Many bassists are turning to compact bass heads that deliver high wattage without the bulk. The latest example is the Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass, a lightweight 700-watt amp designed with tone-shaping flexibility, overdrive capabilities, and multiple output options. Based on their highly successful Powerstage amps, the Powerstage 700bass aims to deliver the same high output and portability but with a feature set designed for bass players.
Key Features:
- 700 watts of power at 4 ohms
- Preamp voiced for vintage and modern bass tones
- Built-in overdrive with footswitch control
- 4-band EQ with sweepable mid controls and presence switch
- Effects loop for external processing
- Multiple output options
- -10dB pad control for active and passive basses
- Super lightweight and durable design
Pedal Platform Comes to Bass
The Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass delivers a range of features that should most bass players looking for a lightweight power amp and/or a clean, neutral power platform to use with a digital modelling devices. At 700 watts, the Seymour Duncan PowerStage 700 Bass is a solid choice for those who need reliable power in a lightweight package. Designed by engineer and bassist Kevin Beller, it ensures a tight low end and rich harmonics, making it equally at home on stage or in the studio. The PowerStage 700 Bass also offers treble, low mid, high mid, bass, and presence control for dialling in your sound to fit different rooms and musical styles. Touring bass players will obviously have a range of instruments they need to switch between and the Powerstage 700 accommodates this by including a -10dB pad (as featured in the PowerStage) if you are switching from passive to active basses and can help maintain consistent levels and avoid unwanted distortion.
The Powerstage 700 offers multiple connection options, such as ¼”, Speakon, and XLR DI outputs, allowing you to connect to speaker cabinets, PAs, or recording interfaces. These is also a headphone output for silent practice. Like its guitar equivalent, the Powerstage 700 Bass is incredibly compact, with measurements of 30 x 18 x 6 cm and weighing in at 3.8kg this is a bass head that is easily transportable, be it in the boot of a car or the overhead locker on a plane. It’s also ideal for those for those using preamps or modelers. Some traditional bass heads colour the sound and offer a distinctive tone and voice. For many, that’s the reason you purchase a particular bass head, to achieve a specific tone. However, when using modellers that emulate other amps, you want the your actual bass amplifier to be as neutral a possible and let the modeller do the heavy lifting in the tone department. The PowerStage 700 Bass serves as an ideal platform for amplifying your preferred tone without unnecessary coloration. Essentially acting as the power section of a traditional amplifier whilst leaving the pre-amp to the modeller. With its blend of power, portability, and tonal versatility, the PowerStage 700 Bass is one of the standout options in portable bass amp market.
Availability
The Seymour Duncan Powerstage 700 Bass is available in Australia mid-April 2025, for more information check out Seymour Duncan’s official website.
