Before I got my dUg rig I was using a AmpTweaker Tightdrive with the bass mod that adds in clean bass to the overdrive sound through a 800 watt Ampeg Portaflex stack.. The clean mod knob on the TightDrive is like adding in subs on a PA. It worked great for me, and I could use it with any amp I had to play through. Way easier set up than carrying around an extra guitar amp for highs.
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Before I got my dUg rig I was using a AmpTweaker Tightdrive with the bass mod that adds in clean bass to the overdrive sound through a 800 watt Ampeg Portaflex stack.. The clean mod knob on the TightDrive is like adding in subs on a PA. It worked great for me, and I could use it with any amp I had to play through. Way easier set up than carrying around an extra guitar amp for highs.
I suggest a GK head and an Ampeg 8x10. The cab will have some compression ( sealed cabinet ) and the GK will be clean. I use a BagEnd d212 cabinet and a GK head. the d212 cabinet reminds me of a mini SVT 8x10 with about the same volume if you want a smaller stack.
ok I'm going tell you just Do a countryman Di and a marshall guitar jmp preamp.. then blend the two.. marshalls were originally a bass amp.. and will give you the saturation in the mids.. use a country man di will give you a bass tone that is simple plug and play.. if you need more fuzzstortion a russian big muff clone.. all in all 700.00 maybe less.. another option is a san amp v2 in a russian big muff into a stereo di-countryman makes a stereo di.. juxt thought i'd give you some options..
I agree with those suggesting one of the bigger Gallien Krueger heads (e.g. 1001 RB), these are the first that come to my mind when I think of sharp, harsh, cutting.
Someone mentioned the discontinued Markbass SD 800 / SD 1200 amps. I've heard very positive comments from bassists who use them in a metal setting, one guy told me it's "a Marshall killer." Might be hard to find in Norway, but they should be affordable. Unfortunately, I have no first hand experience with them.
I also agree with the idea of getting a pedal to do the dirt work. The darkglass distortion pedals should be on the top of your list. As someone mentioned, you could wait for the new darkglass amp to hit the streets soon, it has the typicall darkglass distortion sections on board.
If you use a dirt pedal, you could even get a real clean amp like the new Glockenklang Blue Rock, which also has a great drive function. Friend of mine uses it (ok, he's not a metal rocker), it's massive loud and super clear if needed. Plus, Glockenklang are well-known for their great DI out signal if that's important for you.
I briefly checked the Blue Rock a few weeks ago for half an hour and was really impressed. Easily one of the best amps I've ever heard in more than 20 years of playing, but that's quite subjective of course.
Regarding cabs, there's not a lot I could suggest other than 12'' speakers would be my first choice. IMO, they cut wonderfully through most busy mixes.
For the record:
My tonal goals are a bit different than yours. I play mostly Aguilar amps and use 1x12 cabs. I sometimes play classic metal, but not the more extreme stuff.
Someone mentioned the discontinued Markbass SD 800 / SD 1200 amps. I've heard very positive comments from bassists who use them in a metal setting, one guy told me it's "a Marshall killer." Might be hard to find in Norway, but they should be affordable. Unfortunately, I have no first hand experience with them.
I also agree with the idea of getting a pedal to do the dirt work. The darkglass distortion pedals should be on the top of your list. As someone mentioned, you could wait for the new darkglass amp to hit the streets soon, it has the typicall darkglass distortion sections on board.
If you use a dirt pedal, you could even get a real clean amp like the new Glockenklang Blue Rock, which also has a great drive function. Friend of mine uses it (ok, he's not a metal rocker), it's massive loud and super clear if needed. Plus, Glockenklang are well-known for their great DI out signal if that's important for you.
I briefly checked the Blue Rock a few weeks ago for half an hour and was really impressed. Easily one of the best amps I've ever heard in more than 20 years of playing, but that's quite subjective of course.
Regarding cabs, there's not a lot I could suggest other than 12'' speakers would be my first choice. IMO, they cut wonderfully through most busy mixes.
For the record:
My tonal goals are a bit different than yours. I play mostly Aguilar amps and use 1x12 cabs. I sometimes play classic metal, but not the more extreme stuff.
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Gonna try a sansamp for sure, but i focus on getting the right amp in the first place. Need an amp that can hold its own ground
Will check them out for sure, thanx. The "market" for trying out stuff is quite limited in my area, though, so im not sure ill be able to get my hands on one of those to test them
Sounds good. GK is no very common up here im afraid, which means its hard to get to try them out anywhere close..
Yeah, both gk and markbass are hard to come by for trying out up here, im afraid.
Yes it is-sounds like decision made.
I expect a review posted in this thread once it's shipped in!!!
For cabs you can also check out Barefaced cabs, they are UK based and are decent, lots of guys like them on here
I expect a review posted in this thread once it's shipped in!!!
For cabs you can also check out Barefaced cabs, they are UK based and are decent, lots of guys like them on here
Coming from a post-metal, sludge metal, death metal and hard rock bassist, my advice would be a tube preamp and solidstate poweramp hybrid. I'm currently gigging an Orange TB500 (through a TE 1048H 410) and lovin' it. If you want sharp, put the gain on breakup and push it with a fuzz. The 2 12AX7's will start to snarl, yet the fuzz will provide the low-end. Then if you back of the volume it gets a bit more tamed and lush.
And perhaps heavy gauge strings?
And perhaps heavy gauge strings?
Take a look in what amp yours influences are playing with... this can be a very o initial target.
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I play an ampeg svt 7 with the settings on flat through an ampeg 810 and sit nicely in the mix in my metal band. I can actually hear myself as well as everyone else. I have the tone knob open on my bass. I also use high gauge round wounds.
What is readily available in your area? What have you tried already?
