Want some amp advice

wdinc01 · #1 06-06-2010, 01:37 PM

I'm mostly just thinking out loud here, but I feel like I need a change in my amp set up. Right now I have a Little Mark III running through two Bag End 15s (although one has a blow speaker so I need to get it repaired). I don't know if its just me, but I just feel like I need a change.

I find it a little disturbing that I really only like the sound of my head when I have the VPF knob turned up. I feel like that defeats the purpose if I'm only happy with my tone that way, as opposed to it sounding good already.

So what would you do in my situation? Part of my feels like I should find a used Thunderfunk, since I bought the cabs on the advice that they sound good with my AMP 420, which died on me as soon as I got the cabs. Part of me thinks that I should get MarkBass cabs since they're designed for the head.

As for what tone I want, I like a kind of modern, smooth tone. Something you'd find in jazz and R&B, so a scoop on the mids and more on the bass. I'm not big into vintage sounding amps. I also like my sound to be heavy, as well as an amp that works well with effect pedals (fuzz, OD, phaser, etc.).

Just want to see what my options are. Otherwise I can't complain about it because I haven't really gigged with it. I know it sits in the mix (from what I've done so far), but I still feel like I can improve on it.

Breslin dp · #2 06-06-2010, 01:51 PM

I have a couple of suggestions for you.

GK 1001 or 2001rb: they both have plenty of head room and are very reliable.

Pair either head up with a GK neo 410 or 212 excellent cabs.

BassmanPaul · #3 06-06-2010, 02:07 PM

If you have a blown driver then you can't tell how your amp actually sounds. I would say try the LM through different cabinets - among them a 4x10 and see how it sounds. Do you have any friends who are bass players. Perhaps a session with their equipment will enlighten you.

Paul

barrybass33 · #4 06-06-2010, 02:13 PM

I would just try out different 4x10. @ 4ohms. That should kick that amp in to high gear.

**bass4worship** · #5 06-06-2010, 02:38 PM

Keep on 15" and add a 210 or 112 cab to handle the mids tones

JimmyM · #6 06-06-2010, 04:21 PM

i used to feel the same way you did about turning knobs. but then someone on here (i think it was r baer) said to me, "if you're getting the desired result, what does it matter?" and he was right.

wdinc01 · #7 06-06-2010, 05:22 PM

Good point Jimmy.

I suppose it's not really a big deal. Although I think if/when I'm presented to opportunity to get a Thunderfunk 550 or 420, I'll take it. Markbasses sound good, but I feel like I only get the tone of the amp and less the tone of my bass. This especially after trying them out in stores, it just seems like every bass sounds the same through it.

And it'll be way easier replacing the head than replacing the cabs.

JimmyM · #8 06-06-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdinc01

Good point Jimmy.

I suppose it's not really a big deal. Although I think if/when I'm presented to opportunity to get a Thunderfunk 550 or 420, I'll take it. Markbasses sound good, but I feel like I only get the tone of the amp and less the tone of my bass. This especially after trying them out in stores, it just seems like every bass sounds the same through it.

And it'll be way easier replacing the head than replacing the cabs.

funny you say that...if you take an lmii and set it flat and read it under a frequency analysis program, it's a near-perfect straight line. however, it sounds like you're totally not going for that

anyway, good luck with it.

R Baer · #9 06-06-2010, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i used to feel the same way you did about turning knobs. but then someone on here (i think it was r baer) said to me, "if you're getting the desired result, what does it matter?" and he was right.

Don't get too caught up in all the "controls set flat" debates here on TB. It's a well kept industry trade secret, but us manufacturers actually put all those knobs on your amps for a reason. You really don't need to feel bad for turning one if that is what works for you.

wdinc01 · #10 06-06-2010, 10:11 PM

Well its not so much that my EQ isn't set flat. That's why I use the EQ. Its the fact that, even after messing with the EQ, I'm not happy with the sound until I use a second tone knob. It just makes me feel like I actually don't like the sound of my head unless I use some black magic on it or something.

But its not a big deal now. I'm sure I won't be holding onto this thing forever and my tastes will change.

canadian*eh · #11 06-06-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breslin dp

I have a couple of suggestions for you.

GK 1001 or 2001rb: they both have plenty of head room and are very reliable.
.

+1 enough said!!! Gk All The way!!!

Cant go wrong ...I know i have never been let Down!!!