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What is the best amp for metal?

#21
basshero1107 said:
Cabinets-
Gallien-Krueger 210 Neo Cab
and
Genz Benz STL-210T

Any thoughts, comments, corrections?

-Thanks-
Click to expand...
I'd match the cabs. Though I know a lot of people mix cabs successfully, sometimes they'll phase each other out, so matching helps prevent that. And I'd stand them both on end and stack them so you get a lot more throw and get a speaker pointed at your head, which greatly helps if you're in a loud band. My equipment budget is blown for the next 10 years ;) , but I'm dying to get two 210's and set up a rig like this.
 
#23
Anything works, some better than others.

A good place to start is something with cutting tone, I see you have an Elite 5. GK will work wonders with that bass and help bring out some of the Elite's aggressive tone.
 
#24
Well I'll tell ya...in my years of bass'n it!....I've found there a alot of decent bass amps out there.but for the money..and for the sound?...I'd stick with a nice solid Ampeg.My band doesnt do metal however,we do hard rock!...My rig is:
1. Ampeg B2R rack mount amp
2. Ampeg 610SVT/HLF cab
3. Most important of all?............ALL high end Monster connector cables and cords

* make certain if you buy an amp over 100W you get a power conditioner with it:hmm:
 
#25
basshero1107 said:
Ok!
I looked at a bunch of the suggestions you guys gave and decided on a few things that i know are good.

I was thinking:

Head- Gallien-Krueger 700RB
Specs from musiciansfriend.com

POWER <1% THD
LF 480W @ 4 ohm; 320W @ 8 ohm, 1 kHz
HF 50W @ 8 ohm, 5kHz
17-1/2"W x 3-1/2"H x 8"D
16-1/2 lbs.


Cabinets-
Gallien-Krueger 210 Neo Cab
and
Genz Benz STL-210T


If i get them used i may be able to stay in my price range. The matchup is good considering both cabs have a 400 watt power rating and the head has 480W at 4 ohm. If i combine the cabs then i get 480W and if i use either one by itself then i get 320W. Is that right? its all kind of confusing.
Plus i can use one cab for practice and two for shows. I think 480 watts will be plenty.

Any thoughts, comments, corrections?

-Thanks-
Click to expand...

I agree 100% with Jimmy about matching the cabs. Out of phase cabs are not pretty at all...

Personally, I would consider just getting one 4x10. If you're playing loud metal, a 2x10 cab most likely is not going to cut it for practice. I was acutally playing a 700-RB/GK 410 Neo pairing yesterday and it sounded pretty mean.
 
#28
basshero1107 said:
what do you mean by matching the cabs?
Click to expand...

I think Jimmy and KsPiNeSh meant two exactly the same cabs from the same brand (and perhaps even the same configuration of speakers). I don't actually know why mixing cabs isn't so good, but some guys here can enlighten that.
To me matching cabs just seems logical.

The 700RB is a very good choice for metal. I am gassing for that one too.
I like this solid-state powerhouse (yes, I know they even have 2 bigger) because to my taste I like the basstone in metal to be more brighter, colder and clean.
In this thread I've seen a lot of lot for Mesa. Not what I personally would go for but ideal if you want some more grit and grind from your amp without using pedals.

My cab choice for the 700RB personally would be Eden 4x10", 2 of them (1 would do for practice and the smaller gigs). I actually had the chance of playing an 700RB through an Eden cab once.
Best cabs I tried so far in the 4x10 department.
If for reasons unknown to me ;) you like 2x10 cabs, go with that.
They are not "weaker" than the average 4x10. Depends on your whole setup.

And if you can afford 3 cabs that would save you some transportation. 1 at home, 2 at rehearshal, so you only need to carry your head. Just an idea.

And to repeat what everyone said: any amp/cab can be used for metal, if tweaked right. If I'd had to go on budget-amplification for a metal rig, I'd even dare to go Ashdown MAG.

Even, Eden wich are not that common with metal bassists are absolute beatys to my ears.
Their cabs I really want. To bad they are so expensive. :hmm:


Good luck with your choice. :)


edit: I'm a slow typer, KsPiNeSh beat me to the answer.
 
#29
The reason for matching the cabs is because using different cab/driver sizes to reproduce the same freq ranges can result in phasing on some notes. Doesn't always do it, and many people on here do it successfully, but it eliminates one more variable out of the equation.
 
#32
I agree that an Ampeg rig is a great choice.

But Monster cables and a power conditioner? Monster cables are the most important component in your rig? That is absolutely ridiculous, even without going into the tired debate about the perceived benefits of those cables it is completely indefensible to suggest that your cables play any serious role in creating your tone. And a power conditioner? Is this response a joke?


bass'n it said:
Well I'll tell ya...in my years of bass'n it!....I've found there a alot of decent bass amps out there.but for the money..and for the sound?...I'd stick with a nice solid Ampeg.My band doesnt do metal however,we do hard rock!...My rig is:
1. Ampeg B2R rack mount amp
2. Ampeg 610SVT/HLF cab
3. Most important of all?............ALL high end Monster connector cables and cords

* make certain if you buy an amp over 100W you get a power conditioner with it:hmm:
Click to expand...
 

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