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Ampeg SVT CL !! The all tube gain with the tube power amp master, are you kidding!? Though I must admit there are other, much more sensible, options.
Spector's sound unique, powerful... Better. The previous statement from last nights show at the Fillmore here in Silver Spring, MD. Headlining act Theory Of A Deadman's bassist Dean Back uses an impressive collection of basses, all of them sound great. After a few songs the bass tone became fuller, more aggressive, rounder... Better! I looked and saw this!
Of course I am biased, but even my wife noticed the sudden change, for the better, in tone. If these guys are in your town, check them out. Good old rock and roll.
Great picture Mr. Bassie! That's the main thing I've heard about tube amps from everyone that has owned one. I figure since there are a lot of Pro bassist and semi Pro bassist that are playing tubed amps, there's go to be a really good reason for it. And it boils down to what you have said Bassie. Plus they have roadies to haul their equipment, so why not play what they believe is the best tone?!?!
worshiprocker
Tonepump Junkie
- Aug 12, 2011
- 4,683
- 1,782
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
I think we are lucky as bassists... there are soo many great SS amps and great tube amps... The guitards generally have to go with class a a/b tube amps to get good tone (with few exceptions).
No one can say the SVT CL doesn't sound amazing... and many bassists pro and otherwise use them. But a lot of pro guys use either SS or tube pre. The 3 people that come to mind for bass tone are Rex (SVT4pro tube pre, SS power), Justin Chancellor (SS gk 2001rbii x2), Robbie Merril(now using GK fusion 550 x2 tube pre SS power)
so that being said we are very lucky
No one can say the SVT CL doesn't sound amazing... and many bassists pro and otherwise use them. But a lot of pro guys use either SS or tube pre. The 3 people that come to mind for bass tone are Rex (SVT4pro tube pre, SS power), Justin Chancellor (SS gk 2001rbii x2), Robbie Merril(now using GK fusion 550 x2 tube pre SS power)
so that being said we are very lucky
I found the cobalts tore my callouses open when I tried them. How are they for you?
- Apr 15, 2010
- 3,914
- 7,324
- Disclosures
- Spector Artist
yes the sound good. but people say they are known for eating frets((( I've got two sets of them recently but hesitating to put on my NS-2 or not... I had one set before on my Euro and liked the tone but now I'm a bit warried of putting them on my #1 bass. Currently strung it with Dean Markley but I also want to try something else.
P.S. Dean Markleys also feel harsh anyway...
I've been using the Cobalts on my Stingrays for a little while but not on the Spectors. They're nice for sure and I like them better than Slinkys, but I feel I can probably gte just as good a sound from the SR5's with Fat Beams.
I haven't found the Cobalts to be excessively rough. If anything I want to build my callouses back up.
I haven't found the Cobalts to be excessively rough. If anything I want to build my callouses back up.
worshiprocker
Tonepump Junkie
- Aug 12, 2011
- 4,683
- 1,782
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
what is the tension like on the cobalts? I might try them out... I really like the Dunlop Steels... they just aren't lasting me very long.... last night was a bit rough because my strings were DEAD
worshiprocker
Tonepump Junkie
- Aug 12, 2011
- 4,683
- 1,782
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses
- Apr 15, 2010
- 3,914
- 7,324
- Disclosures
- Spector Artist
In my experience yes, if higher tension equals "tighter". I know my steels seem more flexible.
When I first got my Euro 5LX I was using Lo-Rider nickels or Dunlop nickels and they felt too tight for my liking. I went with the some Fat Beams and loved the feel of them comparatively. Should be noted the Lo-Riders have a hex core whereas the Fat Beams have a round core.
I've also has both D'Addario XL's and ProSteels on one of my SR5's with the same gauges for each and it's noticeable how much tighter the XL's are. If you look at D'Addario's tension guide you'll see the differences in tension between the two.
