Frusterated with rig sound......

csmolins · #1 09-12-2011, 10:38 AM

OK so here's my rig.....I have a American Jazz Deluxe Going into a line 6 m 13 to a line 6 lowdown hd750 then to a ampeg 4x10 half stack. For some reason no matter what emulation I use on the HD750 I cannot find anything I like....I have had this combo for about a year and I don't know what I should do if its switch the head or cab or both. Maybe add something to my rig which is missing....I'm not sure...any suggestions on where to go would be extremely helpful....

Thanks

bassgod0dmw · #2 09-12-2011, 10:48 AM

Have you tied running the bass straight into the HD750 and trying to get a sound you like? Removing the M13 completely from the signal path? Did you ever get a sound out of it you liked? If not it's entirely possible you're not a fan of the HD750, the cab, your bass' natural sound, or any combination of the above.

I generally advise against adding things to a rig to fix the type of problem you describe. IMO, if you can't get a sound you like out of the basic bass>amp>cab, you're using the wrong stuff in the first place.

6jase5 · #3 09-12-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

IMO, if you can't get a sound you like out of the basic bass>amp>cab, you're using the wrong stuff in the first place.

The Gospel Truth!

Also, before you give up hope try someone else's bass through the same rig. Might just be that the sound in your head is not one produced by an active bass or an active Jazz bass. Your bass could be good trade-bait to obtaining the bass with your sound.

csmolins · #4 09-12-2011, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassgod0dmw

Have you tied running the bass straight into the HD750 and trying to get a sound you like? Removing the M13 completely from the signal path? Did you ever get a sound out of it you liked? If not it's entirely possible you're not a fan of the HD750, the cab, your bass' natural sound, or any combination of the above.

I generally advise against adding things to a rig to fix the type of problem you describe. IMO, if you can't get a sound you like out of the basic bass>amp>cab, you're using the wrong stuff in the first place.

Yeah I've tried taking the m13 out all together and I just can't get what I want out of it. I can get great tone out of my crappy old Behringer practice amp more so than my gigging rig......

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6jase5

The Gospel Truth!

Also, before you give up hope try someone else's bass through the same rig. Might just be that the sound in your head is not one produced by an active bass or an active Jazz bass. Your bass could be good trade-bait to obtaining the bass with your sound.

and I have an ibanez that is active as well and I get about the same result with the same combination of items. I guess it's like my rig for some reason sounds like crap and I don't know what other brands to try next I wanna get quality equipment so it's tough to figure out

Gearhead17 · #5 09-12-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmolins

Yeah I've tried taking the m13 out all together and I just can't get what I want out of it. I can get great tone out of my crappy old Behringer practice amp more so than my gigging rig......

and I have an ibanez that is active as well and I get about the same result with the same combination of items. I guess it's like my rig for some reason sounds like crap and I don't know what other brands to try next I wanna get quality equipment so it's tough to figure out

Ampeg, Gallien Krueger, Genz Benz, Mesa Boogie, and so on is all quality bass gear. There are so many other brands that can do the job well too. What cab do you have now?

RickenBoogie · #6 09-12-2011, 11:51 AM

If your Ampeg 410 is the hlf, try swapping that for another cab. The 410hlf is a woofy sounding cab, to me, I'm not a fan. A Genz Benz Uber 410 would be my advice.

steve_rolfeca · #7 09-12-2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmolins

...I have a American Jazz Deluxe Going into a line 6 m 13 to a line 6 lowdown hd750 then to a ampeg 4x10 half stack. For some reason no matter what emulation I use on the HD750 I cannot find anything I like...

If you could define what you don't like about your tone, it would help. Also, which Ampeg 4*10 do you have?

Personally, I don't like the Lowdown heads. They sound dark and processed, like the amp is under a blanket. But that's just me...

The cab model is relevant, because of specialty configurations, like the 410HLF. That tone is not for everybody.

JimmyM · #8 09-12-2011, 11:53 AM

Not a fan of digital emulation in amps. Line 6 does OK with it, but I don't think inexpensive digital amps have enough guns to do it properly like you can do with a computer running Amplitube or Guitar Rig.

csmolins · #9 09-12-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

If you could define what you don't like about your tone, it would help. Also, which Ampeg 4*10 do you have?

Personally, I don't like the Lowdown heads. They sound dark and processed, like the amp is under a blanket. But that's just me...

