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Nothing is " the best.". But, in my experience (more limited than some here), for recording I would tend towards one driver size/type, since you're really looking for the mid-range character that a DI is unlikely to give you. So probably anything 200+ watts with a 12 or a 15, or possibly two 10's or 12's. Which one will depend on what you like sound wise, as well as any other criteria like weight/portability, cost, etc.
What bass(es)? What kind of music? Can you describe the tone you're looking for?
What bass(es)? What kind of music? Can you describe the tone you're looking for?
Some of that says 10's to me. After recording a lot of mediocre bands, I basically put everyone on an Ampeg Gemini guitar amp anyway. I just rarely got the mic'd tone I was looking for with two or three way cabinets.
My first thought given your description, though, is SWR/Eden. Doubtless there are newer/"better" options, too, but I doubt you'd kick an SWR Redhead out of bed. GK, probably, too. Personally, it'd be worth a newer class D and neo cabinet to me, even if I needed to do a little tone shaping, just to not schlep another 100# rig ever again...
My first thought given your description, though, is SWR/Eden. Doubtless there are newer/"better" options, too, but I doubt you'd kick an SWR Redhead out of bed. GK, probably, too. Personally, it'd be worth a newer class D and neo cabinet to me, even if I needed to do a little tone shaping, just to not schlep another 100# rig ever again...
How loud do you need to be on stage? Let that influence the cabs you buy. In the studio I've always had WAY better luck recording direct than trying to mic up a cab. Most modern bass amps will have a DI out which will allow you to switch between pre or post EQ, so you can get some of the amp character onto the recordings if you want it, or just a nice clean uneffected signal if that's what the recording engineer wants.
For amps, I'd start by looking at the Aguilar Tonehammer 500 and Mesa Subway 800. Both are versatile/flexible and should have all the volume you'll ever need (through proper cabs) for live playing. I personally haven't used the Mesa, but from what I understand I feel comfortable saying that the Aguilar will maybe be a little darker sounding and with a little bit more "hairy" vintagey drive.
just to be ok in a theater with 100 people its ok to me, asuming this would be my monitor and i would be asisted by PA sound. BTW i have a swr workingpro 2x10 combo which i find it really freaking hard to get to the sounds i want.. just too many buttons and stuff.. aural enhancer...bass ennhancer.. ***-- i also dont like much the sound of the highs with it, too crispy or too dark
Maybe an Aguilar tone hammer and SL12 Aguilar cab? or an ampeg new portaflex?
DI with pre´s, or DI built in combo amps or heads,, arent as pure as a standalone DI i Heard... like for example mxr or ebs micro bass II, are there as good as a standalone DI like a Radial JDI?
Maybe an Aguilar tone hammer and SL12 Aguilar cab? or an ampeg new portaflex?
DI with pre´s, or DI built in combo amps or heads,, arent as pure as a standalone DI i Heard... like for example mxr or ebs micro bass II, are there as good as a standalone DI like a Radial JDI?
Depends on what you want to get out of it. If all you want is the natural sound of your bass reproduced as accurately as possible, then its hard to beat something like a Radial JDI. If you want some flexibility in tone shaping EQ and maybe some added gain, then there are dozens of worthy preamp pedals out there that will do an excellent job. When in doubt, bring both.
Best studio amp I've ever used is a B-15/B-18 quiet and has tone all day, probably not the best for medium sized rooms unless you play cocktail music.
- Dec 28, 2009
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I am very partial to Gallien Krueger. A number of years back I bought their MB 115 combo bass amp for the exact purpose you have. That combo amp does great at home, in the studio and for live shows.
The GK amps and cabs are bullet proof and are extremely reliable. I also love the way they sound. I have since then added a NEO 410 cab paired with the MB 800 Fusion head. I bought both of those this year directly from GK and have been even more impressed with them.
The GK amps and cabs are bullet proof and are extremely reliable. I also love the way they sound. I have since then added a NEO 410 cab paired with the MB 800 Fusion head. I bought both of those this year directly from GK and have been even more impressed with them.
Al Kraft
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I've actually used my Mesa Walkabout Scout 112 for this on numerous occasions. For studio use, cabinet mic'ed and/or a DI out from the head. In a live venue I usually DI to FOH and use the combo as my monitor.
While I haven't used it in a studio setting yet, I'm guessing my Mesa D-800 and Subway 115 could easily step into the WA's role...it's a great small/medium venue rig with or without FOH support.
While I haven't used it in a studio setting yet, I'm guessing my Mesa D-800 and Subway 115 could easily step into the WA's role...it's a great small/medium venue rig with or without FOH support.
My Mesa D-800+ and either Subway 112 or 115 have been quite formidable. Plus, the DI on the head is top notch.
Recording: Anything with a DI could manage that.
Medium gigs: Anything with a decent sized cab. 210 or 212 maybe? 410 [or 2*210s, giving you some options] is always good.
Medium gigs: Anything with a decent sized cab. 210 or 212 maybe? 410 [or 2*210s, giving you some options] is always good.
The Ampeg PF50T might work for you. It has two DIs. One from the preamp, and one from the output transformer.
The output transformer DI signal is affected by the tone and volume controls. This is a very versatile arrangement, and it sounds very good. Connect two PF cabinets to get the most volume out of the rig. It should be enough for a 100 seat room, but if the drummer, and guitar players play too loud, you might need support from a PA. For studio work you could get three bass tracks to work with if you mic'ed a cabinet too.
Another suggestion is the Mesa Boogie D100+ and Subway cabinets. It will handle a 2 Ohm load, so you could connect three of the Subway cabinets. Not cheap, but you could cover just about any size venue without PA support with one.
The output transformer DI signal is affected by the tone and volume controls. This is a very versatile arrangement, and it sounds very good. Connect two PF cabinets to get the most volume out of the rig. It should be enough for a 100 seat room, but if the drummer, and guitar players play too loud, you might need support from a PA. For studio work you could get three bass tracks to work with if you mic'ed a cabinet too.
Another suggestion is the Mesa Boogie D100+ and Subway cabinets. It will handle a 2 Ohm load, so you could connect three of the Subway cabinets. Not cheap, but you could cover just about any size venue without PA support with one.
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I'm not surprised you're not happy with the SWR workingman's combo, I hated mine. SWR's version of modern always seemed to me to be a little cold, but very HiFi. The workingman's stuff seemed like that without the HiFi. YMMV.
There's nothing intrinsically better about an outboard DI. If you record places that give you a countryman or radial, it'll be better than low or mid-range heads, and probably in the ballpark of the higher end amps that get a lot of love around here. Many places you're going to get a rapco or whirlwind, and you might as well use a good built in.
If they're giving you a high end DI, they probably also have better amp options as well, so you probably don't need to worry about it.
Get what you like the sound of, the rest will work out fine...
There's nothing intrinsically better about an outboard DI. If you record places that give you a countryman or radial, it'll be better than low or mid-range heads, and probably in the ballpark of the higher end amps that get a lot of love around here. Many places you're going to get a rapco or whirlwind, and you might as well use a good built in.
If they're giving you a high end DI, they probably also have better amp options as well, so you probably don't need to worry about it.
Get what you like the sound of, the rest will work out fine...
If you can find one, the (discontinued) Mesa Buster 115 combo sounds like a higher-powered and slightly more modern B-15N.
The only time I ever plugged into one was at a guitar shop on Guam -- otherwise I'd have brought it home with me!
The only time I ever plugged into one was at a guitar shop on Guam -- otherwise I'd have brought it home with me!
