A simple killer rig...

[OxJohnson]

I think the bar was Nuno's like leftymike surmised, but I could be wrong. I didn't really pay close attention, but it sounds right/familiar. I don't know they guy's last name. My guitarist used to play with him a long time ago when he lived in TX. He just referred to him as "Dave".

 

[Lync]

Dave's not here.

 

[unclejam]

yeah Gk+ampeg is no new combo

 

[GreyBeard]

In the spirit of the OP, I obviously agree that a good player is going to sound good, period. HOWEVER, I had a similar experience as you somewhat recently. Saw a band in Detroit (blues oriented 5 piece) and the bassist sounded great.... clean, great time, great groove, nice fat tone.

He was using a Fender Marcus Miller 4 string with roundwound stainless steel strings and had an old SS Ampeg head and a 'no name' 115 cab. It was full, fat and warm... and... it made his bass sound like a PBass with flats on it. I actually asked him if he was using flats and he kind of bummed out, since the 'sound in his head' was a more bright, J bass tone. My guess is, it sounded a little more growly and bright up on stage, but without a more articulate rig with more power, etc., that tone just never made it past the edge of the stage (there was no front of house support on this gig).


Good playing AND a rig that is voiced and has the power to deliver 'the tone in your head' to the audience is the best combination IMO and IME

+1

 

[seangoespostal]

I'm currently using a Peavey Nitrobass through an Ampeg SVT115 and SVT210 cabs...lately, when playing small rooms, I've left the 210 home and used just the 115...and it sounds awesome!! Once I get it EQ'd, I just leave it alone...I find I can vary my tone just by where I pluck the string and how hard I pluck it.

 

[BWB]

Apologies if this ends up derailing the thread, but that quote is golden. It shows the dark side of GAS ... so many of us (and I've been guilty as well) get excited by new or different gear, and addicted to the experience of acquiring New Stuff ... how many of us actually stick with the same set of perfectly fine, reliable gear for 6 years until we know every quirk it has and how to make it sound the best?

If there is anything I have learned, it takes months and months before I have decided if I like or dislike anything I own related to bass. In some cases it takes years. And certainly the most optimal sound combo isn't going to come out quickly, unless you're really good or real lucky.