Purchasing influences

[markdax]

If im looking at a amp manufacture's website and i look at their artist page and i don't see any bassist\band i recognise is that a good indicator to suggest that the brand of amplifier may not be as suitable for the particular style of music i play?
Don't get me wrong i would never purchase anything based on that purely alone, but right now i have about 5 or 6 heads on my wish list and though i will endeavour to try them all (assuming i can find someone who stocks them in the UK) but i wonder if should use whos using what as an indicator to what might work for me.

[majortoby]

Perhaps you could expound on the bands whose sound you enjoy/the sound you desire for yourself, and TB could help from there.

[markdax]

At this point in time i play a mesa boogie m-pulse 360 (on sale on ebay) through a 4x10 SWR Goliath III cab (700w @ 4ohms)
i like a tight bass sound because one band i play in i lock in to the drummers heel toe double kicks, and try and cut through my guitarists mesa rig.
The other band is a straightforward rock covers band which gives me for scope to fill in the bottom end and anything else i choose. Both bands i use a 5 string bass
I feel its time to at least look at whats around to see if theres anything to be gained from buying new gear.
I dont dislike my tone right now, though because im in two bands, playing two different bass guitars in different environments id like the option to have something a little bit lighter to carry (both cab and amp wise)
I like my mesa head but i wonder if theres more eq options than i really need as i find im constantly adjusting, being happy for a song, then tweaking some more.

Cab wise ive started getting fed-up of humping mine everywhere and finding out another band or two bands want to borrow it (it seems to be the way from the last 10yrs or so, especially at metal gigs in london) and also the sound guys seem to pre-eq DI everything which basically means my amp is purely for me. I dont play any slapping just fingers fairly hard and fast, if you like, check out my band Solsikk
SOLSIKK | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos and that might help you better understand my playing style.

The shop i spoke to said the head i that would best suit me (given the requirements of what i outlined ) was the new Genz Benz Streamliner, i was possibly heading down the GK MB Fusion 550 route, or the Ampeg SVT Pro7 route, unless a mesa boogie walkabout head pops up on ebay.
Suggestions, comments or cold hard slaps are all welcome

[majortoby]

Well, at least, IMLE, it seems that as of late, the universal answer to the quest for "tight" and "cut" has been the fearful cabinet designs. Especially, if you enjoy hearing a large portion of the fundamental on your low B. However, I do not know what options you have in the UK for going that route.

However, based on what you said, it seems as though perhaps the focus should be more on tone-shaping as opposed to cabinet selection. If your speaker cab is primarily just for hearing yourself on stage, I would see about trying to find a nice preamp with the proper outs to ensure that the sound you desire is reaching the board. As for your playing style, I cannot help but feel like there are almost limitless options for what you seek.

Just my .02$ (of course, currency differences will further devalue my opinion as it crosses the pond to you )

[billfitzmaurice]

Originally Posted by markdax

If im looking at a amp manufacture's website and i look at their artist page and i don't see any bassist\band i recognise is that a good indicator to suggest that the brand of amplifier may not be as suitable for the particular style of music i play?

All it indicates is who they think is worth paying to appear in their ads, tempered by who they could afford.

[markdax]

Originally Posted by majortoby

Well, at least, IMLE, it seems that as of late, the universal answer to the quest for "tight" and "cut" has been the fearful cabinet designs. Especially, if you enjoy hearing a large portion of the fundamental on your low B. However, I do not know what options you have in the UK for going that route.

I dont like too thick a sounding low B, I use a 125gauge elixir low b because my Ibanez & my Warick have pretty low action i think it reduces a bit of fret buzz if i do digg in, so i want it to be defined and crisp as opposed to warm and fuzzy.

As to whats available, i think most things are except most music stores dont stock a wide range of bass gear so you have to seek out a few specialist stores that have a bigger range. Most music stores i know will order anything in but not if you only want to try it.
Im driving to one on Tuesday to have a look and play a few things so hopefully the road-trip will help me decide if i need to change my head or my cab etc
I'll bear in mind what people have written and go with an open-mind.
But im looking at and reading alot of positive about the Genz Benz amps and cabs, ill have to do more reading to find out about peoples opinions on their cabs

[hasbeen]

Originally Posted by markdax

I dont like too thick a sounding low B, I use a 125gauge elixir low b because my Ibanez & my Warick have pretty low action i think it reduces a bit of fret buzz if i do digg in, so i want it to be defined and crisp as opposed to warm and fuzzy.

As to whats available, i think most things are except most music stores dont stock a wide range of bass gear so you have to seek out a few specialist stores that have a bigger range. Most music stores i know will order anything in but not if you only want to try it.
Im driving to one on Tuesday to have a look and play a few things so hopefully the road-trip will help me decide if i need to change my head or my cab etc
I'll bear in mind what people have written and go with an open-mind.
But im looking at and reading alot of positive about the Genz Benz amps and cabs, ill have to do more reading to find out about peoples opinions on their cabs

some companies pay to have artists.
some companies say they don't pay to have artists but they still gurantee X amount of dollars in clinics.
other companies are too small to afford doing this, so we won't see many artists.

[JimmyM]

while i do think it's true that endorsements sell amps, i have never played on any amp and thought, "this just isn't suited to _____ music." you should be able to get a good and appropriate sound out of any amp on the market for any kind of music. doesn't mean you'll always like it, but you should be able to make anything work.