The quest to find...my tone

RandomRaab · #1 06-21-2010, 10:04 PM

What an experience it is to be on the quest to find ones tone.

I recently purchased a Markbass F1 Amp & a Traveler 102P to go along with it a few weeks ago, from our very own TB'ers here.

On paper, it was everything I (thought I) wanted in a setup. Alas, it is not for me. So it has taught me a valuable lesson about buying without trying.

This experience however, has helped me take huge strides in terms of understanding what my sound will be.

Somewhat harrowed, I have been looking at reviews, videos, and amp/cabinet manufacturers to determine what else I might be interested in.

I want a warm aggressive tone, that can also have crystal clear cleans and highs. I love a good low mid punch, with a nice growly low end.

I visited a "somewhat" local Guitar place today to try to find that tone. Armed with my trusty Spector Euro 4LX, I tried out 4 different setups, and I have taken great leaps and bounds in the right direction to what drives me.

First Setup

Amp: Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II
Cabinet: Gallien Krueger 410RBH

First impressions. Wow! This thing is loud! I had my Jazz pup at 50%, my Precision Pup at 25% and the EQ's all at noon, I would turn up the master volume to 1 and this amp would bellow, so much in fact, that I have to put it down to about .75.

The GK has a very transparent/open sound to it, I feel like you could "almost" dial in any tone you wanted. It sings up high, and has a deep enough low end, but is lacking a sort of character, that I am after.

Second Setup

Amp: Eden WT800C
Cabinet: Eden D410XLT

As soon as I turned this on, with all the EQ's at noon, I could already tell how warm it was. By far, the warmest amp I have ever encountered. The Eden glowed like a Christmas tree with all of its lights and buttons, it looked like the mothership. So many options, and so many that I would never use.
I boosted the lows a bit, and added a bit more low mid for the punch I am after, put my Jazz pickup on full, with my Precision at 20% and this thing growled with every pluck. I was loving it. I ran through some of my favorite Atheist lines, and could tell it was 90% of what I wanted. I was having so much fun, I spent 30 minutes on it, just plucking away happily.

Third Setup

Amp: Ampeg SVT-4 Pro
Cabinet: Ampeg SVT-410HLF

The very very nice friendly guitar associate was very welcoming and did not complain when I asked to be moved over the my 3rd setup. The Ampeg.

I have had it in my head, that an Ampeg is exactly what I want, because of the growl that my favorite bass players get out of it. Rex Brown, Juan Alderete, and Chris Kringel to name a few.

The associate sets me up on the most expensive demo I have ever had the privilege of trying. EQ's flat, I hit a D note, and instantly can feel the classic warm, tubey, growly, Ampeg sound wash over me, I sigh really deep and close my eyes. It was everything I thought it would be and more, I run through those Atheist bass lines again, and sigh really big once more. It was perfect. I ring out some harmonics, and they soar into the heavens singing gracefully, they register amazingly well. Everything I played sounded so good. I didn't want to stop, but there was one more setup to try.

Fourth Setup

Amp: Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II
Cabinet: SWR Golight 410

I thought it would be more of the same with the RBH, but it wasn't. The SWR had a great growly character that I could really dig into, but there was only one thing that irked me.
It seemed as if the SWR neo's were just lacking that deep bottom end, and was a bit hollow and thin, as I similarly encountered with my Markbass. As light as it is, I just don't know if I could part with the full deep bass tone that I was able to get from the 98 lb 410 Eden.

Conculsions:
I LOVE/WANT/NEED/WILL SELL MY CHILDREN FOR, that Ampeg setup. It has MY sound written all over it.Unfortunately, it is so expensive, and so heavy, that unless I get famous and have roadies, I will not haul this rig around.

I am going back to the store later this week to further demo the Eden, and it very well might be my amp and cabinet of choice.

I will be selling/trading my Markbass setup if anyone shows any interest here.

Hope it all made sense, and flowed, there are so many thoughts to get down.

Thanks, and good luck on YOUR quest for YOUR tone.

