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Head+Cab(s) that can handle a very hot signal

ThunderGoose

ThunderGoose

Guest
Aug 7, 2013
4
0
#1
Hi all! I'll try to keep this brief.

I currently use a Hartke VX 3500 combo -- it gets loudish, but I really hate hate hate the tone and size and weight, and I'm looking to upgrade, ideally to a lightweight head/cab setup. Furthermore, I tend to put out a very hot signal; I like a gain-y sound, I like to dig in, and with my band I frequently use at least one dirt pedal, and I often use a bass wah pedal with the distortion pedals to get some cool-sounding (to me at least) sweeps. Thing is, my current combo (and some other rigs I've used with other bands) really can't handle it at the volume I need to compete with the guitar players and drummer in the group; the speakers in the hartke, especially the tweeter (it sounds like), crap out real fast when the distortion and wah kick in.

I know having some compression in effect somewhere in the pedal chain or on the head will help control the issue, but frankly, I don't like compression, and I'm hoping to avoid having to use it.

So basically what I'm after is a head+cab(s) rig that can handle a lot of heat on the way in and provide some good dirt and growl from the speakers on the way out, without clipping, and without having to implement any (or much) compression.

On the head side, I've been looking at the Markbass Little Mark III/Rocker as well as the Aguilar Tone Hammer: I like the portability, guts, and simplicity (not into parametric EQs) that they apparently offer, and the price range, but feel free to recommend anything!

Sorry for the lengthy post; I'm newish to the forums and my gear knowledge is limited so any and all advice is very welcome. Thanks!
 
#2
How hot is hot?

Most any amp will handle the signal from most any bass. If you're running pedals purposely hot to get some tone, that is coming from the pedals sending a strong signal and clipping the amps preamp/input section.

That's why they make gain/input volume knobs on amps. Some even have switches or different jacks to plug in that pad (knock down) the incoming signal, but it usually sounds better to use the regular input and just adjust the gain knob as necessary.

If you really didn't like the tone of your combo, it could've been an issue with your gain structure rather than the relative goodness or crappyness of the amp.
 
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#3
You sir are a candidate for our Preamp / Power Amp program with the Full Range Flat Response cab option.

Example:

IMG_2743.jpg


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add the 3-way xover mod.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/m21ynd2v...T4bMa/fEARful 3-way Crossovers 2013-11-29.pdf
 
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#4
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#5
I suggest a fEARful 15/6/1 (~55-65 lbs) and a GK MB800 (~4.0 lbs). The MB800 has a good 10db attenuation for the active input. EQ is non-parametric. All the basic features are there, including a DI, tuner out, effects loop, and even a head phone jack. 800 watts into 4 ohms.


Lose over 30 lbs, gain audio power, and wow, is it EVER going to let you hear what you are doing!
 
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#6
didn't want to be the guy who says get a fearful to every post but err... ya what they said, get a fearfull.. I love burton style distortion and wha and my mb800/ fearful 1212/6/1 just eats it up and blasts it back out like a 10,000lb gorilla without flinching. the mb800 is a tiny beast 002.JPG and the fearful cabs are the perfect mouthpiece
I like the 1212 over the 15 since its only about 15lb's more weight and it's taller so tilt back wheels and a top handle make it easy to move
 
#7
I think the first thing you should do is spend some time learning about and tweaking the gain staging. From your description, it sounds like you're using a series of pedals which all increase the signal along the way. If you're sending too hot of a signal to the preamp, it's not going to sound good.

Once you're getting a good signal to the preamp, then you can think about overall volume, which is a different thing altogether.
 
#10
Honestly, you'll probably find several opinions on here regarding the best speaker setup to go with. I'm starting to like full range speakers more than woofer + tweeter setup when it comes to distortion and such. If I just want tubesque grind or super mild overdrive, then tweeters aren't always bad. If you want to break out fuzz or something along those lines, I find it's best to turn the tweeter off.
 
#11
will33 said:
How hot is hot?

Most any amp will handle the signal from most any bass. If you're running pedals purposely hot to get some tone, that is coming from the pedals sending a strong signal and clipping the amps preamp/input section.

That's why they make gain/input volume knobs on amps. Some even have switches or different jacks to plug in that pad (knock down) the incoming signal, but it usually sounds better to use the regular input and just adjust the gain knob as necessary.

If you really didn't like the tone of your combo, it could've been an issue with your gain structure rather than the relative goodness or crappyness of the amp.
Click to expand...

I'd start here. If you can verify that the poor sound is a result of insufficient speaker and not killing your input with gain then the fearful is an excellent path to take.
 
#12
a gk rb2001 would be another option for the head it has a built in biamp system with a separate amp for the horns crossed over at 5khz(same as in a fearful cbg crosover) and a built in distortion channel that shuts off the horns when you switch it on but still sends a full range signal to the drivers (listen to the beginning of H by tool for a sound clip)
I only know of gk and some mesa cabs that are setup to use it but im building a fearful 12/6/1 cube right now that will be setup to work with the gk biamp system in my rb700II but my dream rig is a rb2001 and 2 1212/6/1 cabs
 

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