This weekend I was able to catch a local Country Band that was playing down the street from where my oldies group was booked. We hopped down there on break, and then came back when we were done with our gig and caught the end of their show. Although they billed themselves as "Top 40 Country", they also threw in a handful of 80's rock dance numbers and a couple of classic rock tunes. They used a minimul PA, and the bass wasn't even in the PA mix.
I've known the bass player for a while, but I had never got a chance to check out his band or his rig. His gear wasn't what you would normally expect to see for a Country band - he was using a BC Rich Warlock with (2) P-pickups through a solid state Ampeg B2RE (China) and an early 90's SLM 810 cab. Surprisingly, the bass sound was loud, big, rich, warm, fat and deep, and was the perfect tone for Country. I was amazed at how good his tone was, coming from the B2RE which doesn't get a lot of love on TB, and also because he was using an 810 - which in my prior experience - doesn't throw a lot of low end. I talked to him about his rig, and he showed me his settings (straight out of the Ampeg manual). The only thing out of the ordinary was that the cab didn't have a "D" (domestic) code in the serial number - but rather an "E" (export?). He was surprised I liked his tone, and was glad to hear that another bassist dug his style.
I figured I'd post this because after hearing his rig, it really made me reconsider my perceptions of the B2RE and the 810 cab. It was one of the best tones I've heard in a long time - from two pieces of gear that I normally wouldn't consider for myself. Maybe it was the room, maybe it was his fingers, who knows - but props to whatever mojo he had working for him!
I've known the bass player for a while, but I had never got a chance to check out his band or his rig. His gear wasn't what you would normally expect to see for a Country band - he was using a BC Rich Warlock with (2) P-pickups through a solid state Ampeg B2RE (China) and an early 90's SLM 810 cab. Surprisingly, the bass sound was loud, big, rich, warm, fat and deep, and was the perfect tone for Country. I was amazed at how good his tone was, coming from the B2RE which doesn't get a lot of love on TB, and also because he was using an 810 - which in my prior experience - doesn't throw a lot of low end. I talked to him about his rig, and he showed me his settings (straight out of the Ampeg manual). The only thing out of the ordinary was that the cab didn't have a "D" (domestic) code in the serial number - but rather an "E" (export?). He was surprised I liked his tone, and was glad to hear that another bassist dug his style.
I figured I'd post this because after hearing his rig, it really made me reconsider my perceptions of the B2RE and the 810 cab. It was one of the best tones I've heard in a long time - from two pieces of gear that I normally wouldn't consider for myself. Maybe it was the room, maybe it was his fingers, who knows - but props to whatever mojo he had working for him!
