Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[themarshall]

Alright, doomers - decidedly non-doom question time. I’m downsizing my guitar rig, which means more space for bass stuff. I have my “huge”, “big”, and “medium” rigs for bass ready to go. Those revolve around various combos of RB series GK amps and Neo 410s. Now, I want my “small” and “practice” rigs, based on my GK MB200 head. Not looking for crushing volume, but I’d like decent tone in a single driver cab. Bonus points if it sounds like my Neos and I can get two identical ones for modularity (1 cab for practice, both for small rig). So, what you got? Old Peavey? Old GK? I love me some GK, and would also be totally cool with a single speaker combo amp with extension capabilities.

MB200 plus 1 or 2 GK neo 112’s or GK MB112 combo plus MBP112 powered extension cab. When I was shopping for an ultra portable rig, I tried the mb200 with the neo 112 and the mb112 combo. I went with the combo as it met my needs and was cheaper, but the head and cab setup was definitely more rig. More than I needed. Both are good. I’m assuming head plus 2 cabs or combo plus ext. would just be more of a good thing.

 

[kleinenenten]

MB200 plus 1 or 2 GK neo 112’s or GK MB112 combo plus MBP112 powered extension cab. When I was shopping for an ultra portable rig, I tried the mb200 with the neo 112 and the mb112 combo. I went with the combo as it met my needs and was cheaper, but the head and cab setup was definitely more rig. More than I needed. Both are good. I’m assuming head plus 2 cabs or combo plus ext. would just be more of a good thing.

You nailed my ideal setup. But those seem hard to come by these days... Must be because they’e so good! I’ve considered the MB210 combo too, but not sure. It would be my smallest rig, but also mean I would it really need the MB200 either, and it may be bigger than I ant for practice. Half of my current issue right now is that I can’t get away with anything past 10:00 on the volume knob with my amps. Then, I have to readjust everything when I have to change volume because it’s so different sounding at different volumes. It’s a pain.

 

[scabpicker]

Shut up and take my money!! Hahaha sounds rad and even better artwork!

Hehehe, it's a discontinued design. I was happy to be able to grab one. I think I may have figured out why it's discontinued, maybe. If I run the Yamaha Reface YC into it wide open, it has a tendency self oscillate for awhile. It was a pretty crazy experience with the headphones on until I figured out how to cut it and eventually diagnosed the cause. I haven't hit that level of input with any of my guitars or basses, but all of them are passive. I imagine an active guitar could hit the same output levels.

 

[Andysalt01]

It my understanding they are holding over this years lineup to next year? I might be getting fests confused. I know thats how Pycho Las Vegas is anyway, same lineup that was supposed to play this year carried over til next?

I don't think that's desertfest . We've not been notified as such...yet, and it's 10 years for them next year. You might be right as I think they may be extending it by a day and/or a venue.

 

[hardtop]

Why don’t you use it live? I don’t gig (one day!), but couldn’t imagine not using it live.

Oh, just the way it sounds in the live mix sometimes. I like my live tone to a little cleaner than my recorded tone as I feel my cleaned up signal has more presence and bowel shaking ability. It also cuts through two distorted guitars a little more, I feel. I can't control clean/dirt mix as easily in a live environment as I can in the studio so sometimes the fuzz takes a back seat. Also, the feel of our more current material I think calls for a gainy-er distortion and a little less fuzz. And, you know, the breeze might change direction... I like using different stuff just to keep it interesting. Its been so long since I broke out my pedal board, played my last show in December, that I cant even remember what I was last using live other than a darkglass that was almost always on.

 

[cornfarmer]

There's a wildfire pretty close right now to our new digs, new baby and currently un-charred arses. Temps over 100, blackouts and a major lightning storm a couple days ago, current containment is low.

Haven't been ordered to evac yet. Got most of our valuable stuff ready to load out if we get the call. Pretty much all the gear would be left behind, except for maybe a mixer and one bass.....pray for butthead.

Naw, fcuk that. Thoughts and prayers do jack shiiit, send fire trucks.

 

[rutrho]

There's a wildfire pretty close right now to our new digs, new baby and currently un-charred arses. Temps over 100, blackouts and a major lightning storm a couple days ago, current containment is low.

Haven't been ordered to evac yet. Got most of our valuable stuff ready to load out if we get the call. Pretty much all the gear would be left behind, except for maybe a mixer and one bass.....pray for butthead.

Naw, fcuk that. Thoughts and prayers do jack shiiit, send fire trucks.

glad to hear y'all are ok. I have a few friends in Boulder Creek and they had to evac last night, this is on par with the Oakland hills fire for how effin bad it is.

 

[YawningJorin]

Hi All, stalked around these parts for a while but don't really post .... anything at all. I wondered if anyone had much success on bass with the Black Art Toneworks Quantum Mystic Overdrive? I've got a Dunwich Wizard fuzz on my board at the moment, but thinking about changing it up for something new...ideally a wizard 125b enclosure (board space and I'd like to try a clean blend pedal with my GT200), but this caught my eye and interest. thanks

FWIW Magic said they're likely running Dunwich Wizard Fuzz or Witchfinder next. Not sure which iteration, but something to keep your eyes on.

