Budget Bass rig and good results

[GroovyQ]

Unfortunately I don't have the budget to buy expensive rig, but I love gears and I'm tricky with my tone...
Here's some cheap pics of my current rig:

Amp: Ampeg B2 combo (same amp as the B2r, SS 200W@8 & 350W@4) presently use @8ohm with the 15 combo cab.

Art Tube MP project series (clean Tube preamp): plug from the B2 preamp out

Symetrix 501 (compressor section use only): plug from the Tube MP output & 501 output to B2 power amp in

With this setup, I throw the B2 preamp to the MP&501 (tube+compress) and I transform my Ampeg B2 as a hybrid amp (not far from a ZVT pro)

Pedal board from right to left:

Dunlop 105Q cryBaby Bass Wah
EHX Russian Big Muff (last version)
MXR M80 bass DI+ (EQ Ampeg Style + dirt channel)
Korg AX1B (bass processor) I use only edit effect: clean, volume pedal, octaver+phaser, Amazing synth (octaver, disto, flanger), Cliff Burton solo (disto, reverb), reverb, delay, slap, envelope filter.

Next purchasing: MXR M82 Bass envelope Filter (Korg's suck), MXR M84 Bass Fuzz (if I like it more than my Russian), a power conditioner and Build a homemade rackmount 3U case (501, Tube MP & conditioner).

Finally my basses: you can see my 2007 Fender highway one Jazz bass, I have a 97 Purple Ibanez ergodyne edb 600 & a 2002 Washburn AB10 (acoustic bass)

Cheers!

 

[GroovyQ]

I use this rig for band practice and gigs usually in small/medium bars and do the job with or without line out in the PA. I know I still have the option to add a extension cab to go @ 350W.

Any suggestion that could upgrade my thing...

 

[iabssplyr]

Add an extension cab to go to 350 watts. You'll be pleased with the results, especially if you end playing in a larger venue sometime. I'd recommend another 15" cab that you can set your Ampeg on top of. I used to run this same combo and a GK xab at an outdoor band shell, and everyone could hear me onstage no problem.

 

[GroovyQ]

I was thinking about a 2x10 to add high end. I got a strong low end already with my 15. but i am curious what it will sound with 2 x 15...

 

[OtterOnBass]

The only integral connection between speaker size and sound is the dispersion. A 10" can sound deep and a 15" can sound thin. A 10" will always project the highs and mids wider than a 15". The best path is to match what you have, so the speakers are putting out the same sound. Sound works in waves, so if the waves match (i.e. same speakers) they will have the same sound everywhere. If the waves are different, they will sound different everywhere. Some seats will be bassy, other seats could be shrill.

 

[GroovyQ]

Good advice thanks. So the best match will be probably a 15 from the B series. Looks like to be the same driver in my combo.

 

[TimmyP]

A 10" will always project the highs and mids wider than a 15".

A single 10" likely will, but a 4x10" will have a narrower pattern; a 2x10" will be the same as a single in one direction, and narrower in another.