• 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.

Mesa M6 Carbine Mega Thread

Status
Not open for further replies.
#182
hey guys. I just bought a m6 and i have a decent cabinet. I also only own a p bass and i know that the carbine is more aggressive than most tubey amps. Do you guys know what would be the best tone levels on the amp for the p bass? Where should i keep the gain and the voice switches? I would like to get some growl and some deepness, but also want to keep the classic punch. Any suggestions?
 
#183
akane2 said:
hey guys. I just bought a m6 and i have a decent cabinet. I also only own a p bass and i know that the carbine is more aggressive than most tubey amps. Do you guys know what would be the best tone levels on the amp for the p bass? Where should i keep the gain and the voice switches? I would like to get some growl and some deepness, but also want to keep the classic punch. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Seriously.. use your ears. "if it sounds good, it is good"
Not trying to be a smart guy, but your gear including amp, instrument and cab can be pretty specific to what you like (preferred tone) and what will work for you in your band mix.

I don't have a carbine (yet) but I plan on trying one. I'd say start out flat with all the controls in their 'dedent' poistion then set your gain structure. Once you set the gain/volume you like then start playing and if you need to eq then proceed with the presets on the M6 and further with the adjustable eq section.

I'm sure one of these guys that have a carbine will chime in. Just don't forget it's your ears. Good luck, congrats, have fun dude. I'm jealous.
 
#184
akane2 said:
hey guys. I just bought a m6 and i have a decent cabinet. I also only own a p bass and i know that the carbine is more aggressive than most tubey amps. Do you guys know what would be the best tone levels on the amp for the p bass? Where should i keep the gain and the voice switches? I would like to get some growl and some deepness, but also want to keep the classic punch. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

That is a somewhat loaded question, as your personal preferences, playing style, and the tonal qualities of your related gear (bass and cab) will all have quite an impact. But, based upon your goal of adding some grit, I would try running the Gain fairly high and keep the Master fairly low. The harder you push the Gain, the harder you push the 12AX7, and while it does not get to buzz-saw distortion levels, you certainly can dial in some grit. I like that ability. :D :bassist: :cool:

Next, with your goal of getting a really deep sound, I would try engaging the Deep circuit (by pulling out the Bass knob). I'd try just these two things first, and see how that suits you. If it's still not getting you where you want to go, try playing with the different Voice options. I'm guessing Voice #4 will serve you well. Then, if you still need to fine tune, hit the EQ stack.

Hope this helps, Tom.
 
#185
akane2 said:
hey guys. I just bought a m6 and i have a decent cabinet. I also only own a p bass and i know that the carbine is more aggressive than most tubey amps. Do you guys know what would be the best tone levels on the amp for the p bass? Where should i keep the gain and the voice switches? I would like to get some growl and some deepness, but also want to keep the classic punch. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
What kind of cab do you have, and where (in relation to the pickups) do you play with your right hand (assuming you're right handed).
 
#187
akane2 said:
ummm... i have a behringer bb410 cab and i usually play more towards the neck, right between the p bass pups and the neck.
Click to expand...
Ok, that's a pretty full range cab, so nothing to compensate for there.

I'm going to offer a little counterpoint to Tom's suggestions.

I figure you're gonna' get good depth just from the type of bass you're playing and where you're playing in relation to the neck and bridge, so personally, I wouldn't think you'd need the deep function switched on.

Depending on what you mean by growl... that could be some "edge" or "grit" by driving the tube as Tom says, but it can also just mean a midrange peak in the EQ, but Tom covers both of those with voicing #4 which is a sharper midrange profile and his gain suggestion.

So I guess I pretty much agree with Tom except for maybe the deep function. I'd personally be kinda' careful with that one in a live situation... especially playing between the neck and the pickup where you get lotsa' low end anyway. I'd try just boosting the bass eq instead.

...IMHO... :)
 
#189
I have one of each. The 2x12 Fathom combo, and the Titan with a Powerhouse 4x12. They are very different amps. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison. I have found that I tend to use the Fathom (Carbine) with my active Conklin 7, and my Titan rig with my P-basses. I use the Carbine more for the jazz/funk stuff I do, and the Titan for metal/rock stuff.