I prefer the tightness of hex core strings...but I also use ridiculously light strings! 40-55-75-90
- Oct 19, 2010
- 1,751
- 1,949
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector Bass / Darkglass Electronics / Tsunami Cables
Yep! I can understand a need for change now and then. Patrick really has me very interested in Aguilar rigs right now. Interested enough to sell my B-15T? Probably not. Ill keep THIS Ampeg around as everyone that I've talked to that had one of these and sold it for something else, regret it and wish they had never sold it. And asked me if I ever sell mine to give them first dibs. The B-15T is an all around great rig. She makes beautiful sounding music!
I have met a few people who I respect and heed their advice and who have played bass for 30+ years and who started with or played Ampeg along the way. They all say something like this:
"I played through 100 different amps because I wanted a different tone and I got it. Then I played an Ampeg again years later....It felt like coming home".
I took that under consideration while I chose my amp. I didn't have the time or money to try out 20 amps under the conditions I would have liked to try them through.
Ampeg, GK, Aguilar, this...that.... Whatever works for you and your ear at that time.
I think we are lucky as bassists... there are soo many great SS amps and great tube amps... The guitards generally have to go with class a a/b tube amps to get good tone (with few exceptions).
No one can say the SVT CL doesn't sound amazing... and many bassists pro and otherwise use them. But a lot of pro guys use either SS or tube pre. The 3 people that come to mind for bass tone are Rex (SVT4pro tube pre, SS power), Justin Chancellor (SS gk 2001rbii x2), Robbie Merril(now using GK fusion 550 x2 tube pre SS power)
so that being said we are very lucky
True that brotha. my 5 tube pre's on my 4-Pro are just perfect! Plus running a SS power amp I heard is better for the sea of pedals I use
On a total different note... I've had music block for 2 days now.
Just to share:
I got interested in trying GKs because of Lee and Donny and simply form hearing so much good stuff about them from friends for years. The turn off for me was the whole integrated woofer tweeter separation thing on the bigger models. I just wanted one amplifier for everything, not one for the woofer and one for the tweeter. Even knowing the work-arounds, it still just turned me off. I like very simple bass heads without a lot of tricks. The MB800 is fantastic, simple and powerful head, and I really do owe Donny and Lee one for really encouraging me to try it out. Aside from the weight-to-watts ratio being almost unbelievable, it doesn't have two power amps, just one and the EQ section is simple, effective, and musical. I am still a "control everything at the bass" kind of person, which again is why I like my amps very simple, and the settings on the MB800 all stay flat for the most part, but when I do have to adjust them, they are powerful and effective. I like having two channels, though I wish there were two inputs to match that, but we are talking micro-head here so... In terms of dollars per watts, I got mine off of Amazon for $647, no tax, free shipping. They are very little less $$ for the MB500, so if it were me, I'd say drop the extra $100 or less and get 300 more watts. You'll feel it and it will expand the useability a good deal. Additionally, it's nice to have headroom like that - you really can get a lot of nuances out of your notes that you couldn't otherwise when you have headroom to spare like that. I know the MB800 Fusion will be even more impressive because of the full multi-tube pre-amp, but I am a solid-state guy at heart (though I love the sound of tubes, I can't physically deal with the weight anymore) and the MB800 may be the best made-in-the-USA micro amp you can get. The other HUGE selling point is the -10db pad at the input stage. Unlike what I was dealing with on the Shuttle 6.2, with that one simple pad, I have no more worries about ugly input clipping. Spectors are some of the most powerful basses I've ever played in terms of signal output, and since I run everything at full from the bass and just adjust the onboard eq as necessary, it's great not to have to sweat the input stage anymore, especially considering I have a 5 string Euro LX with the USA 18v pre that runs through my pedalboard before ever hitting the input on the mB800 and it's run like a dream since the day I got it and plugged it up.
Also of note is that as a two channel amp, they include a footswitch and cable for that functionality rather than making you purchase it separately. That's a nice touch.
Chris,
If I were you, I'd try a couple of the GK neo 112s (or just one) for around $300 and the MB800. The 112 is very lightweight, inexpensive, and comes in at 300 watts and 8ohms. Buy two and you've got a killer mini stack that has way more oomph than anyone would think looking at it. The Aguilar SL112s are awesome, but still prohibitively expensive (over $700).
