need advice on head

Mybikeisblack · #1 07-26-2011, 07:41 PM

Ok, after reading from people getting the ampeg tone from using a Sansamp RBI, I've been considering going that route.

Now, heres a few choices I have:

Buy SVT7 PRO
Buy Sansamp RBI and use my current head, GK 400RBii which is only 240 watts
Buy Sansamp RBI and buy a power amp.

I'm in new band now and we play deathmetal/deathcore type music. Obviously more power may be needed so keeping the GK might not be the best choice, but so far I havent had that issue.

The SVT7 sounds like a winner to me and it has the headphone slot which makes a dig deal to me so I can play at home with out bothering neighbors. But, the $800 tag kinda sucks. Would using the RBI with this head be kinda useless?

Now buying the Sansamp and buying a power amp could be a good idea, but I dont know where to start for that. Only problem I have is, I have to buy this stuff from "zzounds" mainly because I'm not paying for it and someone else is.

I have a $1000 limit, but I am also getting a rack for my other equipment.

If going the RBI and power amp route, would I need to ditch my DBX compressor?

Any help is greatly appreciated. This is a birthday/anniversary
present to me from my girlfriend!

**B-string** · #2 07-26-2011, 07:45 PM

Get one of new lightwieght Crown or Peavey power amps ($300 to $400 for some serious push). No problem still using the DBX.

Mybikeisblack · #3 07-26-2011, 08:26 PM

So, like the Crown XLS1000?

**B-string** · #4 07-26-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

So, like the Crown XLS1000?

Exactly!

Mybikeisblack · #5 07-26-2011, 08:43 PM

Dont exactly see on there how you would go about running the tuner and DBX to that, or would that just run to the RBI?

Gearhead17 · #6 07-26-2011, 09:03 PM

You probably will not need the DBX compressor, but keep it anyway to make sure. I suggest improving your technique to get a more even attack.

The RBI and a power amp is a good route to go. For practicing, you can buy a small mixer and plug your bass and IPOD straight into it. Headphone out on the mixer and you are good to go.

The 7 PRO has it's own tone, if there is a "power amp in" input, you can plug the RBI straight into the 7 PRO and bypass the 7 PRO's tone. The 7 PRO will become a power amp only in this mode. With the 7 PRO and RBI, you could have two tones to work with along with the headphone output.

Not sure how to route the compressor with that setup, if it were me, I would ditch the compressor until I figured out the rig sounds overall.

Mybikeisblack · #7 07-26-2011, 09:15 PM

Yeah, I have no problem not using the compressor. The SVT has a built in one, although I dont like it that much. I just liked the tone of the ampeg overall. I've never played with the RBI nor one of the power amps

Gearhead17 · #8 07-26-2011, 09:18 PM

Tech 21 Sansamp RBI Rackmount Bass Tube Amp Emulator: Shop Bass & Other Musical Instruments | Musician's Friend

45 day return policy - you have to pay the shipping if you do not like it. Look up some sound clips on youtube.com, put on some good headphones and listen carefully.

RBI - Great for some and terrible for others. Nearly every Power amp out there sounds the same - clean. So you get everything that pre-amp does louder and clean.

Mybikeisblack · #9 07-26-2011, 09:25 PM

Alright thanks, Ill look in to that. I've never given much thought to using a pre amp and a power amp

BillJarrett · #10 07-26-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

need advice on head

It's awesome.

Any of the above power amps suggested are great. I think QSC makes a new lightweight one as well, although I'm not sure of the price.

The pre-amp as always comes down to tone preference and of course which one offers features you value the most.

As far as the compressor goes, you could even keep it in the chain and set it up as a limiter, but there's no reason not to keep in the chain if you like it. I've never been too fond of Ampegs built in compressors, but that's just me.

stingraysvt · #11 07-26-2011, 09:30 PM

If your not paying for it get the 7 pro, you can use the compressor with that rig if you'd like, Power amp rigs are cool because you can really control your live volume with the attenuators and still have whatever preamplifier bumping at your ideal tone/vol.

I had a PLX 3402 jamming two 410's at only 8 ohms per side = 1400 watts! And if I had to turn down I left my preamp alone and just clicked back the attenuators. Or I could cut back/off 1 cabinet if needed, can't do that with most amps! (course you could just unplug a cab...)

