• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Preamp + QSC or Normal Bass Head?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 79588
  • Start date Start date
#21
spideyjg said:
I run a PLX 1602 and Bmax and love it. As was said you want a different sound get a different pre.

I got to see my friend Wanda Friday using her BmaxT PLX2 3102 into a Schroeder 4X12. You can see the rig to the right.
The PLX2 was running a single channel and seldom would the -10 led come on. She was sounding great and the sound lacked nothing.

Her old rig was an SWR setup that was pushing it's limits. Now there is ample headroom.

Jim
Click to expand...
Wanda's got a similar rack setup to mine! Tell her she's got great taste, and I bet her tone is killer!

The Iron Maidens?!?!!? Get her on TB.
 
#23
Bob Lee (QSC) said:
Wanda calls me on the phone now and then. Mmmm. ;)
Click to expand...

They will be playing up in Pasadena Friday night Bob. Go see them if you can. Or go check out The South Coast Symphony season starting Nov 14th. She is the first chair bassist in that orchestra.

It was my and their sound tech's experience with QSC that we steered her to give you guys a call. Worked out great and she is quite happy with the new set up.

Jim
 
#24
spideyjg said:
They will be playing up in Pasadena Friday night Bob. Go see them if you can.
Click to expand...

I'll try to make it!

It was my and their sound tech's experience with QSC that we steered her to give you guys a call. Worked out great and she is quite happy with the new set up.
Click to expand...

That's what she said the first time she called asking for some amp guidance. I suggested some models to consider and try out, and I sensed that her enthusiasm and level of trust went up when I mentioned that I'm a bass player, too. I also referred her to Jörg Schroeder for cabinets.
 
#25
If you get a pre and power amp, you can collect and try different preamps pretty easily. I've used the same Stewart 1.6 with 5 different preamps (tech21 bassdriver di, Alembic f2b and f1x, groove tubes), and I've used it to power PA and subs. You get a lot more potential versatiltiy w/ a standalone power amp.
 
#26
jimbilly said:
If you get a pre and power amp, you can collect and try different preamps pretty easily. I've used the same Stewart 1.6 with 5 different preamps (tech21 bassdriver di, Alembic f2b and f1x, groove tubes), and I've used it to power PA and subs. You get a lot more potential versatiltiy w/ a standalone power amp.
Click to expand...

Very true. It never happened to me but I have heard several times folks have ended up at a venue without enough PA channels for monitors. They used one channel of their amp for the bass rig and the other to run extra monitors.

When not on the road it can make a hell of a home stereo amp too. :D
I have a RMX 1450 handling that task.

Jim
 
#28
spideyjg said:
When not on the road it can make a hell of a home stereo amp too. :D
I have a RMX 1450 handling that task.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about that idea as well.. what kind of speakers do you have hooked up to that bad boy? Do you just have a CD Player going in or do you have an Equalizer before it?

Thanks
 
#29
Armueller2001 said:
I was thinking about that idea as well.. what kind of speakers do you have hooked up to that bad boy? Do you just have a CD Player going in or do you have an Equalizer before it?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I have an ungodly stereo from my Navy days with 2 tape decks and a 5 disc CD changer, and a route selector feeding through a set of Bose 901's.

Yeah I know all the Bose is hype stories guys but they still work mkay.

I had a Yamaha M-80 power amp but when it needed repair I stuck my PLX 1602 in there to test and it worked fine. I located a RMX 1450 local and returned the PLX to the bass rig.

See most of it on the left...

Jim
recording014.jpg
 
#30
I was going to post something and then got distracted by Wanda's rack, but now I remember what it was...

You might also consider a Carvin B1500.
And they have a 10 day return policy.

[I have been using a Pre/Power rack for a few years, but lately I've been entertaining thoughts of either going for a B1500 or getting a different power amp.

I've had a Bergantino HT322 and a Schroeder 410 since I've had my current system and it just seems like there should be more slamming hefty ka-bam in my low bass.

