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Rack suggestions

fear_n_greed

fear_n_greed

Nov 14, 2005
57
12
63
White Rock,BC
#1
I've returned to playing after a 23 year pause and have been lucky enough to form a pretty solid new band. We are heading into the studio to record and will be playing live shortly.
I play my trusty '78 fretless P-bass through an '82 Mesa Boogie 400. I picked up 2 Bag End 15" cabinets although I 'm thinking of swapping one of those for an 18".
Since I've been out of the loop for so long I'm wondering what kinds of rack goodies you guys use. I'm thinking of a Korg tuner, BBE sonic maximiser and noise gate sort of thing.
Any thoughts?
 
#3
For recording, you might want to get a compressor. I don't use one when I play live, but I do when I record. I think a majority of studios do, too. I have a sonic maximizer. It collects dust, but I'd be more inclined to use it on the PA as opposed to individual instruments.
 
#5
These are some of my thoughts and personal opinions after being in a very similar situation as you.

For a rock band type situation, I think you gotta dam fine stage rig already.
You really shouldn't have to add a bunch of crap to make your current setup work really well on stage or in the studio.
I'd just get a nice pedal type tuner, put your amp in an appropriate 4-space rack and consider it pretty much finished.

Several of these threads include rack case info for 400/400+ amps:
http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&...+case&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com

The DI's in these amps (including mine) are known to sometimes have issues and be unusable at loud stage volume levels.
Here's some DI box info you might check out:
http://www.google.com/custom?domain...;S:http://www.talkbass.com;LP:1;FORID:1&hl=en
(a really good DI will come in very handy for recording also)

I do think you should find a good amp tech (thats very familiar with your model) to give your amp a complete checkup.
If you wanna do something to to truly improve your amp, read this thread, before you take it in:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387202
(this all applies to your non-plus 400 model too)

I was wondering what model your Bagend 15's are?
I'd think those cabs should make a fine stage rig and I wouldn't be in any rush to get an 18 just yet.
If you do decide to make a cab change, here's some info you might consider:
http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&...NV610&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com
http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&...NV215&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com

If you guys are heading into a real recording studio, you probably wont need to be bringing any of your own additional processing gear.
If you guys are doing the budget home recording thing, I suggest you do some serious research before buying anything:
http://www.google.com/search?source...=1T4DMUS_enUS221US222&q=recording+bass+guitar

Good luck. Take everything you read on the net with a grain of salt, (including my advice) but this should keep ya busy researching for a good long while... :)
 
#7
get the BBE sonic maximizer, it is amazing. do you need a noise gate? if your rack is silent, why would it matter? if there is feedback, get a feedback eliminator. and if you want get a compressor, i would go with the aphex.
 
#11
fear_n_greed said:
Thx for comments guys. I appreciate it. As for speakers I have a Bag End S15-B and a S15X-D. We play ska/reggae/dub with a dash of punk and roll thrown in.
Click to expand...

If you are considering the BBE you might want to think about one of the BMax pre-amps. I have the tube version. you could then get a stereo power amp and be rid of the weight of the 400. Just a thought.

Oh and welcome back to bass playing ;)

Paul
 

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