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

[chadds]

Don't worry about the gear. What does happen is we worry about shoelaces and such minutae when we have a little angst over the audition. There are so many unknowns and we want the gig that we can get nervous. I think the assumptions are beneficent coaching of our fellow.
As was said above "break a leg."

 

[lz4005]

I agree with the suggestion to bring your normal SS head and leave it in the car.
You should be able to get a sound you like with minimal trouble on the Ampeg rig, but just in case, have yours as a backup.
Even if all it does is ease your mind.

 

[Muttleybass]

You should probably be prepared for a tingling in your loins.

...maybe wear some Depends in case a little pee comes out.




Seriously? I've been a SS (GK) guy forever. I went and did a gig in Mexico with some friends and had to play thru a borrowed SVT head with a 610 cab. I came home and wanted to sell all my gear, then I realized I'd have to haul that monster around. I'm pretty sure you'll be happy.

 

[40Hz]

You’re overthinking it. It’s an amp. In this case a particularly nice one. Ignore all woo you’ve heard about tubes. There’s no need to drink the Tube Crew’s kool-aid. You have more important things to focus on. Like nailing that audition.

So stop worrying about minutiae and just do the audition. If you’re someone who is having concerns just because you’re asked to use a different amp than the one you usually play, then there’s something seriously wrong with your abilities as a bass player who’s looking to join a band. And you know you’re better than that.

You’ll be fine. Don’t worry about playing through a tube amp. Just play bass.

 

[two fingers]

OK, here's some actual "What to listen for" advice.

First off, if the cab is the 8-10, it is NOT designed for wall shaking lows and tinny highs. Low mids and lots of them is where it shines. Don't try to get too hi-fi or scooped with it because it just won't do it. It was never designed too.

If it is the 6-10 (ported version) it will do more low thump and will be hard to dial in the mids for clarity. I find them a bit boomy and "dark".

Not berating either cab. They are designed to be what they are.

As for the head, you don't know that it will be a tube head, first off.

If it is.....
SCT-CL, real vintage SVT, and the SVT II will sound similar. And similarly to the fridge (8-10) they are designed for mid growl. Sure they can get boomy. But they love to roar in the low mids.

If it's a V4 you won't notice much difference from a solid state. It is a much more "hi-fi" tune amp. Jist dial it in and let it eat.

If it is an SVT III, IV, 6 Pro or 7 Pro it will be pretty versatile and capable of many tones. These are hybrid with tube preamps and solid state power. Take a sec to tweak and let it eat.


Have fun. Report back! Good luck!

 

[Hand slap]

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?

 

[Hand slap]

Set the amp flat to start, it's not rocket science, IMO, the difference between the two types, shouldn't cause you, to NOT find the tone you like. You might be surprised how easy it can be. I have always preferred solid state, I like the fast response, but, as I get older, I do like the warmth of a tube amp, but not the weight. They should tell you what amp you will be using. You can do some research? I would focus on your playing first and foremost. You will be fine.

 

[tedsalt]

Depending on what tune selection they offer, I would probably start out clean tone wise (volume up, gain down), then add some overdrive (gain up some, volume lower).

Don't share your signature joke

Have fun, good luck, break a leg!

 

[bassbully]

You will probably sound better that’s all.

 

[Jeff Scott]

TL;DR

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.

What makes you think it is a 610 or 810? Did they mention anything? Also, just because they say it is an Ampeg, that doesn't mean it IS going to have tubes in the amp.

 

[micguy]

Most weekends, I hear myself through in ears. The eq is partially set by the guy at FOH. He may or may not compress my signal. The audience hears me through signal processing, amps, speakers and subs that I have no control over. The amps and subs I've never even seen. Somehow, even with all that, people like what they hear.

You'll be playing through an amp you'll be fully in control of. Don't sweat the gear. Practice the songs. You'll be fine.

