That and if he had the deep switch enaged on the 751, with its broadband boost centered at what, 30hz? That's sure to add some massive fatness to the tone.
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Maybe both. I would use post-eq on the db751 to get the sound of that awesome pre and and any tone shaping applied, and particularly for that bottom end and use the mic to capture some more articulate upper-mid punch, atleast.
I went from a TH 500 to a d800+. I always felt like I couldn't get the sound I wanted out of the TH, but it was really easy on the Mesa, until I messed with another TH a couple weeks ago, and realized that it was mostly operator error, and not understanding just how different he eq/voicing is on that amp. Now I regret selling it.
Yeah, he had a mic and an Avalon DI...plus the DB750 (according to Aguilar he owns a 750) so I would imagine it was a blend. My mind always tells me it's just one "magic" thing but of course it's a mixture of a bunch of stuff when you hear a recording like that.
The TH amps definitely take a little messing with to dial in. I went from the TH pedal to the TH 500 so I had a bit of experience with some of the controls, but even so, the amp still is different from the pedal.
Hey man just my $0.02, Ive only heavily played about 3 heads and the 751 is easily the most expensive piece of gear I own which I didn’t even buy outright, but traded up for. That being said I totally understand what you heard (assuming you’ve first weighed out the other guys technique / your perspective from being on stage vs in the crowd). At first when I took the head home I was unimpressed and I was kinda feeling down for letting GAS get the better of me. Then my band did some recordings during practice the next day and I was blown away hearing them back - I instantly said “oh yeah that sounds like me”. In this case, having the different perspective changed everything and I’m extremely happy with it.
The other piece may be your Bongo. While I love mine for certain stuff, it’s definitely not plug and play for me, the eq requires a lot of tweaking to fit well in the mix and the preamp is very sensitive to small changes which is great once you’re familiar with it. But it’ll never sound like a passive P bass tone if that’s what you’re chasing after...
The other piece may be your Bongo. While I love mine for certain stuff, it’s definitely not plug and play for me, the eq requires a lot of tweaking to fit well in the mix and the preamp is very sensitive to small changes which is great once you’re familiar with it. But it’ll never sound like a passive P bass tone if that’s what you’re chasing after...
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I have owned my bongo for 7 years and owned the TH500 for 3, I am familiar with the knobs and I am not chasing a p bass tone. I can actually get close to a stingray tone with a bongo.
Ah, you've seen my bands?
My current set-up consists of an Orange Terror Bass 500 through a Barefaced Super Twin. Usually a Fender Jazz (Marcus Miller) and sometimes a Squier CV 50s Precision. Either basses really sound awesome through this rig, and I find I am finally getting close to the tone I like to hear. Drummer has never been happier (we've played together on an off ever since I started playing, 18 or so years ago).
Good luck finding your tone, OP!
Well said. I've heard excellent tone from all different models of amps and bass guitars.
Years ago I saw Chick Corea and his electric band. I want to say it was Jimmy Earl on bass. Anyway, the bass tone was crazy good. I could see his rig was a DB659 running into some brand of power amp. Crest or whatever. Can't remember the cabs. Anyway I had 2 DB750s over the years with the same DB659 pre. Never got that tone with that or anything else I've used over the years.
I say forget the Aguilar amp. I don't think it will solve your tonal dilemma. It is a killer amp though.
I say forget the Aguilar amp. I don't think it will solve your tonal dilemma. It is a killer amp though.
Around here it's usually kids from affluent neighborhoods playing in skate punk bands.
I remember watching one band in particular setting up a bunch of shiny new Mesa and Orange amps on stage at my favorite bar/venue one night, complete with Gibson and PRS guitars, etc.. Standing by the bar watching them set up, I was getting excited by the sheer dollar value of gear on stage, thinking "oh this is going to be good". The second they started playing I knew that was a mistake. Playing and song-writing aside, which was atrocious, the $10,000 worth amps and other gear all sounded like garbage. And while this bar was a very serious and respected punk/metal venue back then, it was so small it definitely couldn't be blamed on the FOH mix. It was so bad I ended up outside with the smokers for the duration of their set, and I've never smoked in my life. To this day the sight of a Mesa Dual Rectifier makes me raise an eyebrow.
It was a good lesson for 20-something-year-old me to learn, and one that I still occasionally forget whenever the shiniest new thing hits the TB airwaves.
The best sounding bands at that bar would always come in with the rattiest, falling-apart-iest, played-into-the-groundiest gear and absolutely tear the roof of the place.
I've heard many great tones over the years coming from rigs of all shapes, sizes, and brands (Mesa, Orange, and Aguilar DB... included). And I've heard many equally terrible sounds from the same brands. Often the amp itself is, at best, only partially to blame.
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Hah. I had a 2PRO for a while and remember being extremely frustrated with it. Could never dial in the sound I wanted on it. Eventually sold it.
I recently stumbled a couple of old basement recordings from that band and holy crap it sounded amazing! I don't know what I was thinking! Hahaha
Same tone, same ears, totally different reaction on my part after a few years apart.
It’s called GAS with good reason. Once i could afford to do it i took off on a search for the perfect bass, the one that would transform me into a true god of thunder. After several years and dozens of basses i hit on that one that i believed was the one. I loved the way it played and it’s sound was to die for, but when i asked my bandmates what they thought of the glorious new tone i was bringing, they all said it sounded good but not any better than the last 10 basses i’d played in the last few months.
Now go snag up that Aguilar amp before....squirrel!!
Now go snag up that Aguilar amp before....squirrel!!
Found a couple of sansamp on cl, probably will pick one up and start there. I appreciate everyone's input, even the markbass haters.
What kind of shoes was he wearing? Probably contributed to the stage presence.
Sounds to me like Pbass with a pick and a lil bit of hair through an honest head. Yea, thats a solid tone.
Like others had mentioned though... your tone is different to you while youre on stage. The best thing i ever did for my tone was borrow a wireless and walk out to the board during a soundcheck. Got to hear myself in the mix from the crowds perspective and adjusted my active pre accordingly. What I wound up with was NOT what I'd have chosen on my own.
Like others had mentioned though... your tone is different to you while youre on stage. The best thing i ever did for my tone was borrow a wireless and walk out to the board during a soundcheck. Got to hear myself in the mix from the crowds perspective and adjusted my active pre accordingly. What I wound up with was NOT what I'd have chosen on my own.
I use an Sansamp with great results, play with the knobs you'll find a little tweak goes a long ways. I have four different amp set ups and numerous different Basses and the sansamp works well in all situations.
