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Need Bass Amp/Cab Advise!!!!

B

brianmartinez25

Jan 11, 2009
1
0
#1
Hello All,

I am upgrading my gear and want to get a better insight on my options. I am currently playing a GK 2x10 240 watt amp w a 200w 15 and want to go bigger. I'm really into Ampeg and want to go to a 4x10 rig.. I am currently looking at amps/cabs and am not sure what to get.. I just check out the Classic 300 watt tube and it is intense. However, its super heavy and due to the fact that I play out a lot this could be a problem down the road. Please advise .. FYI- never owned a tube amp.. Weight vs. sound..

What about the B4-R or B2-RE? Much lighter but not tube.. other options?

Lets talk about cabs..

I see two I like..

1.SVT 4x10 HLF
2. PR 4x10 HLF -


I would really appreciate some advise.. I am coming from a Jazz background and never really had to deal with amps before. Now that Im out of school Im playing more rock music and this current GK rig doesn't hold up in clubs.

Thanks,

Brian
 
#3
If your GK head is an RB series, you might get a LOT more volume out of it running it through a 4x10 cab, along with your 2x10. Those heads put out a LOT of volume for their rating, and with enough speakers moving, you'll get some serious volume. Just a thought - try before you invest a lot in a whole new rig.
 
#4
You might want to check out the following threads to see what's out there besides Ampeg. Ampeg (Loud Corp)is having financial trouble.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442966 Links to 30 Manuf. of Light weight cabs,amps, combos
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475615 Happy with my rig
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=455442 Happy with my rig
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=280571 Mini rigs of doom

Also, if haven't searched already, there are many threads available on the cabs that you like.
 
#5
agreed, im shopping around for a new head as well, and although i originally wanted to try an ampeg, hearing about their financial/ownership trouble im shying away from them.

as someone with 900 watts of power, i can say that sometimes more speakers is worth its weight in gold compared to more power.

do you like your tone? as in, what currently comes out of your speakers? if you do, look at more speakers, if not, look at heads.
 
#6
As for the 410 HLF, if that's the sound you like, there is only one place to get it, and that's Ampeg, so I'd look for an older SLM model instead of a LOUD POS.

As for tube amps being worth the weight hassle, I recently went back to them full-time after 10 years of using SS over weight issues (one nighters with SVT's are really tough). I've always felt SS was inferior to tubes, and always felt I was compromising my sound by using SS. I don't feel that way anymore. SS technology has vastly improved in the past couple years. As far as the tones of my favorite Ampeg tube amps, I think the Sansamp VT Bass pedal nails them, and I'm hard pressed to tell the difference between it and the real thing when I listen to recordings I've made ABing it against my vintage Ampegs.

But I did switch back to the Ampegs full time. Even though they weigh 100x more than the VT pedal, when you're the player, there is no feeling in the world quite like the way you can feel the movement of air through a tube amp as you play. I feel great using the VT or my Markbass amp, which also sounds very tubey to my ears. But I feel much more inspired using a B-15 or SVT. That's the difference to me, and the reason I switched back.
 
#7
Hey Brian,

I have a SLM era B4r head going into a SVT 8x10E cab, and am very happy with my gear. Ampeg sounds great matched with Ampeg. The B4r is better than the G-K 2000RB, as far as I am concerned. Clear, sweet, deep tones with a clean setting, flick the MOSFET to get tube like overdrive, click the 9 band graphic eq for a second channel which is great for solos. Honestly lots of tonal options, and can be used for way more than just rock. Ampeg SS amps get no love, but that isn't because they aren't good it is because Ampeg is THE tube sound people look for.

If I were you I would try a B series 410HLF for highs and mids paired with 2 B-15E's for lows. The B4r will drive all 3 of these cabs bi-amped on a 2 Ohm load perfectly. The B line is less expensive than SVT stuff and if you get used or NOS MIA gear it is good quality.

As JimmyM says, there are other options out there for light good sounding gear, but since you like the Ampeg sound, you might as well have A's on your rig. ;-p

No one does Ampeg like Ampeg ... IMHO, they simply have MoJo!!!! All the best in your choice, Cheers.
 

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