The cab model is relevant, because of specialty configurations, like the 410HLF. That tone is not for everybody.

I don't like the fact that for some reason I have zero definition of my sound. It just sound like a bloody mess of low end no brightness or anything like that . The cab I have is the SVT-410HE so the one that doesn't have the ports in the bottom. I'm starting to think that my magical fix for tonal variety has killed every possible tone ever....maybe I'm just being a narcissist.

One Drop · #10 09-12-2011, 05:05 PM

Get rid of all the Line 6 stuff and get an amp that lets you hear the sound of your bass.

That cab isn't the brightest one around, but you should be able to hear a decent amount of highs with it.

Otherwise, new strings? Raise the cab a bit? adjust your PUPs?

bassgod0dmw · #11 09-12-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Drop

Otherwise, new strings?

That was my next suggestion as well. How old are the strings on this bass?

Pilgrim · #12 09-12-2011, 05:20 PM

Go bass > amp > cab and pull any other gear out of the signal chain.

Start with EQ on neutral settings. Make SMALL changes to EQ after you have played a bit.

With the other gear eliminated and a direct connection from amp to cab, you will be able to hear what you actually have.

oldcatfish · #13 09-12-2011, 05:38 PM

Line 6 amps do best with a full range type of speaker. Getting either a cab that matches the head, or a different head to go with your current cab will likely solve your problem.

Take your bass and Line 6 head down to a music store and try them with a few different cabs. You might not find a great match, but it will let you know whether to get a different head or a different cab.

csmolins · #14 09-12-2011, 05:51 PM

I just changed the strings not but a week ago so I've ruled that out....if I completely removed Line 6 from my rig and got a whole new rig including pedals .....what should I start researching? I know that the question is highly loaded but ....at this point I'm all ears.

bassgod0dmw · #15 09-12-2011, 06:08 PM

First things first, don't worry about pedals or effects of any kind.

Head to your local shop with your bass and play through as many different amps as you can. Take your time with each rig so you can get a good idea of what it's about. Once you find something you like, then you can star worrying about what sounds it doesn't make and what type of effects you might need to get those tones.

The M13 isn't a bad unit, so I'd just continue to use that once you find a rig that works for you. After you find the rig, and you decide the M13 isn't cutting it, then think about how you want to replace it.

JimmyM · #16 09-12-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmolins

I just changed the strings not but a week ago so I've ruled that out....if I completely removed Line 6 from my rig and got a whole new rig including pedals .....what should I start researching? I know that the question is highly loaded but ....at this point I'm all ears.

I wouldn't rid yourself of effects. Effects are cool and do things that amps can't. And the M13 is pretty nice for a multi-effect doohickey. But you should definitely try to get a good sound without it first and then use the M13 to build on that.

And do try to narrow down what's bugging you about your rig before you go throwing money at it. I think the head is the main culprit, but the 410HLF is quite a different cab from pretty much every other cab out there in that it's a 410 that goes super low. I love Ampeg stuff but that cab isn't my thing, though I know folks who love them and can't live without them. I prefer the sealed 810e and 410he because they don't go as low. But that's a judgment call only you can make.

EDIT: Oops...thought I read you have the 410HLF, but you have the 410HE. OK, never mind...your cab is fine

Immigrant · #17 09-12-2011, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmolins

I just changed the strings not but a week ago so I've ruled that out....if I completely removed Line 6 from my rig and got a whole new rig including pedals .....what should I start researching? I know that the question is highly loaded but ....at this point I'm all ears.

If money and muscles are available:

SVT-VR and 810VR
SVT-CL and 810E

Easier to afford and haul:

SVT-7Pro
410HLF

Or just get the head and a 15" Ampeg to slide under the 410e you already have.

GLEN18INCHSPICA · #18 09-12-2011, 06:26 PM

When I had a POD I liked the line 6 tube preamp setting the best, I forget exactly what it was called. I would use that setting with the sansamp Bddi setting on the pod with alot of eq tweaking, the POD gave me alot of control over the EQ. In the end I found it great as a recording tool, not as good for live playing.

csmolins · #19 09-12-2011, 07:26 PM

So I've got ampeg on the list to research anyone got any other heads that might be worth looking into?

bassgod0dmw · #20 09-12-2011, 07:29 PM

GK, Mesa, Markbass, Genz Benz...

What kind of tone are you going for here? Musical style? Bassists tones that you admire?