Amplification suggestions. What amp or amp/cab do you play?

[tb-player]

I'm sure there have been variations on this theme throughout TalkBass over the years. But I ask this for a very specific purpose.

I am looking to buy a new at-home practice rig and am curious what the community is working with, in an attempt to potentially discover some brands or combinations I may have been sleeping on.

My main rig for years was the stereotypical Aguilar TH500 with 2 SL112 cabs. That was a great setup. I eventually sold it & tried a MarkBass CMD 102P. That was fun for gigs, but I never quite loved the tone. Most recently, I've been playing a GK Legacy 800 through a 4ohm GK Neo IV 410 cab. This was an attempt to replicate my old GK 800RB, but it's just not the same.

I've also played through a Genzler rig with the tilted Array 112 speakers. That was a cool setup. Very neutral. And I tried a Bergantino rig too. It was decent. I've done the Hartke thing and have played thru a Mesa (really nice!).

Ultimately, I'm looking for a good rig that is versatile... good punch, nice lows but also potential for crisp highs. I think I want to get back to 12" speakers. The 10s just don't do it for me anymore. I've never liked 15s, so 12s is my sweet spot. I play a lot of different styles from slap to old school MoTown to jazz to typical bar band tunes. My main basses are a Fender P with flats and a 5-string Fender Jazz.

Once again this is not for gigging. I have that covered but I don't like that setup at home.

And while asking such a broad question, I recognize that I may be trying to drink from a firehose. Still, I'm curious what else is out there that might turn my head.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Head + cab only or are you open to combos too?

 

[DJ Bebop]

My bedroom rig

It just so happens to be my out-of-the-house rig as well

 

[jeff62]

Another vote for the WD-800 here! But I also have a GK Legacy 800 for when I want the GK-flavor.

 

[gtirard]

In my experience, there's no typical 10" or 12" type of sound, it depends more on the designer's goals than the size of the driver.

In my apartment, I play mostly with my Barefaced 1x12 and Quilter v803 or Jad Freer Sisma heads. I also use the same gear for gigging.
In my countryside house, I use a Quilter Interbass and Barefaced One10.

Sometimes when I practice, I use a Phil Jones Double 4, very clean and tight, but it has surpising good low end for its size.

 

[tb-player]

Head + cab only or are you open to combos too?

I've always owned head/cab for the ability to swap one or the other out, if needed. But yeah, definitely open to combos if it's the right fit.

 

[RattleSnack]

Not using amp+cab anymore at gigs or at home, but my rig is still here: GK 400RB and GK NEO 112.
Inexpensive, clean but can get dirty, my bass guitars sound like themselves.

 

[mcnach]

In my experience, there's no typical 10" or 12" type of sound, it depends more on the designer's goals than the size of the driver.

Absolutely. Like saying red cars are faster... it just happened that you tried a bunch of Ferraris that happened to be mostly red.

 

[jdjk7]

I'm sure there have been variations on this theme throughout TalkBass over the years. But I ask this for a very specific purpose.

I am looking to buy a new at-home practice rig and am curious what the community is working with, in an attempt to potentially discover some brands or combinations I may have been sleeping on.

My main rig for years was the stereotypical Aguilar TH500 with 2 SL112 cabs. That was a great setup. I eventually sold it & tried a MarkBass CMD 102P. That was fun for gigs, but I never quite loved the tone. Most recently, I've been playing a GK Legacy 800 through a 4ohm GK Neo IV 410 cab. This was an attempt to replicate my old GK 800RB, but it's just not the same.

I've also played through a Genzler rig with the tilted Array 112 speakers. That was a cool setup. Very neutral. And I tried a Bergantino rig too. It was decent. I've done the Hartke thing and have played thru a Mesa (really nice!).

Ultimately, I'm looking for a good rig that is versatile... good punch, nice lows but also potential for crisp highs. I think I want to get back to 12" speakers. The 10s just don't do it for me anymore. I've never liked 15s, so 12s is my sweet spot. I play a lot of different styles from slap to old school MoTown to jazz to typical bar band tunes. My main basses are a Fender P with flats and a 5-string Fender Jazz.

