Bass amps

[trevcda]

Y'all keep suggesting driver sizes like they are the only factor in how a cabinet sounds. A 4x10 from Ampeg or Mesa is going to sound drastically different from the same cabinet compliment from say Bergantino or Bag End for example. As much as you would like there to be, there is no standard sound for a speaker size or cabinet configuration. Please stop perpetuating this myth. The OP needs to go and listen to a number of cabinets from a number of manufacturers at a number of different price points and discern the difference for himself, if doesn't already know.

 

[JMarkD]

What you have provided is fine though an SVT CL might be more of a crowd pleaser. As for me, I am one of those luddites that would insist on using my own rig!

 

[Rip Van Dan]

I am not really interested in tube amps although I started with one in 1966. An ideal set up would be a DNA-800 amp (800-watts rms into 4Ω, weighs 4.8-lbs.) and a DNS-410 cab (1400-watts rms power-handling, max SPL of 137db). That 800 watt amp will drive it to over 134db, which is still beyond the threshold of pain. In the spirit of transparency, I must admit that I am a DNA Endorsing Artist and that's just a killer setup.

Another option is to get the DNS-210 cab instead of the 410. It's about half the size of the 410, will handle 700-watts rms, has the same sonic characteristics as the 410 version and will produce a max SPL of 134db. I use my DNS-210 for all my indoor venues small to large. It would be more than enough for your practice space. Plus it would shock the heck out of bass players because they wouldn't expect that much sound coming from a 210. I reserve my DNS-410 for outdoor venues and Festivals now.

Since weight in a studio is not really a concern, you could also get a used Eden WT800 and either a D410XLT or a D410XST cab. The XLT cab has a low-mid hump that sounds great and records great and will handle 700-watts rms. The XST has higher power handling (1,000-watts rms) plus a lower and tighter bottom end than the XLT cab. But it doesn't have that low-mid hump and I personally like to dial in a little boost ~250Hz to get good definition and presence in the mix using my passive Jazz Bass.

Any of those setups will give you clear, full, and warm sound with an edge in clarity and articulation going to DNA's DNS cabs, although both the Eden cabs are clear and articulate. The DNA cabs are just exceptionally so.

Currently I use an old Eden WT500/800 (upgraded to 400-watts rms into 4Ω per channel and 800-watts rms bridged into 8Ω) to drive either of those cabs and I run my amp bridged into both of them. Most of that older Eden gear is built like a heavy-duty truck and you can usually find decent prices on them used.

I am finally ordering the DNA-800 amp myself. I'm breaking from my "only use gig money to buy gear" rule and getting it with part my stimulus check. Had about $300 saved up for it before Covid hit back in March 2020 and lord knows when we'll be gigging again. My drummer just went in for a knee replacement, so it will be at least 2 or 3-months. So I'll be contacting John today at DNA's artist relations to place the order.

 

[Stewie]

It's a rehearsal room, not a recording studio guys. If they don't like the SVT350, let them bring their own head. If they don't like the 810, let them bring their own cab. You have provided a reasonable rig. There is no way you'll find a rig that pleases everyone. Why try?

Personally, I'd love the chance to try out any of the new Mesa heads, but not having to transport my rig for practice would be more than good enough.

 

[Funk With Me]

The only thing in this world that is impossible is to please everyone. The following would be good choices.

SVT CL
Fender Superbassman
SVT III Pro
I love the GK 800RB and they sound great with the 8x10 but they have been out of production for years. Maybe decades.

The SVT III might be the best all around compromise for your situation.

 

[Wasnex]

I think the suggestion to get an SVT CL or VR and keep the 350 as a back up is a good idea. This change will really please any of your clients who are "all tube" fanatics. But it's not going to stop all of the bass players from bringing in their amps.

I personally can't stand playing through an Ampeg 810, although I like SVTs just fine. That's not to say the 810 sucks, it's just not my sound, and no amount of EQ can make it sound the way I want. Trust me I have tried.

Something to consider: In general the Ampeg 810 has a really strong baked in sound IMHO. So getting a different cab is going to make more of a difference than getting a different head. This is often true with bass gear.

I think what you need to understand is that there is really a lot of variation in tonal preferences among bass players. An SVT and 810 is considered to be the king of bass amps, but it sort of stands in it's own tone universe. Some people love it, and some people want a rig that has a much wider frequency response.

Something that would be really helpful for this discussion is to know how much you are willing to spend.

The SVT-350 has a graphic so it will be a bit more tonally flexible than an all tube SVT, but it's never going to satisfy the hard core "all-tube" crowd. This is why I think so many people are suggesting that you get one of the "real" SVTs

If you want to go in a totally different direction, my impression is the Mesa Subway line is one of the most popular amp and cab lines currently on the market. Mesa Subway Series Bass Amplifiers | MESA/Boogie®

 

[coyote1]

The 8x10 (provided it’s not blown) should be fine for anyone. The head, though, is kinda one-dimensional. If a bassist wants a good clean loud sound that can be sculpted, it’s not there.

Hartke heads, Markbass heads, Aguilar, GK, MesaBoogie, and others all offer far more tone-shaping capability.

 

[Killing Floor]

Sounds like a great situation and a great bass rig. Funny that the bassists are carrying their own while the guitars and drums are fine with the line.

