Recommendations for an amp

MycooLeeyun · #1 04-24-2011, 04:53 PM

Hey all,
I'm looking for some advice on a tone dilemma I'm experiencing.

Let me start off by stating my current rig:

Lakland DJ5 with Nordstrand Pickups
Gallien Krueger 700rbii
Avatar B410 NEO

I can get some good tones out of this rig, but I can't quite find the tone I'm looking for. It seems that my tone is always a bit too "twangy".

The best way I can describe the tone I'm looking for would be a "Deep round smooth tone with a bite". I've been looking at new basses such as the Zon Sonus but have decided to look more into my amp situation.

I have a pretty decent budget to work with and was wondering if you all had some recommendations of some amps I should be looking at to better satisfy my tone issue. I was looking towards Ampeg but am open to try anything. Tubes might be nice?

Thank you all for your time!

My name is Mudd · #2 04-24-2011, 06:56 PM

Have you tried different strings? Tone can change radically at times with a different set of strings.

MycooLeeyun · #3 04-24-2011, 07:02 PM

I've tried a few different sets of strings. I'm currently using Dunlop Nickels but am probably going to try some D'addario XL's next. I loved the Dunlops on my Fender Jazz but they aren't quite cutting it on the DJ5.

selftitled907 · #4 04-24-2011, 07:44 PM

When it comes to tone i would ahve to agree with ampeg. though i dont, and never will, own another myself, the tone they had....Damn! monsters....just not enough punch for my personal taste. This is also a suggestion that isnt taking your bass into consideration because i have no personal experience with Lakland bass's nor have i heard one to my knowledge. i just know that ampeg's can create some amazing tones.

im sure the ampeg guru's here can chime in to help with the specific tone you described in your original post though, as i only have experience with 1 specific model that i played for about 1-2 mon. before trading it in. (which really might just constitute no knowledge compaired to most around here. but i dont see Ampeg lovers disagreeing with me about the amazing tones ampeg can accomplish)

good luck in your hunt!

MycooLeeyun · #5 04-25-2011, 09:21 AM

Anybody else have some insight on the situation?

CElton · #6 04-25-2011, 09:37 AM

Might think about trying a Sadowsky Pre/DI or Aggy Tone Hammer in front of the GK. I've never owned a GK, but the Sad Pre/DI with my old DJ5 was money. Either pre would help sculpt the sound and might get you where you want to be.

MycooLeeyun · #7 04-25-2011, 09:52 AM

That's interesting. So which would you recommend... the DI box or the preamp? How does the DI box compare with the Tech 21 VT? THanks!

CElton · #8 04-25-2011, 10:01 AM

I've not tried the Sansamps. They just aren't my cup of tea.

Both the Sadowsky and Aggy pedals can be found in the classifieds for under $200 used.
The Sadowsky is boost only with no mids(never missed them) and the Aggy is cut and boost with a parametric mid.

Personally, I would go with the pedal with either mentioned. Just a great tool to have and they both sound fantastic.

Edit: I would like to mention that the Tone Hammer has the AGS circuit. If used sparingly, you can dial in a nice "tube emulation". It will slightly roll off the highs, giving you a nice warm "vintage" sound.

silvertripper · #9 04-25-2011, 10:02 AM

Ive played solid state for years (15 actually), GK1001RB with a sansamp in front to get better tone. But I was always missing that warm, full, with a slight bite of a tone I had in my head (and in my dreams!!... I play with a MIA Fender Jazz, and a Valenti VMJ4 Jazz). So I started looking around at Ampeg, Mesa, Aguilar, MB, GK, GB and others. And after 2 months of researching I almost put my money on a Mesa M9, what a sweet sounding amp. But it was still missing that warm tone I had in my head. So I began leaning on an all tube head like the Ampeg. Ampeg SVT's are nice, but they sound like Ampeg. Nothing wrong with the Tone its awesome and powerful but its Ampeg and no matter how I fiddled with the tone knobs it was still... well... it was the Ampeg tone. Some folks like it as do I, but I dont want to be chained down to a specific tone. So I researched more and found the Bassman 300 Pro all tube head by Fender. TB'ers say its the cleanest all tube head around... read the reviews for yourself. They were better reviews than the Ampeg CL, or the Mesa 400. And even outside TB they had excellent reviews.... SO I bought it "Tone unheard" ordered it online having never played it before in my life. It came in last week and I never knew heaven could come in a box!! This head is sweet tubey goodness that blossoms warm fat round tones as well as sweet highs and clean clean clean! Plus it has a 2nd over drive channel that can be blended with the clean channel! It is everything Ive wanted in a head... plus it will run 2 x 810 cabs without breaking a sweat, or keep it simple to a 410 or a cab of your choice... 8-4-2 ohm switch. I recommend you check'em out... Fender Bassman 300 Pro.

