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Amp add-ons

TheGreatSealof

TheGreatSealof

Nov 15, 2010
699
563
Deptford, NJ
#1
I am not a pro player. My rig is a Line6 lowdown 400 amp, a GK4x10 cab paired with a Hartke 1x15 cab.

I enjoy the options built in the amp, i.e deep switch, compressor, etc.

However, I have noticed that many professional players combine other equipment with their rigs, i.e. equalizers, etc. I am not sure what other equipment are relevent.

I want to achieve the beautiful, full, continuous bass sound of, for example, Lee Sklar. I have heard him a couple of times live with James Taylor and his sound is so full and encompassing regarding bass presence.

What can I buy to shape a similar sound?

Thanks in advance.
 
#4
Falling down the rabbit-hole of rack gear and stomp boxes is fun and a great way of disposing of your pesky paycheque. My experience has been though that I came out the other side of it gassing for a simple uncomplicated lightweight rig with no bells and whistles.

You already have a good rig, so there's little point in effing with the program unless you know enough to define what you're missing. Even then you'll end up spending a large sum of money on making slight improvements and tone-chasing can quickly degenerate into a kind of consumer pareidolia. Extend caution.
 
#7
Lee Sklar could plug a standard Precision into a practice amp and still sound amazing. He's used a ton of different equipment over the years and always manages to kill in his own unique style.
 
#8
IPYF said:
Falling down the rabbit-hole of rack gear and stomp boxes is fun and a great way of disposing of your pesky paycheque. My experience has been though that I came out the other side of it gassing for a simple uncomplicated lightweight rig with no bells and whistles.

You already have a good rig, so there's little point in effing with the program unless you know enough to define what you're missing. Even then you'll end up spending a large sum of money on making slight improvements and tone-chasing can quickly degenerate into a kind of consumer pareidolia. Extend caution.
Click to expand...

Definitely well said.
 
#10
BassmanPaul said:
My first step would be to sort out the mismatch in you speaker cabinets. doesn't matter how goo the sound from your amp if your speakers can't reproduce it faithfully.
Click to expand...

Good start; with bass, less is often more. How large are the venues you play? I could live with a 410 cab on its own. Try to use only that one and see how it goes.
Also, try to control the mids with the eq your amp has and check how they influence the mix in your band. Your bass sound needs to be heard in the context of the band.
Finally, what JimmyM said...technique and style...
 
#11
IPYF said:
Falling down the rabbit-hole of rack gear and stomp boxes is fun and a great way of disposing of your pesky paycheque. My experience has been though that I came out the other side of it gassing for a simple uncomplicated lightweight rig with no bells and whistles.

You already have a good rig, so there's little point in effing with the program unless you know enough to define what you're missing. Even then you'll end up spending a large sum of money on making slight improvements and tone-chasing can quickly degenerate into a kind of consumer pareidolia. Extend caution.
Click to expand...

"so there's little point in effing with the program unless you know enough to define what you're missing."

This is my problem: I don't know enough to define what I'm missing. What resourses are available that I can contact to learn what I am missing?
 
#13
TheGreatSealof said:
This is my problem: I don't know enough to define what I'm missing. What resourses are available that I can contact to learn what I am missing?
Click to expand...

I'd try and take the matched cabs advise others have provided if you've got the option. That GK and Hartke are probably each great on their own but might not be ideal hanging out together.

The Line 6 is also a good amp, but maybe there's a chance it's not for you. If it's not providing the sounds you want then maybe you need to go to a store and play some other amps.

The only extra item of rack/stomp gear I could recommend would be a good compressor, but I think the Lowdown already has one built in?
 

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