• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

I just don't know what to do... advice needed

lanceropolis

lanceropolis

Mar 10, 2009
247
2
So. Cal
#1
I started with an Aguilar db750, and it just didn't ring my bell. I moved to an Ampeg svt-4 pro, and the same thing... Any advice on what to move on next? I play a wide range of styles, from rock to jazz and everything in between... I just feel so lost...

Thanks for the advice.

lance
 
#2
What do you want to accomplish tonally, in one paragraph or less, without using the words "grind" "growl" or "round"?

Preliminary suggestion:
1) Try a high powered tube head, like a Mesa 400+ or Fender 300 Pro, or SVT-CL
2) Get an EQ pedal like a BBE Sonic Stomp or a Boss GEB-7 and set that up to allow you to quickly alternate styles
3) Consider a distortion pedal and dial in a light distortion with mid-forward sound so you can easily swap to a "rock" tone (I use an MXR M80 with the mids cranked for this, sometimes).
 
#4
1) Try a high powered tube head, like a Mesa 400+ or Fender 300 Pro, or SVT-CL - I will try these. I am trying to stay rackmountable so it can fit with my current setup.

2) Get an EQ pedal like a BBE Sonic Stomp or a Boss GEB-7 and set that up to allow you to quickly alternate styles - Great idea. I have also toyed with the idea of just getting a pre. I have room in my rack for one more unit, so it seems logical... I just don't want to turn into a nerd... ;) Ooops... too late. lol

3) Consider a distortion pedal and dial in a light distortion with mid-forward sound so you can easily swap to a "rock" tone (I use an MXR M80 with the mids cranked for this, sometimes).Great idea. I will check out this pedal. Always love to hear new tones.
 
#5
Vakmere said:
Is it the amp or you? Without posting an endless list of amp brands and the wide range of styles you play, how well you play them and the bass you use, how much money you have to experiment with, there may be no all-in-one answer.
Click to expand...

I appreciated this a lot. I have to say, at this point I do not believe it is me. I am competent on the bass, and at this point am chasing tone. I have something in my head, that while it may not be attainable, I feel I need to chase. I am just looking for versatility with a common warmth and tone to it. I don't know if that makes any sense... Hopefully it does. Again, I really appreciated this. Always good to check yourself. :)
 
#6
rpsands said:
What do you want to accomplish tonally, in one paragraph or less, without using the words "grind" "growl" or "round"?
Click to expand...

Now to answer this... I am looking for a nice round warm pallete to use for all my tones that I probably could achieve with help from say the distortion pedal you mentioned and other effects. I am not big into effects, but I believe that they are sometimes necessary, and am very open to new sounds.
 
#7
A nice versatile preamp might be up your alley but it sounds like if you're really playing all those styles your key will be to get something with a nice usable tone and then get pedals in front of it (or footswitchable stuff).

The Genz amps tend to have lots of footswitchable functions which is another good option (GBE-1200 would be a good pick).

Pre/Power works for sure but again if you want to be versatile you are not going to want to be tweaking all the time. Having a couple pedals for style-switching is going to be key. It is for me.

I basically use a nice plain amp (GK 1001 RB II / EA 800) with an MXR M80 with a big mid scoop and a little bass boost + tube sim (for Sublime sounds), most of the time. Sometimes I set the MXR up for a heavier rock sound but lately I've been using much more aggressive strings that do that on their own.
 
#8
lanceropolis said:
Now to answer this... I am looking for a nice round warm pallete to use for all my tones that I probably could achieve with help from say the distortion pedal you mentioned and other effects. I am not big into effects, but I believe that they are sometimes necessary, and am very open to new sounds.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I should have banned the word "warm" too ;)

I would say you could get that from a VT Bass pedal into a nice pre/power rig, but you could also get a Mesa 400+ and footswitch the EQ for style switching.
 
#11
lanceropolis said:
bergantino nv412. Maybe this has been the problem, but I do love the cab... I might just add a 210 to it, and maybe that would solve everything... great question.
Click to expand...

No, adding a 2x10 to your Berg 4x12 will not solve anything. Definitely a bad idea :)

I think you're fine in the cabinet dept. Lots of people do not get along with the 4pro or the Aguilar db750. Both heavy and loud but not amazingly flexible from what I have read.

