Manufacturer Tone Characteristics

[ACLucas]

Is is possible to make accurate generalizations about the tonal character of the heads and cabinets made by specific manufacturers?

I'm shopping for my first amp head (I'm trying everything I can) and could use some guidance in the form of terms like modern, defined, crunchy, gritty, clean, dirty, etc.

I don't really want to know which head and/or cabinet(s) would be best for what or where I'm playing. (I should decide that and accept responsibility for my mistakes.) I'm just trying to figure out what to try next.

Right now the GB Shuttle 6.0, which I would describe as warm and clean, is my favorite but what, for example, are the Acoustic (brand), Aguilar and Ampeg "sounds?" Thanks.

[RickenBoogie]

No, not really, since most manufacturers make several different models, to please customers with different tonal goals.

[KramerBassFan]

Just go out to a store and try everything.

Cause an "amps" tonal "characteristics" can often totally change with the turn of a knob, or fresh bass strings, or a big efficient cabinet, or an old school cab with no tweeter. And so on.

[ACLucas]

I suspected as much. I just wondered if, since every maker's website brags about the " _______ Sound", they had signatures. Thanks.

[LilloEsquilo]

Well from what I've seen Eden for example tends to be a lot like Genz Benz - warm and clean tone.

Ampeg tends to have what I would consider a gritty and grinding tone, at least in the lower end amps that I've seen.

Acoustic tends to be clean and punchy.

That's kind of how I would sum it up, for what I've seen. I've never had an Aguilar so I can't say anything about that brand. I hope that's somewhat helpful.

[ACLucas]

Very helpful. I think there's a used Eden rig nearby to try. Thank you.

[MODELL]

Originally Posted by LilloEsquilo

Well from what I've seen Eden for example tends to be a lot like Genz Benz - warm and clean tone.

Ampeg tends to have what I would consider a gritty and grinding tone, at least in the lower end amps that I've seen.

Acoustic tends to be clean and punchy.

That's kind of how I would sum it up, for what I've seen. I've never had an Aguilar so I can't say anything about that brand. I hope that's somewhat helpful.

To dovetail on this:

SWR - generally can have that "scooped" tone (lacking mid freq's.)
In the 80's a GK RB800 and Hartke 4 -10" aluminium cone speakers was "The California Sound"

[Rick Auricchio]

Be advised that the descriptive terms we use can be rather vague. Especially "punch."

For example, my drummer (a former keyboardist) remarked that my Ibanez BTB575 with Bartolini pups didn't have the "warmth" that my Stingray-4 does.

This puzzled me, because I consider the SR to be aggressive and the Barts to be very smooth and polite. Upon further discussion, he completely agreed, but his use of the word "warmth" was completely the opposite of my usage!

[Electricblue]

All the Ashdowns ive tried (about 5) sound very warm and sort of 'rubbery'...

And when my combo was new, it sent out a lovely plasticy new smell outta the fan for a few weeks.

[ACLucas]

All very helpful. Will look for SWR and Ashdown heads to play. Thanks again, folks.

[R Baer]

Might be a little easier if you describe what sort of tone you are looking for, what style of music you play and what type of bass you use, then we can help steer you in that direction.

[Rick Auricchio]

Originally Posted by Electricblue

All the Ashdowns ive tried (about 5) sound very warm and sort of 'rubbery'...

Rubbery? That's a new one on me.

[MODELL]

Originally Posted by Rick Auricchio

Rubbery? That's a new one on me.

An older Bass Player magazine had a review of The Band's DVD 'The Last Waltz' and the writer described Rick Danko's tone as rubbery.......