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Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500

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$999.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (3)

3 Critic Reviews

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Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 V2

$699.00 - $999.99

5.0 (2)

Find out who is using Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500

5 community setups

0 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jun 20, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 20, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (10)

$999.99 1 available New

$622.71 2 available Used

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Average Price: $811

High-end/Boutique

$200

$801+

Price Tier

In the Bass Amplifier Heads category, Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Meet the Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500, a bass amplifier head that merges cutting-edge technology with powerful sound, delivering an exceptional experience for bassists of all genres. This amp head is engineered to provide the tonal clarity and versatility that modern bass players demand, whether you're on stage or in the studio.

The Darkglass Microtubes 500 sets itself apart with its innovative hybrid design, combining a solid-state preamp with a Class D power section. This allows for a dynamic range and punchy tones that maintain their integrity even at high volumes. With the built-in Microtubes Engine, you can seamlessly switch between clean and overdriven sounds, giving you the flexibility to shape your tone on the fly.

The amp head is compact yet robust, featuring an intuitive control layout that includes a 4-band EQ with a mid-frequency selector, providing precise tone shaping. Additionally, it includes an auxiliary input, headphone output, and balanced XLR DI output, making it an ideal choice for both live performances and recording sessions.

For those who crave convenience without sacrificing sound quality, the Microtubes 500 is a standout option. Its USB interface for firmware updates ensures that your amp stays up-to-date with the latest enhancements, offering you a future-proof investment.

Key Features:

500 watts of power with Class D amplification
Solid-state preamp with Microtubes Engine for clean and overdriven tones
4-band EQ with mid-frequency selector
Aux input and headphone output for practice
Balanced XLR DI output for direct recording
USB interface for firmware updates and enhancements

Product specs

Brand	Darkglass Electronics
Model	Microtubes 500 500-Watt Bass Head
Finish	Silver
Year	2010s
Made In	Finland
Categories	Bass Heads
Electronics	Solid State
Number of Channels	1 Channel
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	500
Power Tube Type	None
Reverb	None

FAQs

What type of power does the Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 require?: The Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 is a solid-state bass amplifier head with a power output of 500 watts, making it suitable for a variety of performance settings.
Does the Microtubes 500 have any built-in effects?: The Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 does not include built-in effects like reverb, but it features an all-analog preamplifier and a digital impulse-response cabinet emulator for enhanced sound shaping.
Is the Darkglass Microtubes 500 suitable for live performances?: Yes, the Darkglass Microtubes 500, with its 500-watt output, is powerful enough for live performances and provides a robust and clear sound that cuts through the mix.
Can the Microtubes 500 be used for genres other than metal?: Absolutely, while the Darkglass brand is popular in the metal community, the Microtubes 500 is versatile enough for various music styles, offering both clean and overdriven tones.
How many channels does the Darkglass Microtubes 500 have?: The Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 features a single-channel design, focusing on delivering a consistent and powerful bass tone.

Videos

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The Bass Channel

Darkglass Microtubes 500 and DG210C Bass Demo

The Bass Channel

DARKGLASS MICROTUBES 500

BassTheWorld.com

Darkglass Microtubes 500 — 500-watt Bass Head Demo

Sweetwater

Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 [Demo]

Patrick Hunter

Darkglass Microtubes 500 Head and DG210c Cabinet | Review

Guitar Interactive Magazine

Darkglass Microtubes 500 Sound Demo (no talking)

Guitar Bonedo

Darkglass Microtubes 500 - Clean Sound

Gregor Fris

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile sound for both clean and gritty tones
Solid build quality enhances durability
Active and passive tones perform well
Clean channel surpasses expectations
Delivers exact tone customization
Lightweight yet powerful output
Offers impressive low end growl and high end clarity

CONS

Overwhelming options might confuse beginners
May necessitate upgrading other gear to match quality

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500.

