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How attached are you to your amp?

#141
I'm attached to my oldest amp - my 1999 SWR Workingman's 12 combo and the companion 1x10 extension cab - because it was my first 'rig' that has been with me since my first semester of college. It still works, and I could gig with it all tomorrow if I wanted to. I have newer amps that are lighter and more powerful, but I always sound like myself no matter what the amp is. A lot of that discipline comes from playing upright, and knowing what needs to be tweaked right off the bat after decades of developing my ear for EQ adjustments. If an amp allows me to get my sound (or a version of it) more easily than another model, then I may favor it. BUT - I could go without an amp and be just fine (electric or upright) because I've gigged so much just going direct, or mic'ed in the case of the upright. I always encourage everyone to spend time listening to their bass (and their full setup of pedals, etc) going into a DAW direct in a studio setting (and in headphones) so you know exactly what it all sounds like on a detailed level without an amp in the mix.
 
#142
BienBajo said:
There's no sentimental attachment for me but I like what I like (pre-Fender SWR's), so I have kept them in good repair and they have served me well for over 25 years. I'll keep lugging them around for as long as I can.
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My Bass 350 will be 34 years with me this year, but I think it is actually a 1989. I don't even take care of it that much and other people use it as well, a lot since the start of COVID and loud. But it is in one place and never moved. It did not get used much (I used a GK combo then) when the kids were growing up 2001 to 2012 - mild use 2012 to 2019 and now about 40 weeks a year 2-3 times a week as a rehearsal space amp. The other 2 bands are loud. I replaced the input jack is all and de-oxit the faders are output jacks when needed. It does run hot.
 
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#143
PXL_20221113_232240822.jpg


I dreamed of owning my current setup (TH500 with two SL112 cabs) for YEARS. One day after not feeling fully happy with what I was using, I just decided to sell it all to get this. I have never felt so happy with an amp as I do with this. The only thing I would ever want to do is move to the 700 watt version and get more cabs of various configurations if the gigs permitted such a thing.
 
#144
I absolutely love my rig (Genzler Magellan 800 into one or two AudioKinesis Hathor 1203 cabs) and try to use it whenever I can, but as long as I have either my 76 P with flats or 73 J with rounds into my Sushi Box Finally Tube DI I feel like I'm getting "my tone."

I love that DI so much that I own two of them - a version 1 on a smaller board along with a Turbo Tuner and a Rolls headphone amp and a version 2 on my larger effects board. The smaller board gets stored in a Mono Tick bag attached to my case and comes absolutely everywhere with me.
 
#146
I like my current setup a lot. FWIW TT head and either 1 or preferably 2 12” Subway or a 212 that’s physically smaller from another brand. And if aliens abducted my amp I’d find another. It sounds how I like but I’ve found most amps I use eventually sound like me.
I love my amp but I could use a different one if I needed to without worry.

Now my old tour rig, 2 (yes two) 2X15 ported cabs stacked with (you know it!!!) 2 4X12 sealed with a pair of Yamaha PB1 and other goodies and a heap of lead sled power amps, that is a rig I miss having 15’ behind me.
 
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#147
My amps play no part in my sound: it's all DI bass from my processor.......my amps just serve a function as my personal monitor......that being said, I do prefer to have a little air moving to monitor myself instead of phones/buds
 
#152
abarson said:
My practice combo is uninspiring but adequate.
Whenever I set up the bigger rig for practice or jams I get reminded anew what a good setup it really is. I still grumble about the weight of the Acme B2, but it just has "that sound".
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My Acme B2 agrees. It just has a sound I can't get anywhere else. I have a nice 212 cab too, but it's just not the same. I love gigging with the B2 though. It prompts so many questions and good conversations with other players about the wall of sound coming from that little box.
 
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#153
Because I want to be as portable as possible, and that it's a kick ass bass amp, I'm totally attached to my Phil Jones Double Four with laptop battery, so much so, I have two, which when patched together makes a 4x4 140w rig. But when we play a large outdoor gig, I'm also attached to my combo Carvin MB15 200w with 400w 15" neo speaker, plus I have a matching 115MBE cabinet, making 250w, for a fairly compact and reasonably light rig.
 
#154
ItsmeSantiago said:
How attached are you to your amp?
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A lot. Bought my Trace Elliot combo w 15 used, almost three decades ago. It's the only rig I've kept.

Took it to a studio gig about 20 years ago and the engineer/producer was blown away by the tones. He owns a David Allen and conceded the Trace gives better. Not being an engineer, I accepted his word.

How integral is it to your overall desire to play?
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Not at all.

I prefer practicing ampless. It forces me to make every note count.

Been using a B15 in a studio for the past year and am surprised I'm digging the sound of tubes and an Ampeg 810.
 
#155
logdrum said:
My Bass 350 will be 34 years with me this year, but I think it is actually a 1989. I don't even take care of it that much and other people use it as well, a lot since the start of COVID and loud. But it is in one place and never moved. It did not get used much (I used a GK combo then) when the kids were growing up 2001 to 2012 - mild use 2012 to 2019 and now about 40 weeks a year 2-3 times a week as a rehearsal space amp. The other 2 bands are loud. I replaced the input jack is all and de-oxit the faders are output jacks when needed. It does run hot.
Click to expand...

I've had a Bass350 almost continuously since 2000, though I foolishly sold my first one (the Basic 350) and then bought another almost immediately when I realized the error of my ways. It's sitting here next to me on top of my favorite Trickfish SM112 cab.

Before that, I had a Studio 220 for a couple years, so I've been using early SWRs for 25+ years.
 
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