Head/Cab Suggestions and Advice

xXColaXx · #1 03-12-2011, 05:24 PM

I am looking to put together a bass rig soon that will easily handle most decent size stage scenarios without having to sacrifice tone to push it to the max. I would like to keep it under $500. I have been told 10in speakers would be best for both finger play and slap ( I do both) but I am open to hear otherwise.

Any suggestions, links, videos, advice, or things I may want to look for are all greatly appreciate.

Thanks for your time!

bongomania · #2 03-12-2011, 05:41 PM

Where are you located; are you just interested in "new" or is used OK; what genres do you play; what band or bassist's tone would you like to emulate; what is the rest of your band playing (style and gear)?

RickenBoogie · #3 03-12-2011, 05:53 PM

Used gear will get you into a better rig for less money, but the basic rule is 300+ watts, and at least a 4x10, 2x15, etc. Volume comes from having plenty of speakers, and good, (relative) tone comes from having enough power so as to not need to "crank" the crap out of the amp.

xXColaXx · #4 03-12-2011, 05:59 PM

I live in Dunedin, Fl (Tampa Bay Area)

I don't mind used gear at all as long as it functions as it should and is dependable. I have looked on craigslist and found a couple things but I am trying to become more knowledgeable about bass gear. I have been a guitarist most of my life and learned to play bass through the years with small practice amps.

I currently don't have a band but I want to put one together. I jam with some friends and my current amp has to be fully cranked to be able to hear myself in the mix, and it's just barely. Before I get serious with another music project I want to have good amplification so I don't have to bum gear at shows from other bands and struggle through practice and writing to be heard.

As far as tone I would like something that is versatile. I like the tight slap tones but with an overall full sound whether I am slapping for finger picking. I don't really want to emulate another musicians sound for my own but if I had to make mention to an artist I would say I do like Les Claypool's tone. He has somewhat of a hybrid style of finger and slap like I do and is able to have tight slap n pop with a good deep finger stye tone.

The music I want to make is nothing I can really classify by genre but the bass will play as much of a rhythm role as it does lead role depending on the song which is why I definitely need something that can hold up to a live setting. I can say it is not pop punk with a pick or any sort of metal, I guess the closest way I could loosely categorize my ideas would be experimental/progressive/math-esque.

xXColaXx · #5 03-12-2011, 06:16 PM

Also, I know it would be a bit out of my price range if I were to pair it with a cab (depending on the cab) but I was looking at the Carvin BX500 and it seemed to look pretty good at a decent price for what it is and I know for guitar equipment, Carvin was very dependable. Is it possible that through a 2x10 would be something I may want to consider?

xXColaXx · #6 03-12-2011, 10:17 PM

-Bump-

bongomania · #7 03-12-2011, 10:29 PM

Carvin is good value for money. The only time that fails is if an item needs repair, and you have to pay for shipping both ways, to/from CA. In terms of getting the most sound and versatility out of the fewest dollars, I'd suggest a used GK400RB head and a used 8x10 cab. You can also get a heck of a lot of sound per dollar out of used Peavey gear.

xXColaXx · #8 03-12-2011, 10:35 PM

I didn't know that about Carvin at all, thank you for the heads up. It seems a bit hard to come by that head but I will definitely keep it in mind and look into it a bit more.

8x10 seems a bit excessive for what I need right now though and would surely run past my price range. Paired with a 300w+ head, would I realistically be able to get away with using a 2x10 set up at a decent sized gig?

tom once dead · #9 03-12-2011, 10:35 PM

Check out Hartke, I saw a band on the weekend and the bassist was running one of the LM500 it sounded really nice. He was using his fingers and slapping a lot as well.

xXColaXx · #10 03-12-2011, 10:47 PM

I wasn't able to find an LM500 but I did find an LH500 online, is that what you meant?

JoeVictim · #11 03-12-2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXColaXx

I wasn't able to find an LM500 but I did find an LH500 online, is that what you meant?

Yep, thats what they meant.

Peavey on the used would be right in your budget. You should be able to find a Firebass for around $250-300 and a 4-10" TVX for $200-250. The preamp on the model Peavey does modern, really well. But, no mute for a tuner out.

xXColaXx · #12 03-12-2011, 11:19 PM

It seems like a lot of people like the Firebass. I have played some Peavey bass amps before, and guitar amps. They were all combos but I wasn't really satisfied with the tone I got. Does the firebass seem to stand out from other peavey gear? The mute and tuner out would be nice but they aren't musts for me at this point.

bongomania · #13 03-13-2011, 12:13 AM

Regarding cab size, at this price range, bigguh is bettuh. There are some awesome-sounding smaller cabs, but good ones tend to cost a lot. Best compromise would be like a 4x10, 2x12, 2x15, 15+6, something like that. The idea is to get as much actual speaker surface area as you can afford. Also, in the short term you'll probably be best off with one big 4-ohm cab or two smaller (like 2x10) 8-ohm cabs.

xXColaXx · #14 03-13-2011, 12:16 AM

Alright so I would at least want 4x10's it seems. Out of curiosity, would there be a difference in sound/tone if I was using a 4x10 cab vs two 2x10 cabs?

JimmyM · #15 03-13-2011, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXColaXx

Alright so I would at least want 4x10's it seems. Out of curiosity, would there be a difference in sound/tone if I was using a 4x10 cab vs two 2x10 cabs?

the only real difference, assuming they're built the same way, is that you can stack 210's vertically to make a tower out of them, which greatly improves dispersion of highs and mids. some don't care about that, though. and if you're looking to put together a play-outable rig for $500, neither will you

410's can be found everywhere cheaply, so that's what i'd probably go with to start. add a 300-500w amp, and you're set.

Jaco who? · #16 03-13-2011, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXColaXx

I have been told 10in speakers would be best for both finger play and slap ( I do both) but I am open to hear otherwise.

No, not really true at all. You can try a bunch of new cabs out with the same head with your eyes closed and find 10"s, 12"s and 15"s that all sound exactly like what you're looking for, or like total poo to you. It's all about the cabinet designer's objective for the particular speaker(s) it uses. Or, sometimes there is no design/objective at all, and that's where pretty much universal poo comes from.

I agree with Joe Victim, the Firebass is a particularly good Peavey for the money; I think all of them from that era (late '90s - early 2K pre-tour series stuff) are really decent. The Pro 500 and Nitro 450 are also some Peaveys you might keep an eye out for.

xXColaXx · #17 03-13-2011, 11:45 AM

This is all very helpful stuff. I feel more confident that I will be able to get what I am looking for in my price range. There are a couple things on the craigslist here that I doubt I will be able to get in time before it is sold (while I am saving up the funds) but I was curious to see what you guys would think of these if you were browsing.
1
Hartke Halfstack Combo

2
Gallien-Krueger 800rb with 15" Cab - Bass Amp

3
Hartke Bass Amp & Cabinet for Sale

JimmyM · #18 03-13-2011, 12:55 PM

i'd get the hartke rig over the gk rig personally.

xXColaXx · #19 03-13-2011, 02:14 PM

Which Hartke rig would you prefer and why?

JoeVictim · #20 03-13-2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXColaXx

Which Hartke rig woul you prefer and why?

Get the one for 350. There isn't much difference between those two amps. That leaves money left over for another hartke 4-10 down the line.