Several questions...

[Varkatzas]

1. I am using an SVT-4 through an Ampeg 8x10, and I have passive EMG-HZ's in my Shecter bass. I can't really choose between having the -15db pad on or not. I think I saw somewhere that if you have passive pickups, to not use the pad, if active, use the pad, is this correct?

2. I plan on getting a Sansamp RBI to put through my effects loop. Is this okay? Or would it make any difference if I ran it through the front end.

3. I also am using a DBX266 compressor to control some hum and feedback through my effects loop, should I keep doing it this way? Or do it through the front end?

4. Roundwound or Flatwound? I use A-Tuning, a metal band.

5. What brand of basses could you suggest for metal bands/ low tunings? I plan on getting an Ibanez SR755... anymore recommendations? I am a small person with small hands, so a thin neck is wanted.


Obviously not everyone could answer all these questions, but if you could fill me in with some knowledge, it would mean a lot. Thanks!

 

[Johnny Mack]

1. yes
2. yes it should be okay
3. i think its okay, but not positive
4. roundwound (its all up to you baby!)
5. its all up to you baby!

 

[JimmyM]

1. Yes, but I generally hate active pads and I've never used one in my life regardless of what bass I'm using.

2. Either way would work...pick the one you like best.

3. Wow, you must use some intense effects. If you're using it as a gate, best to make it last in the chain. If you're compressing, then it's up to you where it goes. I used to put mine first but you can put it anywhere you want.

4. Whatever. Most metal bassists use rounds these days but there's no law against using flats. Steve Harris of Maiden uses flats and nobody complains about him.

5. Whatever on that, too.

 

[Varkatzas]

1. Yes, but I generally hate active pads and I've never used one in my life regardless of what bass I'm using.

2. Either way would work...pick the one you like best.

3. Wow, you must use some intense effects. If you're using it as a gate, best to make it last in the chain. If you're compressing, then it's up to you where it goes. I used to put mine first but you can put it anywhere you want.

4. Whatever. Most metal bassists use rounds these days but there's no law against using flats. Steve Harris of Maiden uses flats and nobody complains about him.

5. Whatever on that, too.

I see you post quite often on here, and can tell your knowledgeable guy... do you have any prior experience with RBI's? I plan on just going from effects send on my amp -> input 2 of RBI -> DBX266 in-> effects return, but I assume to use the "Sansamp Output" rather than the "Unaffected Output" on RBI, right? Probably a stupid question, but I just want to make %100 sure.

So you always recommend not using the pad at all?

 

[ShowKing]

1. I am using an SVT-4 through an Ampeg 8x10, and I have passive EMG-HZ's in my Shecter bass. I can't really choose between having the -15db pad on or not. I think I saw somewhere that if you have passive pickups, to not use the pad, if active, use the pad, is this correct?

2. I plan on getting a Sansamp RBI to put through my effects loop. Is this okay? Or would it make any difference if I ran it through the front end.

3. I also am using a DBX266 compressor to control some hum and feedback through my effects loop, should I keep doing it this way? Or do it through the front end?

4. Roundwound or Flatwound? I use A-Tuning, a metal band.

5. What brand of basses could you suggest for metal bands/ low tunings? I plan on getting an Ibanez SR755... anymore recommendations? I am a small person with small hands, so a thin neck is wanted.


Obviously not everyone could answer all these questions, but if you could fill me in with some knowledge, it would mean a lot. Thanks!

1. my ampeg combo amp has the passive and active input too. both my basses are active so i go thru the active input. i tried the passive input but the volume was overloading. the active input handles it fine

2. you could use the effects loop if you dont want your SVT-4 to affect your RBI sound. i like to run my pedals straight thru the bass input though to get the coloration from the amp's preamp onto the pedal

3. if it works then sure why not. if it works from front end as well, then up to you

4. i think round-wound will suit the style a lot better

5. ibanez have the most thin necks i've ever played so if thats what your after then yes

 

[JimmyM]

I see you post quite often on here, and can tell your knowledgeable guy... do you have any prior experience with RBI's? I plan on just going from effects send on my amp -> input 2 of RBI -> DBX266 in-> effects return, but I assume to use the "Sansamp Output" rather than the "Unaffected Output" on RBI, right? Probably a stupid question, but I just want to make %100 sure.

So you always recommend not using the pad at all?

I have only plugged into an RBI once so I don't know a lot about it. But the Sansamp output would be the one you want.

As for the pad, I hate them and avoid them like the plague. But if you have an extremely hot bass and you overload the regular input, you can use the padded input to keep from slamming the preamp too hard. But I've never had that problem at any time.

 

[tom once dead]

I will also recomend looking at ESP basses, they have very nice necks.