Set Budget; Need Advice

PRUNEFACE · #1 12-13-2010, 09:12 PM

I primarily play jazz (although rock and pop will be coming up shortly) and am looking for a rig.
My primary instrument is double bass (which I would most likely mic and plug into the amp I purchase) although I play electric a good bit now.
I have a max AROUND $4000 (a little over or a little under would be ideal) and want the absolute best tone I can get. What do I consider good?
A balance between colored (think certain tube amps) and hi-fidelity (Acoustic Image).
While lightweight would be nice, if it must be sacrificed for tone I would do it.
(BTW I have really liked the Aguilar DB750)
I want the best components, and the best construction I can get.

Thank you

EDIT: By rig I mean a high-end combo OR a high-end speaker cabinet and head

PRUNEFACE · #2 12-14-2010, 05:27 AM

Somebody has got to have some advice!

PRUNEFACE · #3 12-14-2010, 11:50 AM

Wow. I thought people loved these threads ahaha

kosmicwizard · #4 12-14-2010, 12:31 PM

IME & HO tube heads sound better and are more versatile that SS heads. That said there are ways to make SS heads sound more tubey. With $4000 and with trying to maximize tonal options, I would buy a Squire Deluxe Jazz bass. I would get a Ampeg SVT head (or a Genz-Benz Streamliner as a light weight option) and efficient cabs that have the option to turn off the tweeter for a more old school tone. Like a Genz-Benz Uber 810. This will cost way less than $4000 and you will be surprised at how many awesome tones you will be able to make with this rig. If you are in a situation where you are not going to be able to dime the SVT and yet still want that tone, I suggest buying a Tech 21 VT bass pedal and turning the pup selector on your J bass to the neck pickup. Another killer rig would be a MESA V12 big block and powerhouse 810, lots of great tones in that hi-brid head as well. I have heard good things about Aggies, but as I have no experience with them I refrain from comment. All the best to you in regards to whatever you end up with. Cheers.

CTbass613 · #5 12-14-2010, 12:34 PM

db 751 and db 410 or 212, 212 might suit the sound of an upright better. or for your budget....get both and have options.

PRUNEFACE · #6 12-16-2010, 07:28 AM

The Aguilar definitely is something I am considering.

4Mal · #7 12-16-2010, 08:31 AM

Do you play live regularly ? Say multiple times / week ? What form of venue ? (Lounge, Club, dinner theater, etc ...) In the larger rooms - does your rig have to fil the house or is there FOH support? Got a roadie and a truck ? (seriously...)

There is the flip side, I've have a the cash, and want the best possible rig in my own listening environment - equally valid usage but without the practicality/transport issue to be dealt with.

There are matters of scale and also practicality to be condidered in giving you a decent assist...

Amplification wise... tough call. I really dig the older Eden WT stuff for 'warm but articulate'. I'm also a big fan of the Avalon U5 in the 'warm and articulate' OR the 'pristine sheen' categories. Given my circumstance, I really can't get behind the Aguillar stuff. I've heard it sound good but ... it is the poster child of impractical for me. It's maybe the oly amp on the planet that makes moving an SVT look like a reasonable option

NOTE: That my rig is first and foremost a stage monitor and that I consider keeping it from conflicting with the FOH a very significant concern. I don't ever want to hear my tone suck on stage but I have a wide range of acceptability given that what is in the FOH in the context of an overall mix and a solo tone is very, very good. Clearly I favor practicality.

If your answer is smaller rooms and FOH support. For commercially available cabs, I would start with the Accugroove Tri-112 and / or Tri 115 cabs.

If your signature is up todate... You aren't going to like what you hear in that MIM Precision for very long ... If you're really into the P bass, part of that 4K might fund a Mike Lull, Lakland Glaub or early 80's Fender with a set of bitchin' cool pickups in it... and you still have room left over for an outstanding rig ...

PRUNEFACE · #8 12-16-2010, 01:05 PM

Eh It's a good bass for the money

essentre · #9 12-16-2010, 01:07 PM

$4000?? That's a whole lot of dough!! I got my whole rig for under $2000 and it sounds amazing

GrowlerBox · #10 12-17-2010, 11:06 PM

The EA doubler amp looks interesting, and the Genz Benz 9.0 appears to be well-voiced for upright. I haven't used either and am going purely by sound samples and reviews, so take that for what it's worth. I use and enjoy what's in my signature, but if I came into a spare 4G, I'd probably buy both of these just for yucks! We have relatively few opportunities for trying before buying high-end gear here in the South-Eastern Antipodes.