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Thinking Bad Thoughts...

ErebusBass

ErebusBass

Feb 20, 2008
1,107
110
Madison, WI
#1
So lets start out by saying that i'm 18 years old, a full-time student, and only work maybe 8-24 hours a week. I don't have alot of money. I've needed a new head for about six months now and every time i've had some money put away for it the car breaks of something like that and the money just gets ripped out of my pocket.

I was completely sure about what i wanted, a Hartke HA3500a, because it was in my budget, has lots of features, and i like the tone. So i just found out i should be getting a big bonus at work (to the tune of $800-$1,200) so as soon as that happens I will be getting a head. When i found out about said bonus, i got to thinking about some nicer stuff since my budget might not be so slim anymore.

I've been really interested in Eden gear, there isn't a dealer anywhere near me, so there's really no way i can try one out, but the past four or five shows i've gone to (bands similar to my music) it seems like everyone has been using eden, and i absolutely love the tone they get out of it.

So here's the problem: If i do buy an eden head (most likely a brand new WT550 or a used WT800), i have a feeling i'm not going to be satisfied with my cabs anymore, which are currently a Hartke 2x10XL and a Behringer 1x15 (also soon to be replaced). This would most likely result in me wanting an Eden cab, and I don't know if you've priced those recently but a 4x10XST costs $1,149 plus shipping.

Somebody please talk me out of this and tell me i'd be happy with a Hartke.
 
#2
ErebusBass said:
So lets start out by saying that i'm 18 years old, a full-time student, and only work maybe 8-24 hours a week. I don't have alot of money. I've needed a new head for about six months now and every time i've had some money put away for it the car breaks of something like that and the money just gets ripped out of my pocket.

I was completely sure about what i wanted, a Hartke HA3500a, because it was in my budget, has lots of features, and i like the tone. So i just found out i should be getting a big bonus at work (to the tune of $800-$1,200) so as soon as that happens I will be getting a head. When i found out about said bonus, i got to thinking about some nicer stuff since my budget might not be so slim anymore.

I've been really interested in Eden gear, there isn't a dealer anywhere near me, so there's really no way i can try one out, but the past four or five shows i've gone to (bands similar to my music) it seems like everyone has been using eden, and i absolutely love the tone they get out of it.

So here's the problem: If i do buy an eden head (most likely a brand new WT550 or a used WT800), i have a feeling i'm not going to be satisfied with my cabs anymore, which are currently a Hartke 2x10XL and a Behringer 1x15 (also soon to be replaced). This would most likely result in me wanting an Eden cab, and I don't know if you've priced those recently but a 4x10XST costs $1,149 plus shipping.

Somebody please talk me out of this and tell me i'd be happy with a Hartke.
Click to expand...

Sorry, once you upgrade the head you'll be dissatisfied with your cabinets. It's a never ending vicious cycle I'm afraid.
 
#3
Put me down in the "hates Eden" category. I find them unnecessarily bright and annoying. I recently was supplied an Eden rig for a gig, and I had to attenuate the tweeters completely off and turn the treble knob completely off to keep it from annoying me.

A new rig won't make you play any better. If you're on a budget, I would take half that money and buy a decent basic head and spend the rest on lessons. Lessons are the greatest improvement to your equipment that you can make.
 
#4
Hi Erebusbass, I have been in a similar situation before, and here is my advice. At this point in your career, you should concentrate on having as much power and volume as you need, and not worry so much about "boutique" quality. Make sure you can be heard, and impress people with your playing, not necessarily your clean, crispy, high-end tone. Definitely do not go into debt to "upgrade" your amp or cabs over something that is getting the job done. I just finished paying off some gear I bought years ago, and it cost me a LOT more than the price tag because of the interest on my credit card.

It is good to have goals. You have a lot of years of bass playing ahead of you. Maybe make yourself a little budget, figure out how much you would have to save each month to buy yourself the Eden cabinet as a graduation present :)
 
#5
ErebusBass said:
So lets start out by saying that i'm 18 years old, a full-time student, and only work maybe 8-24 hours a week. I don't have alot of money. I've needed a new head for about six months now and every time i've had some money put away for it the car breaks of something like that and the money just gets ripped out of my pocket
Click to expand...


I have discovered, across the years, that there is a direct connection between ones bank account and ones car. As soon as money is in the account the damn car goes wrong!!!

