Buying new stuff but have questions.

[Jay Ralston]

Hey all,

I am a little embarrassed by making this post because I have been playing for over 20 years. I have decided to buy all new gear because my other stuff is getting outdated. Some of the new stuff though, I have never had before or have done what I am plan on doing so that is where my questions come in.

As far as my basses go, I am pretty happy with them. I just purchased a 20th Anniversary Ibanez bass from one fo the guys on here and it should be delivered by Friday. However, with my other 2 soundgear basses, I want to upgrade the pickups in them. They have the stock active pickups from Ibanez from 94' and 95' and while they do work fine, I would like to put some EMG's in them to match the sound level of the Bartolini's that come on the 20th Anniversary bass. What EMG's or other pick ups would you all recommend that I go with?

Next, as far as amps and cabinets go, I am pretty sure that I will be going with the Ampeg SVT Pro 4 head. With the cabinet, I will either go with 1 SVT 810 E enclosure or 1 or 2 SVT 410 HLF enclosures to add to my current set up of a Crate BX 440H head and a Crate BE 215 enclosure. If you guys think the Ampeg stuff is no good, or there is something better for the price, please chime in with why that is because I am not totally sold on the Ampeg stuff yet because I have not played them yet. Also, I know if you take 1 amp and go through one enclosure, you are typically running it at 4 ohms but if you use that 1 amp for 2 enclosures I believe then you are running it at 8 ohms. This is what confuses me so if someone can explain all of that to me and how that works, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also thinking of running a pre amp in the rack set up that I do but was wondering if someone could explain the pros and cons of doing so since I have never run a pre amp before.

Finally, with my rack gear, here is what I am looking at and would like everyones feedback on these items.

For the Power conditioner, I am looking at the Furman M-8 DX
For the rack tuner, I am looking at the Peterson VS-R Stroborack Virtual Strobe Tuner. It is the most expensive but from everything I have read, it has received the best reviews.

For the wireless system, here is where I really need everyones input. I have had a Shure T4G wireless that is from at least the early 90's. I was going to upgrade to a different Shure wireless, most likely the Shure PG 14 but then I read it has had horrible reviews so now I am not so sure (no pun intended) that I want to go that route. For wireless systems, what do you all recommend?

The last thing I am considering is a good compressor to add to my rack gear and am also toying with the idea of getting an effects processor. I have heard the Line 6 POD X-3 is good but would also like to hear everyones input on what they think or recommend if something different.
Thanks all for your time and help!
Jay

[kevin newsham]

I love the tone of an Ampeg SVT, but I will never cart one around again. The tube head, the 8x10 cabinet, and in my case the road case. Just to much weight to deal with.

You will get many suggestions, here are mine.

Heads, depending on sound and wattage requirments.

The Ampeg SVT4 pro isn't a bad head, many folks here use them. But I wouldn't haul the 8x10 cabinet around, and I am not a big fan of other ampeg cabinets. Check out a Bergantino 322, I believe that is the correct number. It has a 12, 2x10, and a horn. Incredible sound, and is available in a powered version if you decide to go with the preamp set up. Ampeg does make the SVP preamp, it would be a nice package with the IP 322.

You could also check out the Aguilar 1x12, old school tone, and a couple would be enough for most stages.

Gallien Kruegar RB series. 700, 1001, 2001, or the new hybrid tube head.
GK is one of the most trusted names in the business, you cant go wrong. Avoid the Gold Line. Also they make a very nice cabinet, but would go with the Neo 2x12 if you want an all GK rig. Great tone, light more compact rig, and similar volume level with two 2x12 cabs.

Genz Benz is very popular, but I have no personal experience with them. Great reputation, as many here will agree.

Unlimited cash? I would get either an Aguillar 750 head, or a Thunderfunk. And I would still go for either the Bergantino or Aguillar cabinets.

As for the Ibanez basses, wait till you get the new one with the Bartolini pickups. If they are USA made barts, and so is the preamp, you will have a good idea as to what the others would sound like with barts. Both EMG and Bartolini are great sounding pickups, but very different sounding as well. See If you like the Barts first.

I am sure I have missed many favored manufacturers, so chime in folks. This is TalkBass, start talking.

[kevin newsham]

Oh, and you are incorrect about ohms. Two 8 ohm cabinets in series become a 4 ohm load, two 4 ohms become a 2 ohm load. The ohm rating should be listed on or near the jack plate of the cabinet, the minimum load for an amp is near the output jack plate. Do not go under the minimum load, or damage can occur. If an amp shows 4 ohms, you can connect two 8 ohm cabinets in series safely. If 2 ohm load capable, two 4 ohm, or four 8 ohm rated cabinets can be safely connected in series.

