New Gear Day, Cab suggestions and EQ suggestions

**powmetalbassist** · #1 11-16-2012, 06:49 AM

So got my GK 500mb in the mail today. Looks pretty solid, weighs nothing. A few minor scratches (what is to be expected when you buy used). I am looking to go DI from the head to a pedal board and out to a PA system most the time, though I'd like to maybe pick up a light weight cab for home practice or some gigs. what cabs sound good with this head?
(Note I am going to check out some cabs tonight with the head and see what works best, just looking for people with experience with the head)

Also if anyone has suggestions on how to get different EQ's either out of the MB500 or from metal bassists (Late 80's Thrash, Mid 80's/current Power Metal, Steve Harris, etc.) it would be appreciated. been looking for refrences to bass eq's and finding very little on what different tones people are using/have used. Looking for a starting reference point then tweak to my liking after that.

Notes about me:

I play a mix of Hard Rock, Power Metal and Thrash Metal currently

I like a clean bass tone with lots of lows and mids, while cutting the high end.(though I'm open to other EQ's if anyone has suggestions)

My pedal board consists of a Porkloin (clip injector), BBE opto stomp (compressor) BBE Sonic maximizer, Radial Bassbone preamp [all of which is listed in my sig below]

I use 2 Ibanez RD707's (1987 and 1989) passive elctronics (stock pickups). Nothing impressive, but I like the sound I get from the older passive Ibby's.

**CL400Peavey** · #2 11-16-2012, 07:06 AM

How loud do you need to be with your cab? If most of what you are doing is through the DI/PA then you can get away with a very small cab. GK makes some cheap lightweight cabs.

**powmetalbassist** · #3 11-16-2012, 07:10 AM

So I've heard, going to look at some GK cabs tonight, just looking to see what other suggestions people have. I also have looked at Traynor cabs, but they are a bit heavier than I'm looking to carry these days. I do have to compete with 2 half stacks and a crazy loud drummer (typical metal guys) so I was thinking 212 or 115. I'm not sure a 210 or 112 would be able to keep up at a show if a PA was unavailable.

eriky4003 · #4 11-16-2012, 07:20 AM

Powmetalbassist,
Congratulations on the purchase of your MB500. I've got one and really love it. Don't forget to turn your limiter on at high volumes. Check the Gallien-Krueger website for the manual which will give you some example settings.
I believe I have similar tone requirements but I've cobbled my gear together ad hoc. From what I've read here, you may want to check the GK Neo 212 which is getting a lot of love from its users. I do own the GK Neo 115 which I'm pairing with a GK Neo 210 at gigs (210 is discontinued but Long & McQuade may still have some).
Any reading of this forum will tell you to buy what you love and if you need more volume, buy the same cabinet.
Good luck choosing your cab(s).

**CL400Peavey** · #5 11-16-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powmetalbassist

So I've heard, going to look at some GK cabs tonight, just looking to see what other suggestions people have. I also have looked at Traynor cabs, but they are a bit heavier than I'm looking to carry these days. I do have to compete with 2 half stacks and a crazy loud drummer (typical metal guys) so I was thinking 212 or 115. I'm not sure a 210 or 112 would be able to keep up at a show if a PA was unavailable.

IMHO neither a 210 or 115 is going to be enough for you. You may be able to squeak by with a 212, but more realistically two 210's or two 115's would probably be closer to what you want. If your band is really stupit loud (One of mine is) you either have to get them to turn the fcuk down or bring a bigger gun.

This is my "Big gun"

**powmetalbassist** · #6 11-16-2012, 11:39 AM

good advice guys...much appreciated.

Gearhead17 · #7 11-16-2012, 11:49 AM

REF EQ points - The reason you can't find other people's settings is because EQ is an ever-changing thing. EVERY PLACE you play will give you a different tone to work. Room acoustics, band acoustics and tone scheme's will forever mess with you. The key to understanding EQ is knowing what the knobs do and being able to adjust your tone place to place. Cutting strong frequencies will bring out weaker frequencies.

You also need to keep in mind that your playing style and technique will influence everything you do. I suggest running only the bass into the amp head and learning what each knob does on small boosts and cuts. Get a good tone working there and slowly add one pedal at a time to your rig until you understand how each pedal will affect your tone. You may realize certain pedals you have are not needed anymore. Good luck.

Lastly, the bass knob should rarely, if ever, be boosted. I have gotten better tone with cutting the low end. Loud volumes and good technique with your bass will bring out the lows almost every time.