• 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.

My first post

J

Jman60

Apr 27, 2008
21
0
Stoughton, MA.
#1
Hello everyone,
My name is Jim and I signed up here because I need some help/re-education with bass gear. I'm a member of the Gear Page and a member there suggested that I come here.

BTW,.... this looks like a really great site!! Surfing TalkBass last night and it looks I've come to the right place.

Here is a copy of the post I have on TGP.

My first post in the Bass forum, so here's my story.

Just came home from an audition for a bass player, went in cold with no time to learn material, had no idea what they were going to play, just winged it. They had a Beringer head and 4x10 cab that I used and it didn't sound bad, but, didn't sound as good as my setup with my Jazz Bass IMO.

The end result,......

They liked me and want me to be their bass player,.... so I need some gear help. Keep in mind I'm primarily a guitar player. I did play bass in my younger years for 12 years. All in all been playing music 34 years.

What I'm used to using for a bass amp, a 65 Fender Dual Showman (4 ohms with 2 cabs or 8 ohms with 1 cab), a 2x15 69 Fender bass cab (original CTS speakers) and a home made 1x15 (an old, big cab I made 30+ years ago), always liked the way this setup sounded for bass. I guess it's just what I'm used to and not really current on newer bass gear.

I don't really want to lug big cabs around to gigs so my question for everyone is what bass cab (or cabs) would be a good all around setup to use with my Showman and reasonably portable (not too heavy). A 1x15 cab, 2x10 cab, a combination of both, ported cabs maybe?? A setup that has a good, clear, punchy sound and of course not to bad on the wallet. Wouldn't mind used either.

I'm a bit old school with bass (as you can tell by my gear) and really not into all 10's for bass, always liked/prefered 15's. Ampeg, SWR, Fender, cab builders like Avatar or Lopo cabs?? Should I re-consider all 10's?? What's should I be looking at?? What should I avoid?? Don't want junk but don't need top of the line.

Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated, sorry for being long winded, I really do need some re-education with current bass gear.
Thanx, Jim
 
#2
hey i used to use a dual showman for bass, ended up liking the sound of it as the hi amp in a biamped rig. see anything in your local stores that interest you?
how much do you want to part with? how big are the gigs (venues).
maybe look for some used gear, definitely ported cabs. the behringer head is a good place to start for basic sound and portability, the speaks are kind of ehhhh.
i keep one for emergencies.
biamping is cool, lost favor with a lot of cats recently but if you can find a used amp with a built-in active crossover, you can experiment a little and get nice friendly tube
sound from your dually with some thumping lows from a more powerful and stable solid state amp on the low end.
if you do use an older tube amp in your rig, it pays to isolate it from direct low frequency vibrations. mechanical feedback and loosening of tubes and compnents may result. also beware of electic shock scenarios when using mics or touching other people's powered up gear.
 
#3
Hi hockey_head,
I just got this gig and venues shouldn't be too big, typical club/bar stuff with the standard cover band set list.

At the audition I did use a Beringer head and 4x10 cab, but, the 4x10 really didn't do it for me,.... used to using and prefer 15's.

My Dual is a great amp, owned since 75, and will never sell it. I can use the Beringer head, which I'll get more info on it tonight at rehearsal. But I am open to getting more current gear and that's why I'm here, to get up to snuff with current bass amps and cabs, I currently own a 95 USA Jazz Bass.

I'm just getting back to being a bass player again, I played bass for over 12 years back in the day. I'm mainly a guitarist
that does jump on bass at open mics and when I record. So I took this gig because I just wanted to be in a band and play again.

I do know that tubes aren't needed for bass these days and don't have the typical "gotta be tubes" thing. Now on elec. guitar that's another story for me.

When I played bass from the mid 70's to late 80's solid state wasn't all that great. So my only real point of reference is with my current amp and cabs, although I did use my buddy's Carvin BR610 which I was impressed with considering I always used seperates. I still can't get over the wattage bass amps have these days!!

Sorry for being long winded, I really do need some help with current bass gear. I've gotta a lot to catch up on and learn!!!
 
#4
Hi Jim,

If portabillity is key, then you should consider cabs with neodynium speakers. These cabs weigh about half that of ceramic speakercabs. They used to be know for there over-pronounced mids, but these days, there are a lot of great sounding Neo-cabs (EBS, Markbass, Epifani, etc).

To be honest, Behringer cabs are not that great and should not be used as a reference to other 4x10 cabs. I know that 15"s have a distinctive sound, but there are lots of great 4x10 with plenty of bottom-end and lows! You should also check out 2 x 12" cabs. But then again, a 1x15 neo-cab could be it for you.

