AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best Solid-State Bassheads Under $1,000 2026
The top pick is Ampeg Micro CL 100-Watt 2x10" Compact Solid State Bass Amp Stack ($445). Darkglass Electronics Exponent 500 500-Watt Bass Amp Head leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 56 models across 17 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Ampeg Micro CL 100-Watt 2x10" Compact Solid State Bass Amp Stack
Micro-CL Stack · Ampeg
22 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight6.35 kg
You get a solid-state bass head and a speaker cabinet with two 10-inch speakers, both rated at 100 watts. The head gives you a 3-band tone control, an FX loop for your effects, and line in, line out, and headphone jacks. It suits you if you want a simple, complete setup, and you are fine lifting a 15 kg cabinet.
Pros
- 100-watt solid-state head paired with a 100-watt speaker cabinet
- Head has a 3-band tone control for shaping your bass
- Two inputs with a range of 0dB to 15dB
Cons
- Speaker cabinet weighs 15 kg, so it is heavy to carry
75AudioFu
Index↓ 14.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$524 · Aug 17$445 now$445€399 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Darkglass Electronics Exponent 500 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
The Exponent 500 Bass Head · Darkglass
38 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight1.7 kg
You get a 500 watt solid-state bass head that also works as a multi-effects unit. You can save your signal chains as presets, using effects from a DSP database that keeps growing. It suits you if you want one compact head with effects, a DI out and a USB-C connection in one box.
Pros
- Powered platform lets it work as a multi-effects unit with saved presets
- DSP database includes compressors, distortions, modulations, preamps and impulse responses
- Eight controls: Input, Bass, Low-Mids, High-Mids, High, Blend, Master and Ground lift
Cons
- Only one channel, so you cannot keep separate channel settings side by side
73AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$988 now$988€885 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
You get a solid-state bass head with 300 watts at 4 ohms, two voicings, and an overdrive circuit with Grit and level controls. It suits you if you want classic Ampeg SVT and B15 voicings in one head, plus a balanced XLR DI output for recording or going straight to the house mixer.
Pros
- 300 watts at 4 ohms gives plenty of output for a bass head
- Switchable SVT and B15 voicings let you pick two classic Ampeg sounds
- Overdrive circuit with Grit and level controls adds gain on demand
Cons
- Its 3-band EQ and single overdrive circuit offer fewer tone-shaping options than larger heads
71AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$524 now$524€469 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 V2 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
Microtubes 500 V2 Bass Head · Darkglass
29 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight2.4 kg
You get a 500 W bass head with built-in microtube distortion, a compressor, and a 6-band EQ. It also has an XLR DI output and speaker simulation, so you can send your signal straight to a mixer or to headphones. It suits bassists who want a compact head with plenty of tone-shaping controls in one box.
Pros
- Class D power amplifier rated at 500 W, built for high efficiency
- Integrated microtube distortion with a dedicated microtubes on/off switch
- Speaker simulation with three slots for high-resolution impulse responses, plus balanced XLR DI output
Cons
- Minimum speaker impedance of 2 Ohm limits which cabinets you can connect
70AudioFu
Index↓ 1.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$892 · Aug 17$883 now$883€791 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
This is a solid-state bass head with 700 watts at 4 ohm and plenty of control. You get an overdrive, a compressor, and two voicings, SVT and B15, so you can shape your bass in several ways. It suits you if you want one head with lots of power, an effects loop, and a balanced DI output for playing direct into a mixer.
Pros
- 700 watts at 4 ohm gives plenty of power for a bass head
- Super Grit Overdrive effect and a dedicated overdrive circuit with Compressor and grit controls
- Balanced XLR output with Pre/Post EQ and a balanced DI output
Cons
- The 0/-15 dB input and 0/-20 dB switches take some time to learn for beginners
70AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$892 now$892€799 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Markbass Little Mark 250 Black Line 250-Watt Bass Amp Head
Little Mark 250 Black Line · Markbass
16 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight2.6 kg
The Little Mark 250 Black Line is a seriously impressive little amp. It delivers that classic Markbass punch and articulation but with a more refined, controlled character thanks to the Black Line design. It's ideal for gigging bassists needing a powerful, portable head that won't break the bank and delivers a professional sound.
