Tom Hamiltons New Ampeg Setup

Stampy · #1 06-29-2009, 01:47 PM

I just saw Aerosmith last night at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville,CT and I heard about Tom's new setup that Ampeg made for him. It sounded killer!!! It was very clean but had a slight growl to it, cut through the mix perfectly! Not sure what effects he was using maybe someone else can fill that part in for me.

DeluxeRed · #2 06-29-2009, 01:58 PM

Well...that probably makes him eligible for an Ampeg Club number if he wants one.

That's what, a B-15R head on a 2x10 and 3 15" x-cabs? And the cabs are all 16ohm? Or are they bringing out something new? Hmmm...

Anyone got the scoop?

NicJimBass · #3 06-29-2009, 02:01 PM

I think this is a setups he's used for a while. They're 4x10 cabs (made to look like B-15's) powered by SVT-Pro 5's, with a couple dummy cabs in the middle for looks.

Stampy · #4 06-29-2009, 02:04 PM

Just floating around Ampegs site and it said he was using a SVT-Pro 6. I thought he was using Hartke previously and the Ampegs were new for this tour all together.

SteveC · #5 06-29-2009, 02:10 PM

Not to poo poo his stage rig - I'm sure it's nice - but I'll bet you were hearing his DI more than the stage rig.

bassteban · #6 06-29-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicJimBass

I think this is a setups he's used for a while. They're 4x10 cabs (made to look like B-15's) powered by SVT-Pro 5's, with a couple dummy cabs in the middle for looks.

That sounds about right- I have an issue of BP where he talks about it. Next time I sit down in the *reading room*

I'll look for it.

JimmyM · #7 06-30-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

Not to poo poo his stage rig - I'm sure it's nice - but I'll bet you were hearing his DI more than the stage rig.

He does have a mic on it.

BTW, to clear it up, a 5 Pro powers the middle stack, which is the only thing on. The other two stacks and the B-15R heads are for looks.

Here's a better look:

And here's the story from Bass Player:

"In a sublime tribute to Ampeg amps of yesteryear, Tom Hamilton’s custom stage rig, which was designed Ampeg’s Steve “Doc” Dachroeden, is a luscious looking array of vintage-looking blue-diamond Tolex, backed by a rack of modern heads and backstage isolated speaker cabinets. The blue-diamond onstage stack contains four modern Ampeg BXT410HL4 4x10 cabs, covered in Tolex and fitted with Portaflex grilles. The stack serves as inspiration as much as amplifcation: Only the center two 4x10s are on, driven by one of his backstage SVT-5PRO heads, while the outside two remain off, each instead serving as a pedestal for a custom B-15R dummy combo loaded with two 10" speakers. Backstage, tech Jerry Sabatino mans the rack, which has another SVT-5PRO and an SVT-6PRO, each driving BXT410HL4s in isolated road cases, miked for the house mixing board. The 6PRO’s iso cab delivers Tom’s dry sound, while the 5PRO’s is for distortion boost. The rack also contains two Samson UR5D Wirelesses, a Whirlwind selector, a five-channel Radial splitter, and a rack drawer with a T.C. Electronic chorus and line selector."

tat2jim · #8 06-30-2009, 05:30 AM

That's a very cool Retro look.

cassanova · #9 06-30-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

BTW, to clear it up, a 5 Pro powers the middle stack, which is the only thing on. The other two stacks and the B-15R heads are for looks.

Lie to me Jimmy, please tell me they're for backup purposes and serve a useful purpose and not just for looks.

I think that's quite dumb to have amps on stage that serve no other purpose than just for looks. Though I'm positive his endorsers love the advertising.

JimmyM · #10 06-30-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

Lie to me Jimmy, please tell me they're for backup purposes and serve a useful purpose and not just for looks.

I think that's quite dumb to have amps on stage that serve no other purpose than just for looks. Though I'm positive his endorsers love the advertising.

Why would you care? If you don't like dummy cabs, don't use them on your stage. But why would you care if Hamilton uses a rig like this?

DeluxeRed · #11 06-30-2009, 07:25 AM

It is visually impressive, but it is also too bad that we're not hearing anything like what we're seeing. Even the mic on the visible cab is a dummy. And I'll admit the bit "...serves as inspiration as much as amplification..." is a wonderfully warped piece of spin. It's not like he's making a secret of it, and he could use dryers on stage for all I care, but it's such a beaut--why not fire that bugger up and rock?

cassanova · #12 06-30-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why would you care? If you don't like dummy cabs, don't use them on your stage. But why would you care if Hamilton uses a rig like this?

Truth be told, I don't care what he uses on stage. What I'm curious to know is why people would use dummy cab's up on the stage. I'm curious to know why they would do this because I majored in psychology and love to know why people do silly little things like that.

BTW, I wouldn't use dummy cabs on stage because I see no point in it.

acubass · #13 06-30-2009, 09:35 AM

Nor would I....Why be fake?

DeluxeRed · #14 06-30-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassanova

Truth be told, I don't care what he uses on stage. What I'm curious to know is why people would use dummy cab's up on the stage. I'm curious to know why they would do this because I majored in psychology and love to know why people do silly little things like that.

BTW, I wouldn't use dummy cabs on stage because I see no point in it.

Perhaps to sell millions of tickets? There once was a time when we wanted stars and acts that were larger than life, not just some schmuck in a t-shirt with a Rumble (no offense to t-shirts or Rumbles intended).

ChrisPbass · #15 06-30-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why would you care? If you don't like dummy cabs, don't use them on your stage. But why would you care if Hamilton uses a rig like this?

because it's lame

chunkstyle · #16 06-30-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Why would you care? If you don't like dummy cabs, don't use them on your stage. But why would you care if Hamilton uses a rig like this?

i don't care, but it's so lame. i know a lot of people have done it in the past. to me, it's like sticking a cucumber down the front of your pants.

LilRay · #17 06-30-2009, 09:52 AM

I really dig the retro look, but I agree dummy cabs/heads are just goofy. Some poor roadie has to lug them mofo's around. For what? Machismo?

Just because your a professional and can afford to, doesn't mean you have to.
It'd be like having a Ferrari with a dummy engine. Makes no sense.

God Bless, Ray

Vic Winters · #18 06-30-2009, 10:54 AM

You guys cry too much. Those who can, do. Those who can't, well they mostly complain about those who can.

Atomik Rooster · #19 06-30-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkstyle

i don't care, but it's so lame. i know a lot of people have done it in the past. to me, it's like sticking a cucumber down the front of your pants.

Spot on. Serious overcompensating going on here. And yet he is a bassist, so I'm not sure what else he could have done.

LilRay · #20 06-30-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

You guys cry too much. Those who can, do. Those who can't, well they mostly complain about those who can.

Those who can, do, for real. With usable amps. Not with Dummy stuff.

It can be only ego to use dummy setups. Plain and Simple. Which is absurd.

No crying just fact.

God Bless, Ray