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[Brock]

I just bought a KORG Ampworks bass Modeling Signal Processor:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/search/detail/base_pid/150321/

...and I'm quite happy with it for a headphone amp. I'm using it with some Audio Technica DR-HX100 headphones I've had for a while, and though it's a bit bulky for headphone amp (too big to fit into the dinky gig bag pouch) it has nice knob controls and more important still, it sounded nice. The Ashbory liked it and the bass guitars were even happy.

Here's why it's getting recommended though.... ...price! They're on sale for $60. (was $45 a few days ago when I looked... ...and here's the proof: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=ToneWorks%20Ampworks%20Modeling&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=wf
)
Also for $60:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AmpWorksBass

(Try calling up Musician's Frined and see if they'll give you their best price in the last 30 days which likely is $44.99. Might work anyway.)

I went to Guitar Center in Boise to check out headphone amps (I was traveling recently and didn't bring my old Fender headphone amp that sucks anyway, but no amp sucks too!) and they had the KORG Pandora (approx. $200) and the Toneworks (approx. $150) on the shelf. The Pandora has drums built in which is nice, but they were remarkably similar in other ways. The Ampworks Bass has knobs, buttons, and no menu screen (a bonus in my book). Anyway, I wasn't looking to buy but the guy says "I can make you a deal on that" and I said "What kind of deal?". "$50.00" he says (from their display case with no box or manual). I asked if the guitar one was the same price next to it. It was. For bass playing needs (low end) the bass model was far superior and that's what I left with.

One of the two display units they had seemed a bit noisy on the top, but I got the same effect out of mine when it was home by turning the gain down and the volume up, so that may have been the way it was in the store without me noticing. Some harmony central reviews note top-end noise too, but even when dialed in bad it's less noise than the few cheaper headphone amps I've crossed paths with over the years. This thing blows my old 1994ish era Fender headphone bass amp out of the water. It's bigger, especially with the large comfy headphones I've using, but the sound is genuinely nice. Even bass guitars sound good through it.

For under $60, it's a reallly nice headphone amp. Here's KORG's page for it:
http://korg.com/gear/info.asp?a_prod_no=AmpworksB&category_id=6

...and yes, there's a lot of effects but it does a nice clean tone too... ...worry not.

I haven't been this happy with a new piece of gear in a long time... ...probably because I've wanted a nice headphone amp and have been too cheap to do anything about it. Patience paid off... ...mine was $50 well spent.

Good:
Price
Sound (with Ashbory and Bass Guitar)
Knobs!
Look

Bad:
A bit bulky: approx 5 3/4in by 1 3/4in by 3 in.
Doesn't come with headphones or AC adaptor.
Won't fit in gig bag
Constuction seems a bit plasticy... ...not awful but not rock solid either.

I recommend one if you want a headphone amp. If you have questions, ask away.


-Brock

[Mike Yocum]

I bought a Korg Pandora PX4B (I had returned a Pocket Rock-It for Bass because the sound was so dry).  Although it is a nice little box, sounds good and does a lot, I would not recommend it simply because of price ($275 list, about $219 street).  Like many Korg offerings (with the exception of their Ampworks Bass, obviously!), it just costs too much in my opinion.  The PX4B should be $149 tops or even $99.

Another problem with the PX4B is the portability factor.  By the time you get your bass plugged in and your headphones attached, you can’t move around much.  Even sitting in a chair, cables get caught and unplugged as you move around.  And when you've got the AC adaptor hooked up, forget about moving at all!  That was one thing I did like about the Pocket Rock-It for Bass -- it plugged right in to the bass, eliminating at least that cord.  The PX4B does have a wireless headphone option and Korg was even giving a pair of wireless headphones away free when I bought mine, however they didn't work very well for me (i.e., very staticy).

Anyway, it sounds like the Ampworks Bass is a winner.  If I didn't already have the Pandora, I'd be tempted to get one myself at this price!

[Xrix]

I tested that Ampworks effect when it first came out, and thought it was very noisy indeed. That was a while ago, so I haven't tested it with an Ashbory.
The PX4 and PX4 B went out of production: the musicstore I work in bought a leftover stock (about 70 pieces of each) and sold them for about 70 euro a piece. Pretty good value (the PX4 sold out in a matter of days).
Korg has introduced the PX4 D now: suitable for both guitar and bass, and at the old price of 150- 170 euro...

I use a cheap-ass Dean Bass-in-a-box headphone amp, quite noisy too, but only 25 euro, so I don't mind...

Xrix.

[Brock]

Like many Korg offerings (with the exception of their Ampworks Bass, obviously!), it just costs too much in my opinion.  The PX4B should be $149 tops or even $99.

There's not a chance I'd paid $150 for the Ampworks like they normally go for... ...I agree, that's awfully spendy for a headphone amp.

Another problem with the PX4B is the portability factor.  By the time you get your bass plugged in and your headphones attached, you can’t move around much.  Even sitting in a chair, cables get caught and unplugged as you move around.  And when you've got the AC adaptor hooked up, forget about moving at all!  That was one thing I did like about the Pocket Rock-It for Bass -- it plugged right in to the bass, eliminating at least that cord.  

Brother Bob had a Rock-It guitar preamp and it was a noisy piece of trash, but that plug into the instrument factor was smooth.

Anyway, it sounds like the Ampworks Bass is a winner.  If I didn't already have the Pandora, I'd be tempted to get one myself at this price!

It's pretty nice for $50. I tried some $1 headphones with it last night and using the bulky and comfortable Audio Technicas I already have does make for a better sounding experience no doubt. I typically have (or can make) room on a carry-on for the bulky headphones and the sorta bulky Ampworks. I haven't played an Ashbory on a plane in flight since the '90s. I smell bass fun the next time I fly!


-Brock