Old school Classic Rock/ Fat round sound amp.

[StringslamDan]

Hey Talk Bass,
I'm Looking to purchase a new bass amp soon. Currently I have an old GK 400rb and a Genz Benz Gbe 600. While i Love the Genz for its articulate tone, it really cant swing that old school fat warm tone that Im currently looking for even on the tube side. I've been gigging with this amp for around the last 5 years and have always felt something is missing. While i love the amp for its rock solid reliability, the ability to go to 2 ohms and its tube channel Ive always felt it left a little to be desired. The GK is fairly similar. I was pairing it up with some SWR cabs prior when I was in a metal band and I realize this is about the furthist thing from an old school sound. I did recently picked up one of the Fender Rumble 410 cabs last week to replace those and fell in love! Classic warm punchy growly tone with the highs tamed even with the horn full throttle. Love it but not fat and round enough.. I guess my Question now is which head to throw on top..lol Here we go talk bass opinions opinions opinions.. Let it begin. Well to narrow things down a little, my somewhat short list consist of the Traynor yba200-2/yba300(used), Orange Terror Bass 500(Used), Hartke LH500/LH1000(New), Svp-Pro into the power side of the Genz, Peavey mini max/mega if they ever get released, Fender bassman 100t/300pro, or Fender Rumble 500 Amp(which i played today and liked the vintage switch quite a bit). I love Cliff Williams Tone from Ac/Dc and I realize he used and svt 4 pro through an ampeg 810. I don't currently have a way to haul an 810.. I possibly will have 2 fender rumble cabs which are 4 ohms each. But one cab seems to be pretty damn loud as is honestly so possibly not necessary. Lets here it!

 

[Alexander]

You've got a pretty good short list - I have a Fender Super Bassman into 2 Ampeg 212AV cabs and it's exactly what you describe. I've heard very good things about the Traynors, but have never personally tried them. Orange is a one trick pony, but it's a good trick, especially if you like rock tones. Hartke is good too. That's how I would stack rank your list. Wouldn't do the SVP pre into your current amp (personally)...

 

[Neon Blues]

For what you are after, I would highly recommend an Ampeg V4B or a Bassman 100T.

Both fantastic and loaded with old school tone. I have both and just love them to bits!

 

[FFTT]

If your guitar player has something like a 100 watt Marshall, Twin, Showman, Hiwatt, any big block guitar amp.
Try running it through your bass cabs on cleanest settings.
That will at least give you an idea of the kind of headroom you'll have with a 100 watter.

I personally prefer a vintage Hiwatt DR-201 or DR-405 or Reeves 225 or a vintage SVT.

The tube amps with big iron are going to deliver the richest, full bodied tone.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Traynor yba200-2/yba300(used), Orange Terror Bass 500
Hartke LH500/LH1000
Svp-Pro into the power side of the Genz
Fender bassman 100t/300pro
Fender Rumble 500 Amp

Between these options, I would look at the Bassman 100t and 300 pro, and the orange BT500.

 

[Jim Carr]

What sort of bass do you play? How is it strung?

 

[chaosMK]

How loud do you need to be? Ampeg B100R is awesome for that kind of tone and pretty affordable. It is a 100w combo matched to a great 15 and gets loud enough for most band situations.

 

[slade]

lots of good amps there!
Might want to add a gk 1001rbii to the list, as well as an mbf800 (probably fatter and rounder than the 400 but same tonal family.
Personally I find the 1001rbii to be super fat and round (into damn near any cab).

 

[KaseOfBass]

For what you are after, I would highly recommend an Ampeg V4B or a Bassman 100T.

Both fantastic and loaded with old school tone. I have both and just love them to bits!

Another recommendation for the Ampeg V-4B. I run this amp with two of the SVT-210AV cabs and it's absolute warm, tubey heaven. I've ran some nice rigs, but the V-4B sounds the absolute best to me and has received the most compliments.

 

[johnpbass]

V4B would be the ticket I would bet. I also like the Ampeg PF series, so maybe consider a PF800 head?

 

[vickerekes]

Have you seen that EBS Valvedrive on youtube?
Could be a quick fix.

 

[Chili Bo Billy]

pf500 with 210av cabs will give that old school tone at a reasonable price.

 

[Chili Bo Billy]

Traynors are good as well, especially the yba 300.
Good luck with your purchase.

 

[slade]

played a pf500 into an 810 for four hours last night. got the job done but not my favorite setup. plenty of kick, and pretty warm though...

 

[FFTT]

Another possibility.

http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/obey-your-master-the-art-of-amp-slaving/

 

[static0verdrive]

I love Traynor. I love mine, and I just saw Monster Truck on Saturday and he rocked a YBA (not sure if 200-2 or 300) with matching 4x10 cab... sounded incredible! My friend loves his Fender Rumble, and many would agree you can't go wrong with Ampeg.

EDIT: Regarding mine, although the 4ohm TC1510 (2x10" 1x15") cab sounds killer, I think I'd eventually like to end up with the traynor 8ohm 1x15 Neo and their 8ohm 2x10 because the modular format is WAY better... I could just bring the 40lbs 1x15neo for a small rehearsal or gig, or both cabs for bigger venues. Overall much easier to move around too.

 

[Ender_rpm]

Volume plays into this, but for moderate volume club playing, my EBS Classic t90 has been unbeatable. Enough volume to sit nice with a decent drum set, clean on soft plucking, growl when pushed. My current drummer went crazy over it after our last gig. I need to A/B it vs the new V4B and see how they match up volume wise.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

How about vintage Acoustic?

 

[Chef]

"that round sound" used to be, and maybe still is "ampeg marketing speak."
Their new V4B reissue and their 212AV cabs/s.

 

[Neon Blues]

Also, which Rumble cab do you have?

The Vintage style or the Black one?

Another option would be trying to find a used older Fender Bassman 300 PRO. They were amazing.