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Time to step up to a stack?

F

Foxworthy925

Feb 24, 2007
851
2
Bay Area, CA
#1
When I first jumped into bass, it was because my friends' band needed a bassist. I went to guitar center and came home with an Ampeg BA115HP (220w), which was good enough at the time for the classic rock covers that we were doing. Now in my other band, which includes the same drummer, same guitarist, and soon to come a vocalist/guitarist, we're playing much different music. All originals, everything from metal to almost acustic type stuff (I don't know what genre to classify it in...). Anyways, this drummer plays hard, and I mean really hard. I'm surprised his drumset is still alive. He really gets into what he's playing, so we get really loud. Our guitarist plays through a PA, which seems to be working for us at the moment. Me on the other hand, am wondering if it's time to step up to a bigger rig. I love the way my ampeg combo sounds at normal (around 5 on everything) volume. Then when I turn up to the levels I have to, it's another story. My drummer and guitarist are always telling me to turn up because they can't here me, so of course I have no problem with that. but at the volumes I need to compete with them, I end up having everything (gain, low, mid, high, master) on my amp turned up above 8, almost 9. It doesn't sound horrible when mixed in with the other instruments, but I'm really not loving the sound I'm getting from it like this. I know what sound I'm going for, and this is just not it.

is it time for a bigger rig?
 
#7
Foxworthy925 said:
I really don't know. It depends on what I find when I start looking around and trying things out. I'll probably get used gear, and nothing more than around $1500 altogether, but that's at the very most...
Click to expand...
You can get something that will last a while for that. Possibly even new. Did you want to stick with Ampeg? You should be able to get a 3 pro used under $700 and a SVT 410HLF to go with it for well under that. 450 watts Hybrid amp. 410 ported cab. Great combination. I used to have one. I think I got it new under $1500 but I knew someone at the music store.
That's just one suggestion, you can get into GK, an Eden 550 plus cab, you got enough to work with.
 
#8
AxtoOx said:
You can get something that will last a while for that. Possibly even new. Did you want to stick with Ampeg? You should be able to get a 3 pro used under $700 and a SVT 410HLF to go with it for well under that. 450 watts Hybrid amp. 410 ported cab. Great combination. I used to have one. I think I got it new under $1500 but I knew someone at the music store.
That's just one suggestion, you can get into GK, an Eden 550 plus cab, you got enough to work with.
Click to expand...

+1 or go 2nd hand- a 2nd hand SVT3PRO & SVT410HLF should be pretty EZ to find- OR if U can get a SVT2PRO/non pro & Sadowsky SA410-$799 I hear in US now-do a search-GREAT CAB FOR a TUBE AMP!!!!


But the 3pro & SVT410HLF is a Killer rig for U:bassist:
 
#9
hmmmmm...I think I'll have to go to a guitar center and start testing stuff out. maybe I'll stick with ampeg, maybe I'll try some different gear, just depends on what I find that I like. I played through an svt-3 pro at guitar center once a long while ago. man, did it sound amazing. but that's the closest I've been to trying something with tubes. I want to try out a few all tube amps to see what they sound like for me...

on a different note, how would I take advantage of a pre/power amp setup instead of buying a stack?
 
#10
Foxworthy925 said:
on a different note, how would I take advantage of a pre/power amp setup instead of buying a stack?
Click to expand...
I guess I don't understand the question. To me a power amp, pre amp would still be a stack. Unless your talking about a powered Berg cab w/ a pre amp. I was not familiar w/ these and ran a thread on them, and they got a real favorable response.
It's just a matter of taste. In the 70's 80's, you weren't cool unless your stereo was a pre amp + power amp. Now you can't hardly find them and receivers are where it's at. Actually Home theaters.
If I went that route, I would go w/ a Crown Power amp, and whatever pre amp sounds good to you.

Back to regular amps. Some GC's carry Mesa and some don't. If yours does, I'd play one of those also.
 
#14
I wish Cliff was still around on the Black Album, but that was Jason. I use an Ampeg B2r with an Ampeg 15 and a 12 inch cab. Works well with a loud rock band. Also go through the PA when playing out though.
 
#17
I'd also recommend you try out Genz Benz and Ashdown amps as well. I think they have the warmth and old school vibe of a tube amp along with the clarity, definition and nice highs of a good modern SS amp. I like the Ampeg tone, but there isn't enough of that clarity and definition for me - these amps do fit that bill. Genz Benz wins in my book with strong customer service and a better reputation for reliability.

All tube? IMHO, the SVT-2 Pro is the best I've heard followed closely by a Mesa 400+. I personally wouldn't touch an SVT 3 with a ten foot pole...
 

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