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Starting from scratch, what gear are you rolling with?

#63
Fun question.

One bass, one amp, reasonable accessories. No budget.

Skjold Gen 5-string
GK Legacy 800 head
Two Audiokinesis Changeling 1203 cabinets
An HX Stomp
A Nordstrand Starlifter preamp/DI

Turns out that is already my amp rig and Pete is making that bass for me now. I think I just convinced myself to buy an HX Stomp.
 
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#64
Here is my start over stack of gear ...
  • Moollon Classic J Bass (passive)
  • Starlifter Preamp Pedal/DI
  • Demeter VTBP-M-800D
  • Greenboy Fearless cab(s) or Bergantino cabs
  • Good quality cables
  • Strobostomp tuner (from tuner out of Starlifter pedal)
 
#65
With PA support, I could play almost any gig with this minimalist setup:
  • Fender 2009 American Special Honeyburst Precision bass, replacing the neck with one from a Fender MIJ PB70 Reissue.
    This is my current "number one" bass (for looks, playability, and sound), and I *love* the feel of those MIJ Fender necks.
  • MarkBass CMD-121P: 1x12 300W combo amp (600W with an 8ohm extension cab)
I also recently picked up a nice old Mexican Jazz bass (from here, in fact) where I replaced the bridge with a Gotoh B201, replaced the pickups with Lollars, and put flats on it. That's a pretty sweet sounding and playing bass for maybe $1100. I'd go this route with most MIM Precision or Jazz basses. (But I go for a 60's/70's tone for the most part, so for something newer, maybe find something more modern sounding.)

With an extension cab, this MarkBass amp is way too loud for almost every place I've ever played. I'd have to stand at least ten feet away from it (and my band mates probably would hate me). I'd rather just get monitor support. (It has a built in DI.)

My other choice would be my current favorite head, the Ampeg Venture V3 through a pair of TC Electronics BC208 cabs. This has that Ampeg tone I like, and is ridiculously portable. With the preamp volume turned up, I get plenty of power from this rig, especially if I use both BC208 cabs. Just using one is perfect for most smaller gigs.
 
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#66
For you: A solid mid-priced bass, your Helix and a powered FRFR cab. That will cover 90% of your gigs.

For me: what I have now. A cheap short scale bass, a cheap Peavey amp, and a cheap Yorkville amp. I do have a SABBDI as well. But, I'm a basement player with no ambition to gig again.
 
#67
If I were starting from scratch I'd head up to the Bass Shop in Seattle and try everything until something spoke to me. The Bass Shop | Selected Used and Vintage Bass Guitars

This quest would include a priority on sound and feel but have a second priority for weight and portability.

If weight and portability weren't a factory I'd get the Fender Super Bassman 300 with the Bassman Neo 610.
Dang that thing is sweetski.
 
#70
I’d get a dedicated bass amp over a preamp/powered speaker option. It’s just simpler.

id get a combo, I’ve had great experience with them, appreciate the simplicity and don’t really desire a lot of options.

id get a 500w/210 with extension out. That would cover anything I’ve encountered in the past 10 years. Many different flavors of this available. Rumble 500 is popular, inexpensive and sounds good. Markbass CMD 102p might be my first choice personally, as I’ve had great experiences with that one. If OP likes GK, the MB210ii is fantastic.
 
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#71
If I had to start over from scratch - well, I’d start with what worked for me before: a nice Jazz bass through an Aguilar AG500 and a couple of Aguilar DB cabs. But if I then wanted something portable, I’d buy something like a Mesa Subway series amp. I’d also have a backup bass or twelve. And a few extra cabinets and amps. :D
 
#73
shoot-r said:
OK.

I guess, (",what gear are you rolling with?") means different things to different people.
Click to expand...

I getcha now...I interpreted it as "Hey if you had to start from scratch what gear would you be rollin' with" as opposed to "I am starting from scratch so what gear are you guys currently using that you'd recommend". I can see how I may have misinterpreted the OP.
 
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#75
Alot of love for Mesa here...I honestly hadn't even considered them, but then looked at the model I've been using in Helix native again (the only one I like better than the GK)...I thought it was a Fender, but it's a Mesa lol.

There's a used TT800 near me, and also a used Subway cab. Expensive, but I'm a buy once type of guy. Gonna check it out.
 
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