HeadyVan Halen · #2 06-21-2010, 10:15 PM

Listen dude. TRY THE HARTKE HYDRIVE!!! I was just about to give up on Hartke and go Ampeg as I have a 1x15 combo for practice and love it to death. Then tried a Hydrive 4x10 and can honestly say it is one of the best 'sounds' I have ever heard. Punch, lows, growl, mids and doesn't get woofy when I attempt to solo (also play a J-Bass)..and the best part is it keeps it's tone running through the PA (DI Box). Do youself a favor and atleast try it out. I would say get a head with 400+ watts however. I got the 250 and th cab is dying for more...

RandomRaab · #3 06-21-2010, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

Listen dude. TRY THE HARTKE HYDRIVE!!! I was just about to give up on Hartke and go Ampeg as I have a 1x15 combo for practice and love it to death. Then tried a Hydrive 4x10 and can honestly say it is one of the best 'sounds' I have ever heard. Punch, lows, growl, mids and doesn't get woofy when I attempt to solo (also play a J-Bass)..and the best part is it keeps it's tone running through the PA (DI Box). Do youself a favor and atleast try it out. I would say get a head with 400+ watts however. I got the 250 and th cab is dying for more...

Thanks! I will. There is so much knowledge on this forum. That's why I love it.

Deluge Of Sound · #4 06-21-2010, 10:21 PM

So now that you know what you want, I'd suggest saving up and watching the used market like a hawk. The TB classifieds are a great resource, you know?

For example:
F/S - Ampeg SVT 4, Tech 21 Sansamp RBI, Korg Rack Tuner, and Furman M-8Dx
and
FS: Ampeg SVT410-HLF 4x10 Bass Cab - USA Made

**cosmicpimp2** · #5 06-21-2010, 10:22 PM

I like all tube heads. Not the Hybrids. Plus I run 15's. It fills a room and has amazing low mids. the grit from the Svt cuts good too. Maybe not as much Highs but I think people don't give 15's a chance on High end. Look at Lemmy, he doesn't fit the typical 15 sound but runs 8 of them. 4x12's rock too. I'd def. check out a SVT CL and some 15's. Just my 2 cents

RandomRaab · #6 06-21-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

So now that you know what you want, I'd suggest saving up and watching the used market like a hawk. The TB classifieds are a great resource, you know?

That's the main reason why I joined. Bigger than CL and eBay combined, and everyone is so friendly.

Deluge Of Sound · #7 06-21-2010, 10:31 PM

Also, another thing to be aware of is the Tech 21 VT bass. Its an Ampeg simulator pedal based on the SVT. According to the guys on here, its more or less the bees knees when it comes to nailing that Ampeg tone.

And its considerably cheaper than an SVT-4.

5string5fingers · #8 06-21-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Also, another thing to be aware of is the Tech 21 VT bass. Its an Ampeg simulator pedal based on the SVT. According to the guys on here, its more or less the bees knees when it comes to nailing that Ampeg tone.

And its considerably cheaper than an SVT-4.

+1 on the VT bass

**cosmicpimp2** · #9 06-21-2010, 10:51 PM

I can't "get it" on the VT bass. Why spend tons of cash on an amp just to run a pedal. Just get a good amp to start with. Solid State is over rated unless its an old acoustic. There's another good idea, try an old acoustic head. Like the 360 I believe. Pretty tight from the ones i've heard. I think your on the right path ditching the Mark Bass stuff. I tried em and hated them.

Thumpinthenight · #10 06-22-2010, 04:40 AM

Just remember 1 important thing, (I did-the hard way): Every place, stage, floor, hall, small bar, large room, is acoustically DIFFERENT. The sound you think you nailed down in one place will not necessarily be the same in the next. I try to mimick a worst case-hollow floor small narrow, long room to get the best sound I can. From there on, usually the sound quality better to my ears. - Just my 2.5 cents.

maxbass · #11 06-22-2010, 04:49 AM

Experiences, even negative ones, are at least useful.

