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Please, tell me what amp to buy.

ryansalmond

ryansalmond

Nov 21, 2007
931
145
Canada
#1
I'm just going to ask you all to recommend an amp to me, because the more I have read, the more I have become confused by the endless possibilites. While trial and error is the best teacher with regard to gear, my bank account can't afford any more trial and error.

Currently I have a Mesa Walkabout. I love it's punchiness and depth, but dislike that the high frequencies have little sustain, and dislike that it distorts when pushed.

I want an amp that:
Is super durable, has no tubes to blow.
Does not distort, even when I dig in really hard. Though for the most part I play with a light touch.

I play a Cort Artisan Bass with Bartolini humbuckers and an ACG Filter-Based Preamp. The cab I will be using is a Mesa Powerhouse 8x10. I like to use compression as an effect. I like to use an Aphex Bass XCiter to add harmonics to the high end. I crank the high effect on it, in fact.

Sound I'm going for (frequency by frequency):
Ultra-Lows/Depth: should be warm not 'vintage', but not excessive.
Low-Mids/Kick/Punch: should be strong in this department, and respond dynamically to my touch. In defence of the Walkabout, it has been just great in these last two departments.
Mid-mids: I like to use the ACG preamp filter to take these frequencies out and create some room in the mix. Not to an extreme.
High Mids: Important. I want to cut through and clearly hear the sounds of my fingertips against the strings.
Highs: Should be clear, clear enough to hear the highs even when playing with a guitar and drummer (rock music).
Ultra-Highs: I like to cut these frequencies to make sure the sound doesn't get harsh or raspy.

So to summarize, I am going for a big, clean, clear sound, with lots of harmonics or 'sweetness' if you will in the high end. In terms of my position in the mix, think Flea (Blood Sugar / One Hot Minute), Justin Chancellor, or Fieldy, though I am not trying to replicate any of their tones in particular.

I'm thinking of going with a separate solid state power amp and preamp. Though I'm afraid this might sound sterile and lifeless.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.
 
#3
First, your answer: Glockenklang Heart-Rock II. You will not be disappointed.

I would point out, however, amps don't provide sustain at any frequency. That's a function of your bass.

Are you sure your tone isn't being sucked by your effects? How do you even know what your amp sounds like with all that stuff on the signal?
 
#4
Munjibunga said:
First, your answer: Glockenklang Heart-Rock II. You will not be disappointed.

I would point out, however, amps don't provide sustain at any frequency. That's a function of your bass.

Are you sure your tone isn't being sucked by your effects? How do you even know what your amp sounds like with all that stuff on the signal?
Click to expand...

Good questions, I should mention:
I recently rented a yamaha power amp and ran my usual effects with a sansamp california at the end to drive the power amp. Punchiness was at a loss, and the highs sounded cold and snappy when I dug in too hard, but the highs stayed out there long and full as long as I kept my attack under control. By comparison, on the WA it sounds like the highs disappear quickly.
Also, I have played plugged straight into the WA, just to isolate what influence it brings to my sound and see exactly what it was doing.
 
#8
The answer is obvious; Behringer
If this doesn't offer what you're looking for then try a 1981 Peavey TKO40

No so sure high frequency sustain issues are due to the amp and distorts when pushed sounds like you need more power or more effecient speakers.... but you knew that
 
#9
ryansalmond said:
I'm just going to ask you all to recommend an amp to me, because the more I have read, the more I have become confused by the endless possibilites. While trial and error is the best teacher with regard to gear, my bank account can't afford any more trial and error.
Click to expand...

I think this is a bad idea. As Jimmy said, everyone is going to suggest what they use and like, which may not be for you. You're already a great example of that, there are Mesa lovers up the wazoo on TB and it's not your thing, which is fine (not mine either - I found that out by reading all the positive reviews, buying one, then returning it when I decided it wasn't for me either).

So best bet is to hit the music store and let your ears be the judge as to what works for you.
 
#10
The Genz Benz bass amplifier is to this day unsurpassed by any other.