Several TBers believe the Crest CA series or Crown Macro Tech (or Micro Tech) power amps are the way to achieve what I seem to be looking for.

I don't care about weight, but I do care about getting that tight, solid low end slam.

Anyway, I digress.]
 
#31
lo-freq said:
[I have been using a Pre/Power rack for a few years, but lately I've been entertaining thoughts of either going for a B1500 or getting a different power amp.
Click to expand...

I have Craig's old B800 if I really want to travel light. Powerwise it is like a single channel of the 1602. Too loud for the house really, the QSC/Bmax will sound better at low volume but get equally loud.

Jim
Carvin012.jpg
 
#33
Does a single speaker like that offer enough surface area to cut through the mix of a full piece band? It seems to me that one speaker would have trouble with response time and would sound muddy and whatnot...
 
#34
lo-freq said:
[I have been using a Pre/Power rack for a few years, but lately I've been entertaining thoughts of either going for a B1500 or getting a different power amp.

I've had a Bergantino HT322 and a Schroeder 410 since I've had my current system and it just seems like there should be more slamming hefty ka-bam in my low bass.

Several TBers believe the Crest CA series or Crown Macro Tech (or Micro Tech) power amps are the way to achieve what I seem to be looking for.

I don't care about weight, but I do care about getting that tight, solid low end slam.

Anyway, I digress.]
Click to expand...
Try out a ca9 if you can (hire maybe?). I thought 1100w of bridged wt800 was complete overkill but it doesn't come near just one side of the crest for sheer wallop. It's not a volume thing, it's punch, depth and articulation. Well I guess they do go kinda loud too I suppose. :)
 
#35
el_Kabong said:
Try out a ca9 if you can (hire maybe?). I thought 1100w of bridged wt800 was complete overkill but it doesn't come near just one side of the crest for sheer wallop. It's not a volume thing, it's punch, depth and articulation. Well I guess they do go kinda loud too I suppose. :)
Click to expand...
I'm thinking of selling mine and getting a 2nd-hand CA6 to run bridged.

[Sorry for the side-track.]

:)
 
#36
Armueller2001 said:
Does a single speaker like that offer enough surface area to cut through the mix of a full piece band? It seems to me that one speaker would have trouble with response time and would sound muddy and whatnot...
Click to expand...

No. That is a low volume gig or home practice set up. I have a 2X12, 1X15, and 2X10 as well to choose from. With the QSC I can run any combo up to all 4 and the Carvin I could run 2 cabs.

The Epifani is fantastic for giving me a rich tonal sound but doesn't move as much air as more surface area would.

As lo-freq says I am pretty well set, my wife says I have too much stuff. I can always say I have less than Tom Bowlus. ;)

Jim
 
#37
FTR, I really can't say enough good things about the PLX series. I got a ton of advice from everyone on these boards, and Bob Lee even gave me some excellent un-biased advice and education regarding power amps in general. I tried a few different models (Crown xTi, QSC RMX, PLX and PLX2, Yorkville, Peavey), but the PLX2 was just awesome. Lightweight and gobs of power. I don't know what else to say, it's gonna be with me for the long haul. Always try before you buy when you can, though.
 
#38
lo-freq said:
Can you tell any difference in the sound between the RMX and the PLX power amps?
Click to expand...
No.

They are both really excellent amps. It just depends on how much you want to spend.

I own 1 PLX2402 and 1 RMX850 and 1 RMX1450. They all sound GREAT! Perfectly reccomendable in any PA, Bass, Keyboard situation. It's just that the PLX weigh about half of either of the others.

I have not heard a PLXII.

:D

Joe.
 
#39
Just bought a QSC1602 and a Fender TBP1. I will be getting an El Whappo too. This is my first time going with seperate power/pre setup.It will be great to be able to bi-amp should I get another cab to go with my SWR 410.But somehow I think I might need more power for that. I can always get a larger amp later.Now all I have to do is figure out how to hook it al up, LOL!! I'm excited about my new rig and cant wait to hear it live.Everyone here at TB has been very helpful. You guys and gals ROCK!!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back