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Tone: From Head or Cab?

T

The_Robster

Nov 13, 2007
81
3
Missoula, Montana
www.myspace.com
#1
This may seem like a silly question, and I know that both aspects are important in determining your overall sound. However, Which aspect of the bass rig do you consider to be more influential in shaping the final "tone" of the bass sound: The cab or the head?
It appears to me that a cab would be more important in determining the sound because a head seems like it is just delivering power.. I could be wrong, but in your experiences which do you consider to be the more determining factor?
I guess the reason I ask is because I currently have an Ampeg 410HLF cab, however I have had to stop using my old guitarists head (an Aquilar DB750) and once again use my own head, which is a Kustom groove 600. Would it be in my best interests to upgrade my head or do you think that with this rig I should be sounding fine?
 
#2
With the 410HLF Ampeg cab , you are half way there ! I have mostly new ampeg heads but I did get a SvT400T used on E-Bay for under $400. This head is my official back-up . Try locating one that is for sale. Its not a tube head but it does put out a surprising great tone. I have currently my (2) HLF's being run by a 4BR Ampeg which more than does the job. Lastly would be a Fender TB600. :)
 
#3
I'd probably say the heads contribute a lot towards tone shaping. You'll notice a lot of amps will have very distinguished descriptions when advertised such as "classic vintage tone" or "thundering lows" etc. Afterall, some amps have tubes and whatnot that make a lot of difference when comparing amps.
 
#7
The_Robster said:
However, Which aspect of the bass rig do you consider to be more influential in shaping the final "tone" of the bass sound: The cab or the head?
Click to expand...

Too subjective a question for a definitive answer. It really depends on which head and which cab one may be speaking of. Some heads/cabs "color" sound more than others.

IMO, sound/tone is a result of the whole signal chain. Starting w/ your playing technique, progressing to how each electrical component interacts with each other, and ending with how the sound waves from your cab interact with the environment.



As for sounding fine... That all depends on the sound('s) your trying to achieve.


As Lutuh posted, how does it sound to you? If the sound ( tone and levels) is adequate to your ears and meshes with the rest of your band, there no reason why you would need to change to another head.


Unless your just fishing for an excuse to upgrade... :D

I know how easy it is to think you "need" a change after hanging around here long enough; but 9 out of 10 times, it is more a want, than a need

Use what works for you, leave the rest behind.
 
#12
Is this going to become a "which link in the chain is most important" thread?

I use hi-fi kinda gear and let the bass, strings and fingers be the main source of tone control, but I can also respect those folks who take the opposite path and rely on a certain cab tuning or certain head (or effect) to really help them say what they want to say musically.

The DB750 has its own sound character and your question is going to have to be: can you express yourself musically with the Kustom? How about if you start by EQing to make it as close to the DB750 as you're able? If not, consider changing the head if you are happy with the bass, strings and cab.
 
#13
When auditioning rigs I think most players would say the head for two reasons:

The sound of the EQ of most heads differs from that of the competition.

The sound of most cabinets is just a slight variation of the sound of every other cabinet (the main exceptions I've heard being the Acme and the (very overpriced) Euphonic Audio).
 

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