Help spend my money

TylerE · #1 08-19-2010, 08:59 PM

So pretty soon I'm gonna have about a grand to spend on upgrading my rig.

Right now I've got an older (pre-Fender) SWR 350 > Avatar B212 (the older one, 1/4" jack only, non-neo). Planning on eventually replacing the cab also, likely with a fearful type setup.

The SWR just isn't really doing it for me tonewise anymore. (It was never that great, but it was fairly cheap used when I moved up to a head+cab rig.)

Style wise I'm looking for a more retro tone. I play a wide range of styles, from motown to jam rock, but I don't play jazz, do the solo virtuoso type or much slap. I do play some dub type reggae and have 5 and 6 strings, so deep lows are highly desireable.

Right now I'm strictly a basement player, but I'm about got my confidence up to where I'm gonna start trying to find a band.

So, anyway, here are a couple of things I'm considering... again budget is roughly $1k, stretchable upwards a bit.

Option 1: One of the currently trendy heads...
TC RH450 jumps out at me...
I know lots of people rave about the Genz stuff but given that I'm trying to get away from SWR not sure if it'd be my cup of tea...
Mesa M6 (Maybe even M9)..

Option 2: TUUUUBES
Peavey VB-2 seems to be the only thing really in the price range. I definatly prefer tubes for guitar (I've got a Tiny Terror and Fender Blues Jr)
Some of the lower end hybrid SVTs would hit the budget also.

Option 3: Awesome Preamp + class-D poweramp

Boutique pre (Demeter HBP-1, Alembic F1-X, etc) + something like a Crown XLS1000

This route is very tempting... I'd imagine these pres are about as good as it gets, and with gobs of cheap class-D poweramps flooding the market watts are cheap. Also this feels like the most futureproof option.

EDIT: The reason I can't try stuff is that the nearest major music store is several hours away...all the local place ever seems to have are Crate combos.

a01020201 · #2 08-19-2010, 09:16 PM

well i just spent about 1k on a ampeg svt 4-pro and a 4x10 hlf, i think that it hits the mark

rpsands · #3 08-19-2010, 09:18 PM

Gallien Krueger MB500 from music123. Tell them you saw a better price somewhere and then ask for 20% off. They will give it to you, at the very least 15%.

I got mine for 440 with a +2 year warranty.

hasbeen · #4 08-19-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerE

So pretty soon I'm gonna have about a grand to spend on upgrading my rig.

Right now I've got an older (pre-Fender) SWR 350 > Avatar B212 (the older one, 1/4" jack only, non-neo). Planning on eventually replacing the cab also, likely with a fearful type setup.

The SWR just isn't really doing it for me tonewise anymore. (It was never that great, but it was fairly cheap used when I moved up to a head+cab rig.)

Style wise I'm looking for a more retro tone. I play a wide range of styles, from motown to jam rock, but I don't play jazz, do the solo virtuoso type or much slap. I do play some dub type reggae and have 5 and 6 strings, so deep lows are highly desireable.

Right now I'm strictly a basement player, but I'm about got my confidence up to where I'm gonna start trying to find a band.

So, anyway, here are a couple of things I'm considering... again budget is roughly $1k, stretchable upwards a bit.

Option 1: One of the currently trendy heads...
TC RH450 jumps out at me...
I know lots of people rave about the Genz stuff but given that I'm trying to get away from SWR not sure if it'd be my cup of tea...
Mesa M6 (Maybe even M9)..

Option 2: TUUUUBES
Peavey VB-2 seems to be the only thing really in the price range. I definatly prefer tubes for guitar (I've got a Tiny Terror and Fender Blues Jr)
Some of the lower end hybrid SVTs would hit the budget also.

Option 3: Awesome Preamp + class-D poweramp

Boutique pre (Demeter HBP-1, Alembic F1-X, etc) + something like a Crown XLS1000

This route is very tempting... I'd imagine these pres are about as good as it gets, and with gobs of cheap class-D poweramps flooding the market watts are cheap. Also this feels like the most futureproof option.

EDIT: The reason I can't try stuff is that the nearest major music store is several hours away...all the local place ever seems to have are Crate combos.

I hope this does't offend CUP rules..., but...I was a full SWR endorser "back in the day". Nothing wrong with SWR ...., but the Genz Benz tone and sound has nothing to do with the SWR tone.

