Epifani PS600 for metal?

IllGottenGain · #1 01-30-2011, 06:53 PM

Hey everyone, I'm new here, and this is my first question for you guys. I have a Hartke HA5000 and a Hartke 4.5XL right now, and I want to buy an Epifani PS600. I haven't played on one yet, so I don't know for sure if it's the amp for me. I'm going to try one out next weekend. I wanted to know if anyone had any experience with these amps, and what kind of music you play. I'm in a progressive metal band and play a 6 string Peavey Cirrus. I don't use any overdrive or crunch; I prefer a clean sound for all the fretwork I do.

Any suggestions/comments/addaboys?

And I'm glad to be here, I hope to learn a lot!

Thanks,
Brian

IllGottenGain · #2 01-31-2011, 07:42 AM

Bump. Thanks for the warm welcome everybody!

WarwickDude68 · #3 01-31-2011, 10:01 AM

Welcome, Brian

I use the PS1000 into two Epifani 310 cabs and it ROX!!! Super clean and punchy. Big low end and glassy highs. I use Warwick 5 string basses. I play in top 40 cover bands, big church praise teams, and piano cafe gigs. For the smaller gigs I just use one 310 cab. This rig works awesome for me. I haven't played the PS600 yet. The only thing I can think of is that the PS1000 may be a better choice for you because metal is such a loud stage environment. The PS600 may do the job just fine, but the PS1000 will have you covered for any volume situation. Just my opinion though. Hope this helps you out, brother. ROCK ON!

Steve Christian

IllGottenGain · #4 01-31-2011, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the reply, Steve. I found a PS600 for only 400 bucks, so that's also a factor.

I haven't thought about the PS1000. Right now I have a 400W, 8 Ohm cab which I want to upgrade in the future when I have some more money. I couldn't push 1000W at that thing, even if it would be fewer than that through 8 Ohms. I haven't had a problem at gigs with volume so far, since I've always just plugged in directly to the PA. Stage volume is important, but my Hartke 4.5xl throws a good bit of air. The tone you're describing sounds perfect for me. I'm trying it out Saturday (and will probably buy it, since I have no self control). I'll post my review next week, and hopefully I can wait that long!

Brian

BigOldHarry · #5 01-31-2011, 01:38 PM

So you are asking yourself "Why didn't more folks respond to my post right away...?"

The question itself - "IS (insert something here) good for Metal" has been asked so many times that folks are weary. Many of the answers will be snarky, or along the lines of "Sure, why not". For some reason, younger players feel that something, whatever it is, has to be suited for "metal", where, in fact, darn near any gear will do for darn near any genre. But metals players are, it appears, strangely self-conscious about it.

So, in answer: That gear will do fine.

jswingchun · #6 01-31-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllGottenGain

Bump. Thanks for the warm welcome everybody!

Wow, patience is a virtue. Maybe not the best virtue for metal though...

DeathFromBelow · #7 01-31-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

For some reason, younger players feel that something, whatever it is, has to be suited for "metal", where, in fact, darn near any gear will do for darn near any genre. But metals players are, it appears, strangely self-conscious about it.

So, in answer: That gear will do fine.

Also,we metal players are inherently insecure,never listen to or play anything but metal and are greatly lacking in skills,be it technical or theoretical. Get yourself a Hohner viola bass and a 15watt 1x8 vintage tube combo,and you will have no problem nailing the tone of players like Webster,DiGiorgio,Ellefson,Bello et all.

IllGottenGain · #8 01-31-2011, 02:54 PM

Snarky is right. The bump was just to keep it on the first page. There are so many posts here that my reply-less thread got buried under stuff like "Have you heard of Avatar?" It's a shame metal's got such a bad rap. I'm just looking for some input and knowledge from some people who know more than I. Thanks for the help.

ulynch · #9 02-01-2011, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Many of the answers will be snarky, or along the lines of "Sure, why not".

Hmmm, nope. Looks like just yours is

Is an Ampeg SVT-4Pro and 810 a good rig for standup bass in a piano jazz trio? I suppose it'll suffice, but it hardly matches well to the requirements.

The gent asked a fair question, and aside from 'tude, I think the greatest difficulty he'll have in finding an answer is that folks well acquainted with Epifani aren't also likely to be familiar with the particular requirements of the musical genre he's involved in, and vice versa.

For prog on a six-string, I'd figure IGG's looking for something with excellent clarity and articulation, and something of a mid range bump to help cut through a loud mix. (Correct me if I'm wrong, IGG) I'm afraid I can't answer because I have no experience with Epifani gear.

DiGiorgio and Webster both play(ed) through Ampeg. Webster's endorsing SWR now I think. Martin Mendez uses Fender.

HTH

AtomicPunk · #10 02-01-2011, 01:54 PM

As far as I'm concerned...the "is this ok for metal?" question is kind of against the rules of metal. Metal is about doing it your own way. And there is no ONE metal bass sound. Everything from the sound of Tool to Lemmy to Cliff. A lot of people say Ampeg and that's it but there is a lot more out there and a lot of other options.
\m/ !

