Power Amp Suggestions

[michaeln]

Originally posted by John M. Cote

That being said, I recently replaced my PV 260 power amp (great amp, but not enough power) with a Mackie 1400i on which I got a great deal. The Mackie is also a very good amp so I would encourage anyone contemplating a power amp purchase to check out the Mackie specs.

I used to own one. Yeah, they look good on paper. But I really don't like the way they sound for bass. Very soft, soggy uncontrolled low end compared to Crowns and QSCs.

 

[vanselus]

I've always thought Peavey made great stuff for the money - as long as you were content with the limitations of moderately priced gear! I played a Peavey G bass last year and it bout blew my socks off - tight, punchy, bright, and just a nice rock sound. ugly as sin, but nice to play. However, it doesn't hold a candle to my MTD - DUH. My first two amps were also Peavey - sounded great, but not as great as good stuff. Still, great for the money.

Reply to previous: no, i never had a chance to a/b crown and stewart - but the stewart sounds great to me.

interesting note: i used an all eden rig before this, and i never could quite dial in a tone i actually liked... anyone else have the same experience?

 

[Chuck M]

I have a WT-300 that I use for some gigs and I get my sound out of it usually with the EQ flat or close to flat. It does not have the clarity, headroom or detail that the Demeter/Stewart rig has but it still sounds very nice.

I used to own a WT-800 and had some trouble getting my sound. The WT-300 and WT-400 sound better to me than the 500, 600 and 800. Don't know why, but I've A/B'd several of each and the smaller Eden amps just sound better to me.

Chuck

 

[John M. Cote]

Michaeln -

I've hearde people echo your comments and I've heard people swear by Mackie. Everybody has their own opinion.

I tried a bunch of power amps and chose the Mackie because a) I liked the way it sounded, b) I liked the features and c) it seemed to offer the best value for the $.

John

 

[Chuck M]

John's post once again reminded me that we must keep in mind that the tone we like is not the tone for everybody. I like my rig and John likes his and we are both right.

Another consideration is that each player will get an individual tone out of the way he plays the bass. I can pick up my teacher's bass and play through his rig and his tone is superior (IMO) through his equipment. On the other hand, I like my tone better when I play my equipment.

While it is good to be able to share opinions about equipment, we should keep in mind that the final choice should be done on the basis of what sounds best and is most cost effective for us as individuals.

My wife is %100 Italian and her green eyes and dark hair and beauty are a great turn on to me. Some of you would not look at her twice and you would not like my bass tone either! Aren't you glad there are blonds also?

Chuck

 

[JimS]

So many women, so few lives.

 

[funkycarnivore]

Originally posted by vanselus

interesting note: i used an all eden rig before this, and i never could quite dial in a tone i actually liked... anyone else have the same experience?

I have a Stewart World 1.2 through a Trace Elliot Valve preamp and an Acme B-2.
I had an occassional sub gig where I didn't have to provide the amp and got to use the regular bass player's Eden WT-800 through D210XLT. It was apparent that Eden makes some quality stuff, but the tone didn't do much for me either.
funkyc

 

[vanselus]

Yeah - same here. I used to go through a WT-500 into either a 210XLT or a 410XLT - or both... and the tone, while being great, loud, punchy, deep - basically anything I wanted to take time to dial in... but just never finding that certain "something" that made the difference.

hopefully it's not just the tubes - i'd hate to become one of "those" guys.