I know they are completely interchangeable for everything I do but...

I am recording for the first time tomorrow with the Titan rig, then using both for separate gigs over the weekend. I will take notes and post a better comparison next week.
 
#190
Thunkinfunder said:
I have one of each. The 2x12 Fathom combo, and the Titan with a Powerhouse 4x12. They are very different amps. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison. I have found that I tend to use the Fathom (Carbine) with my active Conklin 7, and my Titan rig with my P-basses. I use the Carbine more for the jazz/funk stuff I do, and the Titan for metal/rock stuff.

I know they are completely interchangeable for everything I do but...

I am recording for the first time tomorrow with the Titan rig, then using both for separate gigs over the weekend. I will take notes and post a better comparison next week.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
#191
Thunkinfunder said:
I have one of each. The 2x12 Fathom combo, and the Titan with a Powerhouse 4x12. They are very different amps. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison. I have found that I tend to use the Fathom (Carbine) with my active Conklin 7, and my Titan rig with my P-basses. I use the Carbine more for the jazz/funk stuff I do, and the Titan for metal/rock stuff.

I know they are completely interchangeable for everything I do but...

I am recording for the first time tomorrow with the Titan rig, then using both for separate gigs over the weekend. I will take notes and post a better comparison next week.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid to try the carbine... I think I'd be tempted to get one.

Also, on another note, let me know how recording with the titan goes.
 
#192
Yeah, I love both amps. I had the same massive rig of 10's and 15's for more than 10 years. Probably closer to 12ish. When I heard the 2x12 combo, I knew I had been missing 12's since about 1986! After that, I had to go pick up the other stuff.

I still have a hard time calling the combo a Carbine. Mine is one of the original Fathoms.
 
#193
Thunkinfunder said:
Yeah, I love both amps. I had the same massive rig of 10's and 15's for more than 10 years. Probably closer to 12ish. When I heard the 2x12 combo, I knew I had been missing 12's since about 1986! After that, I had to go pick up the other stuff.

I still have a hard time calling the combo a Carbine. Mine is one of the original Fathoms.
Click to expand...
Care to characterize the amp diffs tho?
 
#195
KJung said:
...

I'm not a fan of tubes in pre's at all, and I LOVE this thing. It sounds more like my Markbass F1 with more power and low end than it does my old MPulse600.

... If, on the other had, you want punchy and clean but with no 'hi fi sterility', this head is definitely worth a look.

...
Click to expand...

Sounds like it would sound like my ideal amp.

[Thanks for the GAS.]

P.S. I just read the whole thread, so I'm late to the party.
I need to get out and listen to one.
 
#196
Tom B,

I know you're a busy man, but please add this to your list of combinations to check out when you can get around to it:
M6 into the original BMS stacked on top of an EX112ER.
Apprx. 2.67 ohm -- should have serious punch, very musical mids, and some great low end.

I would think it would sound great with the HS Bergs as well.
 
#197
lo-freq said:
Tom B,

I know you're a busy man, but please add this to your list of combinations to check out when you can get around to it:
M6 into the original BMS stacked on top of an EX112ER.
Apprx. 2.67 ohm -- should have serious punch, very musical mids, and some great low end.

I would think it would sound great with the HS Bergs as well.
Click to expand...

Ooh, that is a good suggestion! I bet that rig will rock hard! The midrange focus and punch of the BMS, the ridiculous low end of the ER, all driven by a quick, clean, clear, but harmonically rich M6??? Yessir, that outta sound good. :bassist:

Gimme some time to put out some other fires (pushing hard on finalizing issue #2, atm), and I'll report back. :cool:
 
#199
I tried the Fathom hooked up to the Powerhouse 2x12 and Powerhouse 1x15. I have gear I'm very happy with but when I heard that setup it was like, "That's it!!!!"

I'd want to try it with my Aguilar GS112s or a couple of Powerhouse 1x12s. If it sounds just as good I'm in trouble. ;)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back