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Newbie Bassist: Need help choosing an amp!

T

teigen

Oct 26, 2010
7
0
Vermont
#1
I'll start off by saying, my background knowledge in anything bass related is pretty minimal/non-existent. I've been playing guitar for approx. 6 years, but I've had a change of heart and I'm going to pick up the bass, so here's an apology in advance for my bass ignorance.

I recently purchased an ESP Surveyor 5 Standard, now I just need a head and a cab. The genre of music I'm playing will be metal, which is a pretty broad term, so here's some more specific examples (you don't have to like the music, and if you don't, keep it to yourself :))

(Architects - Follow the Water)

My band will be tuned to dropped G# (hence the 5 string), and we will be playing shows, so I want to get the adequate gear.

The problem is I have no idea what cab/head will get me the proper tone, and do my bass at least SOME justice. So far I've been looking at

Heads:
SWR WorkingPro 700 (~$500 used)
Ampeg SVT-3 Pro (~$550 used)
Peavey Firebass 700 (~$250 used)
Orange Terror 500 (~$500 used)

Cabs:
No clue, I've just kind of been eyeballing some Ampeg 610's and 810's.

You guys are the bass experts, so please, help me out! :D
 
#4
the SVT4 is a uch better head, but the 3 is sill pretty good. consider looking into the svt5 as well, it have a distortion channel that actualy sounds really good. instead of using a stomp box.

both the 6 and the 8 by ten are great sounding. i think the 8 is a little too big for most applications. but if you have the strong back and a pickup truck, then go for it. i love mine but can't use it all the time. the 610 will give you more of a fuller tone in the low notes, while the 810 will give you more punch because it is sealed. i would try them both at a local store if you can.

i love my flat back 810!
 
#6
I recently took up metal and have been rocking a Firebass + Ampeg 810E...

You can power two 4 ohm cabinets with it. You will never worry about volume needs with this amp...

Alot of folks like tube amps in metal, but, I have discovered that I prefer SS when playing technical riffs.

It will punch through the mix very well + you can get A LOT of usable tones with the amp.

I have an SVT, Sunn 300T, & Ampeg V4 to choose from and I have been gigging the Firebass exclusively for the past couple months...
 
#7
there are a lot of cabs and heads that would work for you, and you'll probably get a ton of answers. in the price range you're looking in you should definitely try some Gallien Krueger heads. the 1001RB-II and 700RB-II would both do a fantastic job. the 1001 will go a bit louder, while the 700 is easier to push into a really nice "warm grind" kind of sound, which I prefer. both of those can be had cheap used. a used Ashdown ABM 500 could also work, but be careful as some production runs had issues. however, if its working when you check it out, its probably fine. Mesa stuff will probably be a bit more expensive, but something like a Mesa Big Block 750 sounds like it'd be a perfect fit.

in terms of cabs... it's really up to you, in terms of how much you're comfortable schlepping around. an 810 is pretty standard for metal, but you could get by with a 610 easily, and realistically a decent 410 should give you as much volume as you'll need unless you're playing bigger stages. GK, SWR, Ampeg, Eden, Mesa... any of their bigger cabs would probably sound great. configurations to consider: 410, 610, 810, 412, 215, or some of the other weirder ones. mesa makes a pretty rad 410/115 all in one cab. my suggestion... go to a guitar center and try out a bunch of rigs and see what speaks to you, and try to build an informed opinion of what you like.
 
#9
swr 550x is a good head for the price can be had for good prices, very clean hi-fi like tone. i would also recommend the gallien krueger 1001 RB-II. Can be had for a good price on the used market, has all the headroom you can need, and has a clean, warm growly tone to it.
 
#10
Dude I play bass in a metal band myself : Link Removed

I've seen alot of bassists in the metal, hardcore, metalcore ect genre's and I've seen what works good and not so good.
The Svt sounds a great deal for the price, but I'd be wary of it being on of these new cheaper made asian versions. I'd only go the the orange if you want to get a growly fuzz tone, if that's not your thing then it's probably not for you. the swr and the peavey could both do the job quite well, although the swr would most likely be better suited if you play with a pick.

I myself run a mark bass, which not many metal players I've seen do. It's a fantastic rig and great to easily dial in a great sound with its simplic eq settings, If you're new to bass I'd say that the easier and simpler it is to get a sound out of it, the better. at least for now, so again the svt is probably ahead of the pack.

As for cabs look to have a reliable and decent sounding 4x10 or 6 x10. I run to 4x10's that way for bigger outdoor things i can have the 8 and the 4 for smaller indoor. but in saying that i never have to push the gain and master past about the 3rd dot on my amp to overpower two guitarists with engl tube amps and quads and a heavy hitting drumer with a many pieces tama kit..
 
#11
ishouldbeking, I totally agree with you. A GK head would be a nice fit as would be any mesa amp. It depends on how much money you can play with and what your ear likes. Another idea would be to watch a few live performances of some bass players you like personally or the sound your band would like to achieve. then just google their name and see what gear they use.
 
#13
If you are trying to keep it under $1000 The Firebass + Ampeg 810E is your best option (IMO)

You could have that rig for $750 easily. (If you want more grind pick up a stomp box and your good to go)

Then you have a very powerful & versatile setup that will last a lifetime...
 
#14
The Ampeg head is a good choice. As far as a cab goes, the Ampeg 6x10 or 8x10 cabs are great IF you can carry them around (about 132 lbs) or have a van or wagon. Maybe try a smaller 4x10 or a 1x15. I had some Used Fender Bassman cabs (fairly new) , bought for 140. each used - they sounded real real good for the $. I have since bought Mesa Road Ready cabs and love them (pricey but got them used). Most new cabs are built well and sound good yet steer clear from a Behringer! Always look for used gear BUT beware of some used cabs (possible speaker issues etc.). Good luck!!
 
#15
ishouldbeking said:
there are a lot of cabs and heads that would work for you, and you'll probably get a ton of answers. in the price range you're looking in you should definitely try some Gallien Krueger heads. the 1001RB-II and 700RB-II would both do a fantastic job. the 1001 will go a bit louder, while the 700 is easier to push into a really nice "warm grind" kind of sound, which I prefer. both of those can be had cheap used. a used Ashdown ABM 500 could also work, but be careful as some production runs had issues. however, if its working when you check it out, its probably fine. Mesa stuff will probably be a bit more expensive, but something like a Mesa Big Block 750 sounds like it'd be a perfect fit.

in terms of cabs... it's really up to you, in terms of how much you're comfortable schlepping around. an 810 is pretty standard for metal, but you could get by with a 610 easily, and realistically a decent 410 should give you as much volume as you'll need unless you're playing bigger stages. GK, SWR, Ampeg, Eden, Mesa... any of their bigger cabs would probably sound great. configurations to consider: 410, 610, 810, 412, 215, or some of the other weirder ones. mesa makes a pretty rad 410/115 all in one cab. my suggestion... go to a guitar center and try out a bunch of rigs and see what speaks to you, and try to build an informed opinion of what you like.
Click to expand...

Good post!
 

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