One amp to rule them all....

[jnryjd]

So has had anyone had any experience with a particular amp or rig that you've found to be versatile for just about every style you've thrown at it?

I've been using Markbass for years but sometimes I wish it had a fatter, tube-like tone. I get it that tone with a Sansamp in front of it but I wondered if anyone has found one amp to rule them all?

 

[B-string]

There is no such thing as one amp for everyone (or there would be no other). I have the last amp I need in a Fusion 550, gives me any tone profile I ask of it. Others have a long time favorite or a flavor of the month.

 

[alembicguy]

Wish it could be that simple as one to rule them all but just not possible.

 

[orangejulius3]

There is no such thing as one amp for everyone (or there would be no other). I have the last amp I need in a Fusion 550, gives me any tone profile I ask of it. Others have a long time favorite or a flavor of the month.

Couldn't agree anymore!
I love my GK Fusion 550!!!
I was even surprised how well it did with some hip hop songs and EDM.
Then roll back some lows on the bass and I have this killer classic rock tone!

 

[murphy]

If you like sansamp the Genzler Magellan has that type feature built in

 

[Korladis]

I use my D-180 for everything I do.

 

[TMARK]

People have different needs and tastes so there is no universal amp. You are just going to get a list of people's favorite amps.

Here are my favorites: Aguilar DB751, the GK Fusion 550, Mesa Titan, Mesa Big Block, Mesa Bass 400, Mesa D800, Demeter Bass 400 and the 800D, Fender Super Bassman, Thunderfunk 550b. Honorable mention to the Aguilar Tonehammer. These amps get the tone I want at the volume level I need with the right cabinets. There are others, I just haven't played them.

 

[baileyboy]

So has had anyone had any experience with a particular amp or rig that you've found to be versatile for just about every style you've thrown at it?

Mesa Walkabout for me, though I can't claim to have played every style.

 

[shawshank72]

If Traynor would make a 500w 2x12 combo in the style of a GK MB212 i would say yes.

 

[NeonVomit]

The truth of the matter is, with enough power and speakers, and most importantly the right technique from the bassist, any amp can play any kind of music. There's no reason a super-clear and transparent head like a Glockenklang can't be used in a metal band with the right cabinets, and there's no reason an Ampeg SVT can't be used in a jazz band. It all comes to personal taste at the end of the day!

 

[chris_b]

I'd suggest a Thunderfunk.

I used a 550 for several years and now use the 750 (with 800 watt mods).

Over the years my TF's have driven various cab line ups, including Aguilar, Berg, Epifani and Barefaced and 115, 212, 2 112, 410 and 610. I can't think of a better platform for any genre.

 

[maxschrek]

I can narrow it down to three, per my taste anyway,

Hiwatt DR103
Eden WT800
Acoustic 370

...with honorable mention to the Magnavox era SVT at my buddy's studio.

 

[Tanner5382]

Let's be honest, you can pretty much do any style with any amp. Are some amps more suited to certain styles? Absolutely. But with some smart (common sense) EQing, anything will be fine.

But for the heck of it, I'll go a Reeves Custom 225.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

The amp that does it all is usually the one that is turned on at the moment.

 

[Feral Feline]

If Traynor would make a 500w 2x12 combo in the style of a GK MB212 i would say yes.

Sign me up!

In lieu of that, I'm hoping the Sonic Farm bass amp will be the "One".

 

[reggie hall]

I'm able to dial in just about any sound I want with every amp I've used this far ,but currently in using a epifani ps1000 and I play gospel music but home sometimes I play other styles and I have sucesssfully gotten the tone for the style with that one amp

 

[bucephylus]

Interesting thread.

The first thing a bass amp has to do is work all the time and not fail on the gig. So, there is that. If anything, through my playing years, amps have given me the most heartburn on the gig of any piece of gear.

The good thing now is that we have a LOT of really outstanding amps to choose from. We all argue about the various differences; but, really, I can get good workable tone from most amps out there.

The micros are flat out amazing. They just keep getting better. From a practical load in / get the gig done / load out at 2AM basis, not much beats them. I would not be without one.

But, I also happen to think that a high quality preamp is very important. Here I am talking Demeter, Alembic, etc; whichever flavor floats your boat. Those have not changed in decades. What has changed is the weight of the power amp technology (related to micros). A player can now have, for example, a Demeter and a Crest ProLite in a rack, which weighs in at less than 25 pounds. That's amazing.

So, for my purposes, a solid micro and a solid rack get most jobs done. I still love the big tube amps; and if someone wants to set up an SVT for me as a backline, I never complain about it.

 

[Liam Kidwell]

There is no such thing as one amp for everyone (or there would be no other). I have the last amp I need in a Fusion 550, gives me any tone profile I ask of it. Others have a long time favorite or a flavor of the month.

This! Every amp is different, just like how every bass is different.

 

[Ewo]

For a long time, I've used _the one amp to rule them all_, actually.

Currently, it's my Mesa D-800. And before that, it was my GK MB fusion 800. And before that it was my Aggie TH-500...



But srsly, I do like the D-800 the best of all the amps I've used in my loooong tone quest. So far...

 

[Wavy]

Been playin the same Trace Elliot 15" combo for a long time and sound-wise hear no reason to change.

Weight wise however, I like that a child can carry the new stuff.