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Looking for THAT tone - ampeg 8x10

B

bottomfeeder333

Feb 28, 2009
12
0
The Sunshine Shate
www.myspace.com
#1
So, I just picked this bad boy up for 700 bucks used. He said he bought it back in the 90's for 1400 when ampeg was still making "amazing equipment". I've only been playing bass for 3 years, and more recently i'm getting into the tone grind.

I think i know what I want, but i'm still learning. I'm always learning. Anyway, I need a head to power this bad boy. I like deep and thick tone with a good amount of punch. Treble is nice, but not quite as import to me.

Bassist tone whom i love are:

Justin Chancellor
Geddy Lee
Tim Commerford
Chris Wolstenholme
Flea

Now, I know that tone comes from the bass, cable, amp, cab, and effects all in between. But I'm basically asking for a good amp to match with this that's going to really push this baby.

Thanks so much!

First Post :hyper:
 
#18
I do like the suggestion earlier about a GK head and then add a VT Bass pedal for the ampeg tones when you want them. I get all kinds of ampeg goodness from that pedal. The GK heads are very nice.

You can never go wrong with a real SVT, though. It will cost more, however.
 
#20
bottomfeeder333 said:
My budget is as little as possible.

With that said, I'm willing to spend up to 2500 on an amplifier. I prefer tube.

Does GK make a tube amp? I"m going to research these models you've given me so far.

Thanks =)
Click to expand...

With bass amps as with most anything, generally you do in fact "get what you pay for"...
You can emulate a tube amp with effects through transistors, and it can sound cool, but it sounds and reacts in the real world like effects through transistors, not at all like the dynamics of a living, breathing all tube amplifier.
More portable and decidedly cheaper (in every sense of the word), but not the same.

$2500 opens a lot of doors in the bass amp world. It’s hard to go wrong with a SVT, pretty much the yardstick by which big tube amps are generally measured. There is a good reason you see see so many SVT’s in use by pro’s, they are excellent amps.
A lot of people love the Orange AD200. Nice amp, but a little “soft” for my tastes, great grindy rock tone but it runs out of gas a little quick IMO. I’ve never got one to do Hi-Fi clean for me at any setting, just not a bunch of headroom for a tube amp rated @ 200 watts. It is what it is; real nice amp, very “tubey” tone with a very loyal following.
You can even step up into the “boutique” handwired realm for that kind of money. I’ve never heard the Divided by 13 bass amps, but I’m certain that it’s an exceptional piece of gear, same with the 65 Amps “Kings Head”. Either of these would probably push $400-$500 beyond your $2500 budget though.
I have a Reeves Custom 225 ($2499), exceptional craftsmanship, extremely strong, as powerful as a SVT for all intent and purposes, 20-odd lbs. lighter than the big Ampeg. Different tone; it’s cleaner than the SVT, gobs of headroom, more tight clean bottom end than most players will ever use/need. You need to back up the master volume to get any real grind at less than arena SPL’s, but you can dial in that tubey growl at will at any level.
Good luck! I’m jealous, I wish I was on a $2500 amp quest myself!
 

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