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Amp Recommendations For Tonal Clarity? (Details In Post)

phnord

phnord

Oct 26, 2010
144
22
Brooklyn, NY
www.andibuch.com
#1
Hi All!

I'm looking for amp recommendations for a specific style / tone...

-----

My Style / Tone

I do a lot of solo bass material, and I play in a lot of bands where I have a "lead-bass" role.

My typical tone that I aim for is well-rounded, balanced tonal clarity. Think Victor Wooten vs. Marcus Miller: both have representation throughout the frequency spectrum, but the former has a lot of balanced, tonal clarity whereas the former has a harsh, gritty, classic bass sound.

I'm looking for the former, not the latter.

I find most basses and amps deviate away from that; they have very shaped sounds, aimed at replicating classic tones.

My bass of choice out of my arsenal is an Ibanez Soundgear from 2000, active preamp, DX-5 pickups, etc. – which I find has the ability to dial in the transparency I'm looking for (vs. say an active Fender, which typically still maintains that classic Fender color)

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Current Setup

As such, my typical live setup at clubs and whatnot is to use a QSC K8 PA speaker to represent the upper range of my tone – say everything from 800Hz and up – and then send the lows to whatever bass amp is on hand.

That way I don't have to rely on the bass amp's color to shape my tone. I can rely on the PA Speaker's clarity to transparently funnel the body of my tone, while allowing whatever bass amp is on hand to essentially act as a subwoofer, giving the *umph* I need at the bottom.

-----

Current Problems

This, however, has some limitations. For starters, I often am playing gigs where the PA speaker is needed for a different use. Also, it means I am dependent on either the club having a bass amp of some kind for me to send my lows through, or lugging an old, overweight Kustom cabinet-and-head I've had kicking around just to act as a subwoofer...

-----

What I'm Seeking

As such, I'm looking for an amp that:

  • Can give *umph* to the bottom
  • Transparently represents the tonal spectrum, all frequencies
  • Is not terribly heavy to transport
  • Is not terribly expensive
I'm mostly looking to play small-to-medium club / bar gigs with it, but would ideally like it to be versatile enough that I could use it at small outdoor gigs and still be present in that acoustic environment, competing with the Djembe and a Fender Hot Rod 60W 2x12

-----

On That Note...

Any recommendations?

In my (very limited) experiments, I've found that Hartke amps tend to be the clearest / most transparent of what I've tried – and I know VW is partial to them – but I'm up for any and all recommendations...

The more specific the better

Thanks!
 
#3
Hmmm...

Ideal Spending: Under $200

Maximum Spending: ... $500?

I teach at a Sam Ash and have access to an employee discount – anywhere from 10% - 60% off of the sale price, depending on the product – so that increases the ranges of the list prices I'd be willing to spend a bit...
 
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#5
phnord said:
Hmmm...

Ideal Spending: Under $200

Maximum Spending: ... $500?

I teach at a Sam Ash and have access to an employee discount – anywhere from 10% - 60% off of the sale price, depending on the product – so that increases the ranges of the list prices I'd be willing to spend a bit...
Click to expand...

I'd look for something used on Craigslist maybe. $5 bills could get you a nice little rig of some sort if you are careful to shop around. Honestly though from what you have written it is weird that you have gotten so far in the gigging world but have no idea whatsoever of what sort of rig you'd like to put together.
 
#6
BboogieXVII said:
I'd look for something used on Craigslist maybe. $5 bills could get you a nice little rig of some sort if you are careful to shop around. Honestly though from what you have written it is weird that you have gotten so far in the gigging world but have no idea whatsoever of what sort of rig you'd like to put together.
Click to expand...

... Did you even read my post? Like... at all?

I'm looking to get opinions on an amp to match a specific style and tone that I like: a clear, transparent representation throughout the tonal range without the coloring that most amps provide.

I own several amps. I've played through hundreds. I have yet to find what I am looking for.

That I have yet to find an amp that fits my style, in my 19 years of experience as a bassist, and that I am looking for opinions based on a specific style and sound does not speak towards my level of musicianship.

What does speak towards it? Let's see...













Those do. A lot.

Okay, how about a reply that is a) useful and b) not insecurely condescending? :)
 
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#7
phnord said:
my typical tone that I aim for is well-rounded, balanced tonal clarity....

my typical live setup at clubs and whatnot is to use a QSC K8 PA speaker to represent the upper range of my tone – say everything from 800Hz and up – and then send the lows to whatever bass amp is on hand...
Click to expand...

phnord said:
I'm looking for an amp that:
  • Can give *umph* to the bottom
  • Transparently represents the tonal spectrum, all frequencies
  • Is not terribly heavy to transport
  • Is not terribly expensive
Click to expand...

phnord said:
I'm looking to get opinions on an amp to match a specific style and tone that I like: a clear, transparent representation throughout the tonal range without the coloring that most amps provide.
Click to expand...

By "amp", do you mean just a head amp, or a combo amp (amp + speaker in the same cabinet)?

Either way, my guess is that replicating what your little QSC PA cab does for the top of the spectrum + *umph* down low is largely a cab issue, in that it will call for a fairly specialized cab.

Maybe you already have the cab issue sorted out? Am I missing something?
 
#8
DukeLeJeune said:
By "amp", do you mean just a head amp, or a combo amp (amp + speaker in the same cabinet)?

Either way, my guess is that replicating what your little QSC PA cab does for the top of the spectrum + *umph* down low is largely a cab issue, in that it will call for a fairly specialized cab.

Maybe you already have the cab issue sorted out? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Mostly looking for a good combo amp... do you think it's unrealistic to hope to find a combo amp that can manage the clarity at the top of the spectrum that I seek?
 
#9
phnord said:
Mostly looking for a good combo amp... do you think it's unrealistic to hope to find a combo amp that can manage the clarity at the top of the spectrum that I seek?
Click to expand...

I'm not up on what's out there in combo amps, sorry! My guess would be that it's a long shot, but hopefully someone will prove me wrong.

Very nice clips. In that first one, for example, are we hearing a mic'd conventional cab, or your QSC + bass cab rig, or a DI, or what?
 
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#10
@phnord — You know you need light, compact, loud, and clean full range. You have a clear notion of what's out there because you have played a lot of amps. Your tone goal is a big issue—as it should be—but I don't think you will find what you seek from a combo within your budget. You need a top quality rig to check all the tone and weight boxes you have set forth.

Can you abandon your budget? If so, I'd look at a light (28 lb.) CN112 cabinet from Bergantino, an Audiokinesis Thunderchild 112 (ask that Duke guy above), or a fEARful 12/6/1 from an authorized builder. Stick a nice 200-500 watt 4 lb. micro head in the pocket of your gig bag, and you are ready for the D train. Get the head used (~$400). However, those cabinets are scarce used, for good reason!!!

Awesome bass playing!
 
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#14
Well.... I got mine in '97 and doesn't look like anything they are selling now. In fact I think it has gone through 2 re-designs. Mine does not weigh 47lbs.. i can't find the official spec, but needless to say I can carry it in one hand and toss it around like a bag of groceries.
 

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