• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

"The Sound" How did you reach Amp/Cabibet Utopia

Anemic_SluG

Anemic_SluG

Dec 1, 2009
859
2,055
Washington
#1
On the quest to get what I feel is my perfect solution.
Here is the backstory and where I need some thoughts....
I purchased a Peavey Megabass and Peavey 1516 cab in the late 80's when they first came out. I have played that unit exclusively until last year. The mids cut through, there is enough bass, and you can feel it in your body. It never had the booming bass except when I had a reloaded EV 1516 cab paired with it. I recently felt like upgrading as I didn't want to haul that cab and rack anymore to something newer and lighter. So I got a GK 1001rbii and 2 15" neo cabinets. So far it's not the sound I am looking for. Maybe I can play with the EQ but it never seems to cut through, like the Peavey on the d and g strings. The only other couple rigs I got to try was a Mesa M6 and 2 15's which was boomy and rich comparatively but way more expensive and a mark bass which I did not like at all. I thought I could get what I wanted out of the GK but it doesn't seem to deliver. So unfortunately with the lack of bass gear to try around here I am stuck reading forums and gear reviews and try to make decisions based off of words rather than sound. I really liked the Mesa but not $1000 more than the GK.
So what I am asking is how did you find rig utopia? It just seems like I will have to keep throwing money at it until the "sound" shows up one day from UPS or just settle for what I have and never reach Rig Nirvana.
 
#5
Honestly I think it's the cabs, I have used the head with a swr 2x10 cab and it's better. So I started reading everyone's opinion on cabinets and it makes my head spin. The great part is there is a ton of choices, bad part is nobody locally within 100 miles stocks anything. And can't completely pair the head with the Neo cabs because the crossover has been blown out for 20 years. The Peavey head doesn't use it so I never fixed it.
 
#6
My quest for a no-compromise rig ended after investing in a Reeves 225 Custom and taking a leap of faith into the bleeding-edge technology of BigE manipulated vortex waveguide technology cabinets built by Mike Arnopol. I recently added a sub to handle exceptionally high volume levels and can truly say that I am now officially done. The only thing that will make me sound better is perfecting my technique. :cool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: 10cc, beardedclam and Jon Mush
#8
You're definitely in a tough spot because without being able to try out different cabs, all you can do is read about specs and people describing them. Neither of those things can give you a good impression of what a cab will sound like, it really does depend on what your ears hear and how your head sounds through a particular cab. Maybe you can take a day trip and drive to a store that has as big a selection as possible to try with your head... Otherwise you really are stuck in the horrible world of buy to try and constant ordering and refunding until you find a cab that works for you and your setup.
 
#9
MrRobert said:
You're definitely in a tough spot because without being able to try out different cabs, all you can do is read about specs and people describing them. Neither of those things can give you a good impression of what a cab will sound like, it really does depend on what your ears hear and how your head sounds through a particular cab. Maybe you can take a day trip and drive to a store that has as big a selection as possible to try with your head... Otherwise you really are stuck in the horrible world of buy to try and constant ordering and refunding until you find a cab that works for you and your setup.
Click to expand...
Here's the way I've always thought about it: "Sound" is just a bunch of superimposed waveforms. Everything in the signal chain - ears, brain, muscles, fingers, bass, bass electronics, strings, cable/wireless, input stage, tone controls, amplifier stage, speaker cables, speakers, box they're in, room acoustics, relative humidity of the air (less cuts your treble at a distance) - add or subtract something to the waveforms in your sound. Since the OP is (as many of us are) "stuck reading forums and gear reviews and try to make decisions based off of words rather than sound," it makes sense to minimize the effect of all these elements save the ones that you can vary after you buy them, namely the ones with knobs. Make everything else as hi-fi as possible, then figure out how to get your sound with your knobs. This way, you can replace (hi-fi) amps and cabinets with newer, lighter ones as they come along without affecting "your sound". And if you can figure out what it is behind your knobs that create the waveforms that make "your sound" you can replace pre-amps and other signal modifiers, too, and still achieve "your sound".
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Atshen
#14
MrRobert said:
I just reread the original post, and it sounds like the OP is looking to get a sound similar to his old peavey but with newer gear. My advice is essentially the same: take a trip if you have to and try out as many different amps as possible!
Click to expand...
+1

There is no substitute for going into a music store and plugging in. There are some things you just can't find out over the internet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PluffMudQueen
#15
I've been through several phases of this, and now use a Schroeder 412R as my fav cab. I use with several amps and am always happy. the B15 head sounds great through this thing, very efficient.
However, most of my gigs are backlined or I use a small combo rather than lug stuff around these days, so the Schroeder rarely leaves the rehearsal studio.
 
#16
Cut and pasted from the eerily similar "dream rig" thread of a few days ago:
Quite a number of years ago now, I was able to stand by the soundboard and listen to the PA while I played through a type 85 DI. I immediately realized 2 things: 1. It sounded good. 2. This is what the audience hears. 2.b. It's not what I was hearing on stage, it's better. My ideas of dream rigs went bye-bye, and good enough is now good enough. There are a few caveats: I don't use effects. Given my druthers, I do play through a fairly flat 3 way cab with a pretty neutral amp.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Marko 1 and BasturdBlaster
#17
I played the same peavey (megabass +1516) for about five years, then the transportation situation put the 1516 into retirement. I switched to an ampeg 210HE, which sounded good with the peavey and eventually added a second for those situations which just needed to move more air. Recently switched to a kustom class d head. Its ok, the cabinets help. I think it sounds good, not perfect, but the rooms / stages are always the big issue.
 
#18
Mr. Slug, I am on the other side of the state from you but have the same problem. Took the leap of faith route after who knows how many cabs and purchased a Greenboy 15/6/1 and am happy. For the amp route, if you buy used SMPS you can resell with little or no lose, something that I also do. They are small and light so shipping has little drama. The reviews and Talkbass are ok, but it is individual perception in the end. At the moment I am lovin' a Tecamp Black Jaguar, but two timing with a GK Fusion 800. That Jaguar will rip me to bits if it finds out!
 
#19
I use a V4B and an 810AV. The tubes sound great through the sealed can and a lot of times I only run the top 4 speakers but they are lifted up and easy to hear. I've gone through several combinations of heads and cabs and only ended up with this can trying to unload some 15" EVs on CL. But it's taken several years to accumulate and I'm very happy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TC.65 and PluffMudQueen
#20
My at home living room practice Hartke cab, powered by a Magnum 44..
WP_20160908_012.jpg
WP_20160908_007.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: tubatodd

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back