I'd get the MB800. When you are back to gigging regularly, as much as you love your heritage rig (who wouldn't?) that MB800 will power your Ampeg 8x10 without breathing hard and you can have your pick of smaller cabinets to set up a mini rig that is still powerful enough for performances and rehearsals. I've got two 2x10 Genz Benz Shuttle cabs at 400 watts and 8ohms each. When I have everything plugged up to the MB800, I am running a rig that absolutely carries every note no matter how processed by my effects they may be, and it all collapses into the back seat and trunk of my 10 year old 2 door Honda with no problems (plus a couple of basses of course).
I'd get that head over any other micro head - MarkBass, Aguilar or otherwise. I do like the tone Hammer 500 a lot, and I am VERY fond of how the MarkBass stuff sounds, but the GK goes with my Spectors beautifully. If you picked up that and a few lightweight cabs (GK's 2x10s to my ear sound even better than the 112s and aren't too much more money either). They have an 8ohm 2x12 neo for only $400 at 34 pounds and 600 watts. Unreal. And of course, there's a whole world of other cabs to look at as well. I was a die-hard solid-state guy and if it had a tube preamp in it that sounded good, that was cool, but not a requirement. Now that Donny and Lee got me to check out GK, I feel like I did when I first checked out Spectors seriously almost a year ago: what the hell was I doing for 24-25 years? And I didn't know that GK watts are a lot louder (much like tube watts) than normal SS power sections, and they didn't change that factor/functionality when they decided to come out with an ultralight model SMPS based power section line of micro amps: It's 800 watts AT LEAST. I'd love to plug it into two 8ohm 2x12s or 2 8ohm 4x10s and just let it rip.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents for what it's worth. I think that anyone coming off of a handmade in the USA all tube rig like your heritage head and cab, I would be VERY hard pressed to find any other amp that would make a dent in that impression. All I can say is the MB800 is stellar, worth a look, and in terms of price... it's the best bass micro amp on the planet right now. My opinion of course, so forgive me if I've stepped on anyone's toes.
I got interested in trying GKs because of Lee and Donny and simply form hearing so much good stuff about them from friends for years. The turn off for me was the whole integrated woofer tweeter separation thing on the bigger models. I just wanted one amplifier for everything, not one for the woofer and one for the tweeter. Even knowing the work-arounds, it still just turned me off. I like very simple bass heads without a lot of tricks. The MB800 is fantastic, simple and powerful head, and I really do owe Donny and Lee one for really encouraging me to try it out. Aside from the weight-to-watts ratio being almost unbelievable, it doesn't have two power amps, just one and the EQ section is simple, effective, and musical. I am still a "control everything at the bass" kind of person, which again is why I like my amps very simple, and the settings on the MB800 all stay flat for the most part, but when I do have to adjust them, they are powerful and effective. I like having two channels, though I wish there were two inputs to match that, but we are talking micro-head here so... In terms of dollars per watts, I got mine off of Amazon for $647, no tax, free shipping. They are very little less $$ for the MB500, so if it were me, I'd say drop the extra $100 or less and get 300 more watts. You'll feel it and it will expand the useability a good deal. Additionally, it's nice to have headroom like that - you really can get a lot of nuances out of your notes that you couldn't otherwise when you have headroom to spare like that. I know the MB800 Fusion will be even more impressive because of the full multi-tube pre-amp, but I am a solid-state guy at heart (though I love the sound of tubes, I can't physically deal with the weight anymore) and the MB800 may be the best made-in-the-USA micro amp you can get. The other HUGE selling point is the -10db pad at the input stage. Unlike what I was dealing with on the Shuttle 6.2, with that one simple pad, I have no more worries about ugly input clipping. Spectors are some of the most powerful basses I've ever played in terms of signal output, and since I run everything at full from the bass and just adjust the onboard eq as necessary, it's great not to have to sweat the input stage anymore, especially considering I have a 5 string Euro LX with the USA 18v pre that runs through my pedalboard before ever hitting the input on the mB800 and it's run like a dream since the day I got it and plugged it up.
