Needs great tools! Versatile Boutique Rig/'s

burns_isaac · #1 04-17-2013, 02:16 PM

First off Im not a gear head. I know a little bit but probably not enough. Anyway, I'm in the market for a new head and cab/ cabs. I currently play through an Eden 410 xlt and their discontinued Nemisis 650, old skool BA 115, and a Yamaha BB series passive 4. It's also probably fair to mention that a "good" 5 purchase is in the very near future, maybe a yamaha TRB line or a Roscoe. I'm looking for something high end but there are zero boutique stores in my area so Is have to make a good drive to go play on anything. I'd like I have some ideas before I make the drive considering ill probably stay the weekend and make a purchase. Sorry, had to get that out of the way. So now to the rig. I currently work in a Salsa band, a bachata y merengue band, ( both of whom need a good amount of low end and cut plus a considerable amount of power considering I absolutely refuse to play through the bandleaders PA. It's terrible at quality bass reproduction. Secondly, I also play with two jazz groups, one stays pretty straight ahead while the other tends to be more modern. The tenor sax player switches between his EWI and tenor a lot and the guitarist likes effects. I'm looking for a fat sound for that group but need pure mid and high presence. Next is the contemporary worship, gospel, and top 40 groups. You see where Im getting at here? Thoughts and opinions please! Thanks

SalmonCubes · #2 04-17-2013, 02:28 PM

If you're looking into some high end amps and cabs, you might want to check out a German company called Glockenklang. I hear they are very good.

As far as cabs go, nothing speaks versatile quite like a fEARful cab, such as a 15/6/1. fEARfuls have practically no coloration, so they will accurately reproduce whatever sound you are putting into the cab. Also, they get extremely loud for their size. A good 15/6/1 can easily compete with a 4x10, and I've heard that the 1515/66 design blows away 8x10 cabs.

burns_isaac · #3 04-17-2013, 03:57 PM

Interesting. I'm not looking for a high end rig for the sake of having a high end rig, just to be clear. I'm looking for the highest quality of tone reproduction available for any musical situation. I work a good amount and Im tired of always being disappointed with my tone. I played a former teachers Fodera through a Bergantino a few months back and I couldn't pick my jaw up off the floor. I was utterly amazed at the drastic difference between my Yamaha BB and the '94 Eden XLT and the Fodera and Berg. Ever since then it just plain hurts me to continue with what I have. It's not bad but I feel very very very limited.

bherman · #4 04-17-2013, 04:01 PM

where are you located? That might help us a bit with where to go to try out stuff. You play a wide variety of music so it will be tricky to find something that does it all. One thought (with cabs) is to go modular, like 2 - 112 cabinets so that you can bring one for the lower-volume jazz stuff and 2 for the louder bands.

There are many great, lightweight amps out there now that can do just about anything without breaking your back (or your bank). I use a Genz Benz Streamliner 900. 6 lbs, 900 watts, tons of deep bass. I'd probably stay away from Glock amps - great rigs, but more for rock than what you are doing (and high-priced).

Are you playing all electric, or upright bass for the jazz stuff?

bherman · #5 04-17-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burns_isaac

Interesting. I'm not looking for a high end rig for the sake of having a high end rig, just to be clear. I'm looking for the highest quality of tone reproduction available for any musical situation. I work a good amount and Im tired of always being disappointed with my tone. I played a former teachers Fodera through a Bergantino a few months back and I couldn't pick my jaw up off the floor. I was utterly amazed at the drastic difference between my Yamaha BB and the '94 Eden XLT and the Fodera and Berg. Ever since then it just plain hurts me to continue with what I have. It's not bad but I feel very very very limited.

Berg just came out with a 112 cab that gets great reviews (I think its the CN series, but not sure - look in the amp forum). I just bought a Baer 112 and really like it - just over 30 lbs, I'll probably buy another and I'll be set.

So many choices these days!

**Thor** · #6 04-17-2013, 04:10 PM

What Berg was it and what amp was driving it? If you found that tone jaw dropping, I'd head that way first. Berg's are very good.

Every Bag End cab I have heard and played, I have liked. There was one rig I played recently, a Bag End 115 driven by a Li'l Mark that sounded awesome.

