Amp Suggestion: 80% of the sound 100% of the time.

supadupada · #1 12-19-2011, 09:18 AM

Hey, long time lurker here finally needing some feedback.

I am in the market for a new setup and I've come to a few conclusions there is no such as an amp that can sound like everything out there perfectly. Otherwise we'd all own that aready. What I am looking for is an amp setup that will sound good, but maybe not great for a lot of diffrent sounds. I guess what I mean by this is that, and Ampeg sounds like an Ampeg and SWR sounds like an SWR. An SWR will never be an AMPEG and vice versa. However is there an amp/setup that say can nail the sound 80-85% of them time for both? I like both modern and old school tones, but I can't afford two diffrent rigs for when I am in two different moods.

I've been looking at the Genz Benz Shuttle Max amps and they seem like the might fit the bill for me.

My intention was to get a either the ShuttleMax 9.2 or 12 and use the 4x10 for band practice, a 2x10 for living room practice and then the 2x10 on top of the 4x10 for the on live outdoor concert I play in every year.

Thoughts?

Supadupada

HolmeBass · #2 12-19-2011, 09:25 AM

I think the Genz Benz stuff would be perfect for that, just add the Tech 21 VT Bass character pedal to cover the Ampeg side (or even just the Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver).

wcriley · #3 12-19-2011, 09:27 AM

A decent modeling-type preamp, a power amp, and a hi-fi speaker cab should you there.

jnewmark · #4 12-19-2011, 10:35 AM

I've tried alot of the newer, lightweight bass heads, and was a pre/power user for 20 years. I now use a carvin BX1500 and could'nt be happier. Lots of options as far as EQ goes for whatever tones you want, a compressor, the ability to run stereo, or Bi amp with a built in crossover, 2 ohm capable, bridge to a 4 ohm load with 1500 watts, weighs in at about 11 lbs. I was especially pleased with the switchable graphic EQ, to the point where I don't even need the para EQ. Last time I looked, the BX1500 was going for $499.

sad_katz · #5 12-19-2011, 11:59 AM

My personal favorite is a ShuttleMAX 9.2 with a VT Bass pedal for the jack-of-all-trades kind of sound.

FET channel for the tight, punchy tone. Tube channel for a warmer, not-so-vintagey tone.
Slap in a VT Bass pedal and you can get more vintage sound with additional grind/distortion if needed.

It won't sound *exactly* the same, but I reckon it can cover popular amp sounds at 70%~80% accuracy. It will need knob twiddling but it'll go there.

*HIJACK*
I wonder if the VT Bass can cop the vintage Fender tone too

domestique · #6 12-19-2011, 12:02 PM

What ohms are you cabs? The 9.2 is better for 8ohm set ups as you will be able to get more watts from it, while the 12.0 is better for 4 ohm cabs.

supadupada · #7 12-19-2011, 12:06 PM

I have not settled on cabs yet. Any suggestions? Perhaps the Uber cabs from Genz Benz. I saw a Dr. Bass 6x10 for a decent price nearby as well in greats condition. This is sort of a from scratch startup. I currently play SWR gear now. I have a Workingman's 4x10.

supadupada · #8 12-19-2011, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domestique

What ohms are you cabs? The 9.2 is better for 8ohm set ups as you will be able to get more watts from it, while the 12.0 is better for 4 ohm cabs.

If I get the 9.2 I would be getting two 8 ohm cabs to drive them at 4 Ohms.

If I got the 12.0 I would get two 4 ohm cabs. Or if I wanted to be really crazy one 4 ohm and two 8 ohm cabs and run any combonation of 2x10 4x10 or 6x10.

MuzikMan · #9 12-19-2011, 12:14 PM

Your best bet for versitility is to get a cab that does not add its own color. This is best accomplished with a 2 way or 3 way design. I am not well versed in commercial offerings but Acme comes to mind. There are several DIY designs (such as fEARful) that are available as well.

BassmanPaul · #10 12-19-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supadupada

If I get the 9.2 I would be getting two 8 ohm cabs to drive them at 4 Ohms.

If I got the 12.0 I would get two 4 ohm cabs. Or if I wanted to be really crazy one 4 ohm and two 8 ohm cabs and run any combonation of 2x10 4x10 or 6x10.

Just make sure that the 2x10 has twice the impedance of your 4x10. This could be what you alluding to here but I wanted to be sure.

Selta · #11 12-19-2011, 12:51 PM

Don't be concerned with wattage... overall it's pretty insignificant. I would look at something like a SansAmp pre or pedal in front of a power amp. Or you could just get a few different pre's.

ksandvik · #12 12-19-2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Don't be concerned with wattage... overall it's pretty insignificant. I would look at something like a SansAmp pre or pedal in front of a power amp. Or you could just get a few different pre's.

Yes, usually purchase a specific bass amp if you want a specific sound that the amp provides, Ampeg, GK et rest.

If you just want a huge amount of colorization available, then use a Sansamp + Power amp. Cheaper, too.

**mikeddd** · #13 12-19-2011, 01:04 PM

I'll throw in a wildcard here. Presonus Studio Channel, channel strip and a decent pro sound poweramp (Crown/QSC/Peavey). With the exception of all-out distortion/fuzz, the SC can cop pretty much any sound thanks to it's very flexible parametric EQs (defeatable) and built in, variable compression (also defeatable). If you really need fuzz/distortion, throw a pedal in front of it and you are done.

I own a SC and a Demeter HBP-1 which is twice the price of the SC and I like the SC better. The controls on the SC just "make sense to your ears as you adjust them.

OH, and I strongly second the suggestion to get a neutral-sounding cab. Big time vote for a fEarful. Build one or pay to have one built. A 15/6 fEarful with at least a REAL 500 watts of amp behind it will knock you clean out of your shoes. And you'll like it.

supadupada · #14 12-23-2011, 08:18 AM

I think after some consideration of money/time and consideration I think my best option of both having a Ampeg and SWR sound is go with a quality power amp and seprate preamp and a transparent cabniet of some variety.

I already have a QSC GX5 just laying around I could use for a while. I would prefer having something quietier though as the fan noise is somewhat loud for my tastes.

What I really want to try then is a SWR Intersteller Overdrive. I've managed to locate one in really good condition, but I have no idea what to offer price wise.

This is what I am thinking.
Warwick -> Amp Switch Stompbox -> (A. SWR ISO - Line Mixer) or (B. Ampeg SVP - Line Mixer) -> QSC GX5