Back in the saddle again - almost

[Jimmy3711]

Hey all,

I am recently just getting back into playing bass again. About 10 years ago I used to play a Music Man Stingray 5HH through an Eden WT – 800 and Eden cabs with 10’s. I am now starting over as I do not have that gear anymore. I just recently acquired a new Stingray 5HH and am now looking for what to play it through.

I do not have any bands or gigs lined up at the moment and I am in no rush for gear. It will take me some time to get proficient playing again. For the interim, I am plugging it into my home studio board and listening through the monitors.

since I have been out of it for so long, I am not up to speed on all the current equipment available today. I am looking for any input and thoughts around what to consider. I am looking for flexibility while minimizing gear and set-up time (portability). Something I can run on stage or run direct.

Do I need to have any special considerations for the Music Man’s active 18 V electronics? Are the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rigs something to consider or the Markbass CMD 121p? What type of wattage should I be looking at? I’ve always felt it’s better to have more and not need it than need it and not have it.

What else should I be thinking about?

 

[Lowendchamp]

Sounds like maybe you would enjoy a combo with a DI option with a kickback design (as a monitor) and probably in class D to keep down the weight. I know it's not the same company as it used to be but I enjoy my acoustic 210 combo at home. I couple it to a 410 just bc I can but it's a little over 400 watts by itself. Not the light model though, but cheap and sounds good. I do think the 25 watt combo has a DI option and I know it's a kickback. Speakers have gotten a lot better in the past 10 years though. That being said double your expectations of volume level per wattage. It's a great time for amps though and a lot of options. Plus with the newer lighter options you can usually get a used fridge and SVT pretty cheap these days if you still want that. Here is my at home rig.

 

[robd]

Eden Metro 210 combo

 

[mike buzzetti]

Markbass CMD 102P Bass Combo Amplifier (Nashville, Tennessee) | Reverb

 

[micguy]

What else should I be thinking about?

I have no idea what proficiency you had before your layoff, but in my case it was a few years of consistent practice before I got back to something like where I was before mine. I did eventually surpass where I was before, but that took most of a decade. I wouldn't be in too much hurry to procure the gear until you're about where you want to be chops wise - it'll probably take longer than you think (or want it to). But....you can absolutely get there. Persistence!

 

[Jimmy3711]

I have no idea what proficiency you had before your layoff, but in my case it was a few years of consistent practice before I got back to something like where I was before mine. I did eventually surpass where I was before, but that took most of a decade. I wouldn't be in too much hurry to procure the gear until you're about where you want to be chops wise - it'll probably take longer than you think (or want it to). But....you can absolutely get there. Persistence!

I haven’t been away from music. I played guitar for almost 20 years before switching to bass and switched back to guitar years back and have been playing since. I completely understand that these are not exactly the same, however I will not be started from ground zero.

 

[Jimmy3711]

Markbass CMD 102P Bass Combo Amplifier (Nashville, Tennessee) | Reverb

Thank you. I was looking at this as well. I saw that there are two versions available- one with a higher wattage amplifier.

 

[QweziRider]

I read through a couple times looking for the word budget - so if I missed it, I apologize.

All I can really direct you to re: new technology is that I am absolutely loving my Stingray 5HH through a Mesa TT-800 into an Aguilar SL 410x. Lightweight, potent enough for anything I'm working (quiet when it needs to be), flexible on sounds.

 

[Lobster11]

I do not have any bands or gigs lined up at the moment and I am in no rush for gear. It will take me some time to get proficient playing again. For the interim, I am plugging it into my home studio board and listening through the monitors.

My thinking is that you always want to think in terms of what you expect or hope to need in the future. So, for example, I would avoid buying any combo amp unless it is designed to accommodate a matching extension cabinet that you could add if/when needed.

Personally, I think the ideal rig is a pair of vertically stacked 2x10s powered by a 500ish-watt head. That should be adequate in almost any gigging situation in terms of volume, and the tall stack gets some speakers up closer to your ears so you can hear yourself in the mix. (It also gets the head up to almost eye level, which is also convenient). Also, the modularity gives you the option of using only one cab when you don't need both.

 

[Jimmy3711]

I read through a couple times looking for the word budget - so if I missed it, I apologize.

All I can really direct you to re: new technology is that I am absolutely loving my Stingray 5HH through a Mesa TT-800 into an Aguilar SL 410x. Lightweight, potent enough for anything I'm working (quiet when it needs to be), flexible on sounds.

You didn’t miss the word. I used several Mesa amps when playing guitar. They are a great company indeed. Never associated them with bass amp before. Definitely something to look into. Thank you.

