The Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head is a Warwick amplifier, currently around $816.97. Close alternatives include the Warwick PA 300 Bass Power Amp Head and the Trace Elliot ELF 200-Watt 1x8 Bass Combo. It pairs well with the Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature and the Boss ODB-3.
Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head
Warwick · amplifier
The Warwick DS 500 Double Stage is a 500-watt bass amplifier head from the German manufacturer. The Double Stage designation points to a two-stage preamp arrangement, which typically allows a clean and a driven voice to be blended or switched. Independent coverage of Warwick amplification is limited compared with the company's bass guitars, so this description does not assert the exact preamp configuration. Buyers should confirm with the seller.
- solid
- eq
- stage
- clear
- punchy
- modern
- di
- direct recording
Good for
- Live
Price updated Aug 26, 2026
Genres the Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head is commonly used in
- Rock
- Acoustic
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Folk
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classical
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - World Music
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Alternative
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Pedals that stack with the Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
23% matchRun Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain
Boss ODB-3
Boss
19% matchRun Boss ODB-3 into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain
Carl Martin PlexiTone
Carl Martin
18% matchRun Carl Martin PlexiTone into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V3
EarthQuaker Devices
12% matchKeep Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head's transparent voice out front: EarthQuaker Devices Grand Orbiter V3 goes after Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head in the signal chain so its low gain voice doesn't muddy it
Wampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor
Wampler
9% matchWampler Mini Ego 76 Compressor's own compressed character is the real reason this is worth trying
Fender Hammertone Reverb
Fender
6% matchKeep Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head's transparent voice out front: Fender Hammertone Reverb goes in Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head's effects loop so its lush voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
6% matchKeep Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head's transparent voice out front: Old Blood Noise Endeavors BL-44 Reverse goes in Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head's effects loop so its ambient voice doesn't muddy it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Tone City Dry Martini
Tone City
tonal matchTone City Dry Martini is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head gives it exactly that
Cheaper alternatives
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Warwick PA 300 Bass Power Amp Head
Warwick
99% similaritysimilar tone character
Trace Elliot ELF 200-Watt 1x8 Bass Combo
Trace Elliot
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Trace Elliot ELF 120US
Trace Elliot
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Laney Nathan East Signature 1000-Watt Bass Head
Laney
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Mesa Boogie TT-800
Mesa Boogie
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Laney Digbeth 30W 1x10 Bass Combo
Laney
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head?+
The closest matches in character are the Warwick PA 300 Bass Power Amp Head, the Trace Elliot ELF 200-Watt 1x8 Bass Combo, the Trace Elliot ELF 120US. Budget picks: Warwick BC-150 Combo 150Watt/15Zoll, Hartke Lightweight Bass Amplifier, Laney Digbeth Foundry DBF50 Bass Combo. Boutique upgrades: EBS Magni 502 2x10 bass combo, Mesa Boogie Subway WD-800 Bass Head, EBS Magni 502 115.
What pairs well with the Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature, Boss ODB-3, Carl Martin PlexiTone — Run Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature into that transparent platform and it finally gets some low gain.
How much does the Warwick DS 500 Double Stage Bass Amp Head cost?+
Around $816.97 (live listing price, updated Aug 26, 2026).
Compare
- vs Warwick BC-150 Combo 150Watt/15Zoll
- vs Warwick PA 300 Bass Power Amp Head
- vs Trace Elliot ELF 200-Watt 1x8 Bass Combo