Modern Amp - 70s Soul/R&B Sound

[Vinyl Richie]

I've recently transitioned from punk into the buttery goodness of Yacht Rock, and am really loving the bass sounds on those records. Bands like Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers etc.

In researching how to get a sound similar to that, I've seen a lot of posts about basses, flatwound strings and all that goodness. When it comes to amps though, I mostly see people talking about an ampeg b15 being the OG and the best. Which I would love to get, but it doesn't seem practical for me right now.

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for an amp and cabinet that would compliment this kind of sound, but that are not vintage and must be found second hand, but rather something that would be able to be picked up at a music store. I'd be looking to spend anywhere from $1000 to $3000.

I'm playing a fairly new Fender Jazz USA, flatwounds, stock pickups.

 

[guy n. cognito]

The Subway D-800 does a great job with vintage tones.

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Oh cool - haven't heard of that one, thanks guy.

 

[Alivefor5]

Heh, Yacht rock. Great title for a sub genre. XM radio had a Yacht rock channel last summer. Those tunes were fun to listen to again.

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Yep it's really fun stuff, loving playing it.

Still keen to know some modern gear though that would suit this sound - anyone out there have some leads?

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

I use a Jazz with flats and I'm a big fan of my Aguilar TH500 for old school tones.

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Thanks mcrawfordmusic.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Walkabout 12 on top of the Subways 15 is SMOOOOOTH!!!

 

[npbassman]

I'm doing a lot of yacht rock these days and my setup is: LB-100 w/cobalt flats > VTDI > Genzler MG800 > Berg CN212. Buttery vintage tone all day...

 

[MrLenny1]

TC RH450 has that sound you describe vs GK MB 500/800.
Great cabs Eden XLT & XST.
Nickel wounds.
All TC and cabs are under $400 on the used market.

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Heya npbassman, that's awesome, thanks so much for the gear run down - checking it all out now!

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Hey Mr Lenny - haven't heard of that amp before, gonna try see some examples on youtube, thanks!

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Mr Lenny that RH450 looks awesome! Thanks.

 

[JimmyM]

To me, the RH450 attempts to be a digital version of the SVT. I think you could probably get a convincing sound out of a lot of amp/cab setups as long as you turn off any tweeters. But as an Ampeg endorser, I'd also say that Ampeg pretty much invented that sound, so why reinvent the wheel?

 

[Lvjoebass]

Modern amp,pf800, classic sound..pf2-10+ 1-15hecabs..half your budget brand new! Lite and castors included!

 

[Vinyl Richie]

Heya Jimmy. Do you mean a vintage SVT? Or the current SVT-Classics, or any of the above?

 

[JimmyM]

Heya Jimmy. Do you mean a vintage SVT? Or the current SVT-Classics, or any of the above?

Any of the above. I have a 69 SVT and a couple Heritage SVT-CL's, and I've played pretty much every type of SVT ever made, and they all sound pretty much the same to me. Their lighter hybrids and SS amps are no slouches either.

 

[g4string]

Aguilar TH500. Done.

 

[otp57]

I've recently transitioned from punk into the buttery goodness of Yacht Rock, and am really loving the bass sounds on those records. Bands like Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers etc.

In researching how to get a sound similar to that, I've seen a lot of posts about basses, flatwound strings and all that goodness. When it comes to amps though, I mostly see people talking about an ampeg b15 being the OG and the best. Which I would love to get, but it doesn't seem practical for me right now.

I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for an amp and cabinet that would compliment this kind of sound, but that are not vintage and must be found second hand, but rather something that would be able to be picked up at a music store. I'd be looking to spend anywhere from $1000 to $3000.

I'm playing a fairly new Fender Jazz USA, flatwounds, stock pickups.

I am using a Harke 5500 for that type of sound and a GK cab with 1 15inch and horn.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Aguilar TH500. Done.

I agree.