 

[Marko 1]

Imho, a good quality 8-ohm 212, then if/when needed, another same cabinet to stack...

and a head with a minimum of 400 watts into 4-ohm.

Lots of good companies out there to choose from.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Hey all,

I am recently just getting back into playing bass again. About 10 years ago I used to play a Music Man Stingray 5HH through an Eden WT – 800 and Eden cabs with 10’s. I am now starting over as I do not have that gear anymore. I just recently acquired a new Stingray 5HH and am now looking for what to play it through.

I do not have any bands or gigs lined up at the moment and I am in no rush for gear. It will take me some time to get proficient playing again. For the interim, I am plugging it into my home studio board and listening through the monitors.

since I have been out of it for so long, I am not up to speed on all the current equipment available today. I am looking for any input and thoughts around what to consider. I am looking for flexibility while minimizing gear and set-up time (portability). Something I can run on stage or run direct.

Do I need to have any special considerations for the Music Man’s active 18 V electronics? Are the Tech 21 Bass Fly Rigs something to consider or the Markbass CMD 121p? What type of wattage should I be looking at? I’ve always felt it’s better to have more and not need it than need it and not have it.

What else should I be thinking about?

Not sure if you got much use out of the parametric EQ on your Wt-800, but the Mesa WD-800 has a similar midrange EQ, Plus some other features like a built in high pass filter. It’s a pretty popular head. I would have one but I have a life time supply of Eden gear. That said, on the outside chance I manage to outlive them, that WD-800 is first on the list.

 

[Killing Floor]

Mesa. Any of the Subway amps will get you where you want to go.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Check out Mesa, Genzler, Bergantino, Markbass, G&K, Orange, Aguilar all make excellent products along with usual suspects.

 

[GreyBeard]

Just about everything these days is much lighter than the stuff we had to schlep around in the old days. I've used everything from Accugroove to Sunn. Now I play a Fender Rumble 500C. If I need more umph I add a single 15 extension cab. Does all I need.

 

[Jimmy3711]

Thank you to everyone for your input. I truly appreciate your time and willingness to write something down. My last Stingray only had a single 9v. This new one has two 9v. Is there anything I should be watching out for with an amps input? I remember my WT800 had a switch for Active / Passive pickups.

 

[BobKos]

Since you owned Eden cabs in the past, you know what they are about. I have to say my Eden 4X10s are still my favorite SOUNDING cabs. They are weighty, but I like them. If you don't mind the schlep, they are available cheap in the used market. I have a TT-800 currently in front of a pair and it is pretty cool. My Markbass LittleMark II also sounds great with them.

 

[Potomuss]

Thank you to everyone for your input. I truly appreciate your time and willingness to write something down. My last Stingray only had a single 9v. This new one has two 9v. Is there anything I should be watching out for with an amps input? I remember my WT800 had a switch for Active / Passive pickups.

I've got two 18v rays and the rules are no different than any other active bass as far as I can tell. The extra battery just gives it more headroom. I start everything (amp and bass) close to flat and then adjust from there. The specials sound incredible!

 

[singlemalt]

I think bass rigs are going the way of the dinosaurs. Check out the powerful modeler/multi effects and some inexpensive in ears.

Loud stage volumes have been the bane of the live music experience for decades. There’s no need to repeat the cycle of on stage volume wars.

Muzzle that drummer and go ampless. Let FOH handle the mix.

At the low end of the price range, a used Zoom B3n runs around $125. That’s a boatload of fun: amps, fx, beats, looper, di,…. Line 6, Zoom, Boss…there’s so much cool stuff to checkout.

These things will make practice fun. Maybe a Beat Buddy to go with it.

If you really feel the need for an amp, think small and light.

Good Luck!

 

[Jimmy3711]

I think bass rigs are going the way of the dinosaurs. Check out the powerful modeler/multi effects and some inexpensive in ears.

Loud stage volumes have been the bane of the live music experience for decades. There’s no need to repeat the cycle of on stage volume wars.

Muzzle that drummer and go ampless. Let FOH handle the mix.

At the low end of the price range, a used Zoom B3n runs around $125. That’s a boatload of fun: amps, fx, beats, looper, di,…. Line 6, Zoom, Boss…there’s so much cool stuff to checkout.

These things will make practice fun. Maybe a Beat Buddy to go with it.

If you really feel the need for an amp, think small and light.

Good Luck!

I’ve been using iem’s for a while now and agree on the stage volume stance. This is why I am looking for that flexible rig. Prefer to go direct, but there are still some old school bands or ones that don’t have the means to support iems with their pa equipment.