If you're looking for a portable gigging amp, you should check out the Markbass LMII (own one myself). They get a lot of love here on TalkBass. Great transparent sound, but with balls and warmth to spare. There is even a threat going on with 2 soundclips; Markbass LMII and an Ampeg tube amp. People need to chose which is which and everybody is having a hard time :)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429284&highlight=tube
 
#5
HitByABlimp said:
Hi Jim,

If portabillity is key, then you should consider cabs with neodynium speakers. These cabs weigh about half that of ceramic speakercabs. These days, there are a lot of great sounding Neo-cabs (EBS, Markbass, Epifani, etc).

To be honest, Behringer cabs are not that great and should not be used as a reference to other 4x10 cabs. I know that 15"s have a distinctive sound, but there are lots of 4x10 with plenty of lows! You should also check out 2 x 12" cabs.

If you're looking for a portable gigging amp, you should check out the Markbass LMII (own one myself). Great transparent sound, but with balls and warmth to spare. There even is a threat going on with 2 soundclips; Markbass LMII and an Ampeg tube amp. People need to chose which is which and everybody is having a hard time.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429284&highlight=tube
Click to expand...

Surfing here last night I did come across neodynium speakers content and went to the Markbass website. The LMII looks really interesting. Definately looking for portability.

I do know Beringer isn't top notch stuff, what I heard the other day in that 4x10 cab just didn't do it for me at all, just no girth. Seemed somewhat harsh, and not very clear no matter what I did with the matching amp. I don't now what model it was but I've got reahearsal tonight and I'll get more info on the amp and cab.

Thanx again for your imput!!
Jim
 
#6
I'm kind of like you, in that I just got back into bass playing again. I went kind of crazy with the gear, but that has giving me a few options to find what I like best.

Rig 1 - An Ampeg 2x10 with an Ampeg 1x15. I find this gives me a nice combination of depth and punchiness. Each cab is rated to 250 watts, so this works well in the small/medium venue when used with my GK400RB or SWR Workingman's 4004.

Rig 2 - An Avatar 4x10 with an Avatar 2x12. These cabs are rated to 1000 watts, and I pair it with my GK 2000RB for full out rockin :bassist::bassist:

I've put a few bucks into this, but have bought everything used (mostly through Craigslist), so it is not as bad as it seems. For overall flexibility and cost, I like my Rig 1. It would probably meet your gigging needs. Just take some time to look for some deals.
 
#7
Jman60 said:
What I'm used to using for a bass amp, a 65 Fender Dual Showman (4 ohms with 2 cabs or 8 ohms with 1 cab), a 2x15 69 Fender bass cab (original CTS speakers) and a home made 1x15 (an old, big cab I made 30+ years ago), always liked the way this setup sounded for bass. I guess it's just what I'm used to and not really current on newer bass gear.
Click to expand...

Hi Jim, welcome to the infamous Talk Bass. Good information and a lot of "tuff love".

The Showman is 4Ω only it does not do 8Ω. Don't be down on 10" speakers. They are a lot different than they used to be. They are also very versatile. My advice is to try all the cabinets you can find, whatever the driver configuration. Then go for the one that you like best. If you wish to continue using the Showman you are going to need very efficient speakers. Have a look at the Carvin B1500 if you need a new bass amp. You'll be able to use just about any speaker system with it. Otherwise think about a pre/power set up to give you what you need. Happy hunting.

Paul
 
#8
winstonthecat said:
I'm kind of like you, in that I just got back into bass playing again. I went kind of crazy with the gear, but that has giving me a few options to find what I like best.

Rig 1 - An Ampeg 2x10 with an Ampeg 1x15. I find this gives me a nice combination of depth and punchiness. Each cab is rated to 250 watts, so this works well in the small/medium venue when used with my GK400RB or SWR Workingman's 4004.

Rig 2 - An Avatar 4x10 with an Avatar 2x12. These cabs are rated to 1000 watts, and I pair it with my GK 2000RB for full out rockin :bassist::bassist:

I've put a few bucks into this, but have bought everything used (mostly through Craigslist), so it is not as bad as it seems. For overall flexibility and cost, I like my Rig 1. It would probably meet your gigging needs. Just take some time to look for some deals.
Click to expand...

I do like the 2x10 and 1x15 combination for bass and I do have an Avatar 2x12 for guitar and very familiar with Dave's products, not to be used with a bass of course. Right now since I can use the Beringer amp already at the rehearsal space I'm going to shop around and use my Showman once I find cabs that I like, then maybe look at a bass head for myself.

