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—or di
When I decided to attempt playing bass, I bought a Behringer GX112 off Craigslist. The fellow I bought it from was playing bass through it and had just put everything aside. Turns out it's not specifically a bass amp, but a combo amp the guy was playing bass through. It works well enough for home use, and I bought it because it has a lineout (in case I wanted to plug into a sound board).
Turns out the church has two bass amps, so I don't need to bring my own. On the other hand, I've been considering a Fender Rumble 40, because it's a true bass amp.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Guitar-Lo...06.40.59-L.jpg
The main amp consists of an Aguilar DB680 preamp into a Crown K2 power amp diving a pair of Euphonic Audio VL210 speaker cabinets. The only photo I have available is this from an outdoor winter gig (standing on ice). My smaller amp is an Eden WTX500 driving a TC Electronic RS210 cabinet.https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net...d7&oe=5CF11ABA
Since we're on the topic of bass amps, let me ask the assembled experts here a question that might tip the scales for me in the direction of a Rumble:
I hear a lot of "string whine" when playing any of my basses through the Behringer. Part of me suspects my clumsy fingerwork, another part of me suspects the amp is picking up more noise from my bass pickups than a true bass amp would.
Would a true bass amp reduce the sound of my finger movement on the strings?
My guess would be no. An amplifier amplifies what ever signal is fed to it so if there is string noise present it will make it louder. The speaker enclosure has more to do with an amp being a “bass amp”. If you’re using round wound strings you might try changing to flat wound to eliminate string noise.Quote:
Originally Posted by OldStrummer
Thanks. This isn't the first time flat wounds have been suggested. Maybe I should take my brand new Epiphone bass with its Dean Markely $teel$ amd have it set up with a set of flats. Any recommendations on brand/size?Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker
Willie -
I mostly use a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0T head/cab combo. it has 1-12 and a horn. MOST rooms I play can be filled with this. it weighs like 32 #. https://media.musiciansfriend.com/is...00-500x500.jpg
If I need more - I put it in the PA. I use the built in DI. Its fine.
I also use other cabs and an Ampeg portaflex 500 head.
I have a 2-10, and 1-12 cab that couple nicely with it - but I don't usually haul all of that. I also have a BBC Tank 212. It is an isobaric 2-12 cab. More power - small footprint.
Between them - I NEVER need more. I have our band PA so I put in what i want or what I need.
Old Strummer -
I would say this -
Bass amp will have a different frequency range that it emphasizes. New strings are new.
roll highs down or off - both on amp and bass itself, to taste.
If you are going to play bass - get a bass amp of some sort.
Take YOUR bass shopping if you are buying local - and make it sound like you want through things you try.
OR - use something similar.
if I didn't mention it - roll of highs. Roll down some mids while using the guitar amp. Turn ALL effects off. You dont' need them.
Thanks! Silly me, I forgot all about tweaking the amp knobs. I'm running clean on the GX112, but I think I have everything set to the middle. Right now I'm going to change that and see what happens!Quote:
Old Strummer -
I would say this -
Bass amp will have a different frequency range that it emphasizes. New strings are new.
roll highs down or off - both on amp and bass itself, to taste.
If you are going to play bass - get a bass amp of some sort.
Take YOUR bass shopping if you are buying local - and make it sound like you want through things you try.
OR - use something similar.
if I didn't mention it - roll of highs. Roll down some mids while using the guitar amp. Turn ALL effects off. You dont' need them.
I’m sorry but I just don’t think in terms of what is a “bass amp”. To me, any amp is a bass amp depending on how you set it up. When I started playing bass we were all using Fender Single or Dual Showman Amps for bass and there was no special “bass circuitry” involved. There were many, many hit records recorded with Shownam amps as the bass amp. Over the years I tried sticking JBL E140 speakers in my Dual Showman cabinet and found they didn’t work. No fault of the amp, the cabinet wasn’t ported so the excursion of the cone couldn’t be realized. Over time I learned what makes for goodbass and what doesn’t and it is all involved with cabinet design and speakers used. My EA cabinets are high-fi transmission-line speakers that drive bass like there’s no tomorrow. Every bass player that sits in on my system is blown away by the sound they hear. I can make ANY amplifier a good bass amp (within reason, bass takes a lot of power) with the right speaker cabinet.
