Best Rig You've EVER played through

[JanusZarate]

To cut a long story short,it's like having the sound of your bass(not the amp)plugged into a Neve console with studio grade speakers,with the highest possible headroom & lowest possible noise floor.

Based on this alone, I have NO reason to consider the Hellborg rig.

I want an amp that sounds like an amp!

If you want to talk about fantasy cars... it's like comparing an attractive luxury car which rides like a cloud and has an insanely comfortable interior to a roaring sports car which hugs the asphalt on every turn and goes from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. I'll leave it to you to figure out which car the Hellborg would be.

With all of that being said, the best-sounding rig I've used to date is the one I own, actually (Gallien-Krueger Fusion 550 and matching Neo 410). A close second would be a Mesa-Boogie M-Pulse 600 with a matching Powerhouse 410 (although I've been itching to get my hands on a Carbine to try out). I like my color, heft, midrange growl, and dirt.

 

[Spencer!]

So far it's been the Sadowsky SA200 through a Bergantino HS410, but I've been itching to try it through an NV610.

 

[Jim C]

For me, it's not only the right gear, but the right room as I've had some great rigs that would suck in a club with horrible acoustics.

Early on (like age 20) I remember being in an opening band in a smallish club in DC where the featured act had an older SVT; probably the best tone.

Also had a good time with 2x15 EV cab with midrange and an SWR 400 with a MM bass for funk.

Now, get my groove on with an SVT / Berg 322 with a Jazz bass

Nowdays, I'm more picky about the cabinet than any other single piece assuming the amp and bass are not junk

 

[P. Aaron]

For myself; the only rig I know: Mine.

I'm sure there are others that are superior, but I haven't been all the way around the block yet.

 

[SteveC]

Played through - probably an Ampeg SVT/810 - hated it, turned it off and used the monitors.
Owned - SWR Goliath 410 and Goliath 210 with a 750 head - liked it, loud, but too big.

Oops. I thought it said BIGGEST rig I've played through. Best rig was probably a rack I had with a Rane DC24, Demeter tube pre, qsc power amp and various cabs.

 

[Ziltoid]

My rig, lm2, gs410
i havnt tryed anything better so far, but i havnt tryed much things either

 

[basslinejam]

Of the rigs I've owned...

1. SWR SM-900 --> SWR GoliathII + Boogie RR 2x15
2. Boogie 400+ --> 2 x Boogie RR 4x10's
3. SVT Classic --> Boogie RR 2x15

ah memories...

I also liked my friend's Alembic F1-x --> Crown ce1000--> 2 x Hartke 410xl

 

[g4string]

I think a great deal can be said for the LMII/UL410. IME and HO, this rig is hard pressed to be beat....it sounds great, can work in a variety of different bands/situations, and is an easy load in!! What more can you ask for???

Although, a CA9/Demeter VTBP-201S into an Acme B4 is probably about the best sounding rig I have played through......it's pretty damn heavy......but it sounds good. If I am playing a "big" stage or want to punish a guitar player, I bring the the CA9/Demeter/B4. If I am playing a club or doing a pick up rehearsal, I bring the LMII/UL410.

I just acquired a DB112 (x's 2)/AG500 (dual channel) rig. I haven't put it through a good break in period yet. However, I am expecting this to be a pretty decent sounding rig.

 

[bass4worship]

The best rig I got to use was a Carvin BX500 and a GK 410 cabs it had just a great sound.

 

[groooooove]

brickhouse 2x12" cabinet with a tweeter, + markbass F1/LMII.

the depth, output, punchyness, and clarity to that rig will blow your mind.

 

[e.maynard]

It's funny how you can own a hundred amps, speakers & goodies but.... at the end of the day it's just so simple.

I love the GK 400RB & Bag End 15's.

 

[two fingers]

It's a tie. I used to own an old Magnavox Ampeg head and 8-10. Sold it in the 80's when I needed cash. Now I run an Ampeg SVT6Pro with an 8-10. It's like I'm back home, only with head room to spare.

 

[SactoBass]

My ultimate dream rig and total tone machine is the one I plan to buy in a month or two, which is the Reeves Custom 225 all-tube bass amp, and a pair of Reeves 1x15" bass cabs (the amp is currently available to the public, but the cabs are not yet available but should be within a month or so). I'm so excited about getting this rig that I can hardly think straight. Check out Reevesamps.com if you are interested.

I am currently having Fargen build me a hand wired all-tube bass amp (around 125 watts) and two 1x15 bass cabs. This will be my ultimate practice and "small gig" rig, again, with tube tone to die for. Check out Fargenamps.com if interested.

I used to play a Marshall VBA400 all-tube bass head through a pair of Mesa Powerhouse 4x10 cabs. That rig sounded great and worked really well for the YES tribute band I was in.

I also had a BBE BMax-T tube preamp into a QSC PLX3402 into a pair of Bergantino HT-115's. That rig sounded fantastic.

I had a plethora of other rigs in the past, including Ampeg, Sunn, Aguilar, SWR, Eden, Carvin, and Fender.

 

[SpamBot]

My favorite shop's demo rig, an SLM-era SVT into a Berg 412. Mmmmm.

 

[afroman]

My Top 3:

1. Aguilar DB750 - DB410s or S810 (my current rig)

2. Mesa 400+ - SVT810 (backline)

3. GK2001 - SVT810 (backline)

 

[cripula]

probably this:

 

[SactoBass]

Wow cripula! A blue line SVT into those two big Bergie cabs? That must shake the walls of hell itself!

 

[Korladis]

I suppose it would be too tall to set up vertically.

 

[Etingi]

probably this:

..

Old meets new in the best way. I'd love to get an NV215 to go with my 73 810. Do you have any recordings of that rig?

 

[JimmyM]

Wow, look how many people say SVT's...that's just crazy so many people name SVT's.

69 SVT with 6146B's/73 810 with CTS's. That or my B-15N stack.