Narrowing the amp choice down- help please?

[dkziemann]

Hey all,

I'm almost done with narrowing down my amp choices. Before I name them I'll give you some background information. I'm a high school senior going into college for music. I need an amp that is suitable for gigging low volume- medium volume gigs. I'm playing on a Shen fully carved Maple bass (bought and setup at Paul Strelau's shop). Now the bass doesn't have a big low end, but I have spirocores on there and it atleast has the growling tone. It's also running a David Gage Realist (a quick FYI- the sound I love and try to mimic is the Ray Brown sound with the big thick bottom, etc etc).

My budget is about $1000.00

I have it kind of narrowed down to these choices-

Euphonic Audio Micro 300+ Bag End S15-B cabinet (my teacher is a big advocate of the 15 inch speakers along with others around here).

I am also looking at the Acoustic Image amps and can get any one of those combos too (the clarus or contra series, blah blah blah).

Finally, I've toyed around with the idea of getting a Walter Woods and saving up my money, but- I need a rig now, secondly he's also backed up by a year or two I believe.

Anyways, if anyone has anything insightful to offer, I'd love to hear it. Once again though, I'm not a heavy electronics person. Along the lines of what Ray said [rephrased], I want an amp that will enhance my bass's sound, not create it (I don't like heavy processesing)

Thanks!

-Danny



As a quick PS, I've played the Gallien Krueger bass combo (the MB150 or something), an SWR combo amp, a bigggggg SWR amp, and briefly through an acoustic image amp (but with my underwood pickup, so it's not a fair judgement)

[robgrow]

Although I don't know much about the EA Micro 300 other than reading about its teething problems, I do own a Bag End S-15 cab. While I seldom use my S-15, I would never sell it. I used the Bag End for DB outdoors last Labor Day, and it sounded very nice with a cool 70's kind of vibe. It's just too heavy and bulky for me to want to move it around all the time though. Plus I think there are better cabs available these days: I'd highly recommend the Euphonic Audio Wizzy M-Line, or, if you don't need to play extremely loud, the Wizzy 110 is an amazing cab with great sound and very light weight.

I'm also a big fan of Walter Woods amps. You may be able to find a good deal on a used one if you look hard enough.

[Ric Vice]

Danny,
IMHO the Walter Woods is the best DB amp, unfortunately it's also the most expensive and they take a while to get. For those who can wait it's definitely worth it. My EA VL 108 and 208 are very nice but, once again they are selling for serious bucks on the used market. That will probably change if EA ever gets the NL 208 on the market but they have been working on it for over 2 years and it just hasn't panned out yet.
So what's a guy like you to do. Well, you can usually find a Walter Woods on TalkBass about every three months or so. The EA Wizzy 10' would probably be the way to go for a cabinet. Rob Grow owns one you could P.M. him and get the scoop. You're other options are a Little Mark II by Markbass, lot's of TBer's like them, but you'll need a buffer pre amp We all used to love 15" speakers, I had two Bag End cabinets years ago, but there is lighter and better sounding gear out there these days.

Ric

PS I'd look into either a Realist or the Fishman Full Circle. The Underwood was once the leader of the pack and lots of folks still use them, but again
there are newer pickups that you might want to audition.

[dkziemann]

I looked into the Euphonic Audio wizzy line, and although it looks very, very nice, from everyone I've talked to (and heard play), 12's dont carry the low end as well as a 15 would (or push as much sound either). But who knows- I'd definitely like to try a Wizzy cab and A/B it to my teachers Bag End cab.

[dkziemann]

Ric, I didn't see your post when I replied back. Thanks, I'll look into it!

[jlilley]

If you're looking for more low end presence, I'd check out the EA M-line Wizzy. I use mine with a Clarus 2r and it sounds great. I won't consider a 15" after living with the M-line for a while, it offers all the low end I need and is a lot easier on the back.
John

[bribass]

Originally Posted by jlilley

If you're looking for more low end presence, I'd check out the EA M-line Wizzy. I use mine with a Clarus 2r and it sounds great. I won't consider a 15" after living with the M-line for a while, it offers all the low end I need and is a lot easier on the back.
John

For many years I used 15's and I still own a very lightweight Flite sound cab loaded w/ a EV Proline 15. That being said since purchasing my pair of Wizzy M-line 12's that's all I use. One is killer for DB w/ plenty of fat lows. For loud doubling gigs I stack the two and they're awsome together. However, one sounds so big for 90% of my gigs that I'm considering selling the 2nd one and getting a Wizzy 10 to stack on top when needed. I think if you could pick up a Wizzy M-line 12 and a used Clarus you'd have one slammin', versatile lightweight, hi-fi rig to be sure.