Laker no argument. That behringer isn't even close to what you are talking about. That is all.
Hartke B600 ---
Ive had it for YEARS -- love it-- perfect home bass amp-- only 60 watts so not good for "gigging" but I dont "gig" so alls well.
Ive owned a Marshall-- a couple fender rumbles-- peaveys -- a 1970 KUSTOM 150 15" (amazing amp but way too damn LOUD for home use-- vol level 1 shook pics off shelves!!!)
all "flipped" out the Hartke just DOES the job and does it well.
though (again low volume home use) the ROLAND CUBE Bass 20XL is certainly looking feature packed-- and space saving
http://www.samsontech.com/site_media..._docs/B600.jpg
The Fender RUMBLE ---if I didnt HAVE the Hartke --or it melts or gets blown away in a hurricane etc.--- would be my second choice the 2 I had were VERY nice -- good LOW thump -- light-- easy to move around-- and cheap-- perfectQuote:
Originally Posted by OldStrummer
As you might remember, I have my Ampeg. V4B head and an Ampeg Heritage cab. I also have a Rumble 350. I love my Ampeg, but I use the Rumble at band practice. I’ve had lots of compliments on the Rumble. It’s a great little combo.
I was using a Carvin B2000 with a 2x15 cabinet, then I found this Ampeg SVT 1000. This is by far the best sounding bass amp I have ever played through.
http://i.imgur.com/0fZdIZW.jpg
Plus, I still have my all-original V4-B as backup.
http://i.imgur.com/lX3lWFR.jpg
I used to have a SWR Workingman 10 with the matching extension cab that I personally found to be a great amp for home use and jamming with acoustic players. I even played a 'gig' with it once (pig roast). These get put down because of reliability issues. I think it was more of a QC issue, you either got a good one or it was junk. Very hard to find now. All the junk are in the landfills and the good ones don't come up for sale. I think one of those would be perfect for church gigs or coffee house.
I currently have an Acoustic 260 mini stack. I compared these to the Ampeg mini SVT and preferred it. The first one had a wonky input jack (they're plastic) and I returned it. I later bought one off CL, the owner put new casters on the tilt back bottom. It's waiting for a bass to play through it.
I used to own a bunch of cool tube bass heads! Ampeg V4B, SUNN Model T, Nomad Bass 300 (custom Fender/Marshall circuitry but only about 120 watts). LOVED the sound and they were perfect for clubs, but too loud for church and not loud enough for outside gigs. I’ve played many different speaker cabs, but prefer Ampeg. Currently own 2 6X10’s and 2 of the 2X10 Mini SVT cabs. I sold my tube heads except for the FlipTop. I bought an Ashdown head that sounds great, gets me about 85% of the tone I had with my tube heads. It has compression, OD, and a DI. It sounds and feels a lot like my V4B but is lighter and easier to control volume wise.
When I play at church I use a BBE OptoStomp compressor and a SansAmp Bassdriver into their rig. It gets a nice tone that doesn’t need much external processing.
One of the main things I do is turn off the horns in the cabs I use, they all sound horrible to me.
I would like to say CHUCK--- "like" to that post -------
Chuck’s my bass question guru.
Kenny, I’ve played through one of those GBs. Excellent.
I’m really at a loss reading this thread. It seems like,after playing bass in several successful bands/venues, I’ve done everything wrong. When I needed to play at a low volume I turned my amp down, and when an explosive bass was needed, I turned my amp up and made tonal adjustments to get my sound.
I’m totally missing the apparent mystery of playing bass. I just strap the sucker on,plug it into an amp, and adjust that amp to give me the sound I want that fits the occasion. BadaBing Bada Boom playing bass 101 .
