Reiner Amplification Megathread

[Fuzzbass]

You know, depending on what the piezo puts out, an amp with a fairly open and flat response might not offer the most flattering presentation of its sound (not knocking the Fishman -- looks like a nice system). Too, the harmonic content that the Studio adds to the signal and which is so enriching of slab tone might not be what you're looking for with piezo signal from an ABG (or it might -- I'm just spitballing ideas, here).

I've been sitting out because I don't do upright and have never owned a piezo bass of any kind -- but I've played piezo-equipped basses, so when I read UB's question my first thought was that I was not at all surprised to hear that it would be a challenge to find a rig that would work with both piezo and magnetic pickups, given that they sound so strikingly different from each other -- and that's true with like instruments, let alone unlike ones such as EB and URB.

In short: MarkA, I don't think you are spitballing (for what my opinion is worth).

 

[silky smoove]

I am really tempted to escalate this, but I'm in the middle of my snack and can't be bothered to.

 

[pjhandlin]

The acoustic bass is plugged into a Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300, which is connected to an Fdeck HPF Pre Series 3

I had a similar response with ST300 tuner ahead of Fdeck with my double bass (into a different amp though).

Ukiah, have you tried going into Fdeck first?

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I had a similar response with ST300 tuner ahead of Fdeck with my double bass (into a different amp though).

Ukiah, have you tried going into Fdeck first?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This swap did the trick. What an amazing transformation! Night and day. I still need to do some "extreme" EQing (lower mids and upper mids to about 10:00), and bass to about 2:00. But the harmonic content is suddenly clear and true. Hands down prefer the S1200 to the Puma. This acoustic bass guitar now sounds like an upright. Couldn't be more pleased! And to think I doubted the abilities of this amp with acoustic. Shame on me.

 

[JGR]

Good catch PJ - your instrument was seeing the input impedance of the ST-300 (probably 500k or so) rather than the 10M of the Fdeck.... definitely a big difference!

 

[peterpalmieri]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This swap did the trick. What an amazing transformation! Night and day. I still need to do some "extreme" EQing (lower mids and upper mids to about 10:00), and bass to about 2:00. But the harmonic content is suddenly clear and true. Hands down prefer the S1200 to the Puma. This acoustic bass guitar now sounds like an upright. Couldn't be more pleased! And to think I doubted the abilities of this amp with acoustic. Shame on me.

Excellent

 

[winegamd]

According to the test article in bass gear mag, the puma does have quite a dip in the mids to upper mids.Invalid Link Removed

 

[MarkA]

@pjhandlin, I bet you and @silky smoove think you're sooo smart, don't you? My dad says I have to be a good sport, though, so *mumble mumble* Good catch on the tuner impedance.

According to the test article I'm bass gear mag, the puma does have quite a dip in the mids to upper mids.Invalid Link Removed

Partial vindication! I'll take it.

 

[J.Wolf]

Hmmm. Not a JGR amp owner, but I DO run my bass into an ST300 as the first stop on my board. Might have to rethink that, or at least try some different config's.

Great thread, would love to spend some time with a Studio 1200 some day!

 

[JGR]

I'm a huge fan of the Empress Buffer+. I removed the trimmer pot so the bass sees a 10M input impedance (per Empress). In addition to a dedicated tuner out and a bunch of other cool features, it has a buffer on the front end, a loop for all your pedals, and then another buffer on the output. Eliminates a lot of the variability and works like a champ.

 

[Passinwind]

I'm a huge fan of the Empress Buffer+. I removed the trimmer pot so the bass sees a 10M input impedance (per Empress). In addition to a dedicated tuner out and a bunch of other cool features, it has a buffer on the front end, a loop for all your pedals, and then another buffer on the output. Eliminates a lot of the variability and works like a champ.

The Creation Labs Redeemer is a pretty useful widget too. IIRC they make a version in a stompbox, but I just rolled my own.

IMO and IME it's generally best to have a preamp as close as physically possible to piezo pickups.

 

[J.Wolf]

Thanks Jonathan, thats good advice. I'm a huge Empress Para EQ and Multidrive fan, so I will have to check out their buffer!

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm not a regular Facebook person but happened to notice that JGR is selling a pair of his 2U preamps, different versions. Thought I'd post it here in case anyone was interested. No wait time!

Reiner Amplification

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(the embed code doesn't seem to work, just check the page for details)

 

[Fuzzbass]

YouTube sent me an e-mail that the mad scientist is still at work!

 

[kjones]

YouTube sent me an e-mail that the mad scientist is still at work!

That sounded pretty darn cool, even coming out of the (what, half-inch? Quarter-inch?) speaker on my iPad.

 

[Fuzzbass]

That sounded pretty darn cool, even coming out of the (what, half-inch? Quarter-inch?) speaker on my iPad.

Kevin, you pretty much have the holy grail in that Sadowsky SA200, but Jonathan's amps get reasonably close to that vibe even though they have solid state power sections. Nothin' but tubes in front of that.

P.S. Headphones!!

 

[kjones]

Kevin, you pretty much have the holy grail in that Sadowsky SA200, but Jonathan's amps get reasonably close to that vibe even though they have solid state power sections. Nothin' but tubes in front of that.

P.S. Headphones!!

That's very cool. I'm actually hoping for some time off soon so I can come see you and hear it.

Yeah, I know about headphones; they're just darn hot with this little heat wave we're having. My big old Dumbo ears have to breathe!

 

[JGR]

That's very cool. I'm actually hoping for some time off soon so I can come see you and hear it.

Yeah, I know about headphones; they're just darn hot with this little heat wave we're having. My big old Dumbo ears have to breathe!

Hey Kevin,

Didn't realize you are somewhat local - you are always welcome to swing by some time!

 

[kjones]

Hey Kevin,

Didn't realize you are somewhat local - you are always welcome to swing by some time!

That is most kind!

I'll definitely take you up on it--as soon as this darn musical run is over. Is it even possible to be having too many gigs?

 

[kd5uwl]

Geez friends, I just gotta tell you -- I'm loving my Studio 1200 paired with my Barefaced Two10. Fabulous tone, clarity, and volume!

I'd say it's a match made in heaven, although the 1200 is a bit overpowered for this cab. I think Alex recommends up to an 800 watt amp with it.

So while, because of that, I couldn't recommend it for everyone with a 1200 it definitely works out for me .. I never ever cause the red light to come on. I think I have been quite close to that with this cab, though, and it never broke a sweat.

But the main point of this post is to report the amazing tone this pairing provides while keeping up with loud guitarist and drummer. Every time I try another one of my amps with it I keep coming back to the 1200 and, when I do, I'm amazed at the sound I can easily dial in .. every time, in every setting.

This pairing is my Number One. I just love it .. thanks @JGR and @alexclaber.

I should add, my number one bass is a Ric 4003 with Rotosound rounds. With this amp and cab: tone for miles.