AudioFu

Best Solid-State Bassheads Under $1,000 2026

Affordable solid-state bassheads under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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
Markbass Little Marcus 1000 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
GR Bass ONE800 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

GR Bass ONE800

by GR Bass
Funk Live Performance Metal
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Clean, precise bass response
  • • Usually more affordable
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Limited natural overdrive

GR Bass ONE800Amp Head for Electric BassPower (RMS): 800 WImpedance: 4 OhmControls: GainMid LowMid HighHighVolume...

⭐ 4.5/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 489950
$912
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass Little AG 1000 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Eich Amplification T300 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Eich Amplification T300

by Eich Amplification
Reliable Bass Tone Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Instant-on convenience
✓ PROS
  • • Usually more affordable
  • • Consistent, reliable performance
✗ CONS
  • • Limited natural overdrive
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Eich Amplification T300Transistor Bass HeadActive 4-Band EQ"Taste" controlTuner outputMute switchTransformer...

⭐ 4.8/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 386890
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Quilter Bass Block V803 Bass Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Darkglass Microtubes 500 V2 Bass Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Darkglass Microtubes 500 V2 Bass Head

by Darkglass
Metal Reliable Bass Tone Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Clean, precise bass response
✓ PROS
  • • Usually more affordable
  • • Instant-on convenience
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth
  • • Limited natural overdrive

Darkglass Microtubes 500 V2 Bass HeadAmp Head for Electric Bass1 ChannelPower: 500 WHigh efficiency custom designed...

⭐ 4.6/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 505044
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass Little Mark Rocker 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Markbass Little Mark Rocker 58R

by Markbass
Modern Rock Reliable Bass Tone Pop
Key Feature:
• Instant-on convenience
✓ PROS
  • • Usually more affordable
  • • Consistent, reliable performance
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Limited natural overdrive

Markbass Little Mark Rocker 58RTransistor Amp Head for Electric BassPower: 500W into 4 Ohm300W into 8 OhmPreamp:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597352
$835
Buy at Thomann View Details
Orange Little Bass Thing - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Orange Little Bass Thing

by Orange
Live Performance Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Lower maintenance costs
✓ PROS
  • • Clean, precise bass response
  • • Instant-on convenience
✗ CONS
  • • Limited natural overdrive
  • • Can sound clinical

Orange Little Bass ThingAmp Head for Electric Bass1 ChannelClass D power amplifierOutput power: 500 WMinimum of 4 Ohm...

⭐ 4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 478652
$813
Buy at Thomann View Details
Eich Amplification T500 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Eich Amplification T500

by Eich Amplification
Reliable Bass Tone Funk Metal
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Instant-on convenience
  • • Consistent, reliable performance
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound clinical
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Eich Amplification T500Transistor Bass HeadPower: 500W into 4 Ohm300W into 8 OhmClass-D power amplifierActive 4-Band...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 386893
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Eich Amplification T500 Black Edition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Eich Amplification T500 Black Edition

by Eich Amplification
Reliable Bass Tone Metal Funk
Key Feature:
• Lower maintenance costs
✓ PROS
  • • Usually more affordable
  • • Instant-on convenience
✗ CONS
  • • Limited natural overdrive
  • • Less character than tube heads

Eich Amplification T500 Black EditionTransistor Bass Amp HeadBlack Edition - Limited series for the 35th anniversary of...

⭐ 4.8/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 522110
$989
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ampeg Venture V7 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ampeg Venture V7

by Ampeg
Metal Live Performance Funk
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Consistent, reliable performance
  • • Clean, precise bass response
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth
  • • Can sound clinical

Ampeg Venture V7Amp Head for Electric BassTransistor amplifierPower: 700 watts at 4 ohmControls: Compressorgrit and...

⭐ 4.9/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 576150
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Darkglass The Exponent 500 Bass Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Darkglass The Exponent 500 Bass Head

by Darkglass
Reliable Bass Tone Pop Modern Rock
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Consistent, reliable performance
  • • Lower maintenance costs
✗ CONS
  • • May lack warmth
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Darkglass The Exponent 500 Bass HeadTransistor Amplifier for Electric BassClean and easy to use amplifierNew...

⭐ 4.4/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 537204
$974
Buy at Thomann View Details
Phil Jones Bass Amp Head BP-800 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Phil Jones Bass Amp Head BP-800

by Phil Jones
Pop Metal Reliable Bass Tone
Key Feature:
• Usually more affordable
✓ PROS
  • • Lower maintenance costs
  • • Clean, precise bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Less character than tube heads
  • • Limited natural overdrive

Phil Jones Bass Amp Head BP-800Lightweight Amp Head for BassSolid-state designPower: 800W @ 4Ohm400W @ 8OhmSub Sonic...

⭐ 5.0/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 466871
$890
Buy at Thomann View Details
Markbass Little Mark Ninja 58R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Markbass Little Mark Ninja 58R

by Markbass
Reliable Bass Tone Funk Pop
Key Feature:
• Lower maintenance costs
✓ PROS
  • • Usually more affordable
  • • Clean, precise bass response
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • May lack warmth

Markbass Little Mark Ninja 58RAmp Head for Electric BassPower: 1000 W at 4 Ohm600 W at 8 OhmControls: GainLimiterMaster...

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 604283
$879
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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