Kind of my point(s)Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker
I HAD a 2-15 cab - too much to big to carry everywhere
I HAD a SVT410 HLF - more than I needed and although I could turn it down, I found myself the PA Guy for my band
I have had other bigger cabs, but honestly my current setup works well and if I need more - I add it into the PA.
Truth be told - I don't even own a bass pedal.
I have to engineer my gear purchases to fit my needs both financially, and physically (size/weight).
everyone has there own "What works for me". Sometimes it takes a little while to find what that is.
Glad you found yours sir.
OOOh - me likey!
And I have the same mixer that you have in behind there....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strings Jr.
When using an actual amp and cab, I play through my Ampeg PF500 and PF115HE cab. Great little workhorse.
When I was gigging regularly - and supplying PA - I used a SansAm RBI direct into the board, monitored via IEM. Best setup ever.
Here's the Ampeg rig in action....
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/j5...w=w662-h882-no
Where's the LUST button when you need it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Strings Jr.
Fixin to use this one---------never owned an ashdown -- seems a good cherry popper for sure. Rootmaster 220watt......
https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...xxid8fyhac.jpg
Score!
500.00 amp-- 160.00 to my door -- yep thats a "win" ;)
Shit! What a deal!
I wasnt looking for a larger amp---Ive never played through an Ashdown dont even know if I will like it --but at that price---I figured worst case I sell it on craigslist for 200.00 :dude
Ashdown has a great rep. I’m really curious about how that bugger sounds.
Ill be happy to report in.
Havent had a bass amp OVER 150 watts in decades---- so should be FUN! :)
I think you’ gonna love it! They’re great amps, I got turned onto them about 15 years ago. I’d always been a tube guy but I think the Ashdown circuit can get really close.
Laker: I’m sure I come off sounding like a pretentious tone snob. That’s totally NOT my intention. I’ve done professional live sound for almost 20 years now, and I find bass instruments to be the most challenging thing to get to sound “right”. They need to be big and fat without being muddy, cut through without sounding harsh, and not compete with the guitars in the midrange. I love tube bass amps, but don’t find them very flexible volume wise. I like to have some “grind” and natural tube compression in my sound. But I’ve found with most tube bass amps there’s a very narrow window on the volume pot throw where I hit that sweet spot. Just me, my experience. The other thing I have found is that with bass frequencies, the soundwave is really long. So standing in front of your amp sounds different than 8ft out, 20ft out, back of the room. I’ve found ways to get my sound onstage, not too loud, and send the sound guy a nice representation of that to let the PA do the work. Back in the day PA systems were horrible, why everyone was playing walls of amps. Now though? You can plug into a preamp and have no stage volume if you so choose.
Sorry, I got to rambling there! It’s easy for me to do as I love geeking out on sound. I really hope you didn’t take anything I said as a slight, or even worse as if I was preaching the Gospel of sound. There’s so many different ways to do it, and I love learning about how others work. I’m very opinionated about what I like, but keep an open mind and listen to others. Hopefully I’ll learn something new!
Heres the thing. Get hung up in the playing - not in the Gear. At the same time - get the right gear to get hung up into the playing.
It doesn't have to be ultra expensive or high end, but should be at least adequate. I would love more rig - more me. The truth is - this enough for home - bedroom, and most smaller to moderate rooms. I have done outside shows with it. That 1-12 cab carried a 200 seat room all night long - not in the PA this time. its 450 watts at 8 ohms. It wasn't dimed or pushed Real hard.
If you don't mind hauling more - haul all you want. More is definitely fuller, etc. I have a sansamp RBI and a Peavey IPR 5000 which is like 900 watts at 8 ohms, with two channels if needed. I don't take it out much.
This is from last night - I wasn't hurtin for anything sound/gear wise.