Paul
 
#6
On a more serious note, in your place I would see to my amp first. You need something that will last reliably and drive anything you throw at it. I am using a pre/power set up using mostly a Carvin DCM1000 power amp. This amp, especially for $325 at the moment, will give you 500/CH @ 2Ω. You can put just about ay pre-amp in front of it from a simple ART Tube MP (about $40 but no EQ) to the pre-amp of your choice even tube if that moves you. You can experiment with different preamps as funds permit. If you want a head, look at the Carvin B1500 - power for ever and a nice set of controls. Once you have the amplifier that satifies you you can experiment with cabinets (I use Acme B2s).

As posted earlier finding 'your' sound could last a lifetime, it took me more than forty years to be really really happy with my gear.

Paul
 
#7
Isn't that something how some people take years and years to be happy with their tone? I was lucky...I got it on the second shot with my V4B/SVT rig. That lasted 20 years (although I got an actual SVT head 10 years later), then it was back on the rat wheel when I got tired of moving it.
 
#8
62Bass and BassmanPaul speak truth - I am a living testimony: car breaks down while I'm on the way to the music store to upgrade my rig because it doesn't sound just right with my new bass. Change of plans ...Arggh

Hard to concentrate on your playing when you're credit card debt is spinning out of control - stay within budget and get your mom something nice for mother's day.

Cheers!
 
#9
62bass said:
Sorry, once you upgrade the head you'll be dissatisfied with your cabinets. It's a never ending vicious cycle I'm afraid.
Click to expand...

This is an unfortunate fact. Especially if you buy an WT800 and pair it with your current cabinets.

I think I would look used to get more bang for the buck. There are some good deals floating around TB and some really honest people that are straight up about their equipment for sale.
 
#10
Well thanks for the replies everyone.

To JimmyM, of course I know that upgrading my rig won't make me play better, but my rig is completely unacceptable in my eyes. I would probably be happier with a nice 1x10 or 1x12 combo than what i have now. The biggest problem at this point is portability - my current "head" weighs somewhere around 150 lbs and has four speakers attached to it, two of which exploded long ago, and two of which are useless and sound like dirt. It's a behringer, which IMO has one of the worst, lifeless tones i've ever heard, and regardless of how much i twiddle with those knobs, it still doesn't sound good to me.
 
#11
OK, you have a point about the Behringer. I should modify my "equipment doesn't make you play better" mantra to exclude Behringer. OK, "Equipment doesn't make you play better, unless you're upgrading from Behringer."

;)
 
#12
Does anyone have any other suggestions for a possible head? I'm looking for at or under the $1000 mark, preferably with a tube preamp. I play metal, and because of a recent drummer switch it is fast fast FAST (so fast i can't play it with my fingers anymore).

I've looked at ampeg, GK, SWR, and hartke, as well as some budget stuff like used peavey and crate (no thanks)

Is there anything i'm leaving out that i should try? Keep in mind it's not easy for me to find amps to try out, as every music store in my area has the same three ampegs and the same 4-5 GKs.
 
#13
JimmyM said:
OK, you have a point about the Behringer. I should modify my "equipment doesn't make you play better" mantra to exclude Behringer. OK, "Equipment doesn't make you play better, unless you're upgrading from Behringer."

;)
Click to expand...

Funny stuff, that was the biggest mistake of my life. It took less than a week for the first speaker to blow in that 4x10 combo.
Someone should start a behringer awareness thread to warn newcomers
 
#14
ErebusBass said:
Funny stuff, that was the biggest mistake of my life. It took less than a week for the first speaker to blow in that 4x10 combo.
Someone should start a behringer awareness thread to warn newcomers
Click to expand...

You're lucky to get a week out of it.

At your budget you should look at used gear and get a head and cabinet. Peavey may not be the most exciting name in bass amps, but their stuff is by and large good value for the money. Used Yorkville Sound is great too. Very reliable.

Forget the boutique gear for the music you play. It won't be appreciated.
 
#17
contrary to what jimmym says I think the wt800 would be awesome!!! (maybe jimmy was talking about eden cabs? I think they can be 'clanky') I have a wt550 which is pretty good, but I could imagine the wt800 would cause most cabs to submit and produce better sound than usual. that may sound silly but I think I'm right. there seems to be a BIG tone difference between the 550 and the 800, I'VE HEARD IT in the store!.

the 550 is nice, but the 800 is MASSIVE!!! (sounding) I bought the 550 because of weight/price considerations, but now i wish I had an 800.... :bawl:
 

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