BG

[clink]

There is a used Clarus in the classifieds and I think Francois has a couple for sale also.

[dkziemann]

Has anyone done side by side comparisons of a 15 to a 12 (even better, bag end- EA?)

[B String]

I've been using an older AI Focus I, with a Bergantino
HT112. A number of guys I know are using this same combo.
The Focus has a 10 megohm input for piezo pickups too.
This combo just rocks. You could probably get the combo for
under $1000. if you buy used.

[robgrow]

Originally Posted by dkziemann

Has anyone done side by side comparisons of a 15 to a 12 (even better, bag end- EA?)

Yes! But seriously folks... I have compared the Bag End S-15 side by side with an EA VL-208 and a Wizzy M-Line (with one 12). The Bag End is nice but... The VL-208 is awesome but is heavy for its size, hard to find and relatively expensive. The Wizzy M-Line is very compelling, and overall I think I'd go with it.

[Jripr]

Try the Markbass 1x12 combo. I've had mine for months and it sounds clean and clear w/DB, doesn't need a preamp, and weighs 20-something lbs. I've tried 'em all except Walter Woods-- the Markbass is my choice.
I tried it at Guitar Center and bought the floor model for $799 plus tax. It doesn't quite sound "exactly like my bass only louder" (the Holy Grail amp!) but it sits really well in the stage mix for a jazz group, and players whose opinion I respect have complimented me on my sound.
I play an Englehardt through a K&K bassmax pickup.
It also gets really LOUD if you need it to, and is good for doubling on EB.
Jripr

[wingnut]

Originally Posted by dkziemann

Has anyone done side by side comparisons of a 15 to a 12 (even better, bag end- EA?)

I don't have a bag end, but I do have an Ashdown "deep" 15. Here are my observations. A 15 by itself can get muddy at higher volumes and lose some of it's high end. I have tried a number of 15's and this has consistently been my opinion. They are great for that "whump", but aren't articulate enough, in my experience 12" cabs sound much better to my ear. They have the low end thump with a much more articulate sound. If you think about it, most DB combo amps don't use 15's. I'm sure the reason is the mud that I and most other URB players experience with them. There are a lot of great quality 10 and 12 inch units out there now. If you picked any one of them, you would most likely be happy. It's just a question of finding the gear that plays the "sound" in your head. Good Luck! If you want to know where I got the best deals on my stuff you can PM me.

[LarryR]

Such great advice from all these guys (some of whom have helped me greatly). I agree with everything said 'bout Bag End. I'm not selling my S15-D, but, it's my 3rd choice for URB. I'm settling on a GK MB150E. If I need more volume, I'll bring a Bergantino. I have a Berg HT/EX 12 stack for all electric gigs. Not light, but, SOLID!
I had 2 AI heads: Clarus, Focus. 2 Woods heads. Honestly, if I played more URB gigs, maybe I'd have kept the high end stuff. It was all great gear.

But, one thing I've learned that's as true for URB as slab. Good player can make anything sound good. A couple of tools to go with your amp choice:
Tech 21 Para Driver (more sage advice from B String). Also, I picked up a D-Tar 2 Channel solstice (to blend piezo/magnetic with microphone). I feel confident to walk in anywhere and provide a good signal to any head/cab/combo with either of these pre's.

Best of luck with your decision.

[peterpalmieri]

Originally Posted by dkziemann

Has anyone done side by side comparisons of a 15 to a 12 (even better, bag end- EA?)

I very recently sold both my Bag End S15XD and S15D, I think there are much better choices for DB out there. I also own a EA NL210 and found it night and day. A cabinet like the S15D puts out to much low end and sustaining mud IMO, I felt it was a huge disadvantage. I personally feel the NL210 is my favorite DB cabinet although it is big for many the Mline would seem to be the next logical choice when moving to a smaller box.

[dkziemann]

Well the Micro 300 head and cabinet came yesterday, but there was a mixup and I got the 10inch instead of the 12 inch shipped to me (but I got it settled no problem and a 12 inch is coming thursday). After a couple minutes I thought "wow this has no low end.." (and then I realized it was a 10 inch, but oh well...)

[larry]

You should really try to find a store that stocks the stuff and bring your bass there.

Personally, after much comparing (and owning several different amps) I am using a Markbass LMII and a Bergantino HT/EX 112 (only use the EX on most gigs). The LMII and one of the 12" Bergs should come in around a grand.

Different basses and pickups will sound different though. The usual suspects (AI, Euphonic Audio, etc.) are all good. You need to find the one YOU like.

[dkziemann]

I'm a senior in high school (in Buffalo NY) and the closest store is in NYC, either David Gage or Kolstein, so driving out there with a bass would be impossible. I'm mostly relying on word of mouth and reviews.