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Essential Rack Gear??

#3
IMHO, if I were moving back to a rack setup, I would get a rack fan to keep the amp cool and a rack drawer to store cables/mics/what have you to keep them easily on hand and not just shoved in the back of the rack.
 
#4
In all seriousness, don't buy any of those things until/unless you actually know you need it.

--Tuners: for many people a pedal makes more sense, because it can be used as a mute switch. Only get a rack tuner if you like having a big flashing-light display in your rack.
--Power conditioners: you'll want to search on "conditioner" in the Amps forum, for a lot of good and controversial reading. Also check out my blog for a post on this subject. The short version is that you're better off getting an inexpensive power strip and an outlet tester.
--EQ's: Generally the EQ on an amp is adequate; only get an external EQ if you know for a fact that the EQ on your amp is inadequate.
--Compressors: check the FAQ linked in my sig. A comp is a useful tool, but not necessary for everybody.
--Sonic maximizers: waste of money IMO.

The very first thing you should invest in is a large and well-designed speaker cabinet that can take plenty of abuse and sounds huge. The second thing to invest in is a really good and powerful amp head. After you have those dialed in, if there is still any function or tone lacking, you can analyze exactly what is lacking, and buy the appropriate piece of equipment to fill that need. If you need more compression functionality, get a compressor. If the amp EQ is minimal, get an EQ. Etc. But do not imagine that any of those accessories will be inherently useful to everyone, or worth your hard-earned money.
 
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#5
Get a good bass distortion or fuzz if you play rock (and don't have one already) or possibly start with a compressor (pedal is adequate) if you are a more straight ahead clean type player.


bongomania said:
In all seriousness, don't buy any of those things until/unless you actually know you need it.

--Tuners: for many people a pedal makes more sense, because it can be used as a mute switch. Only get a rack tuner if you like having a big flashing-light display in your rack.
--Power conditioners: you'll want to search on "conditioner" in the Amps forum, for a lot of good and controversial reading. Also check out my blog for a post on this subject. The short version is that you're better off getting an inexpensive power strip and an outlet tester.
--EQ's: Generally the EQ on an amp is adequate; only get an external EQ if you know for a fact that the EQ on your amp is inadequate.
--Compressors: check the FAQ linked in my sig. A comp is a useful tool, but not necessary for everybody.
--Sonic maximizers: waste of money IMO.

The very first thing you should invest in is a large and well-designed speaker cabinet that can take plenty of abuse and sounds huge. The second thing to invest in is a really good and powerful amp head. After you have those dialed in, if there is still any function or tone lacking, you can analyze exactly what is lacking, and buy the appropriate piece of equipment to fill that need. If you need more compression functionality, get a compressor. If the amp EQ is minimal, get an EQ. Etc. But do not imagine that any of those accessories will be inherently useful to everyone, or worth your hard-earned money.
Click to expand...


Well said.
Except you forgot to add -
Once you do all those things, you can start to obsess about gear like the rest of us and blow all your money on stuff you don't actually need, but at least KNOW you want.

And to address (faulkner) a little pet peeve of mine real quick ~
ahem
Tone is NEVER NEVER NEVER solely "in your fingers." :scowl:
Even if you always play clean, your bass and amp have more overall influence on your tone than your technique.
You can't make a newer SS head sound like a vintage SVT with your fingers (w/out help from pedals). Nor does a new Squire sound or play like a vintage P-Bass.

And fwiw, the OP may be into DOOM for all you (faulkner) know.
You tell everyone to play clean, regardless, don't you?


/ rant

In summation... i don't like it when people say "the tone is all in your fingers" :D
 
#6
I think some sort of rackable multi effects could do you as something to begin with. Then maybe buy each stomp box of the effects you want? Gives you time to really experiment and find out what you really need. I think my rack will end up being my head, a tuner and a wireless. That would be MY perfect rack.
 
#8
Panda Fist; Of course gear matters; but, the player matters more IMO. Skilled players can make bad gear sound good, but bad players still sound bad thru even the best gear. That is my point. The OP's $$ is better spent on becoming a better player than on Compressers, External EQ's, and Sonic Maximizers, Yetti Detectors or Unicorn Dust etc. I agree with you and Bongomania 100% that the right Bass, Amp, Cab combination for your sound is a better allocation of that hard earned dollar. Here is a guy on a stock SX ($150) bass. Is it the gear....or the player? (go to about 1:30)



I'm not saying the OP is not a stellar player nor am I judging him. I have no idea of his abilities. But, I would wager that the more one improves as a player, the more they will be complimented on their 'tone.'