 

[mpdd]

as you get better it matters less what you're using, whether i'm using the rumble 25, the mesa d180, the korg beat boy, or the apogee jam you can tell it's me and that i'm playing the songs the way they're supposed to be played

 

[JimmyM]

It's an amp like any other, it just sounds way better than most

 

[BrentD]

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?

One is that you may start shopping for tube amps!

 

[Member8675309]

I have always enjoyed playing through other people’s amps and cabs, as well as noodling on their basses. I think sometimes I get so caught up in achieving my tone that I distract myself from my actual playing.

I have taught thousands of students, I’ve reluctantly sat through HUNDREDS of hours of presentations, and I can tell you that one thing you need to do is get out of your head. That stuff is a cancer, and it will F you up. If you’re well prepared....and you will be or else you wouldn’t be researching, you have nothing to worry about. The Ampeg and you will sound fine, it’s hard to jack up the tone of an Ampeg just like it’s difficult to jack up the tone of a P Bass.

But, out of curiosity, what type of music are you playing? Probably some random guy here that’ll set you up with a killer dial in.

 

[BtaylorTheRogue]

TL;DR

What makes you think it is a 610 or 810?

it is an Ampeg, that doesn't mean it IS going to have tubes in the amp.

Photos of two previous bassists with the same cab in the background plus the band says on their page they use an ampep bass amp.

If it’s ss, I have my entire history as a bassist to draw upon. Not worried there.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Photos of two previous bassists with the same cab in the background plus the band says on their page they use an ampep bass amp.

If it’s ss, I have my entire history as a bassist to draw upon. Not worried there.

I have played quite a few Ampegs over the years, both all tube and hybrids. The only one I owned was a PB250, which was a cool amp (no pun intended) for the most part, but they must have packed lead in the chassis as it weighted a lot more than its size (and measly power) would indicate. When LOUD Technologies laid off most of its US workforce and moved to Vietnam I sold the amp.

 

[scootron]

The worst thing you could do (within reason) is to waste time in the audition, constantly bellyaching about the gear, and reminding the band that you're not used to this amp, whilst they have to endure listening to you playing the same riff over and over again, and fumble aimlessly with the EQ.

They should have everything setup, and ready when you arrive. So just double check the amp is warmed up, then plug in, set the gain, and play a couple of notes.

If it sounds ok, don't touch anything, and instead focus 100% on the audition.

If it sounds awful; bear in mind that the band may already have the amp set up how they want it to sound, so don't just march in and start fiddling.

Ask if it's ok to change the sound.

If they say yes, disengage any ultra low, ultra bright, and graphic EQ - you may also want to disengage the limiter.

Spend absolutely no more than 30 seconds tweaking the tone controls, and make sure you're not obnoxiously loud.

Get back to giving the audition your full attention.

You can always make further tweaks to the amp, between songs. Just limit yourself to 5 or 10 seconds at a time.

Style it out.

Good luck!

Excellent advice, this is.

Basically, I was just going to say "rock it like you own it", but W&W makes many good points.

Remember, you are not playing for bass players. Honestly, they aren't tone fiends like we are. They just want to know if you can lay it down.

Best points above, IMO...they will be used to the sound of the rig there, which is good for you...don't complain about the rig, they are looking for a reason to like you...don't spend long tweaking it, concentrate on your playing...and, rock it like you own it. The fact that you are concerned enough to post about it says something positive.

 

[catcauphonic]

If it's a classic Ampeg tube amp...



... and sound!

 

[Downunderwonder]

Photos of two previous bassists with the same cab in the background plus the band says on their page they use an ampep bass amp.

If it’s ss, I have my entire history as a bassist to draw upon. Not worried there.

It's not like your history is any less valid for putting a few tubes in your signal chain.

You don't know who's been messing with the knobs before you get there so I wouldn't worry in the least about messing it straight to "flat" and giving it a tweak from there.

What bunch of dorks advertises their bass amplifier on their website?