Also of note is that as a two channel amp, they include a footswitch and cable for that functionality rather than making you purchase it separately. That's a nice touch.
Chris,
If I were you, I'd try a couple of the GK neo 112s (or just one) for around $300 and the MB800. The 112 is very lightweight, inexpensive, and comes in at 300 watts and 8ohms. Buy two and you've got a killer mini stack that has way more oomph than anyone would think looking at it. The Aguilar SL112s are awesome, but still prohibitively expensive (over $700).
I'd get the MB800. When you are back to gigging regularly, as much as you love your heritage rig (who wouldn't?) that MB800 will power your Ampeg 8x10 without breathing hard and you can have your pick of smaller cabinets to set up a mini rig that is still powerful enough for performances and rehearsals. I've got two 2x10 Genz Benz Shuttle cabs at 400 watts and 8ohms each. When I have everything plugged up to the MB800, I am running a rig that absolutely carries every note no matter how processed by my effects they may be, and it all collapses into the back seat and trunk of my 10 year old 2 door Honda with no problems (plus a couple of basses of course).
I'd get that head over any other micro head - MarkBass, Aguilar or otherwise. I do like the tone Hammer 500 a lot, and I am VERY fond of how the MarkBass stuff sounds, but the GK goes with my Spectors beautifully. If you picked up that and a few lightweight cabs (GK's 2x10s to my ear sound even better than the 112s and aren't too much more money either). They have an 8ohm 2x12 neo for only $400 at 34 pounds and 600 watts. Unreal. And of course, there's a whole world of other cabs to look at as well. I was a die-hard solid-state guy and if it had a tube preamp in it that sounded good, that was cool, but not a requirement. Now that Donny and Lee got me to check out GK, I feel like I did when I first checked out Spectors seriously almost a year ago: what the hell was I doing for 24-25 years? And I didn't know that GK watts are a lot louder (much like tube watts) than normal SS power sections, and they didn't change that factor/functionality when they decided to come out with an ultralight model SMPS based power section line of micro amps: It's 800 watts AT LEAST. I'd love to plug it into two 8ohm 2x12s or 2 8ohm 4x10s and just let it rip.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents for what it's worth. I think that anyone coming off of a handmade in the USA all tube rig like your heritage head and cab, I would be VERY hard pressed to find any other amp that would make a dent in that impression. All I can say is the MB800 is stellar, worth a look, and in terms of price... it's the best bass micro amp on the planet right now. My opinion of course, so forgive me if I've stepped on anyone's toes.
Mmmmm, tasty, tasty frets.
(Full disclosure: I've only ever tried one set of Cobalts but didn't keep them on long enough to let them snack on my frets.)
I'm going to have to try the MB800. I tried ordering one today from Musician's Friend but it wouldn't apply the 15% code even though GK isn't listed in the exclusions. I'd like to try it first but doesn't seem like GC has one around here.
I've been playing Eden heads and cabs forever, and they've served me well, but they are very clean. I feel like the Eden heads are not right for metal.
I've been playing Eden heads and cabs forever, and they've served me well, but they are very clean. I feel like the Eden heads are not right for metal.
This is EXACTLY why I chose to go with a seperate Power/Pre in a rack. I love my Demeter HBP-1, but I plan on buying an Ampeg SVT-PRO for those time when I want a less hi-fi, classic Ampeg tube tone!
I can have the best of anything with just a quick change!!
I've only had my Spector long enough to have one set of strings on them, when I first bought it, I put DR Fat Beams on it and hated them. I didn't realize the D'Addario standard set wouldn't fit so I took a shot in the dark and threw a set of Dunlop Nickel 45-125s on. I gotta say, I like them a lot. I've been on the quest for a set of strings I like for a while, and these actually could be it. I like D'Addario I never loved them, DR doesn't do it for me either, I'm not a fan of steel or round core for that matter.
I don't know, I'm still open to trying new strings. Any other strings I NEED to try on my Euro?
I don't know, I'm still open to trying new strings. Any other strings I NEED to try on my Euro?
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