help a noob with his rig

[pnut166]

Hi all ! I recently purchased a rig; it`s my first, and I`m not happy with it. I`m not a big gear person - I`m perpetually broke, so I hold on to what I get. I ran across this rig and bought it just because I could afford it. It`s a Trace GP 11 Mk V preamp, a Tapco 800W power amp, and seismic audio 410 and 210 cabs. It has plenty of power, but I just don`t like the tone. It`s very flat and punchy, regardless of what I do with the EQ. From my reading, this seems to be Trace`s trademark. I`m sure some people would love it (the guy I bought it from was in a punk band). I like a warmer, rounder sound, though, for the most part. I was using a Line 6 combo before the stack, and liked it much better for the variety I could dial in (don`t laugh; I know the whole Line 6 stigma. While they may not be accurate representations of what they claim, they still sound good, IMO). With the rig, I don`t have as much control over my tone or dynamics with my technique. So, my question is: what should I look at changing - the pre, the cabs, or the amp (I doubt the amp, though - it`s just a power amp). And then the cabs are cheapos too; is that my weak link? I thought about getting a Basspod Live and using it as the preamp instead of the Trace - doable ? Different cabs? Scrap it altogether and look for something else (I`m selling a high-end guitar and am gonna have about 3K soon; gonna at least buy a bass out of that) Any help is appreciated !

[Mike19]

New cab(s), man.

[Murph_Orpheus]

If you're getting 3K soon and you don't like your tone in general...the amp I'd suggest you buy is a Gallien Krueger 700rbII and pretty much any cab sounds good with it! Although buying a new one wouldn't go astray either and you'd still have loads of cash left for a new bass. I think the 700RB is great sounding and at a very reasonable price...just my suggestion of course there's a whole world of amps out there so it will come down to what you like best. It'd be worth going to your local dealers and trying out some stuff if you can

[UncleFluffy]

From the description you've given, I'd agree with Mike19 - the weakest link in your chain is the cabs. Can you take your rig over to a friend's place (or a local GC) and try with some better cabs to see if it makes a noticable difference?

Here's what those cabs look like on the inside: Seismic Audio??? (starts on post 36)

[countrybass007]

If you like a warm, round, vintage sound you should try an Orange OBC115. Just a change in cabs may get you the tone you're looking for, and a reasonable output of your cash. I'm not a big fan of Trace gear, but I'd try a different cab before giving up on it.

[pnut166]

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

From the description you've given, I'd agree with Mike19 - the weakest link in your chain is the cabs. Can you take your rig over to a friend's place (or a local GC) and try with some better cabs to see if it makes a noticable difference?

Here's what those cabs look like on the inside: Seismic Audio??? (starts on post 36)

That`s part of the problem - not alot to choose from as far as places to go with alot of bass gear to try out around here. The GC doesn`t carry much - they`re glad to order it for you, though ! Not a fan of GC, either - hard to A/B amps when there are 7 guitards in the store trying to out-shred each other. And the locals don`t have much, either. I asked a guy at a pawn shop about what you suggested (bringing my amp in) and at first he said no, and then he basically said the only way he`s going through "all that trouble" is if I show him the cash to buy the cab with beforehand. I know these cabs are crap and the weakest link quality-wise.

[Mike19]

Hi pnut -I've spent the last 1/2 hour researching your problem.
I'm a bit perplexed. The Trace pre has an excellent reputation; the seismic cabs have poor/cheap construction, but noone has dissed their sound, your amps should have no effect on tone (unless they malfunctioning and thereby degrading the sound).

On paper, your rig should be able to produce the kind of tone you want.

I woud like to make the cabs the scapegoat, but I'm just not sure that's the problem. Your inability to properly audition new cabs is preventing you from seeing if this is the problem.

I may be wrong, but I think the Trace pre has at least one tube in it. if so, have you ever replaced it with a new one?

[pnut166]

I have not replaced any tubes - there are several similar Trace models to this one, but all have at least one tube, from what I`ve seen. And yeah, the Trace preamp seems highly regarded; early 80s vintage, UK built. And the cabs thread I had already saw before I bought - seemed not bad for the money. Hence this thread - I too thought I was getting a decent rig - and probably do. The tube idea is interesting. I have no knowledge of tube amps; if the tube is burnt out, what effect on the sound would it have ? The Trace has seen heavy use, from the looks of it, and I have no idea on it`s service history.

[4-stringB]

Yo dude, Have you tried some good strings(just making sure, I got rid of a Tele bass in the mid-70's cause I didn't like the tone [still kickin myself])

[pnut166]

No, it`s not the bass. My basses sound fine through my other amp.

[mulchor]

My son plays a Line 6 combo, the 75W 1x10 LowDown. I think it sounds very very good for what it is, and is really handy cuz when I'm over at his place I can press one button and get a sound I like and he can get it back to his settings in a single button, too.

Anyhow, my point:
I'm wondering if the Line 6 has the preamp out that you could feed into the Tapco and new cabs. If that doesn't sound better than what you're used to, you know the problem with the rig is the cabs (or the power amp, but not likely).

[pnut166]

Another good idea. I think I read somewhere that the CD / Aux jack on the back of it will also function as a line out.

[Jim Carr]

Love the "use the L6 pre" idea!

I vote for new cabs...but I must have missed what basses you are using?

[Jim Carr]

Define "flat and punchy," at least a little bit, OK?

[pnut166]

Thin , scooped sound with sharp attack. Bass is a MIM J Deluxe and a fretless P clone. One thing I thought of is - and I don`t know why I didn`t think of this before, is to do a DI recording. That would take the cabs out of the chain and give me a clear picture of either component, right ? I have Guitar Rig 3, and I think you can run a line in to an amp and use it as a pre, too = good test for the cabs with various amp models. Anyone correct me on this if I`m wrong.

[pnut166]

Found out a big part of my problem. There are three output jacks on the back of the preamp - full range, high pass, and low pass. I was running out of the full range into the power amp. I switched to the low pass jack - biiiig difference. Much smoother, rounder, warmer sound now, whereas before it was harsh and farty.

[ricksox]

Originally Posted by pnut166

Another good idea. I think I read somewhere that the CD / Aux jack on the back of it will also function as a line out.

The CD/AUX jacks are inputs so they won't route the digital preamp out to a power amp.

Rick

[pnut166]

Originally Posted by ricksox

The CD/AUX jacks are inputs so they won't route the digital preamp out to a power amp.

Rick

That doesn`t make any sense to me, either, but one of the Line 6 guys in that forum says that it will function both ways; I haven`t tried - seems crazy to me.

[johnny6644]

Try a Sansamp pre if you can.

[BigOldHarry]

I gotta say, that whole rig (save for the power amp) doesn't sound good to me at all. I never have liked Trace gear, and I don't know anything about that cab brand (but the name says "cheese" to me) --

Did you hear this rig before you bought it? You clearly dug it enough to lay down the $$$...