I want a new bass rig I think?

[grdriftin]

I've really only been playing a couple years. I have a fender standard Jazz bass that runs to a Aguilar Tone Hammer DI then onto a Hartke LH500. The cabinets I use are both Hartke 4.5xl(4-10) and a 115xl. We play mostly covers ranging from Southern rock, blues to Americana. I just want that low warm tube amp sound. I'm not real sure about the aluminum cones on the Hartke cabs. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks

[B-string]

The biggest change will come from changing speaker cabs.

[grdriftin]

That's what I'm leaning to first. see what that sounds like with my amp and go from there. Good lord I don't have a clue what I need or want. Makes it hard to decide.

[B-string]

What kind of budget do you have? At these days you have choices! In the old days, not so much

[grdriftin]

Honestly I'd like to spend A thousand on the head and about the same on a new cab.

[cubby6708]

I'd go witha tonehammer500 and SL(super light) 410, you will thank your back later!

[CL400Peavey]

Pick up a peavey IPR 1600, and buy a fEARless 115. Drive the IPR bridged into the fEARless. About $700 under your $2K budget.

[backup]

you will now get every one's personal favorites.
try being more specific as to what your priorities are.

weight? power? lows? tweeter?

with your budget you do have a whole lot of options.

b-string is right. the cab does make the biggest difference. cab and strings you know.

also the warm tube sound doesn't nessecarily involve tubes imo. there are many solid state amps that deliver a very warm and comfortable sound.

my personal recommendation when it comes to amplifiers and cabinets is ampeg.

[cchorney]

Shop out other cabs with your existing amp/bass/DI. Also consider adding a compressor to your signal chain for added saturation. Maybe 2 15's or something.

[grdriftin]

Like I said I really don't know. I guess weight and lows? But I'm young enough to pack a 810 around for a while.

[grdriftin]

@cchorney I think that's what I'll do. Change the cab first. Man thanks a ton for all the opinions. that Aguilar DI really changed my sound a ton.

[mournblade]

As said, everyone will give you there favorites(mine is Mesa btw). Can you give us some ideas of the tones you like from existing artists, recordings etc? My advice is go to every music store you can find and play everything they have, irrespective of price. Your budget will allow you quite a large range of choices, especially if you look at used gear.

[basscooker]

with a budget like that you have "dream rig" potential, so don't let it burn a hole in your pocket. i don't know anything about that head, but you might halve your budget and keep it, use that extra grand for bills or another luxury purchase.

[Vince Klortho]

Opinions vary and I think just the opposite. If you want a warm tube sound I would change the head first. New cabinets will not give a "tube" sound. The 4.5XL and 115XL should give plenty of lows and for most people they do quite well. There are plenty of different amps you can try. Mesa, Aguilar, and the Hartke Kilo come to mind quickly.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by grdriftin

@cchorney I think that's what I'll do. Change the cab first. Man thanks a ton for all the opinions. that Aguilar DI really changed my sound a ton.

Check out Mesas PH412 if you wont mind the size of an 810. LOVE this cab!

[mournblade]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Check out Mesas PH412 if you wont mind the size of an 810. LOVE this cab!

Definitely second that. If you can't find one used (they are about 1300), the GK 4x12 is also an excellent cab, I might have liked the tone out of it(the GK) slightly more to be honest.