Pros
- Markbass’s signature Art Tube emulation adds warmth and harmonic richness.
- Surprisingly powerful for its size; handles gigs easily.
- The Black Line series offers a refined, cleaner Markbass tone.
Cons
- EQ can be a little aggressive, requiring a careful touch.
- Limited connectivity compared to higher-end Markbass offerings.
66AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$385 now$385€345 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Darkglass Electronics Alpha Omega 500 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
Alpha·Omega 500 Bass Head · Darkglass
20 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight2.4 kg
You get a 500 W bass head with one channel, a one-button compressor, a 6-band EQ, and built-in distortion. It also has a balanced XLR DI output and a headphone jack, so you can practice quietly or send your sound straight to a mixer. It suits you if you want a compact, lightweight head with plenty of control over your tone for gigs or home playing.
Pros
- Custom class D power amplifier rated at 500 W with high efficiency
- Integrated Alpha Omega distortion and speaker simulation for headphones and balanced XLR DI
- One-button compressor with intelligent make-up gain and a 6-band graphical EQ
Cons
- Minimum speaker impedance of 2 Ohm limits which cabinets you can connect
66AudioFu
Index↓ 1.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$881 · Aug 17$872 now$872€781 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Markbass Little Mark IV 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
Little Mark IV · Markbass
8 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Weight2.8 kg
The Little Mark IV is a fantastic little powerhouse—seriously, it's deceptively loud. It nails that classic Markbass tone, and the 'Old School' mode is a real winner for adding some grit. Perfect for gigging bassists needing a portable, versatile, and premium-priced head for smaller to mid-sized stages.
Pros
- Excellent Markbass signature sound in a compact, lightweight design.
- The 'Old School' mode delivers a warm, vintage tube-like distortion.
- Flexible EQ with a wide frequency range for tonal sculpting.
Cons
- Limited power for very large venues or loud band situations.
- EQ can be slightly overwhelming for beginners to dial in consistently.
65AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$576 now$576€516 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Orange Little Bass Thing 500-Watt Bass Amp Head
Little Bass Thing · Orange
27 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Weight2.95 kg
The Little Bass Thing delivers that unmistakable Orange crunch and clarity in a surprisingly portable package. It’s a fantastic choice for gigging bassists needing a powerful, reliable head with a great DI output—especially those who love a rock-oriented sound and want something lighter than a traditional tube amp.
Pros
- Orange's signature rock-and-roll tone in a compact, manageable head
- Class D power provides immense headroom without excessive weight
- Semi-parametric midrange offers precise tonal shaping possibilities
Cons
- Limited EQ flexibility compared to more complex amp designs
- While lightweight for its power, still substantial for frequent transport
65AudioFu
Index↓ 2.7%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$650 · Aug 17$632 now$632€566 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Ampeg Micro VR 200-Watt Compact Solid State Bass Amp Head
Micro VR Head · Ampeg
26 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
The Micro VR Head is a seriously cool little amp. It nails the core Ampeg tone in a super portable package, perfect for gigging bassists needing that SVT vibe without hauling a behemoth. Just be aware it's best suited for smaller venues or studio work; it's not a replacement for a full-blown SVT on a huge stage.
Pros
- Classic Ampeg preamp delivers signature growl and punch.
- Compact size ideal for smaller gigs and studio use.
- Visually maintains iconic SVT aesthetics with silver/black finish.
Cons
- Limited EQ control compared to larger Ampeg counterparts.
- Lacks onboard effects, requiring external processing.
