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Amp help!

#21
One of the guitar players in my band has the Boss guitar amp. It sounds great and is lightweight . He plugs in direct and leaves his pedalboard home.
The only effect I have ever used is an FDeck HPF and I definitely don’t like having a lot of knobs on my amp. The idea of digital modeling makes this dinosaur cringe. If you want NASA command control at your fingers go for the Boss, I’ll stick with my RB210
 
#24
dannyc12 said:
Hi all
I'm currently using 2x Ashdown amps (RM210 & RM115) with a TC Electronic 450 classic head, which I've been using for 5/6 years. A couple of my guitarist friends keep banging on about me getting the new Boss Katana 160w bass combi....but what bass player would believe and trust a guitarist!
Please give me your thoughts, any help would be much appreciated!

Many thanks
Danny
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Just to clarify - they're cabs/speakers, right?
As far as swapping; I guess the question is whether you need that power on-tap or not; if you never take your Volume above 1/4, then you could downsize, but if you're regularly above 1/2 then probably not.
 
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#26
prowla said:
Just to clarify - they're cabs/speakers, right?
As far as swapping; I guess the question is whether you need that power on-tap or not; if you never take your Volume above 1/4, then you could downsize, but if you're regularly above 1/2 then probably not.
Click to expand...

Yes- volume wise, 4/5 is the highest i go, but then usually only for weddings, pubs its about 3/4
 
#29
dannyc12 said:
Yes- volume wise, 4/5 is the highest i go, but then usually only for weddings, pubs its about 3/4
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So, you need something of that loudness.
Based on an approximation of 450W (800 peak) is maybe 1/3rd louder than 160W (200 peak?), you may find that you're running the Katana flat-out.
I can't see any benefit sound-wise in changing to that amp.
 
#30
dannyc12 said:
Many thanks for your feedback- could I pick your brains pls. Which pedals would you say are a must- I currently only have a TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, Big Muff, Donner Comp and a B1X on.
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I don't use any pedals. A cord from my bass straight into the amp. I do own a compressor and a chorus but they are used primarily for recording and special effect.
Live, for my style of playing, I haven't felt the need for pedals. But styles vary and others prefer effects. I just don't. I want a good solid tone. The only adjustments I make on stage come from the tone control on my instrument. I usually have enough high end dialed in at my amp to allow for slap if needed but I temper that high end by backing off my tone on the bass.
So, I don't feel any pedals are essential but I wouldn't shun a good compressor.
 
#32
SJan3 said:
I don't use any pedals. A cord from my bass straight into the amp. I do own a compressor and a chorus but they are used primarily for recording and special effect.
Live, for my style of playing, I haven't felt the need for pedals. But styles vary and others prefer effects. I just don't. I want a good solid tone. The only adjustments I make on stage come from the tone control on my instrument. I usually have enough high end dialed in at my amp to allow for slap if needed but I temper that high end by backing off my tone on the bass.
So, I don't feel any pedals are essential but I wouldn't shun a good compressor.
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Because I'm only in cover bands, getting my bass to sound like the track is important but a real pain!
 
#33
dannyc12 said:
Great thanks
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Apologies... that probably sounded more abrupt than I intended. I was mostly just expressing my own personal opinion about effects and bass, but yes, this really isn't the forum for that sort of discussion. If you really are considering the Katana, I recommend searching out a few of those earlier threads about them. A couple of them got closed, but not before some of the concerns expressed here were discussed ad infinitum. :D
 
#34
Redbrangus said:
Apologies... that probably sounded more abrupt than I intended. I was mostly just expressing my own personal opinion about effects and bass, but yes, this really isn't the forum for that sort of discussion. If you really are considering the Katana, I recommend searching out a few of those earlier threads about them. A couple of them got closed, but not before some of the concerns expressed here were discussed ad infinitum. :D
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No not at all! I live in London, we know abrupt!
 
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#35
dannyc12 said:
Yes- volume wise, 4/5 is the highest i go, but then usually only for weddings, pubs its about 3/4
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The number you set your volume at is really no indication of how much power you're using. Some amps give you all they've got withing the 1st half of the volume control. Others are more progressive. Linear
dannyc12 said:
Because I'm only in cover bands, getting my bass to sound like the track is important but a real pain!
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It may be important to you but being able to play your lines effectively is really what's important. Deviating from the tone of an original recording is common. Even the original artists don't sound the same live, unless they're faking it. What's important is the feel you get. If you play with a good feel and do justice to the original, no one is going to criticize your performance by saying, "gee, he really nailed that tune. Now, if he only had more crunch or some other effect.." Get my point?
 
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#37
I tend to agree with @SJan3; no one much cares about the subtle differences between bass sounds when you're playing live. By which I mean the audience. I do think there can be subtle sonic cues that the audience might perceive that would make a cover sound more like the original version, but I don't think those are all that common in the bass part.
 
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#38
I just went through this recently.

Ended up with an Ampeg PF500 + PF115. Katana Bass just couldn't sell me. If I were only noodling around and wanted to try a bunch of effects... cool, but if I were taking it places and relying on it for gigging, I'd prefer a heavier duty amp.

It's a nice upgrade for someone with an OK small rig, but it's not worth the downgrade from a 210/115
 
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#39
dfreeland83 said:
I just went through this recently.

Ended up with an Ampeg PF500 + PF115. Katana Bass just couldn't sell me. If I were only noodling around and wanted to try a bunch of effects... cool, but if I were taking it places and relying on it for gigging, I'd prefer a heavier duty amp.

It's a nice upgrade for someone with an OK small rig, but it's not worth the downgrade from a 210/115
Click to expand...

Great thanks for your feedback, much appreciated
 

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