Flamers Prepare: Ampeg and Fender

[GeneralElectric]

I've seen a lot of Ampeg here in NYC. The most popular rigs are undeniably Hartke and then, depending on the place, GK400RBs/Backline600s with a hartke cab, or a small Ampeg half stack. Sometimes you'll see the GKs with the backline cabs too, but awesome gear here in NYC (what one could consider one of the three big music cities in the US) isn't too common. Most gigging players play on a Mexican Fender. Its a real Fender and its cheap. Their amps are usually cheap too.

I've got a lot of gear, and some people are dumb founded with the amount of crap I've used from one time or another. Thats pretty normal for the Talkbass community I'm guessing.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Almost up to 5 pages of this. THAT, I find impressive. The discussion is undeniably moot. though.

We're just trying to condense the discussion into one thread so we don't have to do it all again next week when someone restarts the same thread.

 

[pedro]

This is a bit of revisionist history here. By the time the electric bass caught on (early 60's) there was never a time when Ampeg and Fender were the only choices for bass. Every other brand had a fair chance in the marketplace, and every other brand had its fair share of famous users.

Absolutely. Ampeg had basses and Fender had amps why didn't the reverse become the industry standard?

 

[GregC]

+1
Sounding "Familiar"
Looking "Familiar"

Then all of a sudden there's a new breakaway artist who breaks the mold ...

Yeah. Like Wooten, playing through Ampeg and now Hartke.

 

[allexcosta]

BTW, I've seen Wooten with both rigs and he sounds A LOT better with the Hartke stuff.

 

[Coliah]

I'm an ibanez/ESP (bass) and acoustic/GK (amp/cabs) guy...I like the fat punchy low end with a nice tinny after bite...I think the fender/ampeg thing has gone on too long. There are only a few bands out there with a distinct bass sound. Everyone just wants the warm low end and blend in (In most cases you can't even hear it) with the band.

 

[pedro]

As long as Jimmy is posting I find I have very little to add. Play what sounds and feels right to you but please allow others to do the same.

 

[idoru]

When I was the OP's age, I was pretty much anti-Fender _style_ instruments. To paraphrase MJK: "stuff retro anything". When I hit 30 or so, I got it. Love my G&L L-2000, but my P bass has become my go-to covers gig bass as it requires far less thought to drive

c-

 

[JimmyM]

But you do, because your are judging by the sound.

That's not to say that looks have no influence, but to me, sound should be #1.

But what I'm saying is that you can't say that people who want you to play a Fender or Ampeg only are judging with their eyes. It's a fact that both of them have unique sounds that aren't easily duplicated by non-Fender/Ampeg stuff, and usually people who have requested me to use a Fender or Ampeg are requesting them because they like the sound.

 

[mndean]

If the SVX and Mark Studio 1 amp/cab modelers are any indication, I have a harder time getting the sound I want from an Ampeg setup than a Markbass. I know I'll never know for sure until I try them out. As for the Fender P-bass sound, I don't care what's on the headstock as long as I get that sound. If I get it from a Squier, SX or whatever. I couldn't care less.

 

[joeydavidson]

You are either kidding, blind, never go out or think that rock is the only musical style in the world.

How was it so wrong for me to think that an aspiring bassist would emulate the gear his/her fave bands use?????

:scowl:

Why do you think I like only rock and how is that relevant to anything, it doesn't say that in my profile.

 

[joeydavidson]

yeah...I dunno.
I went to a Metal concert a couple months ago (of a well known, professional group) and the bass player had an Amgeg rig. It was just a giant black box. I recognized the little, square Ampeg logo in the corner of the unit but otherwise the amp didn't really look like anything but a large black box. So, I don't follow your thinking there. Cosmetically Ampeg looks more Metal?
I don't see it. To me, Ampeg looks like...well...nothing, really. At least Peavey slaps a cool font logo on the front. Ashdown as a cool look with the classic style VU meters, SWR has some red amp heads. I mean, there are plenty of other rigs that LOOK cooler than an Ampeg rig.

I think people like Amepg for the sound not the look...but what do I know?

Hi, no I was just using metal as an example, I didn't intend anybody to read to much into it and I was saying that Ampeg has a more traditional looking aesthetic compared to other amps.