Gard from Roscoe, back when he worked at Bass Central swore by Epifani's.

**CL400Peavey** · #7 04-17-2013, 04:20 PM

Everyone is going to have their own preferences. For me this is what works:

Those are fEARful alpha 12/6/1's. The baffles are mirrored to allow for vertical alignment of the mid drivers in either "wide" or "narrow" alignment. I drive them with either a Peavey classic 400 or a carvin B1500.

burns_isaac · #8 04-17-2013, 04:21 PM

Dallas/ Ft.Worth. I'm not necessarily looking for the one trick pony. I'd like to have a couple of options but need to narrow it down to the two that will get me through it all, cabs and heads. I know the options are limitless which is I why Im seeking knowledgeable advice that comes with experience!

bherman · #9 04-17-2013, 06:32 PM

nowadays, one of the deciding factors is size and weight. I you want lots of power for the head and don't care about 25-50 lbs you can go in one direction. If you want an amp that will fit in a backpack, you go another (MarkBass, Tone Hammer, Genz Benz, the list goes on).

Same with cabs - do you want a pair of 25-30 lb 12's, or a 15/6 LDS or FearFul (50 lbs) or a monster cab (fridge, 2x15, etc)?

burns_isaac · #10 04-17-2013, 06:48 PM

No fridges! Ha. I'm tired of hauling around this old XLT and its only a 410. Lightweight and gets the job done. Something smaller for the small to medium sized gigs, not sure about the combo thing unless someone makes a great one, and something that will cover me for the Salsa, Church, and Cover work. Man I really appreciate your help. I know you can only help so much like I said I just need to pointed in a good direction. I'm familiar with Aguilar, Bergantino, and Eden but again nowhere within 250 miles to go experiment and honestly I'm not sure a weekend trip is enough quality time spent to really sort through all of my options. As you said, there are a ton!

bassgod0dmw · #11 04-17-2013, 06:57 PM

Price range?

burns_isaac · #12 04-17-2013, 07:24 PM

I'm going to go ahead and make the investment. I'll take a hit. If I keep toting around this mediocre gear and not being able to meet my needs and the needs of others when called upon, people will stop taking me seriously. It's just a fact of life for freelance guys you know? It's time to step up my game. The stuff that got me through my first several years of working isn't cutting it anymore. Whatever costs I have to incur is a non issue at this point.

bassgod0dmw · #13 04-17-2013, 07:28 PM

So then why not the Fodera and Bergantino that you know you love already? That's good for like $10K right there

Andyman001 · #14 04-17-2013, 07:29 PM

Don't count out GK. Not as high priced as some but a lot of people love the sound.

And I am a bit biased

burns_isaac · #15 04-17-2013, 07:34 PM

Ha. A Fodera sounds good no matter who plays it and I hear its not the best bet for making "your sound" stand out. I've been told, "A Fodera sounds like a Fodera, it will never sound like You." Now how true that is I have no idea! You just made me think of a good question though. What cabs and amps allow "You" to sound like "You?"

burns_isaac · #16 04-17-2013, 07:35 PM

While sounding like whoever is paying you wants you to sound!?

burns_isaac · #17 04-17-2013, 07:37 PM

I'm probably over thinking this

burns_isaac · #18 04-17-2013, 07:42 PM

I've had some pretty weird requests though like guys wanting me to sub but need a gritty sound or the opposite, guys asking me for a super fat warm tone. Most of the time I just say yes and they never know the difference but I need to feel confident in the versatility of my tone and the playing will take care of the rest.

bherman · #19 04-17-2013, 08:15 PM

ok a few suggestions (my opinion, so nobody jump on me unless you have better ideas!):

Stay away from combos - no need nowadays with small, high-quality components

Avoid Ampeg - many people like them but I think that there is far better stuff out there unless you want heavy, vintage

Check out Genz Benz, either Streamliner 900 or Shuttle 9.2 if you need a more modern sound. Powerhouse amps and very compact

Get modular cabs - either 2 - 1x12s, or 2-12/6, or 2-2x10 if you like the sound of 10s. You'll have easy carries and can bring 1 or 2 cabs as needed.

Cabs I like - Genz Benz neos, Berg 112s, Baer 112s

Good luck and keep us posted - need more help, just ask!