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Amp Head & Cabinet purchase Q's for the billionth time...

Zeus_Mutation

Zeus_Mutation

Feb 6, 2010
89
18
#1
Hi All!

I'm on my last leg of research before I pull the trigger and buy a new bass rig. I've enough experience with crap to know what not to get... but the higher end market stuff, where I luckily find myself at the moment, is difficult for me to discern. I've spent roughly 52 hours or more on reading as much as I could, watching videos, artist interviews, etc... I've played everything available to me as well. An additional problem I have, I over freaking analyze.

I'm basically ready to pull the trigger, thinking I'll share my options and get your feedback of experience and wisdom.

My budget is really great, I can buy most anything sold at a guitar center. That's hurdle 1. Be it used, amazing, or junk... my funds are in a gear card for better or worse.

I've come to this package:
Gallien Krueger MB Fusion 800 w/ CX 4x10 cab.

In the hunt:
Ashdown ABM 600 EVO III - No idea of what cab to run for Ashdown. Truth be told, I'm not into their looks at all. I get the quest is about tone, but I ant rich so, I better like looking at it too. lol.

Gallien Krueger Fusion 550 - A 4x10 GK cab, but no decision.

Orange Four Stroke - Probably a 4x10 Orange cab.

Others I have looked into:

TC Electronics RH750 and 450 - I do have a used 450 in my cart now, only $350. Not confident is a must have though. Its the damn lights that keep pulling me here.
Amp SVT-Pro - Pick a number...
Amp SVT-VR Vintage reissue
Aguilar AG700 & TH500
Orange AD200B

I've added a bunch of pedals and such to my order being I'm a tinkerer. I like rock music, heavy stoner rock some categorize it as... love Motown, Funk, anything with flavor in it. Math metal and the like is a bore... impressive musicians, just not sonically for me.

My tone? Seeking a heavy growl with clarity that sounds like a bass vs a guitar. Whatever that means... Additionally, I'm a drummer first. I just can't put down my damn bass.

Hopefully that helps with your thoughts and suggestions.

Thank you for checking this out!
 
#2
I've had the SVT Pro 3 and 7; good but not me; the 3 Pro had been back a few times for bad solder traces; the 7 had huge reliability issues but mine was fine
Have an SVT-CL; all SVT tube amps are great but a much different tone than Fusion 800; also tons more weight for less power; one of my top 3 bass amps of all time
Had the TH500 - Nice amp but not clean enough for my needs
Have a MBF800; sounds very good and is stupid light and small
ABM 500 EVO III - used one under the tree; liked them in stores, hope to love this one in the mix
Had a TC combo for about 3 days; bought it used for cheap and sold it at a profit; tone sucked but this might have been the cabinet
I really like TC studio gear but that combo keeps me away from there MI stuff

What kind of tone are you looking for as many on your list have a much different baked in tone
 
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#3
Thank you or the feedback...

Tone, gosh its really hard for me to describe. I want low end clarity. Warm punchy mids. Clean highs that aren't harsh.

The GK Fusion has that meaty grit mid I like. Needed more time to fiddle with the low end I'm after.

I love clean hi-fi bass, but thats a second setting for me... I need that warm rock growl if you will. The Ampeg stuff didn't have enough low end warmth that met my clarity needs. So subjective. The Markbass stuff didn't have any overdrive tonality to me... I just keep coming back to the GK thinking I can get that low end. I hope at least. lol

My bass inspiration is Steve Harris, and my favorite players are Les Claypool, Flea, and Eric Wilson of Sublime. If that helps?
 
#4
Don't overlook your cabs, though. No matter what you put into a not great cab, it will not sound great. I do believe that lots of folks will agree that minimum half of your budget is most wisely spent on the cab(s). Yok list a few pretty pricey amps there. It would be a shame to pair them with a so-so cab.

My thoughts, and please start a NAD or NRD thread for us when you do get whatever you decide on.
 
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#6
Zeus_Mutation. I am a big fan of Ampeg amps, (I own 22 of them), but if I was looking for a new gigging rig, and cost was not a concern, I would give some serious consideration to a Mesa Boogie Subway D800+, and a couple of the cabinets from that line. I do sound for a lot of bands, and have worked with guys who brought this amp to three different shows, and it is the best bass amp I have encountered at a gig in the last two years.
 
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#7
Thanks you for responding!!

As for cabinets, I plan to spend whats needed to make a good sonic marriage. Again, limited by guitar center offerings. Open to anything they sell.

Stumbo - Thank you, not sure that fits within my finical limitations. Appreciate the option.

I've not been able to GC just yet tonight, so everything is still an option. I'll look into those Mesa Boogies... heard similar positive views.
 
#8
+ 1,000 for those that said the speaker is a huge deal.

And, you can do the opposite.
Find a cabinet that owns your soul like Bergantino, Baer, Duke, etc. (and apologies to those I've missed.)
I had this experience when I picked up a Berg HT322 and then again with my gigging cabinet GB 2x12 Neo X
Decided that this was the cabinet (at the time) and then found an amp that worked best.
 