I am thinking a tube amp might be your tone nirvana :)
 
#12
lanceropolis said:
I appreciated this a lot. I have to say, at this point I do not believe it is me. I am competent on the bass, and at this point am chasing tone. I have something in my head, that while it may not be attainable, I feel I need to chase. I am just looking for versatility with a common warmth and tone to it. I don't know if that makes any sense... Hopefully it does. Again, I really appreciated this. Always good to check yourself. :)
Click to expand...

The search for "that sound" has begun. Could take a while however when you find it will it end there? :D:D Perhaps I should have clearified the "is it you" part. I meant are we ever really satisfied with 'that' sound we all search for? No doubt you are competent, I know I have the sound I've been wanting to hear but keep asking myself, is there more? :hmm:
 
#13
Vakmere said:
The search for "that sound" has begun. Could take a while however when you find it will it end there? :D:D Perhaps I should have clearified the "is it you" part. I meant are we ever really satisfied with 'that' sound we all search for? No doubt you are competent, I know I have the sound I've been wanting to hear but keep asking myself, is there more? :hmm:
Click to expand...

lol, yeah... I knew that I was knocking on this door when I started looking in earnest. But honestly, it was a good question of introspection as well. I think we all need questions like that from people that make us think. No, it will not end. lol. I am just looking for a strong base to start at.
 
#14
Well, an NV412 is an awesome cab, so that shoots down my theory. I was hoping you were going to respond with something like, , oh, you know, a crappy speaker cab. But no, that NV412 is NOT the problem. I'd have to agree with rpsands, try a big honkin' tube amp. Mesa 400+ is a great starting point. And, good luck in your quest.
 
#15
Go the power/preamp route if you don't mind carting the extra baggage. It is cheaper/easier to swap out the preamp than an entire amp. Once you've figured out what preamp you dig, then it should be simpler to find a head that mimics that tone. Less shooting in the dark.
 
#16
You mentioned staying rack-mounted, so if you're looking to try the all-tube route, the Mesa 400+ or Ampeg SVT-II Pro might be a good call.

A pre-amp might also be a viable option. If the all-tube Ampeg SVT sound is something that appeals to you, a SansAmp RBI might be a reasonable rack-mountable answer.

Since you've already shot down a couple of really outstanding amps, I suspect your tone quest is going to be a lengthy - and expensive - one. Happy hunting! :)
 
#17
Oddly enough I talked to one of my buddies (who happens to work at a music store) and he said, "now I know what I am going to tell you is going to be something that you are going to mock at first, but have you tried the Mesa Boogie M6 Carbine?" I said no, and then I decided to go check it out. I have preconceived notions about Mesa, just being from the day when Mesa only put out HEAVY metal amps, and the tone wasn't that round. I expected him to recant when I told him that I just want a good platform to build off of. His response "Lance, you are going to love this amp."

So I headed down. Played it. And as you have guessed will be picking it up when my new one arrives... Who'd have thought... It sounds amazing!
 
#18
The M6 is an amazing amp. It's definitely NOT "round" but honestly listening to it changed the way I think of tone a bit and made me like that mid-heavy sound a little, at least in some fashion. Kinda weird but I find myself adding more mids lately than I used to. Could be the 15/6 too though :)

I would suggest heartily that you roll your 412 down to try it out before you buy one though. I tried it with the Mesa 4x10 and would bet that is a portion of the sound.
 
#19
rpsands said:
The M6 is an amazing amp. It's definitely NOT "round" but honestly listening to it changed the way I think of tone a bit and made me like that mid-heavy sound a little, at least in some fashion. Kinda weird but I find myself adding more mids lately than I used to. Could be the 15/6 too though :)

I would suggest heartily that you roll your 412 down to try it out before you buy one though. I tried it with the Mesa 4x10 and would bet that is a portion of the sound.
Click to expand...

I agree. I am going to head down there and play it through the 412 with my basses to make absolutely sure. I am pretty confident, but if I like it with all my gear, I'm definitely gonna get it.
 
#20
As a follow up to this, I played my new m6 last night at an outdoor gig. I set the gain to about 8 oclock, and then just squeaked up the main volume, and it was perfect. I was running through my nv412, and playing my triumph. I finally feel like I am at home with an amp.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back