BUYING A BASS AMP

[funkybassist2001]

Variety is the spice of life, try anything and everything that you can. But if you'd like my opinion, you can't go wrong with an Ashdown. I tried one recently and was floored with how awesome it sounded. I'm converting as soon as funds allow.

Same, I was trying out a few basses at my local music store and I played through something like an Ashdown Rootmaster Combo, I can't remember whether it was 1x15 or 2x10 but whatever it was, I really liked the tone.

 

[funkybassist2001]

Fender rumble 500 combo and be done with it

Haha

Thanks

 

[funkybassist2001]

A lot of players (or at least some of the vocal ones) have strong opinions on which brands are the 'best'. Unless you have a particularly narrow (or focused) tone goal, you will find that the amp is not nearly so critical to your sound as playing technique - there is really no substitute. That said, most of the amp brands mentioned can be EQ'ed to provide a wide range of tones. You do need to ensure that the amp can produce a sound level that is adequate for your needs. It's a highly competitive market, so models in a given price range are likely to be pretty close performance wise. Decide on the features you really need. Don't fall for the highest power rating, the biggest speaker (driver) or a modeling amp that promises to simulate the sound of a full tube amp into a legendary 810 cab, all through the included 8 inch speaker - it won't happen. Do make sure you get at least one mid control (if not an upper and lower mid) - it's more important than bass and treble. Also, watch out for small cubic combos with just enough baffle area to mount the included driver(s). Speakers need a fair amount of enclosure volume to produce deep bass with reasonable efficiency.

Well when you talk about low and high midrange, I have it on my bass when I go into active mode but I'm not sure whether this makes a difference

 

[funkybassist2001]

Thank you everyone for the replies, I really appreciate your opinions. It's made me feel a lot better in terms of everyone's advice.

 

[BazzTard]

leaving out MarkBass leaves me speachless, literally lol

all I can suggest apart from buying a MB head, is to say two 210 cabs rock !

 

[felixxx]

leaving out MarkBass leaves me speachless, literally lol

all I can suggest apart from buying a MB head, is to say two 210 cabs rock !

I am more surprised there is no Mesa on the list.

 

[funkybassist2001]

I am more surprised there is no Mesa on the list.

Yeah I'm going to edit

 

[ack]

Last year, when I was in the market for a new amp/cab (which was going to be used by me, my son, as well as another bassist in one of his bands) I was looking for something that had to be versatile. I tried a bunch (and liked most of them, except TCE), but had it narrowed down to Aguillar, GK or Mesa.

I was in GC one day and was trying out a used bass (one that I already owned) through a MarkBass (a brand I avoided due to ignorance and 20/20 vision) 2x10 combo as the only cord in the bass shop was tie-wrapped to the handle.

2 days later, I owned the MarkBass CMD102P and a 2x10 (102HF) extension cabinet - We couldn't be happier...and since my wife is Italian, I was able to slide this one right past her with barely a raised eyebrow.

In my opinion, you spin a few EQ knobs on the amp and use something like an MXR M80+, and every bass amp is versatile.
Best of luck - happy hunting!

 

[funkybassist2001]

Last year, when I was in the market for a new amp/cab (which was going to be used by me, my son, as well as another bassist in one of his bands) I was looking for something that had to be versatile. I tried a bunch (and liked most of them, except TCE), but had it narrowed down to Aguillar, GK or Mesa.

I was in GC one day and was trying out a used bass (one that I already owned) through a MarkBass (a brand I avoided due to ignorance and 20/20 vision) 2x10 combo as the only cord in the bass shop was tie-wrapped to the handle.

2 days later, I owned the MarkBass CMD102P and a 2x10 (102HF) extension cabinet - We couldn't be happier...and since my wife is Italian, I was able to slide this one right past her with barely a raised eyebrow.

In my opinion, you spin a few EQ knobs on the amp and use something like an MXR M80+, and every bass amp is versatile.
Best of luck - happy hunting!

Thank you for the advice!

 

[AstroSonic]

About auditioning cabs. Nearly always, a cab that sounds good on the shop floor will be buried with acompanyment (other musicians playing). Most are easily EQ'ed to be clearly audible in a band setting, but when listened to solo, the tone is not particularly attractive. Cabs are frequently voiced to sound good on the shop floor and catch the buyers ear. Unless you are going to be doing a lot of bass solo work, choosing based on a shop floor audition will lead you the wrong way. If you will be using the cab in a band setting, bring some recorded music (iPod), and play along with the music (adjusted just moderately loud). Chances are that you will need to do some EQing just to hear the cab. This EQing is critical and is a learned skill that you will need as a player of electric bass.

Well when you talk about low and high midrange, I have it on my bass when I go into active mode but I'm not sure whether this makes a difference

Those mid controls can be located on the amp or the bass. I like them on the amp, so that if I change instruments those adjustments are still effective. They are the ones that will be most effective in making you audible (cut) through the mix. Pretty frequently, boosting the low mids yields a 'blah' solo tone, but really aids cutting through the mix, and your band tone will improve markedly.