MycooLeeyun · #10 04-25-2011, 10:08 AM

Thanks for your responses. I'm definitely looking into these aguilar tone hammers. Would having one of these and a tech 21 VT be redundant? I would like to have only one of these 2 if I could.

I'm also going to check out the Fender Bassman, thanks so much for your input!

Anybody else?

CElton · #11 04-25-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MycooLeeyun

Thanks for your responses. I'm definitely looking into these aguilar tone hammers. Would having one of these and a tech 21 VT be redundant? I would like to have only one of these 2 if I could.

I'm also going to check out the Fender Bassman, thanks so much for your input!

Anybody else?

The Tone Hammer and VT would be redundant. Since you mentioned going in the Ampeg direction in your first post, you might be better suited with the Tech21 VT.

MycooLeeyun · #12 04-25-2011, 10:57 AM

I'm really not sure what direction I'm going in terms of amps. I haven't had a chance to try many of them. I'm just looking for that "deep round smooth tone with a bite" that I described. The tone hammer is more appealing with it's DI option for recording. If I were to upgrade my amp, what would be some good amps to look into that I could get better tones with?

silvertripper · #13 04-25-2011, 01:22 PM

Bassman 300 Pro

MycooLeeyun · #14 04-25-2011, 06:15 PM

How is the tone on those Fender Bassmans. I'm concerned that it might sound too vintage and not modern enough. I definitely am looking for warmth and great tube tone, but also want that bite and in your face kind of sound blended in with it.

My name is Mudd · #15 04-25-2011, 06:22 PM

Personal opinion only in saying that I think the Bassmans are a little too (for lack of a better way of putting it) muddy. Then again, I like cabs with tweeters and so I may not be the best opinion here.

Bass_Pounder · #16 04-25-2011, 06:35 PM

Before buying another amp or a pre to run in front, have you tried your setup with a different cab ?

Avatar gets alot of love here, and they are good cabs for their price - I just don't think it is going to give you round and low.

silvertripper · #17 04-25-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

Personal opinion only in saying that I think the Bassmans are a little too (for lack of a better way of putting it) muddy. Then again, I like cabs with tweeters and so I may not be the best opinion here.

What do tweeters have to do with this head sounding muddy?
Ok so either you've played this head to full extent or you havent, clearly you are giving an opinion of a head based on a cab.

I think if Bassman's were muddy I would hate the sound and they would have bad reviews from everyone else... And Im coming from a super clean GK1001RB that I played for many years, I personally think the bassman rocks. But to each their own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MycooLeeyun

How is the tone on those Fender Bassmans. I'm concerned that it might sound too vintage and not modern enough. I definitely am looking for warmth and great tube tone, but also want that bite and in your face kind of sound blended in with it.

Dude have you searched TB for anything dealing with this head? Go to the search and type in "bassman 300 pro" and read all the posts. I'll post an audio link later this evening....

And while on the topic, go to your music store and lock yourself in the bass room and just play on every head in the store. Bring your own bass, and definatly bring your own cord. You may hate the bassman but love something else. I researched for 2 months before I purchased another head because Im picky.. and anal... and stubborn when it comes to my tone. Try the Mesa M9, its a fabulous head!

MycooLeeyun · #18 04-25-2011, 07:53 PM

I thought about trying another cab, the avatars are nice and give good bang for the buck but I probably would like to upgrade it pretty soon.

I read all of the reviews on the bassman and read all of the good things about it. I'm definitely going to take my time on this one and will try out a bunch of different amps.

Thanks for your time