...

Yes I am obsessed with Dunwich pedals, why do you ask?

 

[xJasonSmithx]

The fires in CO seem pretty bad right now. The air quality in Denver is bad but nothing compared to the mountain towns. My GF's parents live up there and haven't been able to leave the house.

 

[kleinenenten]

Oh, just the way it sounds in the live mix sometimes. I like my live tone to a little cleaner than my recorded tone as I feel my cleaned up signal has more presence and bowel shaking ability. It also cuts through two distorted guitars a little more, I feel. I can't control clean/dirt mix as easily in a live environment as I can in the studio so sometimes the fuzz takes a back seat. Also, the feel of our more current material I think calls for a gainy-er distortion and a little less fuzz. And, you know, the breeze might change direction... I like using different stuff just to keep it interesting. Its been so long since I broke out my pedal board, played my last show in December, that I cant even remember what I was last using live other than a darkglass that was almost always on.

Makes sense. I recently listened to a recording I did months ago that had 2 bass tracks - 1 with Pharaoh and 1 with Pork Loin. Each lacked solo, but when they were both enabled, it was bliss. Made me think of getting a blend pedal and to just run the Pork Loin in conjunction with everything.

 

[Novarocker]

Sounds like a great idea, pork loin is like the definition of foundation and always on.

100% agree with @hardtop about going a little cleaner live. Gain/fuzz work fine, but the added punch and distinction of being just a bit cleaner. I feel like I use over the top dirt with heavy EQ adjustments as an emphasis to some parts live more so than foundation.

 

[YawningJorin]

The fires in CO seem pretty bad right now. The air quality in Denver is bad but nothing compared to the mountain towns. My GF's parents live up there and haven't been able to leave the house.

I was listening to Sunn O))) & Boris' Fried Eagle Mind (from Altar) with a friend. They brought up some live cams of fires in California at the same time. The cameras were switching pretty rapidly. It was an incredibly doom thing to witness. Not in a good way. Absolutely terrifying. Be safe y'all <3

 

[lucas303]

With how bad the air is in the Denver area, I can't imagine what it's like being closer to a wildfire. I hope everyone stays safe!

 

[cornfarmer]

With how bad the air is in the Denver area, I can't imagine what it's like being closer to a wildfire. I hope everyone stays safe!

View attachment 3952212

2nd time for me. The first one for me was 10 miles away and luckily didn't come any closer.

This one is a few miles closer, up to 40,000 acres now and 0% contained. Visibility is schitt but at least it's not 100° here anymore. Our area isn't under any evac order or even a warning yet. I hope it fcking stays that way.

Tense times.

 

[ConfoundedBridg]

I hope you guys all come out okay!

 

[kleinenenten]

ANy of you guys ever buy and build one of those “cheap” guitar kits for under $200? What did you think? Always wanted an Iceman, but they’re tough to find, and tougher to find in my price range. There are kits available I could buy, upgrade the pickups, and do the painting etc. all for about the same as a cheap Iceman. So is finishing a guitar that tough? I’ve taken apart an entire guitar before minus the neck and tuners, so I’m confident in assembly. Never done paint/finish before.

 

[cornfarmer]

So is finishing a guitar that tough?

Kinda. It's a process that requires patience, and attention to detail if you want good results.

 

[kleinenenten]

Kinda. It's a process that requires patience, and attention to detail if you want good results.

I’m thinking solid white. Nothing fancy.

 

[ConfoundedBridg]

I’m thinking solid white. Nothing fancy.

I've refinished both of my basses. If you're doing a kit you'll have the luxury of not having to strip or sand old paint/finish off. Like @cornfarmer said it requires ALOT of patience, more so with the finish rather than the painting. I'd recommend Brad Angrove on youtube as he has a lot of helpful stuff regarding painting and finishing. I'll really stress that your protective coat is uber important, and can make or break the look.

Good luck on the build. There's nothing like doing your own paint job. It makes an instrument really fell like your own. SEND PICS!

 

[kleinenenten]

I've refinished both of my basses. If you're doing a kit you'll have the luxury of not having to strip or sand old paint/finish off. Like @cornfarmer said it requires ALOT of patience, more so with the finish rather than the painting. I'd recommend Brad Angrove on youtube as he has a lot of helpful stuff regarding painting and finishing. I'll really stress that your protective coat is uber important, and can make or break the look.

Good luck on the build. There's nothing like doing your own paint job. It makes an instrument really fell like your own. SEND PICS!

Whenever/if ever it happens, there will be pics. May be a bit, though, as school (employment) and well, school (Master’ classes) are starting up again and I have to re-learn everything for my job due to all this virtual stuff happening... Free time’s taking a BIG hit.