JimmyM · #12 06-22-2010, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicpimp2

I can't "get it" on the VT bass. Why spend tons of cash on an amp just to run a pedal.

because rare is the solid state or hybrid that sounds like an svt or b-15, but the vt pretty much nails it. i think we will see the gulf between the two become less and less now, though, and it's very much due to stuff like the vt.

as for the weight of the 4 pro/410hlf, if that's the sound you like, isn't it better to spend a couple extra minutes and a little more energy on moving a heavy rig you like than having to spend a few hours playing a light rig you don't? i can tell you right now that there is no cab on earth that sounds quite like the 410hlf. so if that's the sound you like, better start working out again

RandomRaab · #13 06-22-2010, 09:46 AM

Thanks for the advice Thump. I see what you are saying Jimmy. If I ever am able to scrape the funds together, I would go with the ampeg. It's worth the extra weight to have your dream rig.

Ward B · #14 06-22-2010, 10:26 AM

Have you ever tried the Gallien Krueger 700RBII? I've read a lot of people prefer it over the 1001RBII because they can never turn the 1001RBII up load enough to develop the GK character that so many seem to love. That character seems to be the one thing that you felt was lacking in the 1001RBII. Just a thought.

WINGS012345 · #15 06-22-2010, 10:59 AM

I say you go with your dream rig. When your onstage playing you will be so happy. There are ways to move it and make it easy on yourself. Plus it will keep you in shape. I bought a mid 70's SVT. it is heavy, you just need to take your time moving it and use dolly's or a cab with wheels etc. People get hung up on weight too much. Unless your in really bad shape or have to climb 5 flights to get it home. Next will be 12oz neo drivers and featherlite cabs.

RandomRaab · #16 06-22-2010, 10:06 PM

My dream rig has arrived. I have a local person with an SVT-3 Pro and 410HLF. I will be picking it up Thursday. Yippee. Now I need to move this Markbass rig. Be looking for it in the classifieds.

JimmyM · #17 06-23-2010, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomRaab

My dream rig has arrived. I have a local person with an SVT-3 Pro and 410HLF. I will be picking it up Thursday. Yippee. Now I need to move this Markbass rig. Be looking for it in the classifieds.

nice! used to have a 3 pro my own self. one thing you need to know about it...set the gain level by using your ears, not the light. i used to set mine by turning it up until i heard audible distortion, then i would back off of it until the distortion was inaudible. this left the gain knob cranked pretty high, which is perfectly fine.

if you set the gain the way most amps use the gain light, you will think it's underpowered. but that light needs to be lit up pretty consistently in order to get the most power out of it, and as far as i'm concerned, you get the best sound out of it that way as well. its gain loves to be cranked.

btw, while i'm not much of a fan of the f1, i do love those little mark 500w heads.

**jmattbassplaya** · #18 06-23-2010, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicpimp2

I can't "get it" on the VT bass. Why spend tons of cash on an amp just to run a pedal. Just get a good amp to start with. Solid State is over rated unless its an old acoustic. There's another good idea, try an old acoustic head. Like the 360 I believe. Pretty tight from the ones i've heard. I think your on the right path ditching the Mark Bass stuff. I tried em and hated them.

Might as well post a big sign out front of this post saying: "IMHO, IME, YMMV."

Solid states are great for what they are. Tubes are great for what they are. You can like one or the other more, or like both at the same time. Hell, you can even get a hybrid so you have a little of each in one nice little package

RandomRaab · #19 06-23-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

nice! used to have a 3 pro my own self. one thing you need to know about it...set the gain level by using your ears, not the light. i used to set mine by turning it up until i heard audible distortion, then i would back off of it until the distortion was inaudible. this left the gain knob cranked pretty high, which is perfectly fine.

if you set the gain the way most amps use the gain light, you will think it's underpowered. but that light needs to be lit up pretty consistently in order to get the most power out of it, and as far as i'm concerned, you get the best sound out of it that way as well. its gain loves to be cranked.

btw, while i'm not much of a fan of the f1, i do love those little mark 500w heads.

Thanks for the advice Jimmy, I did feel it was underpowered when going by the light, but with the gain up, and the light flashing (not so much that it was distorting) it had some serious balls.

RandomRaab · #20 06-24-2010, 10:28 PM

Picked up my new Ampeg SVT-3 Pro & SVT 410HLF today. Wow. I couldn't stop playing. It is amazing. I will post up pictures soon. Thanks for everyones great advice. I will manage the weight for a sound like this anyday.