 

[Frank77]

There are a lot of bass players that do not care as much for tube amps. I know this might seem ludicrous to some, but it fairly accurately represents a good portion of the market, especially those who are the less verbal majority.

Different players have different tastes.

Exactly this. I am one of these guys: Whenever I enter a studio and the only thing I can play through is a tube amp, I go "Ah, crap."

Tastes in amps are of course very subjective. I might be in the minority (could be poll-worthy) but personally I'd prefer either a classic solid state amp like the GK 800RB or 400RB, or a modern Class D amp (GK, Mesa, Quilter) over anything tubes.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Short answer: you cannot please us all. Most of us are either Ampeg guys or Fender guys. For me, personally, an Ampeg fridge on the backline is my worst nightmare, and my dream rig is a new Super Bassman hybrid. Having two rigs, or two or more heads you could plug into the 8x10 might help satisfy more bassists. But the real problem might be that us bassists are simple folk who want to plug directly in to the rig we know, or send the DI to the sound guy, and we don't have a lot of patience for knob twiddling to dial in a tone on a rando rig.

 

[joe vegas]

a TC 500w head and any good reliable 4x10.
relatively cheap, got that modern clean thing and is a good alternative to the massive woolly oomph of your excellent Ampeg rig.

 

[brianrost]

What good is it to rehearse through an SVT and dial that in when you are going to be rocking a GK/Hartke rig at the gig?

Because your load-ins and load-outs are only as long as it takes to walk to your car in the parking lot. Convenience can easily outweigh perfection.

I've rehearsed in all sorts of spaces, from a kitchen with 10W 8" practice amps for guitar and bass and the drummer playing a snare drum with a towel over the head to large pro rehearsal rooms with full stage backlines. In spaces where I can leave my own gear, I might leave a beater but no way would I haul a large stage rig to rehearsals if I had any alternative. What I've played through most at rehearsals is whatever bass amp happens to be there at the time. As I've often stated here at TB, I'll use provided backline at a gig every time, so why not at rehearsals?

Over time, it seems anyone with enough space in their home eventually puts together a rehearsal space and fills it with a PA, drums and some amps. In my experience that ranges from one step away from a dumpster (esp. the drums!) to shiny brand new gig-ready everything plus a Hammond B3 and a real piano.

Dialing in "your tone" is for gigs. For BG, I've never encountered a provided amp that I couldn't get an acceptable tone from in less than 2 minutes. If I'm going back to the same place with the same amp there, it takes 15 seconds max.

 

[Wasnex]

The 8x10 (provided it’s not blown) should be fine for anyone

Although I agree millions of people love this cab (so it has to be awesome ). IMHO it is one of the least transparent quality cabs on the market.

If I was practicing in a room with an 810E, I would want to bring my own cab. I find playing through an 810E totally unsatisfying .

Trust me, there a many people who feel exactly the same way I do.

 

[edencab]

that setup would sound great to me...the only reason I want to bring my own gear is to hear my own gear in a much louder situation than at home...maybe other bass players do the same

 

[g-dude]

There are a lot of bass players that do not care as much for tube amps. I know this might seem ludicrous to some, but it fairly accurately represents a good portion of the market, especially those who are the less verbal majority.

Different players have different tastes.

Coming from guitar world, it's funny how forward thinking bass players are with regards to embracing class D amps. It's almost as if there's a weight that just causes people to throw up their hands and give up on old technology.

 

[pbass2]

I run a fully equipped hourly rehearsal room, the back line we provide is a variety of high end tube amps and v30 cabinets for guitars, the drums are All maple shells w zildjian A custom cymbals, strong Jbl and EV PA w. Beta 58 mics.... the room is treated and sounds great! Clients take notice and are happy with what’s in the room for their rehearsals... However, when some bands return to the studio all to often the bass player is bringing a rig of their own. I’m aware the house bass rig is not satisfactory for some bassists and I want to correct this! Current set up is a ampeg classic 8x10 and svt 350 head.... bassists, what rig would you like to have available for you at rehearsals? Your input is greatly appreciated and will help me determine what gear to go with.... thanks!

Nothing wrong with that rig AT ALL. Maybe because I got used to using backline rigs on tour over the years, but I'd never schlepp a bass rig if I didn't have to, especially if the backline is something decent like that. I could get a proper sound out of that setup just fine for any rehearsal.

 

[coyote1]

Although I agree millions of people love this cab (so it has to be awesome ). IMHO it is one of the least transparent quality cabs on the market.

If I was practicing in a room with an 810E, I would want to bring my own cab. I find playing through an 810E totally unsatisfying .

Trust me, there a many people who feel exactly the same way I do.

I don’t love it.... but for a rent-a-room rehearsal scenario, it should be fine as-is.

 

[DJ Bebop]

810 is a good item to have as a backline! Sell the SVT 350H ASAP! The SVT CL is a good choice, but if you don't want the tube maintenance, the Mesa D800 or D800+ would be two excellent choices.

 

[CryingBass]

At least they are bringing in their Amps into your room - cheers!

 

[brianrost]

Wow, I hope nobody from Ampeg is reading this!

They'll stop making SVTs again and then youngbob will become suicidal