New amp?

Likeaboss302 · #1 02-02-2012, 07:01 PM

Hey guys, I was considering buying a new amp, my old one isn't getting me the right tone I'm looking for. I've got a GK mb500, it's really a great practice amp but the tone is a little less than perfect for gigging. (It's also a little small considering our guitarist just got a new EVH

) I've just bought an Ibanez BTB 675, fantastic bass by the way, and it's a pretty big step up from my crappy little GSR200. The tone is so different that I hadn't noticed the lack of growl switching from the GSR.

I've taken my bass to a few shops and tried out some amps, I really liked a MESA M9 that I hooked up too, I also liked a GK 1001RB. My playing style is really brutal (almost similar to Rob Trujillo's) and I kind of expected to hear some growl from it, but with the GK being a solid state, it's not happening. I've heard that tube amps really bring out the tone in the bass and provide a warmer, fatter sound.

I guess what I'm asking for is what type of amp I should get for the stage (I'll probably buy the cabinet that goes with it), and any other suggestions that you guys have!

dhsierra1 · #2 02-02-2012, 07:11 PM

GK's are well known for their growl, that's how they're designed so I find it a bit puzzling you're not getting it from something as powerful as the MB500

What speaker cabs are you using?

Catbuster · #3 02-02-2012, 07:15 PM

Were you running it through 10s or 15s? GKs seem to growl like crazy though 12s.

And, the 1001RB has to be ran REALLY, REALLY hard to growl. A 700RB will start to gowl at a much lower volume level.

dog1 · #4 02-02-2012, 07:16 PM

Gee. I dunno.

I have gotten a lot of growl using my 4003 through a Behringer combo. And also plenty of growl using a neck through Ibanez through a GB NeoPak and a couple of 12's. Tube heads will give you distortion, or can be clean. From your post, it is hard to picture what you are looking for. To me, growl can come from anything. Strings, bass, amp, or even style of playing.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

JimmyM · #5 02-02-2012, 07:24 PM

I do love the tubers, no doubt. Not really necessary to have them to get amps that grind well, but nothing does it better IMHO. In solid state or hybrid, there's only about two hundred amps you can get that'll work

So just keep trying stuff out and make up your own mind.

Likeaboss302 · #6 02-02-2012, 08:38 PM

Oops, my bad on my amp model, I forgot that the combo number is different than just the head...
It's a MB210 combo, I have the boost knob all the way up pretty much all the time and it's always very clean sounding, until I turn up the gain to about 75%, then it starts to sound a bit crunchy.
My only problem with it is that the crunch sounds a bit... fake, if you catch my drift.

JimmyM · #7 02-02-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Likeaboss302

Oops, my bad on my amp model, I forgot that the combo number is different than just the head...
It's a MB210 combo, I have the boost knob all the way up pretty much all the time and it's always very clean sounding, until I turn up the gain to about 75%, then it starts to sound a bit crunchy.
My only problem with it is that the crunch sounds a bit... fake, if you catch my drift.

Difference between tube and solid state. GK's known more for a real tight and definitely solid state sounding distortion tone. Some of the tube emulating amps and pedals do very well with it, though. Certainly close enough for rock and roll, but with anything, tastes will vary, and I really don't think anything quite gets it like tubes, although my Micro VR and PF350 do a terrific emulation of mild-medium tube grind.

dhsierra1 · #8 02-02-2012, 08:46 PM

still the same amount of power as an MB500. But you're working w/2-10s. If possible, try a GK extension 2-10 w/neo's (I think it's the MBE line). More speaker gives you a lot more sound.

If it's not working for you then you have approximately a gazillion choices out there you should try out

dhsierra1 · #9 02-02-2012, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Difference between tube and solid state. GK's known more for a real tight and definitely solid state sounding distortion tone. Some of the tube emulating amps and pedals do very well with it, though. Certainly close enough for rock and roll, but with anything, tastes will vary, and I really don't think anything quite gets it like tubes, although my Micro VR and PF350 do a terrific emulation of mild-medium tube grind.

+1, maybe try the Tech 21 VT pedal or the like, good Ampeg emulation. Cheaper than a cab, too.

GK growl is different than Ampeg/tube. Both are good, just a matter of what works for you.

Likeaboss302 · #10 02-02-2012, 09:09 PM

I have a bp200 (can't remember what brand, maybe logitech?) that I haven't played with in awhile. I'll give that a go in a bit and see if that helps at all.

I did have a chance to crank the m9 up a bit (almost got kicked out for making the whole shop shake) and it had a nice distorted sound to it. I'll have to take my bass down there again and ask the guy that works there to see if I can get his opinion about it.

TheRealKong · #11 02-02-2012, 09:11 PM

Its hard to make an educated guess. Just get and try every amp until you find "Your" tone. GK is a good choice, but I wonder that the MB 500 does not work for You.

Try to get an extension cab to Your combo and try out. You will push much more air by getting more cabs than getting a amp with more wattage.

I was gigging with a realy loud punk band in the beginning of the 1980's only using a GK MB 200 combo, a 200 Watt amp, with a closed 410 cab. The combo was able to deliver 100 Watt to its speaker, but 200 Watt to the extension cab. It was enough for the venues we played.

Likeaboss302 · #12 02-02-2012, 09:24 PM

On the extension cab choices I have a 115, 210, 410, and a 212 I think. I know that the 410 will push the most air, but the 115 might provide the extra low end I might be looking for, that low B is hard to find on tens.

TheRealKong · #13 02-02-2012, 09:34 PM

There are a lots of 410 who deliver a real good, punchy low B. The cab has not to be tuned down to 30 hz (as a Peavey TVX 410), because the second and third harmonics will do the job.

I play several 5-strings trouhg 410, 810 and 212, and don't have the feel of a lacking low B.

A/B a 410 with a 212, imho the better choice than a 115.

dhsierra1 · #14 02-02-2012, 09:36 PM

please stick w/a 2-10 or 4-10, best to not mix drivers, discussed umpteen times a week here:

Mixing Speaker Cabs

TheRealKong · #15 02-02-2012, 09:58 PM

Yeah, but mixing up speakers is allowed. There is no federal law against it. It just depends on your personal taste. Just try out. BTW, this is what the linked thread sayes.

Got a full stack with a SWR 212 on the bottom and a Marshall MB 4410 on top. The combowas an emergency - buy because my SWR Redhead passed away two days before an important gig four years ago.

dhsierra1 · #16 02-03-2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealKong

Yeah, but mixing up speakers is allowed. There is no federal law against it. It just depends on your personal taste. Just try out. BTW, this is what the linked thread sayes.

the reality of gigs will tell you otherwise. This is based on 35 years of futzing w/this stuff plus science and other educated ears, good luck

JimmyM · #17 02-03-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhsierra1

the reality of gigs will tell you otherwise. This is based on 35 years of futzing w/this stuff plus science and other educated ears, good luck

While I agree with this, I do have to say that it's not always the case that it'll phase, but the results are unpredictable unless the cabs were designed to mix well (I'm starting to find out that some companies actually do put thought behind it and try to get similar phase relationships, but certainly not all) and won't show themselves till you're on a gig, whereas matching cabs are a sure thing every time.