64AudioFu
Index↓ 3.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$412 · Aug 17$399 now$399€357 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 56 solid-state bassheads
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Power Amp/EQPowerStage 700 Bass · Seymour Duncan61Stable$769€689$769€689Check ↗
- 12
Genzler Amplification MG-350 Magellan 350 Compact 350-Watt Bass Amp…Magellan MG350 · Genzler61Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 13
Warwick Gnome 200-Watt Pocket Bass Amp HeadGnome · Warwick60Stable$178€159$178€159Check ↗
- 14
TC Electronic BH250 Micro Bass HeadBH250 · tc electronic60↓ 9.0%$202€181$202€181Check ↗
- 15
Warwick Gnome 200-Watt Pocket Bass Amp HeadGnome i · Warwick60Stable$211€189$211€189Check ↗
- 16
Phil Jones BP-800 Bass Pulse One 800-Watt Bass Amp HeadBass Amp Head BP-800 · Phil Jones59Stable$892€799$892€799Check ↗
- 17
Markbass Nano Mark II 300-Watt Bass Amp HeadNano Mark II Head · Markbass55Stable$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 18
EBS Reidmar 752 750-Watt Bass Amp HeadReidmar 752 Bass Amp Head · EBS55Stable$892€799$892€799Check ↗
- 19
Hotone Nano Legacy Thunder Bass Amplifier HeadNano Legacy Thunder Bass · Hotone54↓ 20.3%$61€55$61€55Check ↗
- 20
EBS Reidmar 502 500-Watt Bass Amp HeadReidmar 502 · EBS54Stable$658€589$658€589Check ↗
- 21
Markbass Little Mark Ninja 58RMarkbass54↓ 15.0%$758€679$758€679Check ↗
- 22
Markbass Little Marcus 58R Marcus Miller Signature 500-Watt Bass Amp…Little Marcus 58R · Markbass53Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 23
Markbass Little Mark Gen Z H0 500Markbass · 2 finishes53Stable$892€799$892€799Check ↗
- 24
Phil Jones BP-200 200-Watt Compact Bass Amp HeadBass Amp Head BP-200 · Phil Jones52Stable$479€429$479€429Check ↗
- 25
Darkglass Electronics Alpha-Omega 200 200-Watt Bass Amp HeadAlpha·Omega 200 Bass Head · Darkglass51Stable$412€369$412€369Check ↗
- 26
Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 200 200-Watt Bass Amp HeadMicrotubes 200 Bass Head · Darkglass50Stable$416€373$416€373Check ↗
- 27
Markbass Little AG 58RMarkbass48↓ 1.4%$769€689$769€689Check ↗
- 28
Warwick Gnome i Pro V2Warwick47Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 29
Warwick Gnome i Pro 600W V2Warwick47Stable$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 30
Warwick Stage Series PA 300Warwick47Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 31
Warwick Stage Series MC 300Warwick47Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 32
Warwick Stage Series PA 500Warwick47Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
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Warwick Stage Series MC 500Warwick47Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
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Warwick Stage Series DS 300Warwick47Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 35
Markbass Little Mark Rocker 58RMarkbass47Stable$825€739$825€739Check ↗
- 36
Markbass Little Mark Casa 58RMarkbass47Stable$868€777$868€777Check ↗
- 37
Warwick Stage Series DS 500Warwick47Stable$892€799$892€799Check ↗
- 38
Quilter InterBass 45-Watt Bass Amp PedalInterbass 45 · Quilter46Stable$323€289$323€289Check ↗
- 39
Ampeg Micro VR 200-Watt Compact Solid State Bass Amp HeadSVT Micro Head Bundle · Ampeg · 2 finishes46↓ 1.7%$795€712$795€712Check ↗
- 40
Harley Benton BLOCK-200Harley Benton43Stable$111€99$111€99Check ↗
- 41
TC Electronic BQ250 Thrust 250-Watt Bass HeadBQ250 Bass Head · tc electronic43Stable$148€133$148€133Check ↗
- 42
Harley Benton BLOCK-300Harley Benton43Stable$166€149$166€149Check ↗
- 43
tc electronic BQ500 Bass Headtc electronic43Stable$198€177$198€177Check ↗
- 44
Harley Benton BLOCK-600Harley Benton43Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 45
Harley Benton BLOCK-800Harley Benton43Stable$334€299$334€299Check ↗
- 46
GR Bass Mini OneGR Bass42Stable$490€439$490€439Check ↗
- 47
GR Bass ONE350GR Bass42Stable$591€529$591€529Check ↗
- 48
GR Bass ONE800GR Bass42Stable$926€829$926€829Check ↗
- 49
Trace Elliot ELF BassheadTrace Elliot41Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 50
Quilter Bass Block V803 Bass HeadQuilter41Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
Solid-State Bassheads by the numbers
Measured across all 60 models we track, not a sample.
