Amp help? Love my tone... need more power!!!

[Din Of Win]

Hey all,

So at this point in my bass carrear, i have a pretty good idea of what my tone should sound like... kindaaaa overdriven-y, but still largely clean, but, with an option to GET dirtier if i need/want.

I have three heads right now... an early model GK 400rb, a late 60's Kustom200, and a 70's Traynor YBA-3 all tube head.

I love the sounds from all of these... but i feel like i need some more headroom. The two most powerful heads i've had were a GK 800rb and a Peavey Mark VI... but the 800rb wasn't THAT much louder than my 400rb so i got rid of it, and ultimately, the Peavey, though mighty reliable, just didn't have a tone i liked, so that went away as well.

So... what should i look into? I want solidstate. My Traynor is heavy enough, i don't really want to lug around a 300w tube head... I'm thinking about a GK 1001 or 2002 or maybe one of their hybrids... but, my knowledge or higher powered solid state amps is pretty lousy. Genz Benz? Mesa? Ashdown?

I'm open to anything, and would like to stay in the sub-$1000 range (used is a-ok!). I'm playing a wide array of styles... mostly pit stuff for musicals, so something that can handle the electric and DB would be nice... other than that more pop-oriented punk and indie rock stuff (whatever THAT label means these days ).

Thanks for the help!

[lomo]

You haven't given any cab info. More cone area is the best way to get louder.

[MuzikMan]

You should probably look into a larger or multiple cabinets if you want more headroom. What cabs are you using now?

[Din Of Win]

I have a 4x10 newer Acoustic, a 1x5 Peavey cab with an after market Jensen, and a 70's Acoustic 6x10.

I've done the cab thing and recently got rid of an 8x10, a 2x15 and a 4x12. For gigs like a musical, space is an issue... so i can't REALLY get much bigger than a 4x10/1x15/2x12... also hauling a ginormous cab is a pain... it was fun when i was 21 playing in loud bands... but not so much these days...

[father of fires]

I'm almost in the same boat. I've wanted a 400RB since I recorded with one. I've been looking at 700RB's and 1001RB's and I like them a lot too. My goal right now is to find a lighter weight 4x10 (around 60lbs) that can handle a higher wattage head (like the 1001).

I got tired of dragging my Acoustic 370/301 upstairs in DC rock clubs. I'm done with the amp warship thing.

I have a Schroeder 2x15 that is about 70lbs. It is bigger and louder than the Acoustic 4x10 (plus it's 4ohm).

I live in B-more we could meet up if you want to try any of your heads with a larger more efficient cab. I would love to hear this cab with a 400RB!

I ran a fuzz pedal into a 200 watt Peavey slave amp and that cab kept up with a heavy drummer and Marshall 1/2 stack.

Good luck on your search!

Edit: When I say the 2x15 is larger, I mean slightly bigger than the 4x10 but much bigger sound. The dimension are roughly 24"wide x 30"high.

[jeff7bass]

Peavey’s got a new class D head coming out called the Headliner for $300.00 (MF.com). It is 600w (@ 4 ohms) and has a built-in overdrive/distortion circuit that only affects the mid-high frequencies, leaving the low-end unaffected. Drop this on an Avatar TB153 or B212 NEO and you’ll be rocking for less than a grand.

[Alex1984]

You can try to hunt down the YBA-3A, Super Custom Special. 230W.

[Freddels]

There a lot of talk about the Carvin B2000.

Another option if you like the GK tone is to get one of the little MB200 amps and then get an amp like QSC 1804 (or one of the other amps) and run the little GK as a preamp into it.

[cheezewiz]

From what you describe, a GK 1001rb sounds like the way to go.

[scottbass]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

I have three heads right now... an early model GK 400rb, a late 60's Kustom200, and a 70's Traynor YBA-3 all tube head.

I love the sounds from all of these...

I had a late 60's Kustom 200 back in the day. While I appreciate its place in history and the overall cool factor of the tuck-n-roll naugahyde, I can't honestly say I ever loved the sound it put out...

For pit orchestra work, I think you need a very efficient, non-coloring cab. Can you locate someone in your area with a fEARful cab and try it with your amps? That might just be the solution you are looking for.