How many bass amps (or heads) do you own?

[BBQBob]

Hello to all...

I've got several...but then again, I buy and rarely sell.

Main rig since 1985 - GK800RB
Hartke 3500a
Hartke Kickback12
GK-MB-115-IIs
GK-400rb

New toys...GB-Shuttle 6.0 and a Shuttle 6.2-12T combo

There's always room for more..

Cabinets... 2 x Kroth with a 15" JBL in each, Hartke VX-15, Hartke VX4x10, GB-10T, GK-112...and a GK something loaded with a 15"

Cheers,

BBQ Bob
Ottawa, ON.

[El-Bob]

One head (Gallien-Krueger 400RB IV), one cab (Yorkville 4x10... not sure of the actual model name), and one practice amp (Eden Nemesis N8. Surprisingly awesome practice amp, and is just right for small acoustic gigs with a drum box).

So 2 amps, I guess.

[BFISHER1970]

0 amps for the last few years
DI-->PA-->In ears

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by KJung

Ah, I remember now. I was thinking of Nostatic when I posted!

It's good to know I'm in the thoughts of TB'ers, especially as the holidays approach

I *always* have two amps at a gig. One on-stage, the other in the car as backup. Right now the main head is a Puma 500, backup is a Puma 900. Yeah, I suppose it should be the other way around but frankly the Puma 500 is stupid loud already. I had a Blue Soul briefly, and have flirted with getting it back, though I think it is mostly just GAS. The Puma 500/900 is an amazing head that treads a nice line between hi-fi and more vintage. Just the taste knob alone can move you between those fairly well.

That said, I've been experimenting with QCS K10s, as I have those sitting around my studio (they are my PA mains for small gigs). Steubig came over this weekend and we mixed and matched a bunch of basses and heads/cabs. The last thing I pulled out was the K10 and I ran the line out from the Puma 500 into it. Sounded nice. Then I just ran the bass straight into the K10. Sounded awesome. Really awesome. Of course I'm not sure how that will translate into a band setting, and both Steuart and I wondered about how hard you could bang on that but the tone was way sweeter than either of us thought it would be. I'll use it on my next jazz hit - probably will be perfect for that.

Short answer - minimum 2 giggable heads. Beyond that it is experimentation...

[rapidfirerob]

I only use one, Genz Benz 6.0. I have an old Kustom combo practice amp and a Peavey Microbass, which I don't use either. I use my Michael Kelly ABG for practice at home.

[topcat2069]

I'm a "B"
Stage rig:
GK 1001RB II, 2 NEO 1X15 Cabs
Head I just own (played one gig when the GK was in the shop for a cleaning) Fender 1972 Bassman 100
Practice: Acoustic B20

I've used the GK rig only since 2005

[MysticMichael]

I presently own seven standalone bass heads, plus a 2x10 combo amp, for a total of eight amps - as the result of an unexpected windfall that has come my way during the past couple of years.

I don't know that I believe in the concept of the "silver bullet" amp, as I like to change things up somewhat for different applications, i.e. different genres of music, different size rooms, etc. Variety is good...within reason.

My stable:

Carvin B2000
Euphonic Audio iAmp Pro
Mesa-Boogie M-Pulse 600
Gallien-Krueger 700RB-II
Eden Nemesis RS700
Gallien-Krueger MB800
Gallien-Krueger MB500
Eden Nemesis NC210 combo amp

MM

[jumbodbassman]

over 20. always 2 at a gig.

[wideload]

It seems no matter what I play, I end up sounding like "me", at least my bandmates say. I may notice a subtle difference, but that's it. Given that, there's not much incentive to change other than change itself. I mean, most cars are traded long before they are done in, so why should bass amps (and basses) be different?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by wideload

It seems no matter what I play, I end up sounding like "me", at least my bandmates say. I may notice a subtle difference, but that's it. Given that, there's not much incentive to change other than change itself. I mean, most cars are traded long before they are done in, so why should bass amps (and basses) be different?

I agree with that to a large extent. But some do make it easier for me to be me than others, no doubt about it. Once you find what works for you, though, no sense in fixing what ain't broke.

[dhsierra1]

three amp heads: GK400RB, GK800RB, and a blackface Fender Showman. These are my main amps with the 800 getting the bulk of the gigs.

I also have a Peavey lead sled power amp and Peavey Classic Series 60 tube power amp, figuring out what to do for a preamp for those since the one I had (a Behringer) went south on me recently

[Green Lantern]

Originally Posted by jumbodbassman

over 20. always 2 at a gig.

I agree having a backup can be a life saver. I saw a band and the bass player was going through a Behringer Ultra Bass 550 amp that was next to a Carvin BX500. Apparently the Carvin amp died and he as using his backup Behringer which actually sounded pretty good.

[Phalex]

I still have my KMD head from the 80's. I think I mostly keep it for sentimental reasons, and to use as a beater.

I have my PB-500 head from my stack.

I also have 2 combos

one little one for practice and a big one for gigging.

[ntenny]

Originally Posted by BFISHER1970

0 amps for the last few years
DI-->PA-->In ears

What do you do for practice (alone or with the band)?

Me, I like toys; I've finally migrated to a pre+power+cab setup so I can kind of control the sprawl. Besides that, I've got a 100W combo and a slightly bizarre 35W Harmony combo from the 1960s. (The inputs are labelled "Bass Or Guitar" and "Accordion Or Microphone", and it has eighth notes on the grillcloth. Perfection.)

I'm not totally happy with the BBE 383 preamp I'm running, though, and I have pretty bad GAS for the pedal-format Aguilar preamp. The big advantage of the separate components is that is brings the costs of GAS, in both dollars and space, way down. Who could object to my buying another pedal, for heaven's sake? :-)

-NT

[Zoomie]

Hmm. Right now, just three.

Hartke Kilo

Genz Benz Streamliner 900

1967 Ampeg B-15N

The Ampeg stays at home for obvious reasons. The other two go with me whenever I leave the house with a bass or two.

Depending on my mood, I will plug in to one or the other. They both sound just like me, in all my ugly hacking glory.

[jg919]

Hi! I own one bass head - GK 800rb (1986). I love it to death, but still love exploring new tones and gear. My ethic is to use the gear till it,s completely dead, so I don't see any new amps on the horizon for a while yet haha!
Thanks, John.

[barrybass33]

For the last five years I been giggin with a markbass F1...

But I have two backup heads.
Walter woods
SWR SM 400S

And three different cabs.
Epifani UL 3X10
Markbass 4X10
NY 604 pair...

[MyMusic]

I'm a B:
Carvin BX250, 500, 1500. Works for me.

[Honkycat]

I have two bass heads right now..An Eden WT-400 (plug in and play..everything pretty much at noon..and a favourite of FOH guys)..GB Streamliner 900 (miles away tonewise from the Eden,really pushes my cabs,..diggin it!).

[english4bw]

Traynor DB400 with Traynor Neo TC210 cabinet AB/Y with Traynor DB-300T amp + 1150 Cabinet thru A-Designs REDDI tube direct box




700W into 215, 210, and 2x8 all at once is more than enough when I need to play outdoor/large venues stand alone without any FOH sound support.

Venues with good sound support from FOH I just run direct from my REDDI to FOH, and take the DB300T (which tilts like a wedge) as my onstage amp/monitor.

I've never needed more or less. It's a very versatile little setup that can be pared down and/or built up to suit any situation in my experience.

I still GAS for a YBA300 and TC-810 head/cab ocassionally, but I can't see any practical reason to buy one at the moment. Plus I'd have to buy a freakin VAN to haul the stupid thing around! LOL