I just wanted to make that clarification before it became chat room fact.

rpsands · #5 08-19-2010, 09:33 PM

I'll second this, I've owned and played a lot of GB stuff and played a lot of SWR stuff...nothing in common except being bass amps

TylerE · #6 08-19-2010, 09:34 PM

Ok, my mistake... I just was under the impression that the GB was the same sort of scooped tone as SWR. (Note: I'm *not* bashing SWR at all...just not the vibe I'm looking for right now)

MJ5150 · #7 08-19-2010, 09:35 PM

A Markbass LMII would be a nice amp, and can be had for about $400.

-Mike

will33 · #8 08-19-2010, 09:49 PM

"Help spend my money"

PM sent with who to make the check out to and where to mail it!

Really, I wouldn't equate GB with SWR for any comparative purposes. Genz has a rep for being strong/clean, maybe a little prominent in the mids but not SWR scoop at all. You may want try the talkbass swr mod SWR Aural Enhancer Bypass and play with some different cabs before you ditch your amp and play a bunch of new amps through the same cab. Just a thought, throw it in the mix.

hasbeen · #9 08-19-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerE

Ok, my mistake... I just was under the impression that the GB was the same sort of scooped tone as SWR. (Note: I'm *not* bashing SWR at all...just not the vibe I'm looking for right now)

no worries. We are the opposite of the "scooped tone".

TMacATK · #10 08-19-2010, 09:53 PM

I'll second the Ampeg 410 HLF. That is a killer cab (if you don't mind really, really huge cabs). I've dreamed recently about pushing a 410 HLF (can be found for around $400 used) with a Trace Elliot V-Type 600H (~$600 used). Always been interested in Mesa stuff, too. There's a guy in my area that's been listing his pristine condition Buster Bass (all tube) combo with a matching extension cab for $900 for about a year. If I had a thousand to drop on a new rig, I'd definitely check that out!

TylerE · #11 08-19-2010, 09:59 PM

Just for clarification...I'm not looking for a cab at this point. Keep the sugestions coming though.

will33 · #12 08-19-2010, 10:10 PM

A Genz may match well with your avatar as they have plenty in the upper mids and your avatar loses it in about that same region. Odd thing about GenzBenz. Since they've come out with the shuttle series (and at least a couple re-incarnations of it at that) I would've expected to get a good deal on a GBE750 or 600 or something by now from someone who upgraded to the shuttle but that hasn't happened. People buy shuttles, like them and keep them but plenty of people also play GBE's and like them and keep them.

That should tell you something.....

Raymeous · #13 08-19-2010, 10:11 PM

I just picked up a Carvin BX1500 and BRX10.4 Neo.

I'm very happy with this rig. It has a ton of EQ to mess with along with some pretty in depth routing options for loops, DI, and a built in compressor and it can be biamped or bridged. It does have a 12AX7 in it but I would hesitate to call it a tube amp. It adds a little sweetness to your sound and a bit o' grit when its maxed out but its not a tube amp. The nice thing about not being a tube amp is that its also 1500w into 4ohms for 10 pounds of "luggage".

Here's the link.
http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...t=BX1500-10.4N

TylerE · #14 08-20-2010, 06:54 PM

bassguppy · #15 08-20-2010, 08:30 PM

Retro tone?

Get a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe or a Flipster pedal.

For future consideration it's great to have 2 rigs. Although I'm down to 1 main amp now having a higher power pre/power setup along with a micro head will offer great versatility.

Got rehearsal, a jam, a small venue to play, or you just don't feel like hauling the rack grab the micro head, cab, and bass. Big stage gig or outdoors bring out the preamp/power amp rig. Some micros will handle outdoors easily also.

Now just decide what to get first...this didn't help at all did it.

TMacATK · #16 08-20-2010, 09:33 PM

Seriously, check out the V-Type 600H. If you're looking for a more vintage tone and gobs of power, it's a perfect head for you. They look amazing, too.

JimmyM · #17 08-20-2010, 09:49 PM

you really can't go wrong with anything you picked out. it's all good stuff. i always gravitate toward tubes and more tubes, but nothing wrong with any of it.

TMacATK · #18 08-20-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMacATK

Seriously, check out the V-Type 600H. If you're looking for a more vintage tone and gobs of power, it's a perfect head for you. They look amazing, too.

Edit: and there's a great deal in classifieds right now on a 600H. Somebody buy it so I'm not tempted to buy it myself.
trace elliot v-type 600h

zachoff · #19 08-20-2010, 10:48 PM

I might get some crap for saying this, but the Avatar might be your problem right now and not necessarily the head. They're voiced rather cleanly. So is the SWR though.

DBTOYS · #20 08-21-2010, 12:54 PM

well my ampeg svt 4 pro and 610 hlf cab hits all i need and have had no problems.