Funk amps!

**RobinC** · #1 02-16-2011, 06:20 PM

Calling all funky homosapiens, all groove-masters, all pocket-playing mamas and papas!

I find myself suffering from sever GAS, but I have an equally sever lack of direction for said ailment. (pun-lovers, you're welcome

)

Now I know everyone is different in their likes and dislikes, and I know that to find something I like I'm going to have to go test it out and see for myself. That being said, I'm very curious to know what gear ya'll prefer (and why) for layin' down that bassy goodness that is the funk.

srxplayer · #2 02-16-2011, 06:24 PM

When I think Funk I usually think SWR or G & K. I think clean, fast ,Solid State amps.

puremusic · #3 02-16-2011, 06:31 PM

Gallien Krueger amps and cabs are very responsive with a nice slap tone and mid grind which is what I currently use.. I also used Ampeg 410 HLF with a SVTIII or B2R head for thunderous B string. Swr SM500 Goliath cab are transparent. Epifani is also great I would say use your ears and your budget to judge as you already stated that you will but GK gets my vote.

BZadlo · #4 02-16-2011, 06:42 PM

OP, when you say "funk," do you actually mean "slap?"
I've found that the two often have little to do with one another.

When I play funk, I dial in some dirt, cut the highs and break out a pbass.
My vote is for a big cab and some tubes.

dmusic148 · #5 02-16-2011, 06:47 PM

It's not about the amp. See how many completely different responses you've gotten already? The only possible answer is to use your ears. This is like asking "what's the best bass for metal," etc. Any amp will work. You just have to like the sound.

chi-town_mike · #6 02-16-2011, 06:48 PM

My Genz Benz Shuttle 9 is full of the funk!

Oh yeah..use your ears...But its about 60/40 split. =)

dustdbass6 · #7 02-16-2011, 06:49 PM

I heard giant Mesa Rigs do the trick when it's a funky breakfast you're after.

**DougD** · #8 02-16-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZadlo

OP, when you say "funk," do you actually mean "slap?"
I've found that the two often have little to do with one another.

When I play funk, I dial in some dirt, cut the highs and break out a pbass.
My vote is for a big cab and some tubes.

+1000
Slap and funk are two separate styles and tones, and is more confusing to some people than Chinese asthmatic

Funk is more of a feel than a tone. Same case for Latin music. It's all in the rhythm and feel. That said, more funkateers have used Ampeg amps than anything else

**DougD** · #9 02-16-2011, 07:17 PM

For bringing the funk you will need:
1: A bass (any will do)
2: A amp (see above)
3: Good time keeping skills
4: To know where the one is
5: To be able to consistently clap to any style of music on beats 2 and 4

6: To be willing to play less to make more
7: To know the difference between slap and funk (the internet is full of people that clearly do not)

8: To know how and when to use slap in funk (yes slap can be funky, but funk is not just slap)
9: To know how to be funky without slapping
10: To know what beats NOT to play on. Because, for there to be funk, there must be room for others. Especially the drummer

Sounds like a lot but it really is'nt

Flatwound Funk · #10 02-16-2011, 07:21 PM

I would say one that sounds good

NecroticImbecil · #11 02-16-2011, 07:27 PM

B-15.

JimiLL · #12 02-16-2011, 07:36 PM

Genz!!!

vin*tone · #13 02-16-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srxplayer

When I think Funk I usually think SWR or G & K. I think clean, fast ,Solid State amps.

When I think funk I usually think Ampeg or Mesa. I think fat, tubey, valve amps.

Lol.

will33 · #14 02-16-2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BZadlo

OP, when you say "funk," do you actually mean "slap?"
I've found that the two often have little to do with one another.

+1

OP, what do you mean by funk?

Funk is mostly a playing style and a feeling, it doesn't require tweeters and slaps/pops, as a matter of fact, there were no such things in bass rigs in funk's heyday.

Then there is "modern day" funk, which does incorporate all those things. Not to knock it, it takes talent but it's kinda like the difference between R&B and "real R&B".

kesslari · #15 02-16-2011, 08:22 PM

There is only one amp in the Universe capable of playing Funk.
Not one brand.
One single amp.

Unfortunately it was lost when the Tsunami engulfed Atlantis. They had a very high culture of Funk there on Atlantis.

So you're out of luck, bro.
Sorry.

But you can probably make do with any variety of amps and cabinets. Check out the wide range of gear played by heavies from Bootsy to Victa and all the cats in between.

It ain't really about the arrow - it's about the Indian.

will33 · #16 02-16-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

It ain't really about the arrow - it's about the Indian.

Smart words there.

Starrchild · #17 02-17-2011, 12:35 AM

What everyone else said. On another note EBS Amps are very nice.

MrDominoe · #18 02-17-2011, 12:46 AM

I like the snappy-ness of my Ibanez SR506 through some good ole' SWR gear. Really tight, really quick, really snappy. Depends on the type of funk, too. Personally, I like it tight like Rocco Prestia.

MysticMichael · #19 02-17-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Any amp will work. You just have to like the sound.

This is true - in theory. In practice, some rigs are inherently much better suited to this application than others. That's a fact.

MM

JimmyM · #20 02-17-2011, 01:44 AM

i agree with everybody.

well since he asked what we use, i'm all ampeg all the time. i've had occasional daliances with a couple other brands but i always come back to the ampegs. my favorite funk tones are based on 70's funk, which was all about midbass and low mids and nothing on the high end past 4 or 5k, even when they slapped. you can get that out of other amps, but i like the way ampegs do it the best.