Searching for the right amp...

jordy_on_bass · #1 07-09-2010, 11:18 AM

This is a follow up thread from the ampeg 2 x 15 folded horn cab thread. Thought I should start a thread dedicated to my search for the right amp.
I am searching for the right head unit to match my Ampeg 2 x 15 behemoth (we have established it is a 4 ohm cab @ 200 watts lol). Unfortunately, I live in the middle of nowhere and the nearest music shop is a few hours drive, so I cant just pop in to the local shop to try out a head unit, so I am relying on talkbass' expert advice here, as I shall be ordering either online or over the phone. I'm not really interested in getting a preamp, I just want to hook straight into the amp. I want to achieve a really dirty tone for playing thrash/death metal, and it seems like tube is the way to go to achieve this evil sound. However, many tubes are just way out of my price range and the solid states seem like a much better option. I play through mainly two basses;

-Warwick rock bass corvette 4 string
-Epiphone blackbird

Also, if I am running only my ampeg 2 x 15 @ 200 watts and have a high powered head unit powering the speaker cab (500-1000w), do I run a huge risk of blowing my speakers? A mate of mine doesn't think so and says that I just wont be using the full power potential of the head, but I am not so sure...like I have said, I am not the most technically-literate person when it comes to this stuff! Still learning about all this...

Here are the head units that have caught my eyes, any recommendations out of this list?

AMPEG:
SVT-7PRO (1000w)
B2RU (450W)
B1R (300W)

GALLIEN KRUEGER:
GK400RBII (280W)
GK700RBII (480W)
GK1001RBII (700W)

HARTKE:
Funny thing, they are all tube and reasonably cheap too so any of the Hartkes could be an option.

SWR:
350x (350W)
Working Pro 400 (400W)

Here is the website I am looking to purchase from:
http://www.basscentre.com.au/bass-amplifiers

Thanks heaps for all advice!
Cheers,
Jordan

**IvanMike** · #2 07-09-2010, 11:32 AM

you can use an "overpowered" amp with that cab but you have to be very careful. you must figure out where the cutoff point is, and make sure you do that with the EQ you like - bass frequencies when boosted will blow speakers a lot faster than the amp left flat. A lot of those old cabs had low wattage ratings as the amps back then did too.

you have to ask yourself if you like the tone of that speaker so much that you want to carry it everywhere, and you also have to find out how loud it will be at Max, and if that is enough for you.

Otherwise, any amp you like the sound of will do, you just have to be extremely careful not to blow the cab.

Bmorefoozler · #3 07-09-2010, 11:36 AM

Look for a used Ampeg V4 V4b of V4BH 100 tubey watts...

jastacey · #4 07-09-2010, 12:23 PM

Here's something you might want to keep in mind ... those old folded horn cabinets throw the sound out about 20-25 feet and at that point with a 100 watt, tube amp, it is very loud, so when choosing a amp, keep in mind, that a folded horn is very efficient in using amp watts, but with one quirk, you can't really hear how loud you really are, when your standing close to one, get a small 12" or a 2x10 cabinet for a stage monitor, and aim it upwards towards you ... I had one of those cabinets and while nostalgia wants to find one again, my back says otherwise

SC Bassboy · #5 07-09-2010, 12:36 PM

I would go with either the Ampeg or GK stuff. I love SWR and have owned several of their heads over the years, but they always seemed underpowered. One cool thing about them is that they are fairly clean sounding so you can use pedals to "spice" them up. The GK heads all have that "drive" knob which does a great job of putting some mojo in your tone. I use a GK2001RB and love it. Very fast response and it can get dirty when I want it to. For the type of music you say you are going to be playing you should think about getting an overdrive pedal to really give you that heavy death metal grind. Good luck with your search!

jordy_on_bass · #6 07-09-2010, 02:12 PM

thanks heaps guys, that helps alot!

Looks like it will be between SWR, GK and ampeg. Just need to pick which model to go with!
SC, any suggestions on a particular type of overdrive pedal?

Cheers,
Jordan

RickenBoogie · #7 07-09-2010, 05:19 PM

There are far too many o/d pedals to make a suggestion. They all sound different, and only YOU can make the choice. I'd also be very very careful if you get a powerful head, as blowing your speakers could be very easy to do. Personally, I'd look for a used, old Ampeg V4B, or V4BH, and then you wouldn't need the pedal.

zachoff · #8 07-09-2010, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmorefoozler

Look for a used Ampeg V4 V4b of V4BH 100 tubey watts...

Yeah, that would be my recommedation as well. Or a Fender Bassman 135. It might not be loud enough for you if your guit player has a crazy loud rig though.

jordy_on_bass · #9 07-10-2010, 04:37 AM

Been looking around, here is what I will most probably be going with:

SWR 350X tube head
MXR Bass El Grande bass fuzz pedal.

Handy thing about the 350x is I can run it at 8, 4 or 2 ohms, so hooking up another 4 x 10, 4 ohm cab is possible.

My guess is that the rig will sound like the doors of hell are opening, which is exactly what I want

Cheers,
Jordan

countrybass007 · #10 07-10-2010, 06:18 AM

The GK RB1001RBII is a great head, and from my experience bulletproof. My concern would be the 200 watt cab might be too low wattage for it.

jordy_on_bass · #11 07-10-2010, 11:11 AM

countrybass 007,
That was my concern as well. It seems that the SWR 350X would be a good head to match with the cab, it is tube yet shouldnt over-power the cab and cause any damage. Plus, it should still have enough power to both run a smaller 2 x 10 with the 2 x 15 or power a bigger box in the future should I choose these extensions or additions for my setup.