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#9
I'm in Australia so dunno what GC stocks... I'm guessing not Bergantino
The Fender Bassman Pro Neo cabs are terrific. ..I use one or 2 of the 115s. . Cabs are at least as important as the amp imo.
GK Fusion are cool li'l amps. The Fender Bassman 500 or 800 are both getting great reviews. . Great pre amp in em (same as my Super Bassman ) 2 channels and blendable overdrive so as not to lose any low end etc
The Rumble 500 is cool too.
I've also got a Aguilar TH500 and it's a reliable and punchy li'l devil too. But it's more "vintage" and tubey sounding compared to the GK amps.
Try try try. .. is my recommendation
Perhaps buy with a possibility of returning to swap...?? Is that an option?
 
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#10
An Ampeg V-4B / SVT-212AV. It's great!

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#12
Well... I was able to sample more of the GK MB Fusion 800... it wasn't quite right. The Ampeg SVT Pro-4 looks appealing because the 7 pro wasn't bad sounding at all. I'll go back tomorrow and try out the MBFusion800 with the Ampeg 4x10 cab just to be safe. They only have the GK Neo's and that wasn't my sound at all.

In all honesty its becoming a mental exercise now. I'm looking at the Ashdown ABM 600 EVO with a used Bergantino HS410, not one around to try and that scares me... dare I say if I'm gonna get an ABM I might as well get a Head of Doom...

We'll see... any more of this and I'm gonna say forget it, I'll just wait.
 
#14
Zeus_Mutation said:
a used Bergantino HS410, not one around to try and that scares me
Click to expand...
While I can't say it will or won't meet you tone goals, I can assure you that if you have to take a flyer on any cab without getting to hear it first, a Berg is probably going to be your lowest risk. Even a Berg cab that's not voiced to my taste still sounds incredible to me when I play it.
 
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#15
Well I'm now down to these:

Ashdown ABM 600 Evo - Prob the Berg cab.

Mesa/Boogie Prodigy Four 88 with a Powerhouse Cab.

Amp SVT PRO 4 with a SVT 410 HLF or Pro Neo 210HLF

I think I'm moving on from the GK at this time. Mostly its a fight between the Ashdown and the Mesa now. The Ampeg is desirable, but it feels like everyone else on earth has an Ampeg, which is a huge turnoff. I'm sure its awesome, just being difficult. Still in the mix too...
 
#16
Zeus_Mutation said:
Well I'm now down to these:

Ashdown ABM 600 Evo - Prob the Berg cab.

Mesa/Boogie Prodigy Four 88 with a Powerhouse Cab.

Amp SVT PRO 4 with a SVT 410 HLF or Pro Neo 210HLF

I think I'm moving on from the GK at this time. Mostly its a fight between the Ashdown and the Mesa now. The Ampeg is desirable, but it feels like everyone else on earth has an Ampeg, which is a huge turnoff. I'm sure its awesome, just being difficult. Still in the mix too...
Click to expand...
For my money, and my friends in Petaluma have seen lots of my money, I think the Mesa rig will deliver quite nicely. Given that they come new with 5 year transferable warranty, even when buying used you at least know what kind of build quality was there when it left the factory. FWIW, most of us Mesa fans will tell you Mesa amps on Mesa cabs are a safe bet that rarely disappoints.

Ashdown gets high praise from those who own them and any Berg cab is going to be impressive IME. Looks to me like you have two excellent choices and it would be hard to go wrong either way. Maybe at this point you think about ease of getting of service (should you ever need it) and price as something that could help you break the tie. Good luck!
 
#17
Thank you Al Kraft... I am concerned that it's a used model, but I'm going for it... besides, I'm a CA Native and why wouldn't I?! lol. Easy choice between manufactures.

I've yet to look at the ohms, but if that Berg cab will work, you've talked me into it. To have a quality cab period ya know.
 
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#18
Zeus_Mutation said:
Thank you Al Kraft... I am concerned that it's a used model, but I'm going for it... besides, I'm a CA Native and why wouldn't I?! lol. Easy choice between manufactures.

I've yet to look at the ohms, but if that Berg cab will work, you've talked me into it. To have a quality cab period ya know.
Click to expand...
FWIW I have a hard time even imagining someone buying a Berg cab and treating it like crap. IMO it would be as unusual as someone buying a Rolls Royce and using it to tow a landscape trailer and drive their lawn mowing crew around from job to job.

IIRC the HS410 was around 85 pounds (give or take a few) and was 4 Ohm. I've played on one years ago, but never owned one.
 
#20
Update:

I couldn't wait... I just ordered all used gear.
Mesa Prodigy Four88
Berg HS410
Mesa Powerhouse 2x10

I think that will get me going in a good direction. Thank you for all the feedback, typing it out helps! Once I get the items, after the new year, I'll update on my impressions. Plus, if I made a good purchase after all this research. lol
 

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