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Real Differences In Heads Through 2x10?

theevilplankton

theevilplankton

Jul 9, 2009
950
719
#1
I'm window shopping for a new head, and whilst getting lost in an array of specs and figures.....

I'm playing through a Markbass 2x10. So not a mega-rig....meaning, or I'm wondering, if I'll ever notice a major differences between heads?

Current head is a Rumble 500, been looking at other Markbass and the Ampeg PF 500 as well.

Obviously the sound of my bass, and cab, is what it is. So am I getting carried away here? It won't be a 4x12 overnight.....so is the head the most negligible part of the set-up?

I used combos for years, so all this choice is quite new to me.....
 
#2
What are you currently not getting from your rig and are you certain its the head needing to be changed?

I am struggling with similar questions. I know I'm not thrilled with my live rig sound but don't know what to do and I am hesitant to simply throw $ at the problem. I assumed it was my TC BH250 that doesn't seem to match up well with my odd collection of cabs. Went shopping a few days back for a new amp head and in the process ran my TC head into an Epifany 1x12. I wanted to compare the Epiphany heads at the shop to my current amp. My amp and that cab had a great tone played solo in the store. But I wasn't willing to spend the $ not certain I'd get the same pleasing results in a gig situation considering the poor room acoustics that one often encounters. The experience did convince me my original assumption that the TC amp was the problem was now replaced with the thought I should consider a more robust cab search. Whatever I do, if I do anything at all, will have to include actually field testing the gear (preferably on a gig) before committing to purchase.
 
#3
alack said:
What are you currently not getting from your rig and are you certain its the head needing to be changed?
Click to expand...

I have had the pleasure of playing through a Rumble 350 2x10 combo. I was greatly impressed how well the unit filled the room and how it reproduced the B of my six string bass. I agree with the love that this series of amplifiers gets on this site. It was in fact the first Fender bass amp that I actually liked. :)
 
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#4
I think my problem with my current rig, is that it lacks grit.

Volume is no problem...400w through the cab, 500w head...but together, it just seems to be missing something. Either concentrated punch from the 2x10, or grind from the head. Just a kind of middy 'meh'.

Given the cab, my thing is that being concerned, any amp will bring a similar result, as to what it's being put through.

Maybe a match with a MB head would sound better?
 
#5
theevilplankton said:
I think my problem with my current rig, is that it lacks grit.
Click to expand...

Grit is something I can’t help you with. I’ve spent the last 50 odd years trying to eradicate any signs of distortion from my signal chain. Back in the day using low powered tube amps, to get any sort of a decent volume, distortion was a fact of life for a bass player. Now players are trying to emulate what they hear from way back then! :D
 
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#6
theevilplankton said:
I think my problem with my current rig, is that it lacks grit.

Volume is no problem...400w through the cab, 500w head...but together, it just seems to be missing something. Either concentrated punch from the 2x10, or grind from the head. Just a kind of middy 'meh'.

Given the cab, my thing is that being concerned, any amp will bring a similar result, as to what it's being put through.

Maybe a match with a MB head would sound better?
Click to expand...
Even with the overdrive and gain cranked up? I've never used a Rumble 500 or that cab, but I'm guessing it's more the cab than the head. Maybe take your axe to a music store and A/B the Rumble against other heads and cabs? Bring your cab if they don't carry it in the store.
 
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#7
My trouble is that my cab has to stay...only cab that'll fit my car!

I had bigger cabs before, but TBH, they didn't sound much better...

Maybe I'm not cranking up enough. Would I benefit from a smaller head at a louder volume? I'm never near 1/4 at my current set up.
 
#10
Sounds to me like your amp and cab are perfectly fine, and you just need some effects pedals and/or lessons. :)

Perhaps a compressor pedal that also adds some tonal coloration, like the Diamond, might be just the ticket. And a good teacher can give you advice on how to attack the strings so your notes sound punchy and cut through the mix. When was your last lesson?

Also, what kind of bass are you playing, and what kind of strings? Maybe just a new set of strings will give you what you want.
 
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#11
Playing a US Geddy with D'addario NYXL strings.

Great bass (my dream bass for some time), but I was just wanting to add a bit more Geddy grind without a pre amp.....then the more I look, the more I think that an amp is an amp, and a pre amp is the only fix?
 
#16
I would start with turning some knobs. Maybe post up what you have them set at, photo or text describing position relative to the hour hand on a clock. Definitely, try turn master down and gain up, and try turning up the overdrive. Then reduce eq anywhere that sounds louder or boomy. Avoid cranking up too much EQ.

If you go after pedals, take a look at Way Huge, for overdrive and distortion going from mild to wild. Way Huge Pork Loin benefits from a capacitor swap, but I see them for sale sometimes listed as "With John_K mod," which is the cap swap. I like my PL and Russian pickle. Good place to start:



Skip through the play list for overdrives and distortion pedals. If you have questions, search for the Way Huge club here on TB in the effects section. Warning, Will makes everything sound good!

Then there is this. Make any dirty boy happy: For Sale - Genz Benz Streamliner 600 Full tube preamp. Reasonable price. The blue LEDs are intermittent, a cheap fix if you get it to a Genz Benz tech. They are very cool, but just bling, no effect on tone. If your cab is 400 Watts RMS at 8 Ohms, the SL would be a pretty good match. If that's 400 watts program or peak, or if they are 8 Ohms, well, be careful with that axe, Eugene.

For Sale - Genz Benz Streamliner 600

These come up used at GC, Reverb, Sam Ash, etc. from time to time.
 
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#19
theevilplankton said:
Cab is 400w at 4ohm, 350w at 8ohm
Click to expand...
The cab has a switchable input? A few do, but unless it does, the cab "sets" the impedance (the Ohms). The amp is rated at different loads, in ohms.

SL is putting out 375 Watts RMS @ 8 Ohms, should be OK with your cab if it's rated in RMS. You won't want to dime all the knobs, but of course you wouldn't want to do that with the Rumble either. Beware of excessive bass boost on any amp, especially when trying to make up for a speaker lacking a deep bass response.

Try more gain. There's nothing wrong with cranking it all the way if it sounds good and you adjust the master. Then set the gain back to where it is now and try cranking up the built in overdrive. Then try both.

Your best bet on eq setting for your Rumble would be in the Fender Rumble club. Very nice ad helpful people. If you ask there, you absolutely will get an answer. You can also search it for some suggested settings for this and that sound. IIRC there are quite a few of those "recipes" scattered through the thread. They would also know how the gain, overdrive interact. Those of us that haven't had a Rumble amp are only able to offer more genetic settings that will need tested. I expect you can find your way with the Rumble, or get very close and maybe add a pedal or two.
 
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