IllGottenGain · #11 02-01-2011, 02:18 PM

Thanks for some backup, guys. Ironic that the stereotype held by some people that metal musicians are uneducated and closeminded is itself an uneducated and closeminded thought...

I realize it's kind of a weird question, because I don't want to sound like any other bass player, and I don't want to fit a certain mold. But ulynch hit it on the head. I want something that cuts through the mix, and I haven't found that much info about Epifani gear. I don't want to play something different just for the sake of being different, but Ampeg is about my last choice for a rig. I want to try everything else first. I guess the main point of the thread was to ask about Epifani, but I wanted to make sure people knew what I wanted it for. Who knows, maybe it's atrocious for certain things. Epifani's website isn't going to tell you that. That's why I asked people who might know something, and not just get a kick out of giving the new guy some sarcastic comments. I'm gonna try it out on Saturday, and probably buy it, since I have no self control. I'm also working out a deal on an Eden D410XLT, which I think will go nicely.

ulynch · #12 02-01-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllGottenGain

I'm gonna try it out on Saturday, and probably buy it, since I have no self control. I'm also working out a deal on an Eden D410XLT, which I think will go nicely.

I'd love to hear how this works out for you. I'm curious about how "hi-fi" gear works out at higher volumes typical of metal bands.

AtomicPunk · #13 02-01-2011, 08:46 PM

I have tried Eden gear and found it way too clean and sterile sounding for my liking. And I like metal. But there are a lot of players out there who feel differently. Try before you buy!

mustbampeg · #14 02-01-2011, 09:14 PM

Oddly enough, I used to be in your shoes... I am a metal player myself. I am a past owner of Ampeg gear. I love it. I quit playin in bands for a while and so I sold all my Ampeg gear off... Anyways, when i came back into the fold, I wanted something different. wanted to play the field and see what was out there. see if i could get the sound i hear in my head from some different gear. I ended up with an Epifani PS 600 and an Epifani UL 410 S1. Awesome rig!!

But not for metal....... IMO.

not for me.
probably not for you, either.

Would it work? absoloutely... BUT, I found it to be TOO clean. TOO transparent. I really dig the Ampeg 'color', i guess...Anyways, i unloaded it and moved on.. didnt have the funds to support another ampeg rig, so i ended up with a Peavey all tube VB2 and a Peavey 412 TVX. Its still not an Ampeg, but its a few football fields closer to to the 'ampeg' tone I hear in my head.

Anyways,
Good luck with your search, and you can always put a VT pedal in front of it to get some grit, i suppose, lol. but that kind of defeats the purpose of buying some gear thats known for a clean, transparent sound, eh?

My .02
Randy

IllGottenGain · #15 02-02-2011, 08:39 AM

Thanks AtomicPunk and Randy, you've made me think about a couple of extra things. I'm trying out the Eden tonight, but not through the Epifani, so it's not the ideal situation. I don't want my tone to be completely sterile and transparent though. And you're right, having to get a pedal or overdrive or something to "dirty up" the sound of a great amp or cab just doesn't seem right. I'll let you guys know my thoughts after tonight. I'm pretty excited though. My current setup it all Hartke. I've got a HA5000 and a 4.5XL. I like the sound, but I'm not pushing my full wattage. This new rig will be able to handle 600W.

This might get me some flak on here too, but I'm gonna say it and not worry about it. My band does some pretty heavy breakdowns, and having a booming B string really adds to that. Will the new rig "clean up" the sound too much and get rid of the "punch you in the face" aspect of the low B?

KJung · #16 02-02-2011, 09:38 AM

I'm surely no expert on Metal, but am very familiar with the Epi stuff.

Much of the more aggressive rock bass playing I've heard has a strong emphasis on the upper mids... that sort of bright grind (not overt distortion, but a character in the upper mids that really cuts through those dense mixes, with those low tuned guitars, etc.). This is exactly the opposite voicing of the Epi PS600, which is VERY big down low, VERY smooth in the mids, a bit attenuated in the upper mids, and super hi fi up top. It does have a treble shift switch on it, if I am remembering right (my 502 did, I think the PS600 does also) which allows you to lower the treble shelving point to 2K. However, even with the treble lowered and cranked, the head still sound creamy very grunty or grindy.

If my definition of 'metal tone' is close to what you are thinking, IMO you would be much better off to just save a little more money, and consider one of the GK micro's... MB500 or MBFusion. Either can get quite aggressive in the upper mids, and even the non tube loaded MB500 can get very snarly and grindy up top, while providing a nice deep fat low end.

Even for my more pop oriented playing, the Epi amps end up sounding too dark and low end oriented in a mix for me. That uber hi fi top end tends to get lost in the keys and cymbals.

IMO and IME.