Once again this is not for gigging. I have that covered but I don't like that setup at home.

And while asking such a broad question, I recognize that I may be trying to drink from a firehose. Still, I'm curious what else is out there that might turn my head.

Just to be clear... do you not possess any sort of amp right now, and you would like to get one whose purpose will be practice? Or are you looking to add another amp to a collection for the purpose of practice?

 

[SJan3]

If you want separates for home, I highly suggest the Mesa D-350.
Plenty of power, great tone and whisper quiet. And pickup the cabinet of your choice. Take a look at the Genzler Nu Classic 112t. This rig won't break the bank and is also suitable for gigging.

 

[tb-player]

Just to be clear... do you not possess any sort of amp right now, and you would like to get one whose purpose will be practice?

Correct. Just sold my GK rig

 

[Leisure Weaver]

You could also use an amp modeler and an FRFR, such as from AccuGroove or something similar. That way, you could change your "amp" sound based on how you're feeling at any particular time.

 

[Wasnex]

Aguilar TH500 with 2 SL112

Seems you were happy with this combination. Why not just get what you like?

Taste is subjective, so it's not necessarily going to be helpful to consider what everyone else likes. Millions think nothing could be better than an Ampeg SVT sitting on top of an 810E. But that combination does not work very well for me. That doesn't mean it's not a great rig, only that it's not my sound.

 

[RGerhart]

I know from your NBDs and so forth that funds aren't much of an issue for you, so here goes.

Aguilar DB680, or other nice pre (Eden Navigator, Noble, Effectrode, etc)
Accugroove Tri-112, powered version (x2)

Trust me, you will not regret it.

Or...

Aguilar DB751
Aguilar DB112 (x2)

I've tried countless combinations of gear through the years, including much of what you have tried. The two combos above are what you need.

 

[shirojiro]

If you also liked your GK 800RB, there are many of those still around, and you can pair it with whatever you like.

At home, I have a few practice amps, but I also use a GK 800RB or a 400RB with 1, 2, or even 3 BagEnd s15 cabs. It sounds great. This was (is?) my gigging setup as well.

I also use a GK MB200 with a BagEnd s15, and it is great for practice with aux in and even headphone option for late night.

 

[SharpCat]

Like @gtirard , I usually use my Quilter V803 as it works quite well with phones. If I want a speaker, I usually use my Fender Rumble 800 combo--it is very light due to neo speakers, and has a 1/4 power switch which comes in handy at home, turning it into a 100W amp. I also have a Rumble 40, which I thought didn't quite have enough power, so don't use.

 

[erratick]

For at home practice? I use a laptop or desktop with audio in. Either via audio interface or via a usb to 1/4 inch cable. Load up a sound in the DAW. Can do guitar, synths or bass. Either do an arrangement in the daw, or can bring in tracks to split, slow down or re do. Or I can just play along with anything I can play on the laptop.

Makes it easy to record and hear yourself back. Can do video/audio whatever.

Laptop can go to monitors or headphones.

So I guess the answer is... I don't really use an amp at home that often. I do have a couple rigs for rehearsal with the band or recording and can do loud stage or quiet.

 

[Element Zero]

I really like my Mesa gear. The Subway 112’s can get surprisingly deep and loud. Perfect for home and outdoor use. Depending on the head you use (take your pick of the litter lol) the feel can be tight and well controlled or (at least from what I’ve read on here as I’ve not experienced any of the newer heads released after the WD800) substantially loose but not super boiled spaghetti noodles.

I prefer stiff mashed potatoes with lots of sour cream, chives, bacon, garlic and black pepper.

 

[Thumpin6string]

My 2 rigs

 

[lowfreqgeek]

100% Trickfish for me. I have the Bullhead 1k, SM110, SM112, and TF408 cabs. The 112 is the sweetspot for me, though I've been gigging the 408 lately and that is a killer gig cab when things get louder. For home, the BH1k + 112 cab is perfect, but it can handle plenty of gig scenarios.