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Seeking Experienced Opinions on Tones...

S

StrungOutMech

Feb 24, 2010
2
0
43
Connecticut
#1
Hey all, just joined up.

For starters, I'm a big fan of the golden age of rock. I'm after a bass tone much like the one found on early Bowie recordings. Try "Come and buy my toys" on for example. I also notice from looking around that Nick Simper is pretty revered here as well, and I must say it's that clicky thump in the Deep Purple MK1 days that really makes me love their version of Hey Joe.

So I already have a decent P-Bass I've been playing thru my standard guitar amps just for practice, but I really need a good head and cabinet to do what I want to do. What are some good ways to get that 60s/70s tone? I have a feeling I'd better start with tube driven equipment. I certainly prefer it for my "soprano" guitar.

Also, being I play both the octaves, sometimes in the same gig, anyone know any good stacks that perform well in this? I've heard rumors of Duane Almann and Dicky Betts using Bassman heads because they had such great nads to 'em.
 
#2
hmmm. im not an expert on this but I recently tried the markbass heads and found them to be a more versatille ampeg sort of tone. This might be worth checking out for you.
Also I played the GK something 600 and was VERY impressed for the $299 tag on it. you can get alot of tones out of this head and for the cash cant go wrong.
 
#4
Nothing says "Golden Age of Rock" like a P-Bass through an Ampeg SVT rig.

Now there are a lot of ways to achieve that tone, but one of the cheapest (that I've read about anyway as I don't have this setup) is find a good powerful amp and run a Sansamp VT pedal through it. Many (even die-hard SVT lovers) believe it is the closest thing to the real deal and way cheaper and lighter than schlepping around an SVT head and 810 cab.

But the key to vintage rock tone seems to be a P-Bass and the VT pedal (short of a true SVT rig).

Just a thought.
 
#5
I wouild agree with all of the above and add that a 100 watt Bassman head could work assuming that you don't need a lot of volume for bass, and that if you want distortion for guitar, it would have to be very loud
In other words, it would work but may not offer the control you are looking for
Perhaps a boutique tube amp with multiple pre/power amp volume controls would work
I have a Diaz 100 watt amp that kills for both assuming 100 watts is loud enough for bass
 
#6
All these great ideas...thanks! I suppose it will depend on my cash-flow. I'm not sure how old the Orange Thunderverb is, but could that have been the rig Andy Frazier uses in the Free promotional vids all over youtube?

Speaking of high $$$ I had also wondered about the Sunn Model T. Anyone ever play with those?
 
#9
Hello StrungOutMech,
I own a 73 Sunn Model T. great amp for both. It was originally bought as a multi purpose back up. Both My guitarist were using Sunn Model T's, one had 2 Sunn 412s cabs the othe 2 Sunn 200S cabs loaded with JBL D-130's...loud yep.
So a Model T could be a good solution for a person who plays bass and Git, no reverb though and 1st Gen unit's are best(no mid switch) i also did own a Dual Showman with OEM cab, 2 D-140's. That is a sweet amp for both unless you need loud bass to compete with Marshall stax etc. The Model T has an impedance selector switch and line out and line in. the V4B or V4 if an older unit(4 x 7027A) is also a fine dual purpose amp. the V4B has no reverb. And lastly and older Traynor YB-X units, preferably with a quad of EL-34(6CA7) is also versatile. A good running Suun Model T, 1st Generation is costly. It gets the 2000S tone no problem and circuit analysis has revealed that it is a "Bassman" like front end with HiWatt input jax and a 2000S power amp(4 x 6550) go for it.
 
#10
A little pricey, but also the Reeves era Hiwatt DR's. They were factory designated "AP" (All Purpose) and were regularly used for bass or guitar, even keyboards and PA sometimes.

Old Sunns are probably the best bang for the buck, though.
 

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