YMMV
https://www.facebook.com/william.wei...7994687521500/
Thanks Chuck--funny you mention tubes-- ORIGINALLY I was online looking for the little VOX 50 with "nutube" -- to get tube tone----however this popped up and was a hair over HALF what a 50 watt vox cost----220 watts-- ASHDOWN for SHORT money ----I had too:roflmao:roflmao:roflmao
Volumeknob - can't wait to hear how you dig that when it arrives!Quote:
Originally Posted by Volumeknob
Stay Low my friend!
Absolutely no offense in what you are saying. If you look up the specs on my Aguilar preamp you will find it was designed for use in the recording studio. I have “dialed in” my sound with the preamp and, with the use of my Crown amp and speaker cabinets, I can create whatever bass configuration that is required from studio work to playing small venues or festival stages. Every soundman I have worked with for the last 20 years absolutely been in love with the system I put on stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckocaster
I realize that we’re talking about “apples and oranges” with a lot of this discussion. I haven’t had the need for the use of a little combo amp ever in my playing career so I cannot offer any contribution to what is the best in that arena.
As I originally said I do have a little Eden WTX500 driving a TC Electronic cabinet that does really well in a lounge setting. If required I’ll bring out some vintage stuff like a Dual Showman if that is the requirement.
been that way my whole life not gonna stop now ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankJohnson
Laker: right on brother! 👍 I do my best to keep my stage volume down, and that’s kinda hard with tube amps. ESPECIALLY 70’s era ones without a master volume!!! 😂
Well its here----and I am testing it now VS the HARTKE 600!!!!
https://images.reverb.com/image/uplo...xxid8fyhac.jpg
Hartke WINS-- anyone want a great deal on an ASHDOWN?????
I'm sorry that the Ashdown wasn't what you wanted. On the other hand, now you hear how good the Hartke is.
Wow, really? I’m sorry it didn’t sound good! And here I was expounding the awesomeness of Ashdown... Just curious what your impression was of it, I’ve only played the heads. Mine is a 500 watter and the other was 800? I would think that they used a similar circuit in this one. Well, I’m glad you have an amp you like. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Hey, I played our weekly jam session last night using my Aguilar/Crown/EA setup (one cabinet) and I was still (after twenty years with it) blown away with what my system does. Life as a bass player as we know it is still wonderful.
Hey guys
I am not "bashing" the Ashdown line in general-- I think this particular one was built to a proce point if you know what I mean-
1. 220 watts??? I dont think so-- my 1970 150 watt KUSTOM 150 watter would BLOW IT ACROSS THE ROOM ---so-- thumb down to the Ashdown
2. the cabinet -- THIN -- not opening it to see if its ply or press-- but its THIN wood -- it buzzes and rattles like a pocket transistor radio on HIGH volume--
In the same week I scored a VOX Ba50 NUTBE -- tiny little 8 inch speaker 2 baffles plastic box
https://youtu.be/4vvTc8RGCjE
I was UNDERWHELMED by the Ashdown
I was SHOCKED at the tone (at LOW volume of course) of the VOX
of the 2.
the VOX delivered as advertised -- tone for low volume
the ashdown........under delivered on a good moniker-- shame
I would like to try a head-- if I didnt need to FLIP the Ashdown I might just rip it apart and use the head --- or try a different speaker----maybe som braces to keep the cabinet stable-- just didn't bring the LOW I expected of a 220 watt Ashdown
live and learn and flip the burns
signature material stuff there
"Live and learn and flip the burns"
muchas grassyass
I want the Ampeg SVT's I've seen here.
I use these two. Victoria 45/410 Bassman knockoff (I use the Clark version for guitar) and a Bergantino B/Amp with one or two HG 3/10 speakers.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4351/...46111e8c_k.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4344/...897aba8c_k.jpg
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4390/...8ec1500c_k.jpg
I forgot my own gear. I have a Fender Rumble 40 and a Rumble 350. These are great sounding amps for small gigs. Of course my Ampeg V4b and HLF 4x10 cab are my jewels. I love that amp.