What I'm trying to look for is attack and aggression but when needed that sort of R&B tone I really like.

I'm hoping to get a 4x10 cab, I really like the Hartke Hydrive 4x10 cabs, but I've never had a chance to play one of them. Do you have any experience with Hartke?

For exceptional attack and aggression the cab will need prominent upper mids and moderately extended highs. Many cabs can be EQ'ed for this, but cabs with a mid driver or a tweeter will be the easiest to EQ into this tone. The Hartke and GK would be good choices. A lot (perhaps most) of the attack and aggression will come from technique.

 

[ptleftybass]

I have several amps depends on how I'm feeling and where and what I'm playing.
Try a lot of amps pick what suits you the best, my go to amps most of the time are the MarkBass or TecAmp. Good luck on your search!

GK amps

MB 500 w/MB 4-10 and MB 115
Back line 112 (practice)

MarkBass

CMD102P

Fender

Rumble 500 2x10 combo
Rumble 150 1x15 combo

Peavey

KB 4 2x10 w/horn

Tec Amp

Puma 1000
M 210 Cab

 

[funkybassist2001]

I have several amps depends on how I'm feeling and where and what I'm playing.
Try a lot of amps pick what suits you the best, my go to amps most of the time are the MarkBass or TecAmp. Good luck on your search!

GK amps

MB 500 w/MB 4-10 and MB 115
Back line 112 (practice)

MarkBass

CMD102P

Fender

Rumble 500 2x10 combo
Rumble 150 1x15 combo

Peavey

KB 4 2x10 w/horn

Tec Amp

Puma 1000
M 210 Cab

I'll have a look around and see what I can find and try out a few. Thank you

 

[Clap Trap]

Aguilar TH500+ 2 x SL112
EBS Reidmar +2 x CL112
GK MB500 + 1x Neo 212 or Neo 410

 

[obimark]

GK MB500- done- if you only do smaller gigs- GK MB200- Done.
I do like the second channel on the 500- I set it louder with a little grind- and kick it on wiht the included footswitch (nice GK) when my guitarist takes his solos. Fills out my power trio sound a bit more.

 

[bradjonesbass]

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of 410s. I'd much rather have a 212. I've used 410s in the past, as well as a 210/115 stack, an 810, and a single 3-way with a 12, an 8 and a 5.25. Of those, the 212 is my favorite (whether a single cab or 2 112 cabs stacked. I play everything and find it to be the most versatile configuration for me. From rock, funk, contemporary jazz, funk, gospel, blues and R&B, I can easily get a useable tone this way. If your budget allows, a ToneHammer 500 and pair of SL112s, is definitely something I'd recommend for what you describe as your tonal goals. It probably would not be the best bet for loud metal, but since I don't play loud metal, I don't care LOL. Being in Europe, you may find TecAmp to be more affordable than Aguilar. EBS is another European brand you might want to check out.

 

[MegaSwing]

Whatever you decide, OP, make sure that it is loud enough (and then some), that it fits in the car, and that you can wrangle it by yourself with minimal hassle.

 

[RRDieselbass]

You can get a great combo amp for under $500 new that will have a warranty and be light and loud, like the Fender Rumble 500 or the Ampeg BA 210, and you can return them usually within 30 days to the retailer if you find that they are not right for you. I sure wish these types of amps were around when I was just starting out 30 years ago.

 

[PimasterPearson]

I admonish you to pay less attention to people on TB parroting their favorite brands and more attention to going and trying as many as you can. Remember that even within a certain brand there may be a variety of tones, prices and complexity. There's no such thing as a 'one size fits all' bass amp solution.

This is wisdom. It depends on what you're looking for. I'm currently running an Aguilar Tone Hammer through a TC Electronic RS210 cab. The TC wasn't even on my radar until I checked one out at the Sam Ash in Richmond, and the combination of that and the Tone Hammer blew me away. There's always something new to learn; just try out as much gear as you can, try to listen with your ears and not your eyes, and keep playing!

 

[[skyraider]]

Carvin offers a lot of amp for a little money. I had a Carvin 4x10 cab and LOVED it. The only reason I got rid of it was because it didn't fit in the bed of my truck with the bed cover closed. It was very loud and got lots of compliments. I've also got a Carvin 500 watt tube amp that sounds great. I've switched my cabs to Bergantino, which are awesome but very expensive. Normally I run an Ampeg PF500 through a Berg 2x10 and an SWR 1x15 with the Carvin as a backup. This gets lots of compliments on the tone and it is very loud. Soon I'll have a Berg HT112 and will probably sell the SWR 1x15 or use it as a practice amp.

 

[Vinny Tomassetti]

Go to every music store around you, spend time & play every amp, repeat process multiple times, buy the one that suits your ears best.