I feel totally lost.

willymotts said:

I am new to this forum and only have experience with one other in an unrelated interest. In that other, it sometimes gets a little nasty when "dumb" questions are asked. (I will soon find out if that is the case here!) I just returned to playing about 2 months ago after having not played in a band (or even really picked up the guitar) since 1981. I have a Peavey T-40 which I used to run through a Sunn Concert bass amp with two 15s. I just got into a Country Rock/Classic Rock band and bought an Ampeg B2-RE and an SVT410-HLF. I looked through these threads and find that the level of knowlege here is so far above mine that I don't understand most of the advice. Please forgive my ignorance. (I actually posted this in the wrong section the first time!)
ISSUE: I want to improve my sound while keeping it "clean" and I was thinking that maybe I need a preamp. I would need to keep it under $400. Any suggestions will be appreciated. You also being nice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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I don't believe that a preamp will do what you want. If your power amp in your current system isn't clean then a pre won't clean it up.

Take a moment to describe what you mean by 'clean', especially in relationship to what your currently hearing and maybe by listing a couple players or band that have a tone that you're thinking about.

Maybe upgrade the bass from the t 40?

I don't know if I can help you with any tech/amp advice, but I can say that your internet experience is what you make of it. You will find both help and sarcasm anywhere you go. But a thought-out question is never dumb. If anyone messes with you when you've thought through as far as you can before asking for help, then just ignore them.

give the sansamp vt bass a try

I've found most people on this site are extremely helpful and curtious. There are a few who are total douche bags, but the rest of us generally step up and call them out on it. This website is an invaluable in the resources who frequent here. That's the whole point in it, and I've found most take pride in sharing knowledge and helping others learn.

If you post a question that was answered in another thread (assuming you searched and couldn't find it; always mention that if that be the case) then someone will generally link the thread so you can easily find that resource of information.

As far as your tone, the bass can have as much impact as the amp. See if you can get another bass to play through your amp, and like wise play your bass through another amp to see where the tone failure is actually occuring. Best of luck!

I've found that by spending some time playing with the EQ, tone controls, and volume knobs, and can usually find the clean tone that works for me. I play in a country band (Link Removed) and sometimes we're using rigs supplied by the venue or another band. With a bit of tweaking with my bass and with the amp I've always been able to find a good, workable sound.

Congrats....great to hear you're thumping again.

One idea I'll throw out there is begin networking with local players.

Find a couple of really good players and ask them to mentor you on the basics of your setup.

I got lucky, and befriended Trip Wamsley who generously offered to drive 60 miles to help me setup my new rig.

I put a piece of masking tape across the preamp to mark the settings and didn't touch them for about three years.

Someone wise also told me to start on the guitar end and work myself toward the speakers.

So, strings, technique, and guitar settings might be a good place to start.

Good luck!

a new pre for that amp might help. in the $150 range, i love the sansamp vt bass. in the closer to $400 range, a used ampeg svp cl pre is a great thing. but for $150, it's really hard to beat the vt.

Alot of people have said alot of good things about the Tech21 VT Bass pedal - http://www.tech21nyc.com/reviews/images/pdf_reviews/VTBass_BP508.pdf

Here is another forum entry that seems to touch on your same issue - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=549692

I have been playing for 16 years and when I read the forums I totally feel like a novice. Don't worry about it. You can't learn unless you ask questions.

killer pre

i second that pre

Not sure how much a preamp would do in your case. It could be many things, how you preamp is voiced, how much headroom you've got in your power section and your speakers.

Also, I think a good compressor might go a long way in your case.

doc540 said:

Congrats....great to hear you're thumping again.

One idea I'll throw out there is begin networking with local players.

Find a couple of really good players and ask them to mentor you on the basics of your setup.

I got lucky, and befriended Trip Wamsley who generously offered to drive 60 miles to help me setup my new rig.

I put a piece of masking tape across the preamp to mark the settings and didn't touch them for about three years.

Someone wise also told me to start on the guitar end and work myself toward the speakers.

So, strings, technique, and guitar settings might be a good place to start.

Good luck!

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Sounds like some good advice.

I've had a Yamaha PB-1 preamp that I've been using for about a year and a half -- loving it better all the time.
You'd have to find one used, but they can be found for really good prices.

I suspect you can solve your problem with some combination of: EQ, the "right" strings, and checking the setup/pickup height on your bass. Those options are free or inexpensive and are at least worth checking out before you spend more money on gear . . . not that that ever stopped me

I'm going to try another direction - I've never been very impressed with that amp head, but know from experience that a killer pairing with that cab for a clean, powerful, punchy sound - yet tons of lows - would be to try a G-K 700rb-II... You can probably get atleast $200 for your B2RE, if not more - and pick up a used 700rb-II in nice shape for $300-$400, for only $100 or so out of pocket...

I see you're listed as being in upstate NY - I'm in the Syracuse area... If you're anywhere near me, or willing to take a drive - bring your bass and cab out, and you can try my 700rb-II to see if that might be more to your liking... I've used my 700rb-II with an SVT-410HLF quite a bit, and it sounded fantastic...

PM me if you're interested in this offer...

Just so there's no misunderstanding - I am in no way, shape or form trying to sell or trade my 700rb-II - I'm definitely keeping that amp, and am just trying to help out another player who might live in my area...



- georgestrings

willymotts said:

I tried a Big Muff to try to get some sustain but I couldn't get it without some distortion. .

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Sustain is mainly sourced in the instrument. You get the most with neck-through construction and dense wood in both the neck and body, the least with a bolt-on and less dense materials. The bass need not be heavy; mine is all rosewood and sustains literally indefinitely, but it's not heavy, being a semi-hollowbody. The key to tone starts with the axe. Get that right first, then go on to the rest.

FWIW, I would not recommend to add a pre or anything else to the chain just yet....
you're likely to complicate things......unless you know that a certain pre or effects is what you want........
since you are after a clean tone......start by keeping it simple
start with everything flat, or what seems to be flat (all settings centered, or use the head's manual for guidance)
be sure you have decent strings on the bass....as long as they're not dead.......
find your preference to pickup balance on the bass
do you like it balanced in the middle, more neck pickup, or more bridge.........(provided the T-40 has p/u balance...I can't remember specifically)
use the knobs on the bass to dial in your sound too, not just on the head.......
adjust sparingly, and use the p/u balance too if available; the bridge p/u will tighten things up....and likely sound cleaner....
try boosting the mids just enough to help the bass cut, but be careful as mids can muddy things up if over-done
go with just enough lows to give your sound authority, too much bass can take away from definition and focus......and sound less clean....
adjust the highs last to your liking.........
listen a lot between each adjustment......you may go right past the sweet spot........
don't worry if miracles don't happen the first day....give it a few days, a little at a time.......your ears will also have to adjust too.....
if your rig doesn't quite give you what you want.......go shopping not buying, and listen, listen, listen........but you should most definitely compare your gear in the same environment as you listen to other gear.... compare piece by piece to other gear, you may find the bass if your weak link, or the cab is too open in the bottom end, etc........
don't change out too much gear too fast, keep variables more constant and try mixing/matching stuff with what you have
remember you hands, fingers, ears, style, etc is different than others, so you need to find a "shoe" that fits you........


good luck!!!