Punk Bass Rig

[Better_Sense]

I'm looking for some suggestions as to good heads/cabs for getting the bright modern punk tone. It would need to be loud enough to play to around 250-400 people.

[MRDOOM]

Ampeg SVT 300 + 810 cab
/thread

[zachoff]

Yeah, the SVT/810 route is rad but for brighter tone, I'd go for a GK 800RB.

[Din Of Win]

Examples?

You're gonna get a ton of 'what IS punk' and a mess of other snark from such a broad genre specific question.


To try and be helpful:

I play punk. However, i like more bass in it. I'm a fan of 'feeling bass' over 'hearing bass'.

I use a Traynor YBA-3 head that has a trebble boost that i'll kick in to cut through more... but i mainly boost mids and a bit of lows. I also use a GK400rb as backup or when space doesn't permit the tube head.

That's through a 70's Ampeg B25-b 2x15 or an Acoustic 4x10 on top of a Peavey 1x15. For smaller gigs, i'll usually just rock the 410 alone.




For 'punk tones' you're going to get a ton of the following answers:

-Ampeg SVT-CL
-Ampeg SVT VR
-Ampeg V4
-Ampeg V4b
-GK 800rb
-GK 700rb
-GK 1001rb
-Traynor YBA-200
-Peavey tube-amp-whose-name-i-can't-remember



You may like the modern Mesa Boogie tone. Mike from Green Day used Mesa stuff, at least, on older recordings, including Insomniac, which... in my opinion... has THEE best pop punk bass tone. I forget which model he used, but it was a rack-mounted deal. I'm on the hunt for a Mesa Buster Bass head... and you can't go wrong with a 400+ if you have the money.

Good luck.

[zachoff]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

You may like the modern Mesa Boogie tone. Mike from Green Day used Mesa stuff, at least, on older recordings, including Insomniac, which... in my opinion... has THEE best pop punk bass tone. I forget which model he used, but it was a rack-mounted deal. I'm on the hunt for a Mesa Buster Bass head... and you can't go wrong with a 400+ if you have the money.

Good luck.

Both Dirnt and Freeman are on the Fender payroll now though. Trouble with Fender is that's it's so damn pricey... Like pricier than Mesa.

[Better_Sense]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

Examples?

You're gonna get a ton of 'what IS punk' and a mess of other snark from such a broad genre specific question.


To try and be helpful:

I play punk. However, i like more bass in it. I'm a fan of 'feeling bass' over 'hearing bass'.

I use a Traynor YBA-3 head that has a trebble boost that i'll kick in to cut through more... but i mainly boost mids and a bit of lows. I also use a GK400rb as backup or when space doesn't permit the tube head.

That's through a 70's Ampeg B25-b 2x15 or an Acoustic 4x10 on top of a Peavey 1x15. For smaller gigs, i'll usually just rock the 410 alone.




For 'punk tones' you're going to get a ton of the following answers:

-Ampeg SVT-CL
-Ampeg SVT VR
-Ampeg V4
-Ampeg V4b
-GK 800rb
-GK 700rb
-GK 1001rb
-Traynor YBA-200
-Peavey tube-amp-whose-name-i-can't-remember



You may like the modern Mesa Boogie tone. Mike from Green Day used Mesa stuff, at least, on older recordings, including Insomniac, which... in my opinion... has THEE best pop punk bass tone. I forget which model he used, but it was a rack-mounted deal. I'm on the hunt for a Mesa Buster Bass head... and you can't go wrong with a 400+ if you have the money.

Good luck.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have to agree on Insomniac, I absolutely love the bass tone on that album.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by zachoff

Both Dirnt and Freeman are on the Fender payroll now though. Trouble with Fender is that's it's so damn pricey... Like pricier than Mesa.

THE BASS GEAR IS TOO DAMN HIGH!!

[DanNowhere]

If you're looking for loud and cheap, go GK. You could probably get a 700 RB-II and a decent cab for $ 600.00 or less. You could go the Backline route and get a BL600 and a decent cab for $ 400.00 or less. If money's no object, then sure, Mesa/Ampeg/Orange/whathaveyou.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by DanNowhere

If you're looking for loud and cheap, go GK. You could probably get a 700 RB-II and a decent cab for $ 600.00 or less. You could go the Backline route and get a BL600 and a decent cab for $ 400.00 or less. If money's no object, then sure, Mesa/Ampeg/Orange/whathaveyou.

Man... had to hold my self back... saw an older 700RB for $150 last night!!!!

[s_mcsleazy]

why do people say a svt is always the best for everything

call me strange but ive never liked em

[zachoff]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

why do people say a svt is always the best for everything

call me strange but ive never liked em

You're strange

[s_mcsleazy]

Originally Posted by zachoff

You're strange

i know its sacriligious (sp) but ive never liked the tone. hence why i brought a bassman

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

why do people say a svt is always the best for everything

call me strange but ive never liked em

I've tried REALLY hard to hate them... but i just can't!

I legit think the SVT CL sounds crappy... but the SVT VR and ANY 70s SVT i've played sound AAAAAAAAAAAAAmazing.


As far as ampeg goes though, i like the V4b/V4/V6 tones better.

[Breslin dp]

I have been playing Punk rock music since the 90's and I have used several different set ups.

Hear are just a few suggestions for you to check out:

Heads:

GK 800

GK 700 rb

Eden WT 800

Mesa 400+ (My favorite by far)

Ampeg SVT (Love em if you can find one used great)


Cabs:

Ampeg 810

Harke

Eden

Mesa

[GRAHAM SG1]

Klaus Fluoride of Dead Kennedys fame used to use an Accoustic 150B amp and an Accoustic 402 cab according to Wikipedia, now they dont get better than him as a punk bassist , check out their early albums for excellent punk bass tone .

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by GRAHAM SG1

Klaus Fluoride of Dead Kennedys fame used to use an Accoustic 150B amp and an Accoustic 402 cab according to Wikipedia, now they dont get better than him as a punk bassist , check out their early albums for excellent punk bass tone .

Ahhhhh!!!! The same shop that had the 700rb for $150 also had a VERY good condition vintage Acoustic 150B for $200!!


Stupid money-sink holiday

[TC.65]

I don't think you can go wrong with GK you can get about any kind of tone you want out of them.

[zachoff]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

i know its sacriligious (sp) but ive never liked the tone. hence why i brought a bassman

I had a Bassman 135/215 & it wasn't loud enough so I bought an SVT/810. Different strokes, right?!

In all honesty, I loved the tone of my Bassman & preferred it to the Ampeg but it just wasn't loud enough.

[s_mcsleazy]

ive been told my bassman is too loud

[Sifl]

GK! 400RB! Ampeg 810 or a 610. I use a Mesa 610.