Jazz Gear

[junglebike]

Ya, that's what I thought last year before I remembered I was a man

So *that's* why my panties have been so ill-fitting of late...

Hey, if you love the tone of an upright through a tube amp, more power to you! I'm not talking about "distortion" per se, as in tube overdrive, but rather trueness to the unamplified tone of an upright. If the objective is to make your bass sound like your bass but louder, I hold that solid state is probably the way forward. But if it sounds awesome, it sounds awesome, end of story. Lots of straight ahead jazz guys are pretty particular about wanting a more traditional tone, though, which is typically solid state. Even in the '60's, when ss amps sucked relatively speaking, jazz bassists were using Polytones and the like for the most part over the electric bass amps of the day. But again, whatever floats your boat...

 

[rdmjazz]

I use a Markbass Mini CMD121P and I add an Avatar 210 when needed.

 

[Red Planet]

Interceptor


Aint nothing wrong with your Bassman at all and Tubes is good. That being said there are a number of guys using the MB LMII and lovin them so I wouldnt count them out.

Also for cabs I have just recenlty become a convert to the Lightweight thang.

For the Big Bottom Booty I suggest the SWR Golight 1x15 Cab, and for the "in your face tight" I like the SWR Golight 2x10. I have one of each and they are such a joy to pickup and carry.

The 15 weighs 45 lbs and the 2x10 is 34. I can pick up my 2x10 with one finger rapped around the handle and I love it.


And last but not least my Son lives up dair where you do. Cool.

 

[JimmyM]

So *that's* why my panties have been so ill-fitting of late...

Hey, if you love the tone of an upright through a tube amp, more power to you! I'm not talking about "distortion" per se, as in tube overdrive, but rather trueness to the unamplified tone of an upright. If the objective is to make your bass sound like your bass but louder, I hold that solid state is probably the way forward. But if it sounds awesome, it sounds awesome, end of story. Lots of straight ahead jazz guys are pretty particular about wanting a more traditional tone, though, which is typically solid state. Even in the '60's, when ss amps sucked relatively speaking, jazz bassists were using Polytones and the like for the most part over the electric bass amps of the day. But again, whatever floats your boat...

Ya, exactly. There's a million amps out there and almost none of them suck. And even if they suck, somebody likes them

 

[FFTT]

I have no personal experience with Neos, but making your current cab lighter
may be a good compromise. The heft in your rig right now is the speakers.

For sheer tone you've got a great amp, but may not want to
take it one the road considering the age.

I'm certain you would love the new Reeves 225,
but that's 61 pounds. Not too bad even for a geezer like me.


Once you are used to a big full sound everything is a compromise
when you are forced to downsize.

I'm thinking single 15" too, but wondering if I'll really be happy
with the tone.

 

[Interceptor]

I have no personal experience with Neos, but making your current cab lighter
may be a good compromise. The heft in your rig right now is the speakers.

For sheer tone you've got a great amp, but may not want to
take it one the road considering the age.

I'm certain you would love the new Reeves 225,
but that's 61 pounds. Not too bad even for a geezer like me.


Once you are used to a big full sound everything is a compromise
when you are forced to downsize.

I'm thinking single 15" too, but wondering if I'll really be happy
with the tone.

This is exactly the corner I've gotten myself into. The current rig sounds great. The rationalization I use regarding hauling an old piece onto a stage is the Neil Young insight; better to burn out than fade away. I do use one of the 15s for lower volume jobs and still love the tone.

I'm going to try and get to the local Genz Benz dealer today to see if the shuttle resonates with me.

 

[Interceptor]

OK, so I took Jimmy's advice. I know, that's pretty scary.

Picked up a lighter cabinet (an Epifani T-112) and used the Bassman tonight for a low volume jazz jam. Used a J bass with flats. The whole thing worked very well, the tone sat in the mix perfectly, and I had boatloads of headroom left. Big fat, thick sound. One of those odd pairings that really works in the real world. The Bassman looked sort of funny perched on the little Epi, but man did it sound right.

My brain really hurts from a night of Real Book, the 'ol processor got cranked to 11. I'll be spending some time in the woodshed.

I do have a very fine SS head on its way here. I hope it sounds as good.