Features and functionality

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The Darkglass Microtubes 900 V2 can run in 2-ohm mode, delivering 350W to an 8-ohm cabinet, providing a safety margin for a 400W speaker.
Source
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The Microtubes X line offers a variable clean low pass, allowing distortion to be applied only to the upper signal, which 5-string players find particularly beneficial.
Source

User experience

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Owners cite overheating issues with Darkglass 500 heads due to inferior fans, leading some to prefer the 900 V2 for its improved cooling system.
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Some users report the fan activates briefly every 30 minutes during low-volume play, but it's generally inaudible during band practice or live settings.
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A few owners have experienced unexpected shutdowns after extended use in hot practice spaces or gigs, suggesting potential heat management issues.
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A user switched from a Tech 21 Landmark 300 to a Darkglass Microtubes 500 for a warmer tone, indicating a strong preference for Darkglass in achieving desired sound quality.
Source

Comparisons

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The 900 V2 offers additional DI outputs and a second speakon/jack connector compared to the 500 V2, enhancing connectivity options.
Source
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Owners transitioning from Sansamp to Darkglass Microtubes report a newfound appreciation for midrange tones, moving away from Sansamp's midrange scoopiness.
Source

Use cases and applications

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For gigs with significant PA support, the 500 V2 provides adequate stage volume, but users wanting future expansion prefer the 900 V2 for headroom and flexibility.
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While some users focus on live settings, those using headphones note the lack of a dedicated volume control can be a limitation for direct headphone use.
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0 0

The Microtubes circuit is highly recommended for punk rock due to its bright, transparent distortion, unlike the AO circuit which suits heavier metal sounds.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Using a single Orange OBC115 cabinet limits the 500 V2 to around 325W output at 8 ohms, necessitating additional cabinets to fully utilize its power.
Source

Value and pricing

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Users feel the 900 V2's additional cost is justified by its feature set and future-proofing capabilities, even if current needs are met by the 500 V2.
Source

Other

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Customer service from Korg has been described as unhelpful in resolving issues with the amp cutting off unexpectedly after extended use.
Source

Critic Reviews

Darkglass Microtubes 500 Amp review | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Darkglass Microtubes 500 is a strong contender in the bass amp market, offering powerful tones and a sophisticated overdrive channel that will appeal to serious bass players. While praised for its sound quality and versatility, the amp's compact design presents challenges, with tightly packed controls that are hard to navigate. Despite these ergonomic issues, the amp's tonal capabilities and robust construction make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking high-end performance.

positive

Full Review

Darkglass Microtubes 500 Review - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass

bassmusicianmagazine.com

The Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 is a powerhouse amp with 500 watts of class D power, making it ideal for most gigs. Its lightweight, compact design boasts a robust aluminum housing, perfect for musicians on the go. The standout feature is the built-in Microtubes engine, offering both vintage and modern distortion options with the VMT and B3K settings, activated via an optional footswitch. The analog preamp provides a clean, warm, punchy tone with adjustable controls for personalized sound. While the review is glowing, it mentions the separate footswitch as a downside, but overall, it's a versatile and impressive package.

positive

Full Review

Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Darkglass Electronics' Microtubes 500 amp is a compact powerhouse, impressively combining the design and sound quality of its pricier sibling, the Microtubes 900. Its sleek aesthetics and robust sound make it a fantastic choice, especially for those seeking affordability without compromising on performance. However, the front panel can feel cluttered, and the small graphics are challenging to read in low-light settings. The amp shines with its transparent 500W ICEpower module, offering clean, detailed sound and one of the best overdrive experiences, making it a stellar choice for both rock enthusiasts and those preferring a clean, potent bass tone.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

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Brian Cook

Bassist, Keyboardist

SUMAC

Verified via Photo

Wrecked an SVT3 on tour and made the switch to this @darkglasselectronics Microtubes 500. Loving it.

Aaron Bruch

Bassist

Breaking Benjamin

Verified via Darkglass

"Darkglass is part of every show, 'My current rig is a dual channel Sennheiser EM 2050 wireless into a Radial JX62 switcher feeding a fractal audio Axe-Fx II with a Microtubes B7K Ultra in the FX loop', he tells us. 'The Axe sends two signals to front of house, It sends one direct signal that runs through a tube pre and a sub cab sim, the other is an amp channel with an Ampeg SVT model, the Microtubes B7K ultra and another cab sim. I send a 3rd line direct from my Microtubes 500. We blend the 3 tones and its by far my favorite bass tone I have ever had. We have no actual Cabs on stage so being able to run the microtubes 500 without an ohm load is perfect!'"

Silvia The Witch

Bassist

Necromancer's Tale

Verified via Facebook

Silvia The Witch is currently using the Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500 bass amplifier head for her live performances, as seen in a photo on Facebook.