Happy With My Rig

mooreon131 · #1 06-24-2011, 07:57 PM

I'm posting this here, because I'm probably gonna catch a lot of flack for it, and surely there will be jokes at my expense. But that's good, I want a reaction. I want to hear the thoughts of the TB community. Currently I'm playing an Ibanez GSR 190 (the bass that comes with the jumpstart package) through a Peavey TKO 115. Outside of that, I occasionally use a Boss DS-1 Distortion pedal. And that's it. Now, I know, the bass is beginner garbage, and Peaveys catch more flack than any other Amp brand here, especially their 115 combos, and DS-1s are looked down on by guitarists and bassists alike (admittedly, it is the weak link, and the thing I actually would change). But, recently, I found it gives me a sound I really like, THE sound (or one of them) that I've been chasing. It's bassy, and fat, yet trebly, and percussive. It's a very good modern/hard rock tone imo. Plus the GSR 190 is incredibly comfortable, has a great variety of tones, and I wouldn't change anything about it, save for gettnig a new bridge (maybe) and raising the action a bit. In fact, I like it so much, that I might get another to take the neck, hardware, and electronics off of, and put them on a custom body. Sure, I'll probably buy other basses for the sake of tonal variety, but this is definitely my "workhorse". So, I wanna know what you think: Am a just some dumb kid who doesn't know anything about good tone? Is it good that I've learned to be happy with what I have? What do you think?

(If the mods feel this belongs in another section, feel free to move it)

slaps76 · #2 06-24-2011, 08:05 PM

What's wrong with that? The Ibanez GSR is a quality bass for that price range, and if you get good sound out of the amp, and you like it, that's what matters.

Philonius · #3 06-24-2011, 08:07 PM

Does anyone ever come up to you after you've played and commented that your tone was not good?

I didn't think so. Before I started my TB habit, I thought my bass sounded pretty good. Then I started checking out all the cool effects, wanted a fEarful, "had" to upgrade my amp, worried about not having a P, and a J, and so on. Fuggedabout it. You're happy, and you probably sound just fine. If I were to add one component to your system it would be a decent compressor. Pedal tuners are nice but not essential. Practice makes a difference too, I hear.

DeathFromBelow · #4 06-24-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaps76

What's wrong with that? The Ibanez GSR is a quality bass for that price range, and if you get good sound out of the amp, and you like it, that's what matters.

My thoughts EXACTLY!

redhed · #5 06-24-2011, 08:14 PM

Enjoy the stuff you have! If you like it, who cares what anybody thinks? and I actually like the TKO

HugeInJapan · #6 06-24-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhed

Enjoy the stuff you have! If you like it, who cares what anybody thinks? and I actually like the TKO

What he said....

Not sure why people don't like peavey. They sound good and are built like tanks.

oldcatfish · #7 06-25-2011, 06:33 AM

I figured out a long time ago that expensive doesn't = better.

I have a Korean made Peavey Milestone P-bass that is a tone monster...I get compliments on it's tone all of the time from other bassists and soundguys.

And I've played through a lot of amp combos including Peavey. I personally think that they are better than average. In fact, most everything that Peavey makes are better than average in tone, reliability, and cost.

Ibanez aren't bad either, I have an Ibanez Artwood A/E guitar and my kids have the Ibanez Mikro bass--and a Peavey amp.

mooreon131 · #8 06-25-2011, 11:33 AM

Thanks for all the good replies guys. It was far more postivive than I expected. I've always loved peaveys, after starting out with my friend's dad's old peavey tube combo. It was loud fat and...LOUD. I loved it, and it really brought out the best in my ibanez. So if I never need to upgrade my amp for loudness, i'm deinitely using a peavey cab/head combo. And the compressor was a good point, especially because its hard to get string volume balance with the GSR.

kcole4001 · #9 06-25-2011, 01:40 PM

If you're happy with your setup, then you're doing better than when I was first starting out.

Enjoy it.

A good compressor sounds like it should be next on your list, other than that (assuming you have a good tuner of course) you don't actually 'need' anything else.

Never_grew_up · #10 06-26-2011, 10:30 AM

I'm sorry, but with that kind of attitude you can't be on talkbass. How will you ever post about having/curing GAS, or the constant quest for 'that sound' if you're happy with what you have? Now your only recourse is to practice & get really good while playing with a never-ending string of douchebags & wannabes so you'll have something to post about.

knigel · #11 06-26-2011, 10:43 AM

I used a Peavey TKO 115 for a long time gigging. It did the trick just fine.

What blew my mind was in 1997 (maybe 1998) I saw The Roots, pre-Owen Biddle, and HE had the same TKO115 as me!

**VincentSalizeri** · #12 06-26-2011, 10:56 AM

If you're happy, that's all that matters. Honestly, the audience probably won't notice too much about your tone except that it's there. So the only person you really have to please is yourself.

shoot-r · #13 06-26-2011, 11:39 AM

[quote=oldcatfish;11094943]I figured out a long time ago that expensive doesn't = better.

"BIG" +1 with above!!!

centrefold · #14 06-26-2011, 05:40 PM

Although I can say I wouldnt play it myself, if that's what you are looking for good on you! Honestly unless people are saying how much they dislike your sound you should be fine. Pleasing yourself for tone is usually number one because thats what your trying to put across as YOUR sound.

All I gotta say is good job on being happy with a tone. If you want to try and change do it up but if your happy no need to change!