Thunderbird Club

[Rickplaysbass]

Understood, but some people simply don't like that Ampeg tone.

A big part of that Ampeg tone is the 810e cab. If you played the same head (anything honestly) through an 810e, a 410hlf, and a nv610 you'd have three very distinctive tones.

I ran Aguilars, line 6 pods and eleven rack through QSC power amps, and a GK2001 through my fridge when I had it. They all had that same Ampeg low mid hump/bump. Ran the same adult through an NV610 and it was dramatically different.

If you have a cab you know you like, the EQ is adjustable enough to find a tone you're cool with. Might require some drastic knob turning, but it's doable.

That said, there's definitely other rigs that are more widely suited to wider variety of folks.

 

[BklynKen]

A big part of that Ampeg tone is the 810e cab. If you played the same head (anything honestly) through an 810e, a 410hlf, and a nv610 you'd have three very distinctive tones.

I ran Aguilars, line 6 pods and eleven rack through QSC power amps, and a GK2001 through my fridge when I had it. They all had that same Ampeg low mid hump/bump. Ran the same adult through an NV610 and it was dramatically different.

If you have a cab you know you like, the EQ is adjustable enough to find a tone you're cool with. Might require some drastic knob turning, but it's doable.

That said, there's definitely other rigs that are more widely suited to wider variety of folks.

I've played various Ampegs through various cabs. None ever appealed to me. Remember in NYC you encounter every combo of everything you can think of as a house setup.

 

[BklynKen]

A big part of that Ampeg tone is the 810e cab. If you played the same head (anything honestly) through an 810e, a 410hlf, and a nv610 you'd have three very distinctive tones.

I ran Aguilars, line 6 pods and eleven rack through QSC power amps, and a GK2001 through my fridge when I had it. They all had that same Ampeg low mid hump/bump. Ran the same adult through an NV610 and it was dramatically different.

If you have a cab you know you like, the EQ is adjustable enough to find a tone you're cool with. Might require some drastic knob turning, but it's doable.

That said, there's definitely other rigs that are more widely suited to wider variety of folks.

However, a GK 800RB through an Ampeg 810? Magic.

 

[Ringhammer]

I haven't ever owned a '70s Fender.

I currently have 14. How many I have had, I couldn’t even begin to guess. Not a single one is 100% original. None of them have stock pickups (although I do have the original pickups for a couple of P’s).

I have no guilt messing with post CBS Fender’s. I got them because I like P’s and J’s (specifically like the headstock logo from ‘67-‘75. big and bold!) and they were priced in a range I could afford and thereby own (what I consider) cool vintage US made basses. Many with plenty of player mojo goin’ on. And some of the ones I have are simply necks built on original Fender bodies from roughly the same year as the neck, that I found separately. One of my best ones is a ‘71 P-bass neck on a Fender Japan body (I’m told). At this point only one is over 10 lbs, a ‘74 P with its original body.
I have a spreadsheet with all the notes on all my basses, so I know what’s what!


Edit: Additionally, I’m not a big fan of the typical sunburst or “natural” finishes from the era, but the two sunbursts I have I do like better than any I have seen:



And I have one natural (no pic handy) that somehow works. I think the poly was stripped of and it was redone in some way to look lighter than the butterscotch-ey way they typically look.

 

[JIO]

B-15

bass nirvana -

An amp/cab that is in the B-15 extended family but has a completely different character - not better or worse... just different in a good way.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

I've played various Ampegs through various cabs. None ever appealed to me. Remember in NYC you encounter every combo of everything you can think of as a house setup.

Yeah, but I can only imagine the rooms you have to deal with. I'm good on that. I do not envy you for that.

 

[Rickplaysbass]

I use one at the studio because it's my house amp, but direct into it I don't like it. It sounds good once I tighten up the tone with my dirt pedal and such. I'd use my GK any day over that.

You'd probably be surprised how much "dirt" there was on all the isolated bass tracks on all those old B15 recordings.

 

[BklynKen]

You'd probably be surprised how much "dirt" there was on all the isolated bass tracks on all those old B15 recordings.

I've heard it. Not my taste.

 

[MCF]

I think you just have to accept that some people don't like SVTs or prog rock.

Yeah. I accept both facts. But I enjoy being obnoxious at times. It helps lighten the curse of always being right.

I’m laughing. I hope you are too…

 

[ectoflanger]

I often use the tongue in cheek method-

 

[ectoflanger]

I think so many people have no idea how great that song really is. Checks many boxes for being great. People just think of it as another pop song of that era, but it is so much more.

According to the songwriter it was about loneliness- a malady a believe that is quite common for creative folks/

 

[ectoflanger]

A factory 5'r has the same configuration -

View attachment 5470086

Not bad! Now if they only made a Fretless version-

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

You and everyone else here are welcome to come for a visit. The SVT is at the mountain place. There is a club pool, a golf course, good Mexican food in the village, a decent ribeye or burger at the clubhouse, or we can do BBQ here at the house. Clean air at 6000 feet and no neighbors to complain about the Thunderous sounds. I usually have seven or eight basses here, but I can bring many more up. Fly in to Burbank (preferred) or LAX.

That sounds like a great time!

 

[ectoflanger]

That’s one sexy bass bro! Cool stack too-

 

[Rickplaysbass]

I've heard it. Not my taste.

I'm with you. I like my B15 clean. GK on the rails. Mesa 400 pushing. SWR Interstellar overdrive era. Those I dig. Orange AD200 is cool too, but not for everything

 

[ectoflanger]

Me:

Played through at two least SVTs - liked them, but not mine.
Stayed at several Holiday Inn Express, Marysville, WA and Hollister, CA.
Used to own a '73 P Bass, it was Ash with a Maple neck - kept it for about a year, 1979.

I am one of those "Classy Broads"

Any advice on playing with nails? Yes, it’s on honest question for an onstage persona-

 

[ectoflanger]

I am looking for a couple of pots and seem to be getting the run around from the normal sources. What I am looking for are CTS (or equivalent quality) 250k, linear taper, solid (long - 3/4") shaft. Allparts keeps sending me links to split shaft, Sweetwater said they don't have anything like that, the CTS website is difficult to search...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Have you tried Philadelphia Luthier? They helped on some guitar parts arcana-

 

[Ringhammer]

Have you tried Philadelphia Luthier? They helped on some guitar parts arcana-

Guitar Parts Factory also has a good selection.

Guitar Parts Factory

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

However, a GK 800RB through an Ampeg 810? Magic.

or even a Peavey MK4….its the tube vs SS thing again….not an Ampeg guy myself….GK, Ashdown, SWR, Eden…..you get the picture….

 

[JIO]

or even a Peavey MK4….its the tube vs SS thing again….not an Ampeg guy myself….GK, Ashdown, SWR, Eden…..you get the picture….

Have owned Acoustic, SWR, Ampeg, Mesa, TC Electronics and Ashdown. It's really the best of worlds that we all have so many choices to choose from.