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Amp/cab for detailed/punchy Flatwound sound

J

jamerson_fan

Feb 17, 2008
70
3
#1
Hi

I've come to the conclusion that my preferred bass sound is Flatwounds (Chromes) on a passive P-bass with as much detail/"punch" as possible.

I recently bought a Rusty Box pre-amp, and I like it, but I find my current amp/cab (SWR 8004 T/O/P with matching cab) somewhat lacking (a little muddy).

What amp/cab would you recommend to make me really _hear_ my flatwounds from the lowest Hertz to the highest KiloHertz?
 
#6
Thanks for the replies so far.

Well, regarding lows: I quess I don't want a modern cab
with "sub"-lows, but more of a tight, punchy cab for a 4-string.

I'm considering buying a used Gallien-Krueger head.
I read somewhere here that the new ones (MB800, RB10001) are a little "nice sounding", so I'm thinking I might like the older ones better.
 
#8
Not necessarily. 15"s can be quite good for that sound, but some 15" cabs are quite unsuited to what you're looking for. You can find cabs that are suited and unsuited to your needs using all different size speakers.
 
#10
jamerson_fan said:
Thanks for the replies so far.

Well, regarding lows: I quess I don't want a modern cab
with "sub"-lows, but more of a tight, punchy cab for a 4-string.

I'm considering buying a used Gallien-Krueger head.
I read somewhere here that the new ones (MB800, RB10001) are a little "nice sounding", so I'm thinking I might like the older ones better.
Click to expand...

Dont mistake capability for a requirement of use. I get a tight punchy sound out of all my cabs with a passive P with chromes and an Ampeg PF-500. A simple and powerful EQ, but its not like I am running a 31 band to make things work.
 
#11
CL400Peavey:

I guess I like the "Ampeg"-sound, but they aren't known for top end detail..

Have you compared your Ampeg PF-500 against other Class D amps (GK, GenzBenz, Carvin, TecAmp etc.)?

How does a pre-amp/pedal sound through the FX-return vs. the regular input?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
 
#12
jamerson_fan said:
CL400Peavey:

I guess I like the "Ampeg"-sound, but they aren't known for top end detail..

Have you compared your Ampeg PF-500 against other Class D amps (GK, GenzBenz, Carvin, TecAmp etc.)?

How does a pre-amp/pedal sound through the FX-return vs. the regular input?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
Click to expand...

Ampeg amps or cabs? Their amps are actually amazing in the top end, if the cab you are using can produce what is coming out of them at that point. A lot of what is considered to be the "Ampeg sound" is actually the sealed 810e or the 410he. Those are top sellers for ampeg, and they have a sound that works for a lot of people. Personally I thought I didnt like ampeg gear because those were the cabs that it was always hooked up to in stores. I was shocked the first time I played one through a different cab. It was the sound I wanted.

I think the PF-500 has more in common with ampeg amps, than any other class D amp. I would say that my experience with GK's MB line is the same. They sound like a GK, not a "class D" amp. I dont think class D has a sound. I think there are good amps that are class D, and there are bad amps that use other topology.

The preamp through the power amp in or FX return sounds like you are only running the pre. That can be a good thing, or a bad thing. Depends on what you want/need out of your pre, and how the coloration of the two play together. Personally I like my Aguilar TH straight in to the power section of an amp when I am not using it for distortion. I like it through the front end if I am using it for distortion though.

I will tell you this. Everything will sound better if you have a cab that you like the sound of.
 
#13
Thanks for your opinions about Ampeg amps/cabs. Very interesting. I've also mostly tried them with Ampeg-cabs.

Regarding the FEARLESS-cab: I couldn't find any wattage ratings on the Greenboy-site(s). What is yours rated? Do you play with a single F115, or always combined with another?


(I see that Tricky Audio has started building in the UK. Since I'm located in Norway, I guess I'll check with them first if I buy)
 
#14
jamerson_fan said:
Thanks for your opinions about Ampeg amps/cabs. Very interesting. I've also mostly tried them with Ampeg-cabs.

Regarding the FEARLESS-cab: I couldn't find any wattage ratings on the Greenboy-site(s). What is yours rated? Do you play with a single F115, or always combined with another?


(I see that Tricky Audio has started building in the UK. Since I'm located in Norway, I guess I'll check with them first if I buy)
Click to expand...

Here is a list of greenboy cabs I have owned or do own:

fEARful 12/6/1 x2, 15/6, 1515/66/1, greenboy DuallyT.

And cabs I have played through enough to have a pretty good opinion on:

fEARful 1212/6, fEARless F112, F115, F212, greenboy Bassic12, Bassic15. I actually have a F212 on order right now.

You could easily gig with a single F115. It will get louder than a 410. Per power handling, you can use just about anything. It will be gigable with anything between 200-1000 watts.
 
#20
JimmyM said:
So do most Ampeg amps and cabs ;) And many Ampeg cabs actually have a tweeter that you can turn on and off at will, so you can get the highs if you want them.
Click to expand...

Actually in comparison to the schroeder cabs, the sealed Ampeg cabs have huge low ends. That isnt judgement on the ampeg cabs, more that the schroeder cabs lack what I would consider useful low end.

jamerson_fan said:
Hehe. My username is quite old.
Although I'm a big fan of Jamerson, his sound is not what I'm after in this case. :-)

Thanks for all your advice, CL400Peavey!
Click to expand...

Find something that you like, and play the hell out of it.
 

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