The Guitar Sanctuary is proud to present the Darkglass Electronics Microtubes 500v2 Compact Bass Head. Designed in Helsinki, Finland, the M500v2 packs 500 Watts of pristine, high-efficiency Class-D power into a sleek chassis weighing just 5.3 lbs—delivering an uncompromised blend of versatile clean headroom, legendary analog overdrive, and modern digital IR flexibility for stage and studio bassists.
Dual Microtubes Engine: B3K & Vintage Voicings
At the core of the Microtubes 500v2 is an all-analog preamplifier featuring Darkglass's renowned dual overdrive circuits. Toggle seamlessly between the aggressive, percussive bite of the B3K® Engine for punchy modern metal and progressive tone, or engage the warm, harmonic tube-like saturation of the Vintage Microtubes (VMT) Engine for classic rock and organic mid-range growl. An integrated one-knob studio compressor with intelligent makeup gain ensures your signal stays balanced and tight across every dynamic level.
Precision Tone Shaping & High-Resolution Cabinet Simulation
Upgraded from previous iterations, the v2 features an ultra-quiet, studio-grade 6-band graphic equalizer allowing pinpoint control over your frequencies. For recording direct or running silent stage monitoring, the onboard cabinet emulator holds 3 custom high-resolution Impulse Responses (IRs)—selectable right from the front panel. Connect via USB-C to the free Darkglass Suite software to edit parameter depth or load your own favorite third-party IRs directly into the unit.
Product Intelligence Summary:
- Best For: Live Gigging, Studio Recording, Silent Stage / In-Ear Rigs, Modern Metal, Progressive, Classic Rock, Worship
- Tone Profile: Dynamic, Articulate, Punchy, Warm Vintage Grit, or Aggressive Modern Saturation
- Compared To: Darkglass Microtubes 900v2, Aguilar Tone Hammer 500, Bergantino B|Amp
- Made In: Helsinki, Finland
- Sanctuary Expert Note: "The Microtubes 500v2 is the ultimate 'grab-and-go' solution for the working bassist. Whether plugging straight into a front-of-house PA with IR cabinet simulation or pushing a 4x10 cab on stage, it delivers massive headroom with zero back strain."
Key Technical Specifications:
- Power Output: 500W RMS @ 4 Ohms / 250W RMS @ 8 Ohms
- Power Amp: Custom-designed High-Efficiency Class-D Module
- Preamplifier: All-Analog Solid-State with Active/Passive Input Toggle
- Drive Circuits: Microtubes Engine (Selectable B3K® and Vintage Microtubes voicings)
- Dynamics & EQ: One-knob Compressor (intelligent makeup gain) + Ultra-quiet 6-band Graphic EQ (±12dB at 80Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1.5kHz, 3kHz, and 5kHz)
- Cabinet Simulation: 3 High-Res IR Slots (active for XLR DI Output and Headphone Output)
- Connectivity: 1/4" Instrument Input, Speakon / 1/4" Combo Speaker Jack, Balanced XLR DI Out (with Ground Lift and Cab Select), Serial FX Loop (Send/Return), 3.5mm Aux In, 1/4" Headphone Out, USB-C Port, Intelligent Footswitch Jack
- Dimensions: 9" x 7" x 2.75" (23cm x 18cm x 7.1cm)
- Weight: 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg)
Passive/Active: Use this push-button switch to change from passive to active mode. If your bass is active it can have a hotter signal making the amp to distort early (feel free to use if such additional distortion is desired).
Microtubes: Use this push button to turn on or off the Microtubes Engine to add natural compression, organic harmonic enhancement, and saturation ranging from mild overdrive to high gain bass rage.
Compression
Drive: This knob controls the amount of distortion that the Microtubes Engine will deliver. It will change from a soft warm overdrive to a massive modern distortion sound.
Tone: This knob controls the high harmonic content of the Microtubes Engine via a variable low pass filter: crank it up for additional attack and definition or dim it down for a smoother sound, especially handy if already running bright clean EQ setting or cabinets with tweeters.
Level: Use this knob to control Microtubes Engine’s output volume.
Blend: Use this knob to mix between the Clean signal and the Distortion signal (Microtubes Engine).
B3K/VMT: This push-button switch selects between two overdrive voicings: B3K® mode will deliver an aggressive, percussive sound while the VMT will bring up the mids for a warmer, more neutral character.
Bass: +-12dB at 80Hz. Use this knob to change the low content of the signal.
Mids: +-12dB at 250, 500,1.5K and 3Khz. This graphic eq control the mid content of the signal.
Treble: +-12dB at 5kHz. Use this knob to change the high content of the signal.
Master: Use this knob to control the overall volume of the amplifier.
Mute: Use this push button to mute the amplifier.
Back Panel Features
Speaker Output: Use this connector to connect the amplifier to your cabinet. This Speakon combo jack allows for either Speakon or ¼” speaker cable operation. (WARNING: Do not use an instrument cable with this jack. Using an instrument cable can damage your amplifier.)
Send: Use this output to send the signal to effects pedals.
Return: Use this input to receive the signal from effects pedals. Master volume control is after this input.
Ground Lift: Use this control to lift the ground of the DI XLR output. If you are experiencing ground noise in your DI signal try changing the setting of this control.
DI Output: Use this connector to send your signal to the console, mic preamp, interface, etc. Both signals are available (Bypass and the amp signal with cabinet simulation) and are switched from the cab select switch.
USB: The USB connector allows you to use the Darkglass Suite to load different cabinet impulses or change different parameters on your amp.
Headphone Output: Connect your Headphones and enjoy the impulse based cabinet emulation.
AUX IN: Use this connector to provide to the Headphone output music from your laptop, cellphone, mp3 player, etc.
Cabinet Select: Use this switch to navigate between the 3 different cabinet impulses or the clean DI signal.
Footswitch: The Optional Intelligent Footswitch is proprietary digitally controlled device that allows you to remotely engage and disengage the Microtubes Engine. You can also hold the footswitch to Mute the amplifier. The VMT/B3K® push button will remain operational with the Intelligent Footswitch plugged in. (Note: You can use a regular mono instrument cable to connect the amplifier to the footswitch, You must remove the cable from the footswitch jack in the rear panel if you want to control the amp from the front panel.)
AC Socket: Use this connector to feed electric power to the amplifier. 100 - 230 VAC, 50Hz-60.
AC Power ON/OFF: Use this Switch to release the audio energy from your bass.
No user-serviceable parts inside the amplifier. Do not open the amp.
Never use the amp at a high moisture environment or near liquids.
The Microtubes 500 can deliver more than 115 dB of power. Exposure to this level of sound can damage your hearing. Use proper hearing protection if you will be exposed.
The Microtubes 500 can deliver more than 500 Watts. Be sure that your speaker cabinet is able to deliver that power.
Do not cover the vent holes. The Fan and vent holes are part of the cooling system of the amp. Covering the vent holes can damage the power amp by overheating it.
Don’t use an instrument cable as speaker cable. An instrument cable is not designed to deliver the type of power signals sent from the amplifier to the speaker.
We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10am until 6pm CDT.
Any order placed before 3pm CDT Tuesday through Saturday is processed for shipment the same day. Orders placed Sunday-Monday will be processed for shipment the following Tuesday.
For Free Shipping items, Effects pedals and small goods items are generally shipped via USPS Ground Advantage, and Guitars and Amplifiers are generally shipped via UPS Ground.
Due to our central location in the middle of the US, most orders will be delivered within 1-3 days delivery time.
Other shipping methods are available (at an additional cost), including next day air.
Please call us directly at (972)540-6420 if you have any questions regarding shipping for your order.
