Not getting the sound I want...need some advice

[jcburn]

Hi everyone. I recently purchased the rig in my sig. I kinda liked the idea of a tube preamp and thought that a 610 would move some serious air.
I feel like this setup has a woolly midrange even with the tube preempt mixed out that I don't like. I really have limited funds and also have changed gear a lot over the last few years.
I guess the advice I'm after is where should I start if I am gonna try different gear. My thoughts are the cab. I'm thinking a ported cab may give me the sound I'm after. Will probably have to be a 410, I'm thinking one of the older 611 models as I can get a good deal on one.
The other way to go would be to go with maybe a cleaner amp - a hartke ha5500 maybe. Again I think I can get an ok deal on one of these.
Before its suggested I have no real way of trying other gear with my stuff.
Rock and metal are my styles of music. Not always with foh support.

[rodl2005]

Hey JC, have you tried the Ampeg PF amps yet. Thinking a pf500 would sound cool with your cab & they're cheap.
I find the Ashdown ABM a bit wooly too but am very happy with my 7 pro, which is pretty similar to the pf500.
Cabs, another story

[jcburn]

Hey Rod - Nick would probably let me borrow a pf500 from modern musician. Dunno. Something about that head that just doesn't appeal to me.
I also forgot to mention that for now I will have to keep my current rig and add in what ever I decide to go with.
So maybe a different head?

[Downunderwonder]

Metal's not my thing and neither is Ashdown in the main, but my gut feeling is the cab isn't doing it for you rather than the amp being "woolly".

[basscooker]

unfortunately to my experience when people "arent getting the sound they want from their amp", its usually b/c they are trying to duplicate a studio sound that has thousands of dollars behind it. look up whoever's rig- i know there is (are) places where you can look up what your favorite rock star plays. start there, but my guess is metal: youre trying to copy an SVT, an 800rb, or a marshall, mesa. you may find a pedal by the brand gets you closer to what you're after. you will never sound exactly like that recording you have put on a pedestal.are your eq settings screwing you? you aren't a noob to the site, but how is a 500 watt amp thru 6x10 not enough? are you scooping mids AND using contour knobs/buttons? if so, quit it hope something i mentioned helps.

[dukeisdog]

Get a Mesa Powerhouse 412 and all of your troubles will go away.

[rodl2005]

Unfortunately Mesa prices in Aus are VERY high! & JC states lack of $$.
Hey JC why don't ya pm me & we'll get together sometime. You can try out a couple of my amps/cabs etc. & at least, apart from trying some diffrrent gear, we,I, may be able to help ya get an idea of what's bugging, what's working etc.

[dukeisdog]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Unfortunately Mesa prices in Aus are VERY high! & JC states lack of $$.
Hey JC why don't ya pm me & we'll get together sometime. You can try out a couple of my amps/cabs etc. & at least, apart from trying some diffrrent gear, we,I, may be able to help ya get an idea of what's bugging, what's working etc.

Gotta love talkbass. OP, sounds like this is your best bet!

[Wrilley]

Originally Posted by basscooker

unfortunately to my experience when people "arent getting the sound they want from their amp", its usually b/c they are trying to duplicate a studio sound that has thousands of dollars behind it. look up whoever's rig- i know there is (are) places where you can look up what your favorite rock star plays. start there, but my guess is metal: youre trying to copy an SVT, an 800rb, or a marshall, mesa. you may find a pedal by the brand gets you closer to what you're after. you will never sound exactly like that recording you have put on a pedestal.are your eq settings screwing you? you aren't a noob to the site, but how is a 500 watt amp thru 6x10 not enough? are you scooping mids AND using contour knobs/buttons? if so, quit it hope something i mentioned helps.

And if you are doing that, perhaps putting a SansAmp in front of it would help dial in the sound you want.

[jcburn]

Hey Rod - I will take you up on that offer one day I swear. Would love to try some of your Berg cabs, even though they are a bit outta my league at the moment.
If you dont mind do you wanna shoot me your mobile # in a PM. I may have some time Sunday arvo but I've also gotta learn some songs for an Irish Murphy's gig for next Saturday. Other than that though I'd love to cruise down to your joint maybe one Sunday if that suits you.
Cheers.
Jake.

[4-string]

The ABM 610 is a tweeterless cab, right? That might be one thing to look at.

The ABM heads are inherently on the warm side, but has a great EQ section IME. Some high mids might be in order.

[WingKL]

The LH500 uses a Fender style tone stack which scoops the mids. Try setting it to Bass 2, Mid 8 and Treble 2 and see if that helps. Thats considered flat frequency response. Mixing 4x10 and a 15, is generally not a good idea even if it is a popular combination. There is a mismatch in power handling characteristics and there are other sonic issues. Try the 410 all by itself. If that's not loud enough, add another one. Bart pickups also sound rolled off in the high end to my ears.

[matti777]

You could always rent an amp or cab to see if it gets you what you want. There is limited selection of course. I've even seen Sansamp DIs for rent.

[grenadilla]

The high bass is the loudest sound on my Ashdown Mag 600. Try enough low bass, with the second EQ knob cut some.

[lowendfriend]

Originally Posted by dukeisdog

Get a Mesa Powerhouse 412 and all of your troubles will go away.

Except for collateral damage....it's a portable earthquake.