If you want to play lead or rhythm, then look no further than Marshall.

But if you want a truly "crunchy" bass amplifier then look no further than any Genz Benz.

But, I know nothing!.. I'm John Banner from Hogan's Heroes!
 
#13
ryansalmond said:
I'm just going to ask you all to recommend an amp to me, because the more I have read, the more I have become confused by the endless possibilites. While trial and error is the best teacher with regard to gear, my bank account can't afford any more trial and error.

Currently I have a Mesa Walkabout. I love it's punchiness and depth, but dislike that the high frequencies have little sustain, and dislike that it distorts when pushed.

I want an amp that:
Is super durable, has no tubes to blow.
Does not distort, even when I dig in really hard. Though for the most part I play with a light touch.

I play a Cort Artisan Bass with Bartolini humbuckers and an ACG Filter-Based Preamp. The cab I will be using is a Mesa Powerhouse 8x10. I like to use compression as an effect. I like to use an Aphex Bass XCiter to add harmonics to the high end. I crank the high effect on it, in fact.

Sound I'm going for (frequency by frequency):
Ultra-Lows/Depth: should be warm not 'vintage', but not excessive.
Low-Mids/Kick/Punch: should be strong in this department, and respond dynamically to my touch. In defence of the Walkabout, it has been just great in these last two departments.
Mid-mids: I like to use the ACG preamp filter to take these frequencies out and create some room in the mix. Not to an extreme.
High Mids: Important. I want to cut through and clearly hear the sounds of my fingertips against the strings.
Highs: Should be clear, clear enough to hear the highs even when playing with a guitar and drummer (rock music).
Ultra-Highs: I like to cut these frequencies to make sure the sound doesn't get harsh or raspy.

So to summarize, I am going for a big, clean, clear sound, with lots of harmonics or 'sweetness' if you will in the high end. In terms of my position in the mix, think Flea (Blood Sugar / One Hot Minute), Justin Chancellor, or Fieldy, though I am not trying to replicate any of their tones in particular.

I'm thinking of going with a separate solid state power amp and preamp. Though I'm afraid this might sound sterile and lifeless.

Your help will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yes, everyone will recommend their favourite amp, in my case that is an Ashdown MK500, which is exactly what you want. Loud, clean, all solid state. :) You can even ditch the bass xciter, the harmonic emphasis on the MK500 does a much better job IMO.
 
#14
You mentioned you tried running through a separate power amp, but it sounds like you front ended it with all pedals. Have you tried the dedicated preamp / power amp combo? Try a bunch of non-pedal pre's, see what you like, and then pick a clean power amp. I've found I can then take as much or as little power amp (I have a couple at different sizes) to gig and not have my tone change...just louder and more headroom.

This is of course moot if you're looking for some type of power amp driving tone (Ampeg, etc), but I believe you mentioned you didn't want to bother with power tubes.
 
#17
Rather than changing amps, I think you'll benefit more from a cab that is designed to be stronger in the mids. Some cabs sound scooped and others give a very tight low and lo-mid sound and an 810 is surely that.

Have you tried any Schroeders? The reason I mention those cabs as they are designed to put out a lot of what you are looking for and are efficient enough where you can get ungodly loud without pushing your Walkabout hard.

Your Walkabout would also allow you to dial in some of the lows you still want while the cab itself will sound brighter by design, and your Walkabout can take a breather yet still pound it out.

Sometimes the tone we seek isn't in the amp itself. It's a combination of both to be sure, but cabs are designed with inherent strengths and weaknesses, and unless you have a truly "flat" cab, a change in amps may still not give you what you want.

Just a thought.
 
#20
This is HILARIOUS! It's a pie-eating contest of bass amps!
Looks like you have some trips to music stores in your future.

Don't buy ANYTHING without playing the $&#()$^& out of it first. Take your bass to the store, go to town on every amp that looks interesting to you. Crank the volume and gain, sit close, stand far away, pop, slap, play 64th notes...kick the tires!
 

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