Recommend Me A Setup

GangstaBean · #1 08-03-2011, 10:30 PM

First off, I'm just going to say that I don't have a ton of money, I'm looking to spend <$600 before the cabs. And I prefer to buy used to save money, and I don't like things made in China. I'm also a little new to all this stuff, so some of my stuff might sound dumb.

So here we go:

I was at the studio today, and I was playing my Spector NS4-CRFM. (We were recording "Discovering the Waterfront" by Silverstein, just messing around just for fun). So it was my turn to record the bass. It sounded awesome with no effects. After I was done, he (the sound engineer/guitar player) added a sansamp DI (using protools 9; I have the deluxe coming to my door in a few days from a TB member!

) and turned the drive up a lot. It sounded so awesome!!! The gritty Spector had soooo much punch and with the grit, it was sooo perfect sounding!

So here's the deal:

I want to keep the gritty Spector tone, but I was told the DI can be my preamp. I like rack mounts and stuff (I think they look so cool). But I don't need tons of things. I would like around 300-500 watts, and plan on using a 210 and 115. So I was thinking about getting a poweramp, but then I feel like my tone would be a little dead; as if it's missing something. I also don't like mids. My future pedal board setup is a Sansamp Deluxe Bass DI, flanger (just for fun, not live), a loop station (again just for fun), a tuner, and a volume pedal. I was thinking of an Ampeg, or something similar, (Traynor?), I also like tubes; they just seem to make me smile for some reason (I've never owned a tube amp, but my brother has a 92' USA Tele with a redlace pickup and a Texas lipstick with a Blues Jr, all tube, it sounds awesome!).

So thanks a ahead of time for the help.

P.S. I posted this because I really don't know where to start and look. I'm sorta clueless.

GangstaBean · #2 08-04-2011, 09:44 AM

Bump for help.

TaylorO' · #3 08-04-2011, 09:55 AM

Theres so much wrong with this post, i dont even know where to begin.

1. Budget(no way, not near enough)
2. Dont like mids, but "planning on getting a 2x10"
3. i gotta get back to work, but those are 2 good ones...

GangstaBean · #4 08-04-2011, 09:59 AM

Okay, well I'm a little new to this stuff. That's why I'm asking for help...

scottfeldstein · #5 08-04-2011, 10:04 AM

You want a used, 300-500w, less than $400 head that's made in America... that produces a gritty tone without mids and which can be rack mounted. And you'd prefer it be tubes.

Methinks you might have to make some compromises somewhere in there. Or do a lot of research and get very lucky.

Me, I'd say get a GK MB500 and use your Sansamp to light it up with a little more grit. You can rack it if you want, but it's so small you don't need to. It's 350-500w, not tubes, but hey. Or you could get the MB500 Fusion, which has an all-tube preamp in it. Neither of these amps is less than $400, however. The MB500 should run you about $500 new. More for the Fusion, if you go that route. I have no idea if there are a lot of these going used, as they seem pretty new.

I'm sure there are other, maybe better, products out there that'll meet most of your needs. But I'm kind of a GK guy so that's what I know.

bassplayerbob · #6 08-04-2011, 10:04 AM

Since you liked the sound of your bass going direct with the sans amp, i would think a power amp would give you what you want, uncolored bass tone and the sans amp added to that tone. Personally i like the new Hartke LH series heads. I use the LH1000, but the LH500 can be snagged for 349.00 new. Not much on the eq side to mess with your tone, just bass, mid and treble. If you didnt like Hartke in the past, dont judge this head against other Hartkes. Totally different animal.

rayzak · #7 08-04-2011, 10:06 AM

My first choice in your budget would be a GK 700RBII... used, they are a steal. They have a wonderful, aggressive growl, but no tubes. So...

TaylorO' · #8 08-04-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GangstaBean

Okay, well I'm a little new to this stuff. That's why I'm asking for help...

gotcha..i would def not get any 10s if you dont like mids. either a 2x15 or 2 1x15s(depending on size of places youll play, 1 if its small, 2 if its huge)..

400 bucks is kinda hard for a tube amp unless you get a really good deal used like on Craiglist. If you really want a tube amp, id save as much as you could(or put one on a pay by month thing) and get one, instead of getting something that just "emulates" a tube amp, ya know?

Just my opinion. Ive worked on a budget most of my, sometimes the only answer is to just keep savin, robbin and stealin til you got enough, and get what you want.

bassplayerken · #9 08-04-2011, 10:08 AM

There is nothing wrong with using a power amp and your DI pedal, just make sure it has enough gain for your power amp to push a signal. The input on the power amp also has a lot to do with that. Most PA amps are pretty uncolored (QSC, Crown, etc.), so if you liked the tone from just the Sansamp and the bass you should get pretty close. You may want to ask what else the engineer put in your signal chain (is it heavily EQed, compression?), because you may want to add those to your rack/pedal board as well.

GangstaBean · #10 08-04-2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayzak

My first choice in your budget would be a GK 700RBII... used, they are a steal. They have a wonderful, aggressive growl, but no tubes. So...

I was looking at that, too. They are really clear, too.

RickenBoogie · #11 08-04-2011, 12:02 PM

As a matter of fact, the mid-range of the bass guitar is where it's all at. Just sayin'. Has nothing to do with what size drivers you use. Best advice, spend some time reading through the amps forums, and get educated on all things bass amp.

GangstaBean · #12 08-14-2011, 05:28 PM

Bump because I haven't really found anything. I've been looking at an SWR 350(X) or a Traynor YBA-200. I know the SWR would get me a good slap tone, but know how thick it would sound on some occasions. And I don't know if the Traynor would get me a good slap tone.