Sidenote, I'll bet I could make a Squire sound darn close to a P Bass with the proper EQ shaping, soloing the neck pickup, and picking close to the neck. The SVT thing....i'm pretty sure you got me there!! ;)
 
#9
Sidenote part 2: The OP is a very skilled player, especially for a 19 year old. Great band and great playing dude. It might be better to approch this rack question from a different perspective.....What are you unhappy with in regards to your rig?
 
#10
faulknersj said:
Sidenote part 2: The OP is a very skilled player, especially for a 19 year old. Great band and great playing dude. It might be better to approch this rack question from a different perspective.....What are you unhappy with in regards to your rig?
Click to expand...

I'm happy with my tone, it's clean and punchy, but it's not outstanding to me. Of course no ones really happy with their tone until they have loads of gear but I don't want any effects like fuzz or flanger or anything. I think all of you are right about how unnecessary rack gear is too. Maybe I just need a Sansamp?

Thanks by the way for the complement.
 
#11
A long long time ago, I started using a compressor and BBE sonic maximizer all the time in the effects loop. Now, I just don't think I sound like 'me' or how I want myself to sound without them. I found quality 1/2 rack versions of both, to minimize my rackspace requirements.

I've used a "power conditioner" for over a decade, because the front lights and power switch are just so dang convenient on dark stages.

However...If I could get 'that sound' from just an amp with no peripherals, I'd prefer that option. I'd replace the rack gear with a drawer for cables and beer.
 
#12
i got rid of my rack 2 years ago and have never been happier. now i have a handful of pedals on the floor on a piece of wood.

if you're unhappy with your sound, i'd look to the gear you have already for problems. and i'd never buy a specific piece of gear without having an express purpose for wanting it. there may be some who are happy with a big fridge rack of stuff, but there are just as many who are happy with bass/amp. the less crap you can have in the signal path, the better imho. i like a little crap in the path so i have a couple pedals. but you certainly don't need a fridge rack full of stuff. unless of course you have a specific need for that fridge rack. take justin meldal-johnsen, for example. with beck and nin he brings a fridge rack. with the dixie chicks and the bird and the bee he goes bass/amp.
 
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#13
It just take experience. Realize that tone is a preference, not an objective.

In all truthfulness, it is equally inane to say "All you need is a P Bass and an SVT!" as it is to say "You really need, an aircraft cock pit full of gadgets in a rack!". Your need is determined by your particular instance. Jamerson could plug a P-Bass into a B-15 and his tone was like none other, but Chancellor's and Wolstenholme's tone is no worse because they use a crap load of gear. To say gear is a crutch is just asinine.

Just take a look at Justin Mendal-Johnson. He uses what he needs for a gig. Sometimes it is a boatload of gear and sometimes it is his bass and an amp.

So, find your own way. Use others as an example, as a map. But eventually you will weed out what isn't for you and maybe find a few tricks out of your own along the way. That's the fun part...the experience!
 
#14
TheWoodShed said:
It just take experience. Realize that tone is a preference, not an objective.

In all truthfulness, it is equally inane to say "All you need is a P Bass and an SVT!" as it is to say "You really need, an aircraft cock pit full of gadgets in a rack!". Your need is determined by your particular instance. Jamerson could plug a P-Bass into a B-15 and his tone was like none other, but Chancellor's and Wolstenholme's tone is no worse because they use a crap load of gear. To say gear is a crutch is just asinine.

Just take a look at Justin Mendal-Johnson. He uses what he needs for a gig. Sometimes it is a boatload of gear and sometimes it is his bass and an amp.

So, find your own way. Use others as an example, as a map. But eventually you will weed out what isn't for you and maybe find a few tricks out of your own along the way. That's the fun part...the experience!
Click to expand...


Amen brother. It's not the destination thats fun, it's the journey to get there. I've got 12 years playing under my belt and just this year started dabbling in racks and effects. I'm happier with my tone now, but I wouldn't know that had I not been toying with it for years. You have to develop experience for comparison... and try stuff at the local music barn over and over before you unload the loot to take it home. They understand....
 

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