 

[nysbob]

I think the fender/ampeg thing has gone on too long. There are only a few bands out there with a distinct bass sound. Everyone just wants the warm low end and blend in (In most cases you can't even hear it) with the band.

This is just silly. Carry on kids.

 

[Jim Campbell]

I've seen a lot of Ampeg here in NYC. The most popular rigs are undeniably Hartke and then, depending on the place, GK400RBs/Backline600s with a hartke cab, or a small Ampeg half stack. Sometimes you'll see the GKs with the backline cabs too, but awesome gear here in NYC (what one could consider one of the three big music cities in the US) isn't too common. Most gigging players play on a Mexican Fender. Its a real Fender and its cheap. Their amps are usually cheap too.

I've got a lot of gear, and some people are dumb founded with the amount of crap I've used from one time or another. Thats pretty normal for the Talkbass community I'm guessing.

i'm guessing that nyc housing costs are the reason for guys having limited gear budgets...... it would probably be an interesting read how and why the various amp makers rose and fell,and if ampeg will bounce back from the loud debacle....

 

[Kenny Allyn]

This is what I've been getting at. Sure, it isn't bad, but the individuality isn't there. It's as if the combination is supossed to sound inherently good, so they don't even bother trying out different options.

You want an instrument with options ... and a really open attitude try checking out drums.

It's a totally different world, there is no one right sound ... and no one seems to really care what you play as long as it works for you and your situation. In the guitar world you have Marshalls and Fenders (and the other clones) and everyones fave Gibson, Fender, PRS, etc: (and looks do seem important)

In bass we have lot's more diversity it seems.

But in the drum world, there seems to be no standard setup, looks or sound wise. There are the big names, Pearl, YAMAHA, DW, Zildijan, Sabian, Paiste yes, individual preferences yes, but a "standard" look and sound no. If hitting a trash can lid works, for your situation, it's cool.

We are lucky to play bass ... it's the best time ever to be a bass player lot's of great choices out there from the old school B-15s and SVTs to a trusted Fender J or P to a 10 string custom one of a kind bass through a hi-tech 3 way cab.

I personally think it's all cool, and celebrate the diversity and difference of opinion. There is no ONE solution.

... But IF you want the sound and look of an SVT and a P-bass that's what you gotta have!

 

[JimmyM]

Whoa, I missed that "individuality" comment. NOW I'm offended. I don't sound like everyone else. I sound like me. Nysbob doesn't sound like everyone else, either. Cliff Williams sounds like Cliff Williams. Jamerson sounded like Jamerson. Duck Dunn sounds like Duck Dunn. Rocco sounded like Rocco when he was using Fender/Ampeg. Marcus sounded like Marcus when he was using Fender/Ampeg. It's ridiculous on its face to assume that everyone who uses Fender/Ampeg has no individuality, and THAT is patently offensive to me that anyone would insinuate that they're some great individual and independent thinker based on the equipment they use.

 

[Kenny Allyn]

Whoa, I missed that "individuality" comment. NOW I'm offended. I don't sound like everyone else. I sound like me. Nysbob doesn't sound like everyone else, either. Cliff Williams sounds like Cliff Williams. Jamerson sounded like Jamerson. Duck Dunn sounds like Duck Dunn. Rocco sounded like Rocco when he was using Fender/Ampeg. Marcus sounded like Marcus when he was using Fender/Ampeg. It's ridiculous on its face to assume that everyone who uses Fender/Ampeg has no individuality, and THAT is patently offensive to me that anyone would insinuate that they're some great individual and independent thinker based on the equipment they use.

Totally agree with Jimmy on this ... one night last year our band let both a guitar player and bass player sit in using our instruments and amps etc: we still talk about how VERY different they sounded using our gear!

... It's in the head, heart, and hands, man ...

 

[Matt R.]

its nice to know that brands that i support get the recognition they deserve.

What do you care? Why is it so important to you that other people like what you like?

I can't tell you how little it matters to me that some will hate my rig:

 

[lbwdog]

100 posts on this pointless, NON SUBJECT!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chadds]

100 posts on this pointless, NON SUBJECT!!!!!!!!!!

But Jif doesn't tear your Wonder Bread the way that Skippy does.