 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 593287

$1,132

Buy at Thomann View Details

Markbass Little Marcus 1000 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Markbass Little Marcus 1000 58R

by Markbass

Funk Modern Rock Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Clean, precise bass response

✓ PROS

• Lower maintenance costs
• Clean, precise bass response

✗ CONS

• Limited natural overdrive
• Less character than tube heads

Markbass Little Marcus 1000 58RAmp Head for Electric BassPower: 1000 W into 4 ohms600 W into 8 ohmsEQ1: Ultra LowHigh...

⭐ 4.6/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 604284

$989

Buy at Thomann View Details

Markbass Little AG 1000 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Markbass Little AG 1000 58R

by Markbass

Modern Rock Funk Reliable Bass Tone

Key Feature:

• Clean, precise bass response

✓ PROS

• Instant-on convenience
• Usually more affordable

✗ CONS

• Needs separate speaker cabinet
• May lack warmth

Markbass Little AG 1000 58RAmp Head for Electric Bass1 ChannelPower: 1000 WattImpedance: 4 OhmControls: Gain5-Band...

⭐ 4.7/5 (33 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 602067

$934

Buy at Thomann View Details

Quilter Bass Block V803 Bass Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Quilter Bass Block V803 Bass Head

by Quilter

Pop Reliable Bass Tone Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Consistent, reliable performance

✓ PROS

• Consistent, reliable performance
• Clean, precise bass response

✗ CONS

• Less character than tube heads
• Can sound clinical

Quilter Bass Block V803 Bass HeadAmp Head for Electric BassCombines modern Class D amplification with the warmth of...

⭐ 4.8/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 600855

$879

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ampeg Venture V3 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Ampeg Venture V3

by Ampeg

Reliable Bass Tone Modern Rock Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Usually more affordable

✓ PROS

• Instant-on convenience
• Usually more affordable

✗ CONS

• May lack warmth
• Less character than tube heads

Ampeg Venture V3Transistor Head for Electric BassPower: 300 Watts at 4 OhmSVT- and B15-VoicingsControls: Grit and level...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 576138

$494

Buy at Thomann View Details

Eich Amplification TB250 Sub-Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Eich Amplification TB250 Sub-Bass

by Eich Amplification

Reliable Bass Tone Live Performance Modern Rock

Key Feature:

• Instant-on convenience

✓ PROS

• Consistent, reliable performance
• Instant-on convenience

✗ CONS

• Needs separate speaker cabinet
• May lack warmth

Eich Amplification TB250 Sub-BassTransistor Bass Amp HeadPower: 250 Watts at 4 OhmSolid state preamplifier with volume...

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 588437

$439

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Solid-State Bassheads

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced solid-state bassheads typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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Best Solid-State Bassheads for Metal 2026

Trace Elliot TE-1200 Bass Amp Head

Markbass Nano Mark II Head

Darkglass Alpha·Omega 500 Bass Head

Markbass Little Mark Vintage 1000 58R

Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 V2

Glockenklang Blue Bird

Ampeg Venture V12

Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass

GR Bass Mini One

Aguilar AG 500 V2 Bass Head

Markbass Little Marcus 1000 58R

Markbass Little AG 1000 58R

Quilter Bass Block V803 Bass Head

Ampeg Venture V3

Eich Amplification TB250 Sub-Bass

How to Choose the Best Solid-State Bassheads

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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