the choices are daunting, it's like you need to throw a dart and try what it hits. But, boy does the store staff have a conniption fit.
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- Apr 20, 2009
- 2,620
- 4,666
- Disclosures
- Endorsements: your name could be here, Mr. Sadowsky!
Being from Sweden you should try out EBS stuff. I haven't played their amps and cabs but they seem to have a good reputation.
Yes, it will and is doing so right now.
It is certainly something you need to hear for yourself. Audition one.
Take a deep breath. Then another one.
Go to a store with lots of cabs. Take your bass, or pull one like it off the wall, pick a head and try out all the cabs. Do this until you have exhausted every cab you can try in your geographical area. Do not restrict yourself to only what is in your budget! If you have to save more to get "the one" then do it, unless you absolutely need it immediately (in my experience this is never the case unless your house just burned to the ground).
One you have chosen the cab, buy it and take it back to the same stores until you have tried all the heads with it. Again, regardless of price.
Buy the head you like.
Do not worry about boutique gear you can't try out before buying. Do not worry about handwiring or tube vs. transistor vs. class D. Use your ears, not your eyes.
This has worked succesfully for a lot of players for a loooooong time.
Or listen to people here long enough who will eventually recommend every bass amp that has very been made since the original Bassman in 1951
Go to a store with lots of cabs. Take your bass, or pull one like it off the wall, pick a head and try out all the cabs. Do this until you have exhausted every cab you can try in your geographical area. Do not restrict yourself to only what is in your budget! If you have to save more to get "the one" then do it, unless you absolutely need it immediately (in my experience this is never the case unless your house just burned to the ground).
One you have chosen the cab, buy it and take it back to the same stores until you have tried all the heads with it. Again, regardless of price.
Buy the head you like.
Do not worry about boutique gear you can't try out before buying. Do not worry about handwiring or tube vs. transistor vs. class D. Use your ears, not your eyes.
This has worked succesfully for a lot of players for a loooooong time.
Or listen to people here long enough who will eventually recommend every bass amp that has very been made since the original Bassman in 1951
I agree a lot of demos online you can check out, put together some choices than see if you can try them out in a local store, although they aren't going to let you crank it up unless they have a seperate demo room. But that is the best I can add good luck.
In the olden days, we’d drive to a store, often at inconvenience to ourselves. We’d try the available amps and pick one. It still works. 
If weight is no issue, look for a used ampeg svt. People are getting rid of them all the time now with the lighter options out there on the market. I got my VR for $1300 CAD, they retail for $2799...
I had an opportunity to play through a couple of EBS combos ... if I recall correctly, their Heritage series. At the time, I was very impressed. The tone was similar to my Tonehammer 350.
I just looked that one up. Never have saw it before - or at least paid any attention to it before.
"Lets talk about my favorite pre set The Rockin' peg (Ampeg). When I first heard it, it was scary close to the original, because it had a punch and a clarity and a definition that I like out of a bass sound." -Freddy Washington on the Rumble 800 video 3:34-3:55.Pay attention. Pay close attention.
So the Rumble sounds best when imitating other rigs?
He talked about a lot of "Great Iconic Amp Sounds", I did not hear him talk much about the Iconic Rumble Sound preset as a selling point.
I have found that the GK 700rb/800rb's are always good options.
I personally run GK 400rb as a backup amp and its a great. It is super easy to use as well. My main amp though is a Carvin BX500, just a killer amp. I am still working out all the sounds I can get out of it but I love it.
I personally run GK 400rb as a backup amp and its a great. It is super easy to use as well. My main amp though is a Carvin BX500, just a killer amp. I am still working out all the sounds I can get out of it but I love it.
Yes, this is marketing at its finest. It is targeted towards those not already in the Fender fold. It also showcases the amp's extreme versatility. If you look in the owner's manual you'll see 8 iconic Fender bass amps are modeled to include V2 & V3 Rumbles. Also for those that desire pure clean transparency of tone that is also available with the studio pre-amps. The ICE Power amp is totally transparent, and the newly designed speakers are Hi-Fi. This amp is going to completely change the bass amp market as we know it today.
If you're not digging the Rumble, then the Tone Hammer and Mesa Boogie Subway D800 are my suggestions, with a lean toward the Boogie, IMHO.
I started with an Ampeg svp pro. Stuck with that (25 years) and built on it. Wound up with a 15 cab, 2 10s cab (w/horn), & a 2x500 Watt class D power amp. It's a versatile system. Can go small or large. Found my sound. Was a journey, though. Before the days of Youtube. Don't think I trust that site enuf to make a purchase decision based on what I see and hear there. It's always been hands on for me.
I would look at all of the killer bass gear made in Europe. You pay a heavy premium on the US made stuff.
EBS / Fafner is a good place to start. Barefaced, Warwick, and Markbass are all contenders. Many bassists use a stompbox to add tube-like grit or drive to their sound and use clean, full range rigs to amplify that tone.
There is another high-end bass amp maker that I cannot recall, I think based out of The Netherlands.
EBS / Fafner is a good place to start. Barefaced, Warwick, and Markbass are all contenders. Many bassists use a stompbox to add tube-like grit or drive to their sound and use clean, full range rigs to amplify that tone.
There is another high-end bass amp maker that I cannot recall, I think based out of The Netherlands.
I used to play through an Orange Matamp (I'm old), and the sound is tough to emulate.
However, my last live rig had a Tech21 RPM + Power Amp in a 4U rack.
All the power (and cab resistance flexibility, more EQ options, right amount of 'tube' sound, less than a third of the weight, much lower cost, more reliable, all the tonal options you'd need for the music you're playing.
YMMV.
However, my last live rig had a Tech21 RPM + Power Amp in a 4U rack.
All the power (and cab resistance flexibility, more EQ options, right amount of 'tube' sound, less than a third of the weight, much lower cost, more reliable, all the tonal options you'd need for the music you're playing.
YMMV.
