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Deep thundering tone?

A P-bass with flats running through a 15" combo amp would suit your needs nicely. Roll the tone knob off and pluck over the P-pup or up closer to the neck. A bass with a humbucker up closer to the neck would work great too- but if the P-bass special feels right to you - you wont be disapointed.
 
Well, it does start with the bass itself. For that deep rumbling etc sound I think mahogany body is best choice. Add either soapbar or P pups along with high mass bridge. Comfortable neck, with excellent neck joint if its not neckthru or set. Yes a fender P can do it. But I think theres better choices. P pup basses with mahogany body for example. For soapbar pup equipted basses, those that do a better P simulation rather then J simulation are best choice imo. Nothing wrong with J's sound, it just isnt as dark or full bodied oriented as P and other kinds of soapbar pups.

For amp rig. Since your also a guitar player I'll reccomend getting a full range system thats more hifi sound oriented. This will be able to be your bass and guitar rig. Guitar to processor to amp. Bass to amp or bass to processor to amp. If your going to look at 15" speaker cabs theyre gonna need a qaulity tweeter. Such as used in Eden Nemesis 1x15 combo and ext cabs. Rather then peizo tweeter. Cause those just sound awful with anykind of overdrive or distortion voice. Powered Pa speaker like the JBL Eon 15" could also work very well for both bass and guitar.
 
I have found the thunderbird to give the rumble. The P will kick out the lows, the jazz will give you a growl, but the thunderbird will give you what you are looking for. Its awkward to play and uncomfortable, but it looks cool as hell and you cant beat that sound!
 
cadawg:

I noticed alot of posts in this thread recommending the ampeg 8x10 cab for thunderous lows.

I respectfully disagree with that assessment.

I owned an SVT/fridge cab rig for a while, and although it was louder than he!!, and had fantastic low mids, it did not deliver the "low" lows. It provided thunderous low mids. The sealed design of the svt cab does not allow it to go into the "low" lows. If you are seeking a cab that puts out the deep end (and also happens to conveniently not cost an arm and a leg), check out either of these two options:

  • Acme cabs
  • Basson cabs

You will need lots of wattage to drive those cabs, but if you do, you will be rewarded with the depths of he!! itself (in a good way, of course!)
 
get the right bass first, forget all pedals and cabs, if you have a bass with a decent tone that you like and that works in a band context (very important) the rest will take care of itself

A thunderbird can be tricky in a band context

+1

I love my Tbird the best, but if I were in a blues band again, I'd probably dust off my Jazz. Tbird might bite a bit hard for Albert King...its just too fun to play easy!
 
I have found the thunderbird to give the rumble. The P will kick out the lows, the jazz will give you a growl, but the thunderbird will give you what you are looking for. Its awkward to play and uncomfortable, but it looks cool as hell and you cant beat that sound!

Ok double dipping but isnt there like 10 minutes left? Whats the opposite of awkward and uncomfortable? My Thunderbird! I concur with the latter assessment entirely.
 
hiho,my vote is a musicman sub-you can go from deep deep deep to cut your head off high with a simple twist of the tone controls.
It,s Leo,s P-bass upgrade on steroids and there a re a few bargains S/H .
Build quality is superb,rock solid and indestructable.
Mind you a thunderbird is good as well or an Epiphone T-Bird Pro 4 could be on the cards as the slim neck will be friendlier to someone who is used to guitars.Remember to move the strap button for the neck dive bogey and a leather strap.
 
Watch the lows- you don't need lots of true lows to get rumble. Also you'll likely land on a sound that is something other than what you started looking for... and then you'll come back to it after you go around the block once!

P-Bass with flats and the right EQ (low-mids) will get you going in that direction though. A P-Bass is nearly always appropriate.

And 810s are cool, but I'm going with 2x Bag End S15s- little things- and I can move a small house with those. No need to haul around 130 lbs for everything, and I still get a nice rumble.