You can still use the sans amp for your FOH send, and jump into the amp either with affected output or parallel to you input, alot of guys do that... And it always sounds killer!

I'm actually sitting here dialing in my SVT's tone from a live recording on my Sansamp to use with my smaller rigs for that mojo!

But seriously, all you need is the 7 pro, less cabling in the long run... Buy a sans amp down the road to keep with you incase of emergency.

Mybikeisblack · #12 07-26-2011, 09:31 PM

Yep, i toyed with the SVT, and hated the compressor. I pretty much just use the DBX as a limiter now. So no one recommends using the RBI with the current head I have now?

Mybikeisblack · #13 07-26-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingraysvt

If your not paying for it get the 7 pro, you can use the compressor with that rig if you'd like, Power amp rigs are cool because you can really control your live volume with the attenuators and still have whatever preamplifier bumping at your ideal tone/vol.

I had a PLX 3402 jamming two 410's at only 8 ohms per side = 1400 watts! And if I had to turn down I left my preamp alone and just clicked back the attenuators. Or I could cut back/off 1 cabinet if needed, can't do that with most amps! (course you could just unplug a cab...)

You can still use the sans amp for your FOH send, and jump into the amp either with affected output or parallel to you input, alot of guys do that... And it always sounds killer!

I'm actually sitting here dialing in my SVT's tone from a live recording on my Sansamp to use with my smaller rigs for that mojo!

But seriously, all you need is the 7 pro, less cabling in the long run... Buy a sans amp down the road to keep with you incase of emergency.

After looking into the RBI and the power amp, I would much rather have the SVT7 because like you said, less cabling. Would there be much point in buying the SVT along with the RBI?

Gearhead17 · #14 07-26-2011, 09:34 PM

If the current head works for you, roll with it. At 240 watts though, you are going to run out of steam at some point. Have you used this head with the Ampeg 610hlf / Traynor 215 cabs at shows? Or only in a practice situation?

Mirios · #15 07-26-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

Yep, i toyed with the SVT, and hated the compressor. I pretty much just use the DBX as a limiter now. So no one recommends using the RBI with the current head I have now?

You could but sounds like you may be after more power with your current project.

BillJarrett · #16 07-26-2011, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mybikeisblack

Yep, i toyed with the SVT, and hated the compressor. I pretty much just use the DBX as a limiter now. So no one recommends using the RBI with the current head I have now?

If you get the RBI, you'll probably want to run it into the GK's effects return jack, thus making it a power amp.

Not much different in terms of function, just that you'll be at 240 watts, instead of whatever higher wattage amps were suggested - and you can't do the cool volume tricks mentioned above =)

stingraysvt · #17 07-26-2011, 09:36 PM

Just out of curiosity, how old are you? And your girlfriend is buying this for you? What on earth is your secret!

BTW

you da man!

Mybikeisblack · #18 07-26-2011, 09:40 PM

Haha, ill be 23 on Friday! No secret really, just being loyal to the same girl for the last 4 years!!

I actually use this head at live shows through the 610hlf now, never had a volume problem, and I usually have to turn down.

I do think ill run out of steam though, because I'm in a newer band where the two guitarists are using legit equipment now. So, I'm thinking keep the GK as a back up, and replace with a new set up. The only thing keeping me on the ampeg is the fact that it has the head phone jack. I would like to stay away from having to buy more things (if i went the RBI and power amp route) to be able to practice without using a cab.

stingraysvt · #19 07-26-2011, 09:43 PM

Keep the GK for backup or practice or whatever...

I like the RBI it has a lot of versatility you could go either way and be happy I'd imagine

I'd snag a good, light, power amp though.

I've seen cats play through Crown Macrotech 3600's like Dave Schools... Sounded great!

I tried it one time with a 3600 out of my sound rig and that's just too much weight to hump around no matter how good it sounds! Lol!

stingraysvt · #20 07-26-2011, 09:46 PM

The Ampeg will go along with the legit guitar players

The RBI is totally legit too though...

Oh and just looked at the Ampeg webpage, the 7 pro is 15 freaking pounds!

The power amp route alone would be heavier than that!

Save your back, have a practice setup, save your beloved 200 bucks.