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Best Head/Cab/Combo for Hard Rock?

M

McBassist

Aug 24, 2005
14
0
#1
Hard Rock Bassists (you know who you are) -

What, in your EXPERIENCED OPINION, is the best sounding head for a good old hard rock n' roll sound?

As far as cabs, which speaker configurations work best for hard rock (1x15, 2x10, etc...) and which brands would you swear by?

And for you hard rock guys with combos, which rigs have worked best for you?

Looking forward to your replies.

McB
 
#2
anything Eden, mated to their XLT line. cuts like a hot knife thru a warm souffle.

10" speakers will always be punchier, and more cutting than any other speaker config out there. need mucho volume, then go w/ a simple 4x10 + 1x15 setup.

for something not as aggressive, yet no less punchie, i'd go Aguilar. a bit warmer, and the DB750 head is the shizz these days.

got dough? go w/ a pair of Epifani UL410's. IMHO, one of the loudest, if not LOUDEST cabs i've ever experienced. KJung intrigued me, when he said that the UL410 is waaaaaaaay louder than my UL310. so, on my next visit to the Epifani shop, i finally got to crank thru one, and HOLY CRAP, the water in my eyes were practically blown dry. like a sustained sonic boom. nevermind, each cab is the lightest 4x10 you'll ever find, use, own, see, hold, etc.

www.eden-electronics.com
www.aguilaramp.com
www.epifani.com
 
#7
McBassist said:
Music Man Sterling
Click to expand...

I think an Orange head with an 810 cab would sound awesome for that.

It's so hard to suggest things though. We all have our own opinions about what we want, what we like. That's why I asked about your gear. I think you try and match things up the best you can until you find what you want. The Ampeg/Ampeg and SWR/SWR options are pretty standard in hard rock. I just love the way the Orange sounds pushed.
 
#10
I use a MM Sterling through a Trace Elliot V8 into a Schroeder 410. Really good for rock (check link in sig for the bands sound).

Of course, a V8 may be hard to find, but a Schroeder definently cuts it for rockin' out. Other amps that would suit IMO/E would be Eden, GK, Aguilar, Orange and if your willing to go used; Trace Elliot, Peavey (some), Sunn etc.

What sort of sound are you after? Dirty, distorted? Clean? How much power? Weight and size an issue? Money an issue? Do you mind tube amps? etc etc
 
#15
As you can see a whole range of opinions here.

He's specified that he wants 1x15 and 2x10 - what's with all the SVT810 suggestions, it's probably a transport issue!! ;)

A helpful bit of information is if you can fill in your profile - just the location is enough. Sounds daft but if you are not in the US then the options will change dramatically from the usual fayre. :2c:
 
#16
There are so many things that will work! My choice would be an Ampeg head (either an SVT4 or SVP-Pro with a power amp) and Eden XLT cabs featuring at least one 15" speaker.

My old rig was Ampeg SVP-Pro -> Eden WT1000 -> Eden D210XLT + D115XLT and that thing had an absolutely HUGE rock sound. You can dial it in to be as sweet or as ganky in the highs as you like, depending on your taste.

SVTs are cool too, so are the GK or even SWR heads with Ampeg 810Es or Mesa Boogie 2x15s.
 
#17
I agree with the Ampeg Amp/Eden Cab recommendations. I had this for a little while, and they sound absolutely SICK together. Basically what killed it was GAS sending me in another direction, but I wouldn't mind 610XLT these days...
 
#19
SVT II (non pro) or Mesa Bass 400/400+ with some Hella Speakers. Powerhouse 1000 maybe... SWR Mega Goliath. Well, HellaSpeakers do make it a lot of fun.

I have more cabinets than I probably should and use a different configuration depending on the venue. If its a super huge/long room with a high ceiling, Ill use 2 1x15's. For venues with better accoustics, I like to use a 1x15 with a 2x10.
 
#20
jokerjkny said:
anything Eden, mated to their XLT line.
Click to expand...

Amen brutha. I played in a hard rock cover band for a couple years, and my rig consisted of a 410XLT, a 215XLT, and I switched between a WT800 and a power amp with a Navigator. I eventually switched to a different preamp just to experiment.

During the time I had the WT800 running the two XLT's, it was awesome! L-O-U-D, cut through the mix like anything, and just sounded sweet all around. If I were to go back to that band, I would re-assemble that rig in a heartbeat.

-Mike
 

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