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Question: Something simple...

V

VinniKaoz

Feb 23, 2014
13
0
Netherlands
#1
Hey bassplayers,

I have a question, because I'm not a gearfreak (low on money for many years, so I'm not interested in torturing myself with watching and looking for stuff I can't buy).

My Gallien Krueger RB800 is "dead", I have to bring it to a specialist somewhere to have something more than a humming noise out of it. Wrong cabs or something, dunno. That's were comes my question.

What is a simple, cheap amp that is indestructeble and has more "balls, growl and punch" than GK, because now I'm back on my Peavey TKO 115s combo, totally not useable for gigs, way too heavy for my back and it's in a terrible state, have to be way too "carefull" to carry it around, but the sound, just the sound, I missed it... Sorry GK fans, I have visually the same EQ on both amps, but the Peavey kicks way more balls..

What is something good for an ignorant bassplayer that doesn't want to know anything about technical stuff, just wants to plug and play, kick some ass and don't have to stress about Ohm-levels and stuff like that, so it won't break down or blow up... (because, like I said, I'm kind of always broke, so I'm not diving into gearhead-talk, because that would be torture for me)

I guess this question is almost impossible, but asking was never a crime...
 
#2
"Ohm levels", or impedance, is crucial to understand. Also, your choice of speaker cab is more important than the amp itself.
You say your 800RB is "dead", but more than likely, would be cheaper to repair than buying another amp. Find a good amp tech, and have it looked at. Also, tell us what cab you use, and its impedance.
 
#3
Also, setting the EQ knobs visually just does not work or mean anything. I get it, you've said you don't want any tech talk, but the fact is you could probably get all the punch you wanted just by learning how the EQ works, as well as a bit about speaker cab impedance.
 
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#4
Well, it went dead on a backline on a gig. It was a 2x10 and a 2x15 Trace Elliot cab connected, but I couldn't hear anything, so every song I turned up the volume more, the second to last song there was a loud bang and the lights on the front of the amp went out and there was only a humming "noise". (Dancing before the monitor-mixer didn't help either...)

I played before on that stage, on those cabs, I always use the 8 ohm output. Never had any problem before.

My own cab is a cheapo Ashdown 4x10 with the blue speakers.

I'm always messing with my EQ and I always miss the powerfull punchy low growl I search for, have tried almost everything. I know a little bit, but my knowledge is pretty low...

Yeah I play metal...
 
#5
Oh, with the 800RB I found my "sound", just like the Peavey combo, but with the GK I'm sucking the guitars away, so I'm EQ-ing it back just enough to not suck the guitars, with the Peavey I don't suck any sound away, but I still miss some punch in the GK, I'm using it for almost 5 yrs now... I know about sound and ohmages, but I'm never paying attention to it...
 
#7
orangejulius3 said:
I have a couple of questions.

We're you running both cabs off the 8 ohm side?
What's the ohm rating on the cabs?
What's your EQ setup on your amp?
Click to expand...

Yeah both cabs that time. The ohm-rating I haven't payed attention to it, because I'm that lazy... Just plug and play, did it 3 times before on that powerfull tower, so that's why I really didn't pay attention.

My eq is neutral with the mid-cut knob pushed. On my Peavey I'm having also a mid-dip on the EQ.
 
#10
VinniKaoz said:
So I was 3 times "lucky" and the 4th time it was just too much?
Click to expand...

Definitely possible, but I can't say for sure.

Just because my amp isn't rated for 2 ohms doesn't mean it can't be done, it means that the amp wasn't made for it and the manufacturer suggests not to do so.

My guitarists always plug into borrowed cabs without checking the ohmage on their amps and I'm always worried about something like this happening. I'd always double check what the stickers on the back of the cabs you're using for the ohm ratings, and ask the owner of them if it's not displayed. Not worth ruining your amp for.
 
#12
dukeisdog said:
My guitarists always plug into borrowed cabs without checking the ohmage on their amps and I'm always worried about something like this happening. I'd always double check what the stickers on the back of the cabs you're using for the ohm ratings, and ask the owner of them if it's not displayed. Not worth ruining your amp for.
Click to expand...

In my band it's the other way around :P I guess I have to pay attention more and care a bit more...

Guess I have to find a cheap amp-tech now :P
 
#13
VinniKaoz said:
Hey bassplayers,

I have a question, because I'm not a gearfreak (low on money for many years, so I'm not interested in torturing myself with watching and looking for stuff I can't buy).

My Gallien Krueger RB800 is "dead", I have to bring it to a specialist somewhere to have something more than a humming noise out of it. Wrong cabs or something, dunno. That's were comes my question.

What is a simple, cheap amp that is indestructeble and has more "balls, growl and punch" than GK, because now I'm back on my Peavey TKO 115s combo, totally not useable for gigs, way too heavy for my back and it's in a terrible state, have to be way too "carefull" to carry it around, but the sound, just the sound, I missed it... Sorry GK fans, I have visually the same EQ on both amps, but the Peavey kicks way more balls..

What is something good for an ignorant bassplayer that doesn't want to know anything about technical stuff, just wants to plug and play, kick some ass and don't have to stress about Ohm-levels and stuff like that, so it won't break down or blow up... (because, like I said, I'm kind of always broke, so I'm not diving into gearhead-talk, because that would be torture for me)

I guess this question is almost impossible, but asking was never a crime...
Click to expand...

Hmm. Wow, I recommend a [del]Radial J48[/del] - wait, you also said cheap and really easy, I recommend the IMP-2 and a good soundman.
 
#16
VinniKaoz said:
...What is a simple, cheap amp that is indestructeble and has more "balls, growl and punch" than GK...

What is something good for an ignorant bassplayer that doesn't want to know anything about technical stuff, just wants to plug and play, kick some ass and don't have to stress about Ohm-levels and stuff like that, so it won't break down or blow up...
Click to expand...

Bass amp wanted: simple, cheap, indestructible, good ballsy sound? Pick any two. :ninja:
 
#17
VinniKaoz said:
I like the 800RB, but I miss a little bit low-end punch without sucking the sound of the guitars away, maybe adding a 1x15 cab will do that trick?
Click to expand...

What is your budget in $ amount and where are you located? Are you opposed to buying used?

I always feel that adding an identical cab will increase low end. The thought that a 15" speaker puts out more low end then a 10" speaker is simply a myth. Doubling your speaker area (running 810s) would give you a lot more volume and low end Imo.
 
#19
dukeisdog said:
What is your budget in $ amount and where are you located? Are you opposed to buying used?

I always feel that adding an identical cab will increase low end. The thought that a 15" speaker puts out more low end then a 10" speaker is simply a myth. Doubling your speaker area (running 810s) would give you a lot more volume and low end Imo.
Click to expand...

My budget will depend on how much it will be to get the 800RB alive again...
 

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