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Guitard voicing his opinions on next amp purchase
- Thread starter totallybacan
- Start date
for what it's worth Im playing a GK 700 RBII through a Fender proseries 4-10 slant cab. It has an attenuated tweeter and the low end is enough to knock the signs off a wall in the local watering hole. overall it's been a great cab head combo, imho. I have been complimented more than a few times on the tone of my rig. I also use a GL sig jazz bass
I wouldn't let a guitar player/band leader tell me what gear to buy/use. He can tell me what tone he wants and leave it to me figure that out, but it's been my experience that most guitards don't know bass gear as well as they think.
+1million
Doesnt matter what he wants from your rig. Unless he is paying for it, he has no say in the matter (he may be just offering suggestions). Even if its his band and he is paying you to be there, still doesnt matter if he doesnt pay for the rig itself. Get what you think sounds best.
I'm probably not getting the dynamic here - maybe this is how you feed yourself - but "so what?" You're the one spending the money, you're the one playing with and through your rig.
I can definitely see the positives of having his POV, but "authority?"
You may also want to point out to him that the diameter of a speaker has very little impact on the voicing of the cabinet. I've got a 215 which is clear and has the highest crispest highs, and an 810 which is much warmer sounding (for instance).
Yep that Steve Harris guy in that little band called Iron Maiden runs flatwound strings and 12 inch cabs and everyone knows you can't hear him at all. Ask around, that guy doesn't influence anyone.
Can I be more sarcastic.
Any cab, if you EQ like crap, will sound like mud.
Jim
I have a little different viewpoint. There are bands I've played in where I wanted to use a different bass than what they liked, but I used the bass they liked because ultimately I think they were right. So while I wouldn't just go along blindly with them, I'd take their input to heart.
In this case, though, if the guitarist thinks a new Ampeg 810 is going to have more high end than your average 15" or 12" cab, he's dead wrong. An older one will, most definitely, but not any from about 2001 to now. Ampeg claims 5k, but the Eminence speakers they use claim only 4k, and in reality, it sounds more like 2k.
In this case, though, if the guitarist thinks a new Ampeg 810 is going to have more high end than your average 15" or 12" cab, he's dead wrong. An older one will, most definitely, but not any from about 2001 to now. Ampeg claims 5k, but the Eminence speakers they use claim only 4k, and in reality, it sounds more like 2k.
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
Yes, get the 8 ohm version, which by itself with the Fusion would be getting roughly 300 watts (but they are GK watts...lol). Trust me, I was worried about the amount of volume too, but this cab is a monster. I also have a Neo 410, and volume-wise, they're about even. I am a huge believer in GK Neo 12's, if you can't tell...lol. They are really good, IMO.
Like others have said here, don't let someone dictate what you buy, unless he's paying you, and paying you WELL. Then, let him buy what he wants you to play through and be happy. If you're spending your cash, get what you want.
NicJimBass
Flossin'? I thought your name was Munson!
Quite true. I thought my Neo 410 was a bit muddy, but it ended up being an EQ issue.
The Neo 212's haven't ever sounded muddy to me, no matter what EQ'ing I've done.
That's reasonable. I have a bit of a problem that the guitarist has "authority" over the purchase, however, unless he's spending the money.
I'd show up at his house with a bunch of PRS and Marshall catalogs and tell the guitarist that a $6,000 PRS through a $6,000 Marshall head through two 4x12's is the only way to go. I bet he'd butt out.
You should tell him that his 4x12" Mesa rig isn't really good for guitar, and it's closer to being a bass rig and that if he wants to be a real guitarist - he really needs to get a Fender 2x10" combo.
If he does what you ask, then by all means let him pick what bass cabinets you go with. If not - go ahead and make your own decision.
If he does what you ask, then by all means let him pick what bass cabinets you go with. If not - go ahead and make your own decision.
Another thing to consider, is that your new cabinet(s) very well may be around than this band you're playing with.
If/when the band breaks up, and you take your rig home, do you think you'd be happier if you had the rig you wanted, or the rig your old guitarist wanted you to have?
If/when the band breaks up, and you take your rig home, do you think you'd be happier if you had the rig you wanted, or the rig your old guitarist wanted you to have?
Really? Unless the band leader BUYS the equipment for me with HIS money, his authority ended there.
It really depends on how the band dynamics work. If you get payed 1k a night working for a known act, and the band leader asks you to use a tube amp, you might be more inclined to say yes than if you are in a local act playing small venues.
Even if it is his band, it's not his money to spend. I'd still take into consideration his desire for a certain tone/vibe or just for logistics (try arriving with a combo do a death metal rehearsal or two 810 for an accoustic project), but at the end of the day, you are the one buying this stuff.
Ps: Your guitarist also doesn't know A from B when it comes to bass amplification. Speaker size has very little to do with the sound, apart from broad generalization based on myths, misconceptions and manufacturing methods from the 60's and 70's (ie. 15" are deeper and talk slower, while 10" are brighter).
Even if it is his band, it's not his money to spend. I'd still take into consideration his desire for a certain tone/vibe or just for logistics (try arriving with a combo do a death metal rehearsal or two 810 for an accoustic project), but at the end of the day, you are the one buying this stuff.
Ps: Your guitarist also doesn't know A from B when it comes to bass amplification. Speaker size has very little to do with the sound, apart from broad generalization based on myths, misconceptions and manufacturing methods from the 60's and 70's (ie. 15" are deeper and talk slower, while 10" are brighter).
