New rig? been out of it for a wile.

grendle · #1 07-14-2011, 10:22 AM

Hey everyone. I've been playing forever, but got out of it for about 10 years ( just been playing a little at home).

I've got the itch to play again! I have a Hartke 3500 that I have had for about 20 years that still sounds amazing (5751 in the pre), but no cabs as of late. I prefer 15's over 10's and was looking at the hartke 215xl (if i can find one close ). I used to do the SVT 8x10 thing but I just don't want to drag that much around, and was never totally happy with 10's anyway. Anyone else make a decent 2x15 cab? The hartke 1x15 xl's(2) are an option also.

Any good heads to check out as well? I'm not unhappy with my 3500 but just looking to see whats out there that I haven't tried.I've been looking at a vintage Trace ah500x ( new ones sound like azz IMO). Mesa Maybe? What have I been missing over the years?

I play Spectors and really love the AIC tones from back in the day. I play mostly rock and metal but also play anything from classic rock to hip hop to new age. Thanks for any input!

klokker · #2 07-14-2011, 10:30 AM

If you've really been "out of it" for 10 years I'd throw out all my preconcieved ideas about speaker size etc. and just start over. I mean starting off with the idea that you want a 2x15 seems to miss the mark of what's out there now.

There's been a revolution in lightweight cabs and heads that are a must to try.....you'll be very surprised.

MN_Bass · #3 07-14-2011, 10:31 AM

Depending on your budget, I would def check out the Berg NV15, or Orange OBC115s (the orange cabs can be had pretty cheap on the used market). Bag End also makes really nice 15s.

grendle · #4 07-14-2011, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klokker

If you've really been "out of it" for 10 years I'd throw out all my preconcieved ideas about speaker size etc. and just start over. I mean starting off with the idea that you want a 2x15 seems to miss the mark of what's out there now.

There's been a revolution in lightweight cabs and heads that are a must to try.....you'll be very surprised.

Yeah, your probably right about that. Any examples?

**JxBass** · #5 07-14-2011, 10:45 AM

The fEarful/nEarful designs are pretty hot these days - lots of info on TB. A 15/6 or 15/6/1 puts out massive volume with transparent, PA-like tone. TBer Lomo just put a 15/6 up for sale at a good price.

grendle · #6 07-14-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JxBass

The fEarful/nEarful designs are pretty hot these days - lots of info on TB. A 15/6 or 15/6/1 puts out massive volume with transparent, PA-like tone. TBer Lomo just put a 15/6 up for sale at a good price.

Interesting....

Bass_Pounder · #7 07-14-2011, 12:07 PM

Since you in the Central Florida area, there are tons of venues and bands.

I would make the rounds and check out a bunch of whats going on in your area. See what the other working guys are using, and listen !

RickenBoogie · #8 07-14-2011, 12:10 PM

For 215's, consider a used Mesa Diesel cab, can be had for under $400- but also consider a good 2x12. Plenty of them to choose from, look around a bit.

bherman · #9 07-14-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klokker

If you've really been "out of it" for 10 years I'd throw out all my preconcieved ideas about speaker size etc. and just start over. I mean starting off with the idea that you want a 2x15 seems to miss the mark of what's out there now.

There's been a revolution in lightweight cabs and heads that are a must to try.....you'll be very surprised.

Amen to that - I am one of those guys (like you) that recently got back into the game, and the sound world for basses has changed. I grew up on 15's as kings, nowadays the 10's and 12's seem to dominate. I tried a bunch of different combinations, wish that I'd followed some of the advice here.

If you can stand it, hold off for a few months and do some digging around.

FWIW, I have settled on Genz Benz rig - a Streamliner 600 amp and Uber Bass 2x12. All fairly lightweight (6+ lbs for the head, 50 + for the cab), great sound and tons of power. Tried Markbass 9didn't like the amp sound), GK 1001 (great amp but too much for what I do - for your style might be ideal and lots of them available used), Aguilar cabs, EarCandy cabs...the list now goes on far more than it ever did.

Cabs that I find intriguing but haven't tried - Avatar, GK

will33 · #10 07-14-2011, 03:15 PM

Ya, it's a good time to be a bassplayer. There's 500 watt amps now that weigh 5 lbs. but some of us still like heavy iron and/or tubes. There's neodymium magnet speakers that measure in ounces and have superior performance but some of us still prefer the classic designs.

+1 to whoever said go out and checkout what other guys are playing and go to some music stores and check out what's there before you drop any coin. Great deals to be had on quality used stuff too with so much newer stuff coming out there's a pretty good turnover on bass gear.

grendle · #11 07-14-2011, 03:37 PM

Thanks keep it comming. I've been looking for a wile now and was wondering why all the great gear from a few years ago was going cheap. Looks like a trip to bass central is in order. I am on a budget so used will more than likely be the deal. In deed a good time to be a bassist.

BurningSkies · #12 07-14-2011, 03:43 PM

Bass Central is a good place to start.

Pretty big paradigm shift in bass gear in the past 10 years. Fer instance, I use a 3000w amp that weighs 7 pounds. I have two cabs, one weighs around 50 pounds, the other around 40 pounds...both can knock buildings down.

Of course, there's still a fair amount of 'classic' gear happening too.

jowens004 · #13 07-14-2011, 03:45 PM

If you like the sound of the vintage Trace Elliot stuff, Find yourself your nearest Mesa Boogie dealer, and go check out a Mesa M6 or M9 Carbine. They will usually at least have a 4x10 cabinet and a 2x12 cabinet, at least most mesa dealers ive been too in Texas and Florida do. Cross your fingers they have a 6x10, because i think if you try that, you will love it. Try it using a Music Man with actives, and when you finally pick your jaw up off the floor, you will be calling your credit card companies to extend your credit limit.

PS I just noticed your in central Florida, YES get to BASS Central! Im going there tomorrow myself in fact.

bherman · #14 07-14-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendle

Thanks keep it comming. I've been looking for a wile now and was wondering why all the great gear from a few years ago was going cheap. Looks like a trip to bass central is in order. I am on a budget so used will more than likely be the deal. In deed a good time to be a bassist.

Once you know what you want, there are often good deals here on TB classifieds, and you know that you'll be dealing with straight-up guys!

klokker · #15 07-14-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bherman

FWIW, I have settled on Genz Benz rig - a Streamliner 600 amp and Uber Bass 2x12. All fairly lightweight (6+ lbs for the head, 50 + for the cab), great sound and tons of power.

That's killer. I went with a Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 and Neox212tcab. Its all I need for any situation even outdoors, but its the same idea.....

I live out in the boondocks Nebraska so I didn't have access to boo squat........I waited until I was in Seattle, WA and waded through GK, Markbass, Genz Benz, TC electronics, Hartke, Schroeder and Epiphany cabs, etc.

There's just a lot of cool stuff out there.

Dulahey · #16 07-15-2011, 07:47 AM

Sorry to go off topic, but klokker I read your comment about boondocks Nebraska, looked up to see your location, and was quite shocked!

My mom grew up in Steele City and high school in Fairbury. And my grandparents still live in Endicott.

Small world