Median $591 — half of all solid-state bassheads here cost less.
median of 46 models · 0.96 kg–3.55 kg
How to choose the best solid-state bassheads
Headroom
Critical for gigging. You need enough clean headroom to handle a full band without instant breakup. A little headroom is easily managed, running out is a nightmare.
EQ Flexibility
A decent EQ section is vital. You want more than just basic bass and treble controls; mid-scooping is a must for modern bass tones, and a parametric mid can save your bacon in a muddy rehearsal space.
Power Output
Don't be fooled by high wattage numbers; it's about usable power. A 200-watt head can sound anemic if it's poorly designed, while a 150-watt head can roar if it's got some serious grunt.
Build Quality
Solid-state doesn't mean flimsy. Look for robust construction that can withstand the rigors of gigging. Rattling knobs and flaky pots are a sign of corners being cut.
Connectivity
DI out is essential for recording or plugging directly into a PA. Balanced outputs are a bonus for noise-free signal transmission. Aux input is a nice-to-have for backing tracks or practicing with a click.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're a bass player on a budget, huh? Solid-state heads are the way to go if you want serious thump without blowing your gig money. Forget the tube hype - we're focusing on raw power, reliability, and that clean, punchy low-end that cuts through the mix. This list is about finding the best bang-for-your-buck, because a great bass tone shouldn't require a second mortgage.
At this price point, you're making trade-offs. Don't expect boutique features like built-in tuners or lush reverb. Solid-state amps often lack the dynamic response of tubes; they're more 'what you put in is what you get.' Prioritize headroom and EQ flexibility over flashy extras - a clean, controlled bass tone is more valuable than a pile of unnecessary features.
Used gear is your friend here; you can often find higher-end models at a discount.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 60 solid-state bassheads from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are solid-state amps as warm sounding as tube amps?
No, not inherently. Tube amps have that characteristic harmonic distortion that some people associate with 'warmth.' Solid-state amps can sound sterile if not designed well, but a good EQ and speaker choice can compensate. It's a different kind of tone, not necessarily a 'worse' tone.
What does 'headroom' really mean for a bass amp?
It's the amount of volume you can get before the amp starts to distort or 'break up.' More headroom means a cleaner, more controlled sound at higher volumes - crucial for gigging with a drummer.
What's the deal with wattage? Does higher wattage always mean louder?
Not always. Wattage is a measure of power, but the amp's design plays a huge role. A well-designed 150-watt amp can sound louder and more powerful than a poorly designed 300-watt amp.
I'm recording at home. Do I need a ton of power?
Probably not. A smaller head (100-150 watts) with a good DI out will be plenty for recording. Focus on a clean, articulate tone rather than raw power.
Are there any solid-state amps that emulate tube sounds?
Some try, but it's often a compromise. They might add some artificial harmonic distortion, but it rarely replicates the organic complexity of a real tube amp. It's usually better to embrace the solid-state character and work with it.
