best lightweight gigging rig for vintage p bass tones?

[Zigmundfloyd]

I keep reading people describe the Mesa stuff as bright, clinical, and lacking low end punch.

This caught me by surprise, I'm an avid reader of the Amps section here and I don't believe I've ever seen this.

 

[Alexander]

This caught me by surprise, I'm an avid reader of the Amps section here and I don't believe I've ever seen this.

Me either. Certainly not my experience with them!

 

[chris_b]

When I gig with my Mike Lull PJ5 (with flats), I use my Aguilar TH500 through 2 Barefaced 112 cabs. Every link in that chain builds to a great P bass sound.

 

[Coot]

Fender Pre with flats into WD800 into Subway 1x15. Old school tones can be sculped easily.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Fender Pre with flats into WD800 into Subway 1x15. Old school tones can be sculped easily.

Yep that's my jam...


I know the P with flats is at least 75% of the sound.

But that WD-115 combo, I sold a B-15 to get my Mesa rig and I find it's a very pleasant replacement for it. That tone is definitely in there, imho.

 

[75Ric]

I keep reading people describe the Mesa stuff as bright, clinical, and lacking low end punch. I saw some of the cabinet specs, and many of them don’t extend down to 42 Hz. (Freq of the low E). I’m worried they might not have enough low end. As I mentioned, I am more of a roots player, and I don’t like the modern hifi bass sound. I want a warm, full, deep sound that sits in a mix and supports the band. Can anybody comment on the Mesa Subway stuff….especially the cabs….vs something like Ampeg, Aguilar, etc? I’m leaning toward picking up a Aguilar TH700 and either a SL112 or DB112 to try. Thanks!

This is not my experience, either.

I play the Mesa TT-800 with a pair of Mesa Subway 115s. It has two great channels. The Boogie channel has a fantastic tube vibe. My pbass (Lull P4) with LaBella flats into the Boogie channel gets nice and low with plenty of warmth. Very deep, round bottom with lovely, blooming notes. The Subway channel gets the Fender jbass (AVRI) with Pyramid flats for a brighter, but still harmonically rich tube tone. Like @DJBebop, I sold off my SVT and B-15 style pedals as I could dial in very similar tones with this rig.

And, regarding the ability of the Mesa cabs to produce low end: I can get ridiculously low lows by putting an Empress para EQ in front and juicing the low/low mid frequencies. It's really not needed, but the 115 cab certainly has the capacity, if you want it.

 

[Nickthebass]

Hi friends….

going down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to build a simple gig rig based around my p bass. Looking for a vintage tone suitable for country, Americana, funk, soul. I use p basses, and that’s it. Currently using an Acoustic Image Clarus, as well as a Aguilar AG 700. Wondering if I might like something less transparent, yet still clean sounding. I don’t use overdrive or effects. Just a solid vintage bass sound.

looking for a lightweight, portable, yet loud and punchy rig. Willing to pay for top quality.


I realize that everybody’s ideas will be slightly different….just looking for opinions on what you would get, in order to give me some ideas. Also, if possible, please tell me what styles of bass you play, and what style of music.

thanks

Another vote for Barefaced. I have a 1x12 and a 1x15 sitting under either a Streamliner 900 or an Ashdown ABM600.

Plenty old school enough for blues, Americana, Motown, soul and all that good stuff.

Both my P and my J (with flats, foam etc) have a grand old time!

 

[Old Fart]

.... Highly recommend the Subway cabs with any head

Yup. My main rig is a WD800 and Berg CN212. The Berg is known to have a more 'modern' tone but the WD800 has no problem making it sound like a vintage-voiced cab. The WD800 can do anything, I think. Through any cab.

 

[brocco]

This

 

[brocco]

Or

 

[rawchuck]

I’ve put a few rigs through their paces, and have decided on sticking with an AG700 and SL112. It’s light, powerful, portable, sounds great, and isn’t overkill for my needs. Thanks for your help!

 

[DJ Bebop]

So basically, any good quality bass amp?