[peterpalmieri]

Hey Jay,

That's a lot of questions, a lot! Enough so that I'd suggest you take a few steps back start doing a little more research and really think about how and why you've come to the point where you want to change everything but are so unsure.

You've got so many questions and at the same time it sounds like your building a setup to do a world tour. There are a couple of clues, you want to change pickups to "match the sound level of bartolinis" you don't understand ohms and your blowing most of your budget on questionable rack items.

I don't mean to put you down, there is a lot to understand. I'll stop there, while I do have some additional thoughts for later.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

You would also be better off splitting your thread into several threads to get them in the appropriate forum. For example, your pickup question would best be answered in the Pickups forum, your compressor question would get the best answers in the Effects forum, etc.

[smperry]

There's a lot in here and since much of it is amp-related, I'm moving it. You might want to research the pickups, wireless, tuner, and power conditioner in other forums if people here don't chime in.

Edit: Gah...foiled by Bryan R. Tyler again.

[MNAirHead]

Nice amp post Kevin. ..

I recently played the GK Neo212 and was stunned.

T.

[Crabby]

There are so many other options then the Ampeg. Consider the fact that Ampeg as a company doesn't really exist anymore. You would be spending a lot of money for an amp of questionable reliability that's manufactured in Vietnam and if you need customer service, you will be dealing with a huge music conglomerate (Loud corp).

For the same expenditure (amp and cab), you could buy a very high end and powerful Mesa rig or Genz Benz. two companies with outstanding quality control, warranties and customer service.

You could also go for something much lighter and easier to transport that would sound far better. depending on your tone goals, you need to consider if you are set on a full tube amp, a powerful solid state head or a hybrid. What about speakers? There are amazing cabs with any number of different configurations that will delight you and weigh a lot less then the SVT810.

I'm not saying that Ampeg makes junk, but the companie's absorbtion into Loud Technologies and complete move out of the USA really bothers a lot of people especially because the prices have not changed for their products to reflect these changes. There are just so many better options out there. if you have the money to buy a complete new rig, you owe it to yourself to do your research and buy a rig that will really speak to you and work for your needs.

Now go get an M9 Carbine and a Powerhouse 412!!!

[B-string]

Don't overlook G-K. A G-K Fusion 550 and Neo412 is where I am at after 40+ years of giging.

[Kelly Lee]

Considering you are discussing multiple parts of your rig, and they fall in many different Talkbass subforums, I am moving this to Misc.

[agedhorse]

Originally Posted by kevin newsham

Oh, and you are incorrect about ohms. Two 8 ohm cabinets in series become a 4 ohm load, two 4 ohms become a 2 ohm load. The ohm rating should be listed on or near the jack plate of the cabinet, the minimum load for an amp is near the output jack plate. Do not go under the minimum load, or damage can occur. If an amp shows 4 ohms, you can connect two 8 ohm cabinets in series safely. If 2 ohm load capable, two 4 ohm, or four 8 ohm rated cabinets can be safely connected in series.

Two 8 ohm cabinets in parallel become a 4 ohm load. Not series.

Daisychaining or looping through cabinets is a parallel connection unless you have a custom series wired cable (which I generally do not recommend, and if you do this be sure to label the cable so it doesn't get mixed up).

[kevin newsham]

Originally Posted by agedhorse

Two 8 ohm cabinets in parallel become a 4 ohm load. Not series.

Daisychaining or looping through cabinets is a parallel connection unless you have a custom series wired cable (which I generally do not recommend, and if you do this be sure to label the cable so it doesn't get mixed up).

Sorry, been a while since I had to go over it in my head. And the head doesn't work that good in the first place. Thanks for the correction.

[Alexander]

As the amp\cabs go, everyone has their own opinions so recommend you try as many different rigs as you can and get the one that speaks to you.

My opinion? I've heard some really mixed things about the 4Pro and though have only tried one at GC, was very underwhelmed. I'm also not a big fan of the 410HLF cabinet at all (or any HLF cabinet for that matter). I do like the 810E, but have to say the Bergantino NV610 is a much better cab - it is what the 810 wishes it was. If I could do it over again and only have one cab, the NV610 would be it.

There are a LOT of really good bass amplifiers in the market today. I would echo the Genz Benz and G-K recommendations - if I was starting over, this would be where I'd start. I'm running the Thunderfunk 750A and it absolutely kills - although it has its own tone profile that people either like or don't. If you want to go Ampeg, by far the best amp I've played is their 2Pro - you'd have to find one used, but that is the amp that turned me on to bass playing in the first place. Put that atop an NV610 and you'll be in tone heaven, for sure...

[Stumbo]

You might want to check out the "Being in a Band" link in my sig.

There's a section covering rigs.