Thanx for the advice!!
Jim
 
#9
BassmanPaul said:
Hi Jim, welcome to the infamous Talk Bass. Good information and a lot of "tuff love".

The Showman is 4Ω only it does not do 8Ω. Don't be down on 10" speakers. They are a lot different than they used to be. They are also very versatile. My advice is to try all the cabinets you can find, whatever the driver configuration. Then go for the one that you like best. If you wish to continue using the Showman you are going to need very efficient speakers. Have a look at the Carvin B1500 if you need a new bass amp. You'll be able to use just about any speaker system with it. Otherwise think about a pre/power set up to give you what you need. Happy hunting.

Paul
Click to expand...

Thanx for your welcome, it's nice to be here. And yes, your right, the tranny is rated @4 ohms, I just descibed it incorrectly. I should have said that it can handle 8 ohms or a 2 to 1 impedance mismatch safely.

Speakers is what I need to get info on and the right cabs as well. I've always used to use 15's (I'm I dating myself??) and as a bass player using anything smaller is foreign to me. The last time I was a working bass player was in the late 80's and things are diffinately different today!! With the selection of speakers nowadays it hard to choose what would the correct speakers to use and I absolutely need very efficient speakers, I'm just not sure what's worth looking at and what to stay away from.

I have gone on the Carvin website and the cabs they have look nice, but again I just need to look around and research what I need. A friend of mine has a BR610 2x10 combo that I borrowed a few months ago and it surprised me. I'm thinking about going with a combo similar to that and have a 1x15 on the bottom. I love that low thump and girth a 15 gives.

Any opinions on Carvin's gear?

Thank you for your advice, it's greatly appreciated!!
Jim
 
#12
Jman60 said:
Thanx for your welcome, it's nice to be here. And yes, your right, the tranny is rated @4 ohms, I just descibed it incorrectly. I should have said that it can handle 8 ohms or a 2 to 1 impedance mismatch safely.

Speakers is what I need to get info on and the right cabs as well. I've always used to use 15's (I'm I dating myself??) and as a bass player using anything smaller is foreign to me. The last time I was a working bass player was in the late 80's and things are diffinately different today!! With the selection of speakers nowadays it hard to choose what would the correct speakers to use and I absolutely need very efficient speakers, I'm just not sure what's worth looking at and what to stay away from.

I have gone on the Carvin website and the cabs they have look nice, but again I just need to look around and research what I need. A friend of mine has a BR610 2x10 combo that I borrowed a few months ago and it surprised me. I'm thinking about going with a combo similar to that and have a 1x15 on the bottom. I love that low thump and girth a 15 gives.

Any opinions on Carvin's gear?

Thank you for your advice, it's greatly appreciated!!
Jim
Click to expand...

I have a lot of Carvin equipment including four basses. They are the first place I go to for anything I need. Remember they offer a ten day in home trial period and will take the stuff back if you don't like it.

Cabinet wise I have played though all the various sizes and I settled on 10s. I bought an Acme B2 and never looked back. I now own four. They put out more real bass than any 15 or 18 I have ever played through. They are not for everyone however much I love them. As I said you have to try everything you can find and go with what you like.

Paul
 
#13
BassmanPaul said:
I have a lot of Carvin equipment including four basses. They are the first place I go to for anything I need. Remember they offer a ten day in home trial period and will take the stuff back if you don't like it.

Cabinet wise I have played though all the various sizes and I settled on 10s. I bought an Acme B2 and never looked back. I now own four. They put out more real bass than any 15 or 18 I have ever played through. They are not for everyone however much I love them. As I said you have to try everything you can find and go with what you like.

Paul
Click to expand...

Thanx Paul for your input.
 
#14
Jman60 said:
Thanx for your welcome, it's nice to be here. And yes, your right, the tranny is rated @4 ohms, I just descibed it incorrectly. I should have said that it can handle 8 ohms or a 2 to 1 impedance mismatch safely.
Click to expand...

At the frequencies that a guitar will use this may be true but at bass frequencies it's much less safe. If you search the FAQ I think you will find much more information on this subject. It's ALWAYS good practice for a tube amp to match the load to the tap. Thus you should use a 4Ω cabinet.

Paul
 
#15
BassmanPaul said:
At the frequencies that a guitar will use this may be true but at bass frequencies it's much less safe. If you search the FAQ I think you will find much more information on this subject. It's ALWAYS good practice for a tube amp to match the load to the tap. Thus you should use a 4Ω cabinet.

Paul
Click to expand...

Thank you again Paul. Right now I'm looking on the Carvin web site. I really don't want to use my Showman for gigs just due to what it is and its age, even though the amp works perfectly.

