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solid state player auditioning w/ band's ampeg tube gear

BtaylorTheRogue

BtaylorTheRogue

Nov 14, 2016
1,070
1,939
#1
So. I have an audition Sunday with a new band. They want me to just bring out my bass, as they have a rig in the practice area. Fine by me. It's (unspecified) Ampeg gear. I have an inkling that it's a 610 or 810.

Now, I'm generally team solid state. Is it as good as tube gear? That's a different thread. We're not discussing it here. However, it's definitely a different animal. I love it because it's lighter, cheaper, and more durable. But it also probably behaves differently. I've never actually played long enough on a tube rig with a bass to really experience it.

What are some pratfalls I should be prepared for? Some things that I should be aware of so that I look like the 17 year player I am, and not some scrub?
 
#2
Worrying about playing through a different rig than you normally do, and allowing that to have a negative impact on your audition will seem to say "scrub" more than anything else.

That being said, the tube rig needs time to warm up.
The tube rig might have a standby switch.
Maybe get there a little early, and ask if you can try out the tube rig ahead of time.
 
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#4
The tones you set initially may change a little over time, typically only by a negligible amount of gain or midrange wool.
The only thing you'll notice right away is the typical "impossible to accurately describe" responsiveness. The little differences that make tube lovers prefer them.
Much ado about nothing as far as you having anything to worry about.

Like stated above, just concentrate on the material and nailing the tunes. If you land the gig there's no reason to believe you won't run across backlined gigs anyway, so being freaked out about an unfamiliar rig could work against you. Look at it as a learning experience of finding a good mix tone on the fly with a rig you've never played.

I welcome playing on different gear...you may develop some GAS, who knows.
 
#5
Tone set flat is treble mid and bass at noon. Depending on the room adjust plus or minus noon to boost or cut.

Power up, amp in standby, after 30 seconds turn standby off and stand back and play.

If you want to prepare, go to the Ampeg: Classic Series web site and download the SVT-CL and SVT-VR manuals. The VR has a single volume control, the CL has a gain and a master volume. There are other tube amps in their lineup but reading those manuals will get you started and allow you to appear to be competent.
 
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#6
It’s an audition. Forget about the amp and learn the tunes to the very best of your ability. That’s how you get the gig. Worry about the amp later on.

The big Ampeg amps are great. Very easy to quickly dial in a nice tone, especially clean tones. Assuming the amp is healthy and plugged in correctly, you will have no issues.

The constant bickering about the “Class” of amps on TB can be rather unfortunate. The reality is that the tube bass amp topolologies were worked out a long time ago. They are dependably good for tone. The Class A/B bass amps were a bit behind that curve; but great examples were ultimate produced, which can be found rather routinely. The Class D powered amps are more newly on the scene, arriving in commercial examples in the mid 00’s. The initial examples weren’t really optimized for bass. More recent examples have substantially addressed the deficiencies.

I only own Class D now, simply because the better examples now meet my sound needs. Having gigged all the topologies at one time or another, I’m pretty comfortable with what sounds good and what doesn’t. Also, there is a major yin yang with the amp and the cab(s); which synergy, or lack thereof, is often left out of the discussion.

Anyhow, stay focused on your playing. The rest will take care of itself.

Oh, and last thing; be easy to work with and smile. Goes a long way.
 
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#7
I agree with all the above; if it mattered THAT much to other people, we wouldn't have so many bass players whose bandmates put up with them wandering through absurd gear changes all the time searching for whatever we all search for.

Let the amp warm up a bit, quickly dial in a good neutral tone you're comfortable with, nail the music, be positive, and pay attention to chemistry; remember you're auditioning them as well. Good luck!
 
#14
You should be fine. If you understand how to EQ, you should be able to get a functional tone out of most rigs.

beans-on-toast said:
Tone set flat is treble mid and bass at noon. Depending on the room adjust plus or minus noon to boost or cut.

Power up, amp in standby, after 30 seconds turn standby off and stand back and play.
Click to expand...

Set it at flat and then adjust to room, mix, and taste. Just don't spend too much time fussing, they want to play with you, not watch you tweak!
 
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#15
Old Garage-Bander said:
Worrying about playing through a different rig than you normally do, and allowing that to have a negative impact on your audition will seem to say "scrub" more than anything else.
Click to expand...

This more than anything else. Show them that you're ready to roll with whatever happens, such as if you were to show up at a gig and unexpectedly learn you would be forced to play through some bizarre backline rig. Plug in, make a few EQ adjustments if needed, and then make the best of the tone that comes out and forget about it.

However, nothing is to say that you can't have your bass head sitting in your car in the event that things are going well in the audition but you truly believe they'll be knocked out by your tone if they let you swap out during a break if time and interest permits. I would always have a head or full rig available for an audition even if a rig was provided, just in case their rig failed or was severely deficient.
 
#18
Gotta love the non-responses loaded with assumptions and implications that the OP might not be well prepared for the audition, and is simply looking for some advice on what he thinks could be a potential issue.

It took him a matter of moments to post a quick question. I doubt he's cowering in a shed, all day, wringing his hands over this issue, instead of practicing.
 
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