Too many heads!

**ddbassGA** · #1 12-01-2010, 04:33 PM

So what to leave in, what to leave out? How many heads does an aging bass player need?

Eden WT800
Mesa M-pulse 360
GK 800 RB
GK 400 RB
65 Fender Bassman
65 Ampeg B-15N

I love the power, pre, low mid boost and compression of the Eden. The GK 400 has its place as my home practice rig. The GK800 was picked up to scale up from my home rig before I got the Eden. But I like the Eden better through the big cabs. The Mesa was picked up for a song but I like the para equal on mids and compression kinda like the Eden. It could take the place of the GK400.

The old Bassman and B15 will be with me till the end, whatever that is.

Plays_For_Dog · #2 12-01-2010, 04:45 PM

Word. Sounds like you could loose the GK400 and the Mesa without too much heartburn. Throw the GK800 on the home rig and let it sub as a back up to the Eden. Gig the Eden. Put the 65's in safe storage until duty calls upon them. Pop the top on a cold PBR and watch COPS.

waynobass · #3 12-01-2010, 04:49 PM

This is all you need:

GK 800 RB
GK 400 RB

**ddbassGA** · #4 12-01-2010, 04:57 PM

Wayno that was the plan until I tried that Eden with the tube pre...

KsToaDangr · #5 12-01-2010, 05:05 PM

so, when you die, can i have the '65s?

**ddbassGA** · #6 12-01-2010, 11:03 PM

If the kids or grandkids don't want em sure you can buy them from my wife.

In '66 I came home from NYC with a brand new B-15. I was 14. My bandmate said "For the money you coulda bought a Bassman". But the Ampeg sounded better and could get louder before maxing out the speaker. Amazing how little wattage we bass players had back then.

Years later I picked up the blackface Bassman head and it does sound pretty good through a decent speaker cab. The old stock Bassman 2-12 cab was horrible though, definitely the weak link of the Bassman "piggy-back."

Chris K · #7 12-01-2010, 11:09 PM

Face it, you love all of that stuff, if only for sentimental reasons. You'll regret whatever you sell.
Keep it and just buy some more.

JimmyM · #8 12-01-2010, 11:23 PM

i'd give up the 400rb and the eden under this scenario.

so you bought your b-15n new and you still have it? wow! never met anyone who's done that. got to throw a pic up when you can!

Sartori · #9 12-01-2010, 11:39 PM

Why have the 400rb and the 800rb? GK's are tiny, just throw the 800 in a bag and carry it back and forth.

**ddbassGA** · #10 12-01-2010, 11:51 PM

Alas my B-15 is same year but not my original. I sold my first B-15 around '76 (along with my '59 Pbass) to buy my first upright (see my avatar pic from that era).

Interesting responses from you all, all different. What if I sold them all? Clean slate. What should I get to drive:
1. SVT 410HE/115E stack. Or
2. Bergantino HT212/HT115 stack

Sartori · #11 12-02-2010, 12:05 AM

Don't sell the B15. That's just crazy talk.

Get two 15"s.

Alex1984 · #12 12-02-2010, 12:54 AM

Keep one GK, and sell the rest for a WalkAbout.

Of course, keep the Bassman and B-15N, I figured that's implied.

baron665 · #13 12-02-2010, 01:18 AM

I'd keep the Eden, 800, and Ampeg. Sell the rest. Get the 212/115 stack. Just my opinion.

Stumbo · #14 12-02-2010, 01:21 AM

Do you do gigs with upright and electric?
Maybe keep the Eden (Ampeg,Fender), sell the rest and buy a two channel bass head for gigging?

Something like this http://bassmusicianmagazine.com/2010...rt-musikmesse/

babebambi · #15 12-02-2010, 10:09 AM

I am sure you can practice on either the Fender or the Ampeg.
Then it's a matter of picking a gigging head and let go of the rest.
For me I would gig with the WT800.

**ddbassGA** · #16 12-02-2010, 10:33 AM

Stumbo: Good question. I've never gigged with both upright and electric same time. Almost all my upright work is acoustic band or cool jazz requiring only micing and minimal amplification, often direct to PA. The rig is for electric bass in "old-man" rock band, R&B meets jam band (James Jamerson meets Phil Lesh, but with some fretless for fun).

Babebami: so yes the WT800 works great for the electric gig. GK800RB is a reliable backup with enough power, but quite a different sound.

Funny the GK 400 isn't all that less powerful than the GK 800 (and I don't biamp using that 100watt high channel), plus it's 2 rack space instead of 3 and a bunch lighter. I sure don't understand GK's naming convention. The numbers have nothing to do with the wattage.

**garmenteros** · #17 12-02-2010, 01:03 PM

This is easy. Keep the b15, the bassman and the 800rb. If you got to narrow it down to two lose the bassman.

T. Alan Smith · #18 12-02-2010, 02:46 PM

Right off- the GKs are redundant(voice-wise), so loose one of them. Which one? ...the low powered one or the high powered one? Well, you have a high powered amp with the WT800, so I would keep the 400 so you'll always have that voice around when your in the mood. The Boogie is redundant as well, so then it comes down to it and the Eden. You say you like the EQ on both, but which actually inspires you more regularly? Dump the other.
Honestly, with the B15 & Bassman around, you've already got 2 practice/rehearsal amps to pick from, so you really only need a higher powered modern head like the Boogie or WT800 for gigs, Then you'll have the 400 for backup/rehearsal.
There. All done.

**ddbassGA** · #19 12-02-2010, 03:52 PM

T: That's the solution I've been leaning towards.