What's your opinion on this setup?

Link Removed

I really do appreciate your time given and advice, thanx!!
Jim
 
#16
Jman60 said:
Thanx for your welcome, it's nice to be here. And yes, your right, the tranny is rated @4 ohms, I just descibed it incorrectly. I should have said that it can handle 8 ohms or a 2 to 1 impedance mismatch safely.

Speakers is what I need to get info on and the right cabs as well. I've always used to use 15's (I'm I dating myself??) and as a bass player using anything smaller is foreign to me. The last time I was a working bass player was in the late 80's and things are diffinately different today!! With the selection of speakers nowadays it hard to choose what would the correct speakers to use and I absolutely need very efficient speakers, I'm just not sure what's worth looking at and what to stay away from.

I have gone on the Carvin website and the cabs they have look nice, but again I just need to look around and research what I need. A friend of mine has a BR610 2x10 combo that I borrowed a few months ago and it surprised me. I'm thinking about going with a combo similar to that and have a 1x15 on the bottom. I love that low thump and girth a 15 gives.

Any opinions on Carvin's gear?

Thank you for your advice, it's greatly appreciated!!
Jim
Click to expand...

I'm very impressed with the new Carvin heads, especially the B1500... quite amazing and a TON of power. It won't do that uber tube warmth bloom sort of thing like your Showman, but will be about 4 times as loud, still warm, and much tighter, and about the same weight. It also has very straightforward, simple tone controls versus the overwhelming complexity of the 1200 (or whatever the model is that you are considering above).

On the other had, I am NOT impressed with any Carvin cab I've played out of... the Neo cabs are still very large and heavy, and there is a certain honk in the mids (at least of the multi-10 cabs) that I just don't dig at all.

Given you want lightweight, and a relatively old school sound, and you don't want to break the bank, per the comment above, there is a 'Jeff Berlin' Markbass combo for around $1,000..... 500 watts, no tweeter, neo 15... it's a 'one hander' (47 pounds total) and you can add another 15 for louder gigs if you want (the internal speaker is 8ohms).

Another option for 'loud and light' with a more traditional tube character is the new Genz Benz Shuttle 6.0 head (about 4 pounds with a tube pre... 600 watts) and the Genz Neo212 cab. I have not played this combination myself, but those who have similar tone goals to you (punchy, but still with some vintage warmth) seem to really dig it. The Neo 212 is pretty light, and is large enough and 4ohms so that a single cab with the 6.0 should cover most gigs.

If you want to continue to use your Showman tube head, the small Bag End SD15's are tight, small, and loud, and the mid focus of those cabs helps keep that tube amp tight and at least relatively articulate.

IMO... just some ideas. The Genz stuff seems right up your alley... great quality but not 'top of the line' prices, light, loud, and while punchy and articulate, it will give you a touch of that 'tube' vintage vibe when dialed in correctly.

Welcome to TB and good luck with the search.
 
#17
As Ken has posted I'd still go for the B1500 for the amp. I too have not played Carvin bass cabinets so I would not offer an opinion on them. I would never buy a 15 to use on stage, I much prefer the response I get from my 2x10 Acme B2s. However a 15 my be perfect for you. Trial and error will tell. I have also never played any GB stuff so I'll offer no comment on Ken's opinion.

Paul
 
#18
BassmanPaul and KJung,
I can't thank you guys enough, and everyone else for that matter, for sharing your knowledge and experience to a TalkBass newcomber like you guys have. The funny thing is I'm usually the guy people call for help and suggestions on guitars and amps, so me being the guy picking peoples brains like this is a little different for me.

I really do just have to go and try gear out to see what is right for me. All your suggestions were very helpful.

Again, thank you all for your help and making me feel so very welcome here at TalkBass!! I hope going forward that I can contribute to this forum and offer my insite and experiences to anyone that asks.

By the way,.... it feels pretty good to be back in the deep side of the pool!!

Jim
 
#20
BassmanPaul said:
Once a Bassman you're always a Bassman. You may stray and become entranced by the Dark Side but you'll come back into the light!

I think I've been watching too many movies!

Paul
Click to expand...

I've always had a bass around for recording regardless and for messing around. In my younger days I always wanted a Jazz Bass, just love em!!! Used an Ibanez Roadster II bass back then, which was a decent bass. Had my JB for about 7 years.

And yes, I have been gripped by the Dark Side, but, have been brought back to all that is good within the Force,... Does this mean I'm a Jedi again???,........

And you think you've been watching too many movies??? ;)

Jim
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back