What amp has less low end? I'm stuck.

[capnjim]

So I have been playing for a couple of years and have already gone thru many amps:
Markbass s450, one of the first models
eden VT.40
Both of these amps were very similar, the eq had little effect and there was way too much boomieness.
I then had a 1001RB, probably the best so far, but not enough clarity
I had a Traynor custom special I should have kept, but its probably not enough power.
I am currently using an old SWR SM400. I like it, but its tough to tweak and still too much muffled low end.
So before I buy yet another amp sight unheard, I thought I'd ask you good folks.
Whats going to give me more clarity on the low end and more mid-lows. I want punchy and clear.
I have used tons of cabs and currently have an Aguilar 15".
I like simple controls and was tempted to try a Markbass little mark.
I hope this is not too vague a question, thanks in advance.
Cheers!

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Both of these amps were very similar, the eq had little effect and there was way too much boomieness.

Boom is sourced in the speaker, not the amp. The usual cause is too small a cab for the drivers contained within. Cabs that are too small is probably the #1 defect with most commercial cabs. That's not entirely the fault of manufacturers, as consumers tend to think that stuffing as much cone area into as small a box as possible is a good idea, and manufacturers tend to sell what consumers want to buy.

 

[jlepre]

+1

I would look at either a 410 or 210 cab to give you more clarity. A single 15 might be the reason for the boominess.

 

[staindbass]

hello, i would say boominess comes from too much sound(a peak) in the 150-250hz area. as you said if the eq has little effect, you cant get rid of the peak. i would suggest an amp with active preamp controls. at least +/- 10 db. for clarity, most bassists boost the treble. the speakers really dont put out much high end to begin with, so you need to add 9 db boost to hear a 2db boost onstage. that messes with the headroom of your amp, then the low end suffers. if you want punch and tightness, go with sealed cabinets. ported cabs are louder and require less amplifier power, but they have "overhang" which is the speaker makes sound after you stop playing for 1/100th of a second. this is also called transient response in the hi end stereo speaker world. it makes everything mushy and far away sounding. turning up the amp wont help. i would play a gig with any of those amps no problem. i think your speakers need an upgrade. the best upgrade is a good tweeter horn. the stock ones have poor fidelity, so disconnect it. you could use the existing crossover. a good name 2" diaphragm on a horn (like jbl or ev) will not only give you more treble, but its clear and articulate thus you wont need as much to begin with. when im onstage and i pluck with a pick, it sounds like a piece of glass breaking it is so sharp and crisp. i can hear my pick scrape each individual wind on the string even while the band is playing. my ears dont have to "search" for the sound. the other advantage is that you dont need to boost any treble, so now there is more headroom for the mids and low end. i hope this wasnt too much info, im rambling on a sunday morning johnny a.

 

[deBont Amps]

+1 on changing the cab. If you want punch and clarity without mud, a single 15 inch is probably not for you. Specially seeing the list of great amps you've gone throug! 4x10 could be good, but might lack warmth. Give a 2x12 cab or 2 cabs with 1x12 a try. Modern twelves are the new tens . Still punchy with enough warmth.

After a similar pursuit for the tone I liked, I finally settled with a MarkBass LMII and 2 1x12" cabs stacked on top of eacht other (see my signature). Deep, warm, punch and clarity. Yum
I've went through:
Trace Elliot amp
Ampeg SVT amp
EBS TD650 amp
Glockenklang Heartrock amp
Trace Elliot 15" cab
Ampeg 2x10 cab
EBS Neo 1x10 and 1x12 cabs
Epifani 4x10 cab

 

[RickenBoogie]

I agree, it's your speaker cab that's the problem. A big box with multiple drivers will have you smiling in no time. The GK 1001 can be ultra clean and clear sounding, as can the others you've dismissed.

 

[markkoelsch]

It is the speaker cab as others have said. It could also be the room you are playing in, as the room can have a ton of effect on your sound.

There is nothing wrong with a good 15" speaker, but the cabinet design is paramount. I suggest you go over to the amp forum and look up the Fearful threads. There is a lot of very informative discussion (did I mention that it is A LOT of reading). Also, there is a wiki on it. These are cabs that should outperform most on the market, and the plans are free.

 

[NineSpine]

I'm going to take a different approach, due to the amount of gear you say you have went through, and ask if the problem might be expectations that aren't realistic. Of course, it's difficult from your post to gauge whether your expectations are realistic, but I am just throwing the idea out there for you to consider.

A lot of people just plow through gear because they are looking for a mythical sound that doesn't exist. They hear recorded music or live music and think "I want to get THAT sound" but fail to recognize that the specifics of sounds in those contexts are dependent on things you simply don't have playing through just a bass amp. You don't have a wall of sub monitors or a mastering engineer precisely calibrating your sound.

Also, if you are playing in your room, a garage, or a basement, things aren't going to sound like they do in a studio or at any decent live venue. My entire setup sounds drastically different at home versus playing out. It requires a completely different EQ and approach. In fact, my P-bass sounds like muddy garbage at home, but sounds like creamy chocolate deliciousness in a decent venue with a band.

Again, I'm not accusing you of anything, just throwing out an issue I've seen that I think there is SOME chance you are falling victim to.

You also talk a lot about your amps but I don't see anything about your bass. If you are having a specific problem across all of those amps and cabs, that might not be where the problem lies.

 

[AMJBASS]

All of the Genz Benz gear I have used has had a really tight and clear low end. I generally prefer a very clear sound without boomy lows and the Genz stuff works just great.

 

[capnjim]

Thanks a lot guys. Very good stuff. I thought having a good aguilar 15" cab would be sufficient, but maybe I need to get a 4x10 or 2x12.
Of course Ninespine is probably closest to the mark as my bandmates love my sound and are always surprised when I show up with a new amp. As for basses, its usually US jazz basses or my new found love, a Peavey Foundation with the super ferrites.

 

[JGR]

Since you liked the GK, I'd recommend an 800RB - less low end that the 1001, and excellent tone.

 

[Son of Bovril]

It is the speaker cab as others have said. It could also be the room you are playing in, as the room can have a ton of effect on your sound...

I'm gonna go with this and say that it is probably the room or the positioning of your cab in the room that is the problem causing the boomy low end...

do you still have the same problem with the boominess if you play on different stages or with different cabs or does this amp not really leave the practice room?

 

[randaddy]

I'm in agreement with the sealed cab answer that several have given. That will give you the tight, clear low frequencies that you desire, IMO.
That is a sound that maybe you have heard before and it made a good impression. Now nothing else will do.
(Or maybe not. But it sure sounds like that is what you need to me.)