We do indeed live in a great time as bass players! As much as I love vintage gear, the new technology has REALLY helped with reproducing bass frequencies. Especially from a live sound engineer perspective.Quote:
Originally Posted by Laker
And I totally understand what you mean VK, they probably skimped on the combo amps. I have no experience with them, only the stacks. I run my head through my Ampeg 6X10, which as crazy as it sounds, is easier to transport than the 4X10 I had... go figure
Fender Rumble 800 Head
either two GK 112-2 cabs
or one GK 112-2 and one GK 115 cab
and with either combination a 12" Mid Range Horn with bandwidth filter crossover I custom built a few years ago.
I have three bass amps, an Ampeg V4B and two Rumble combos. The Rumble 350 changed my mind about ss bass amps. It's fantastic, and I always get compliments on the sound, from both musicians, and the real music lovers I play for. And it does well with each of my basses.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubbalou88
Ampeg PF500, Fender 65 Twin RI (through a bass cab), an old Gallien-Krueger 200RB, Sansamp VT Bass and Blonde pedals, Kemper Profiling Amp. Mostly just recording in to my DAW and have all the major bass amp plugins too.
Since I only play in the studio, I don't have real bass amps: I record through a tube preamp and then sometimes use virtual amps. I have the UA Eden and Ampeg B15 amps (along with a bunch of others, but these two are the ones is use the most), and will either add the amp or just let the DI tone stand alone.
I did play bass for about a year in a local band, and played through their bass amp, which is a real gas. :)
Nothing like the rumble through the guts via a good bass amp. I've been using a modeler for my bass recordings, but I'm going to mic my Ampeg V-4B or Fender Rumble 350. I'll see how that goes, might have to return to a modeler or preamp.
I've been playing for over 40 years. This has included touring and doing music for television. I have used Ampeg, Ashdown, Eden, Fender, Gallien Kreuger, Hartke and Peavey. For the last 10 years, I have used various Ampeg amps including an SVT CL, SVT 4 Pro, SVT 6 Pro and SVT 7 Pro. My favorite setups are my U.S. made SVT CL with a U.S. made SVT 810 and my 1972 SVT head and 810 cab. Depending on the venue, I will use my U.S. made SVT 410HLF cab instead of the 810.
I love my Ampeg Heritage 4x10
dang, dude, that SVT is one of my dream amps. I had a mini SVT stack back when they first came out. Fun little thing but crapola parts, shame.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kmonk
I had a V-4 back in the day, sold it to pay medical bills from a motorcycle accident because I didn't have health insurance. wish I still had that beast.
The only thing I regret about quitting live performance is that while I play it in my room and that's fun, I don't use the V-4B to full effect. Still sounds good at lower volumes, sooooo
I'm mostly a guitarist, but plunk away on bass just enough.
My bass amp is an Ampeg BA112, just enough juice to do what I need. |I also have an old Supro Taurus head in storage (my parent's garage...) that |I need to liberate one of these days
if I could have any bass amp at all, it would be the Ampeg B15N fliptop.
I have no need for an SVT, or a Boogie 400 bass (I think those sound absolutely killer, but a dozen 6L6 tubes in there gets awful spendy when they need replacing.)
I used to sell this stuff, so I've tried any of the big name brands a million times. GK is pretty nice. i don't mind Harke amps, but I don't care for the aluminum speakers.
I'm only played a few cheaper Ashdowns, |I like the sound, but I don't know about reliability. David Eden and MarkBass make nice stuff.
Not as familiar with the boutique stuff, though.
I was gifted a couple of rack units, one was some sort of 400 watt bass amp, can't remember if it was Peavey or Mesa. Never played it as I didn't have a cab. Can't remember what became of it. It had been on a shelf in my garage forever and probably got recycled at the metal or electronics section of the local dump. It conceivably could be in the storage unit but I have no recollection of putting it in there so I think it is now past tense. I remember it being immensely heavy.
https://mesaboogie.com/support/out-o.../bass-400.htmlQuote:
Originally Posted by DanTheBluesMan