What's the Best rig you've played through?

[Plain Old Barry]

Usually, the rig I'm currently playing is known to me as "The greatest rig of all time, this week..."

Honestly, anytime I've found a rig I like better than what I have, I've bought it. Amps are tools, not pets or lovers.

And since my needs and tastes change depending on what I'm doing, whatever I'm using is perfect for me, this week.

 

[scowboy]

One of my most favorite combinations was Warwick Corvette $$5 > Demeter HBP-1 > Big Yamaha power amp > SWR Goliath SR (610). I used to feel like that rig could rattle a tectonic plate.

 

[casualmadness]

As a teen, I had a SVT powering an Ampeg 2x12 and an old Peavey 2x15 cabinet that I bought in a pawn shop for $75. Maybe it was just because I was young and idealistic but that rig sounded amazing. I've had many rigs since then but that one just sounded like magic.

 

[aekisz]

To tell you the truth, in 40 years I have never played through what I would call a 'good' rig. They all kind of sucked in some way. That's what a low budget and bad choices will do. (Low end Sunn, Standel, Acoustic). My Quilter with 2 cheap 12s (Eden) is the best I ever had, but it's lacking in some ways(EQ, DI etc.)

 

[Johnny Fingers]

Early 70's SVT through sixteen tens.

 

[seventhson]

Original Ampeg SVT through a Bergantino 6x10

 

[seventhson]

Early 70's SVT through sixteen tens.

Ha, posted right after yours...

 

[TomB]

Back in the late 90s my band opened for a much more successful band and the bass player generously offered the use of his rig: a full Trace Elliot stack with a 410 and 15, driven by an 600SMX. I had only seen such a thing on the back page of Bass Player magazine. It moved so much air, I can't adequately describe the feeling.

I got to do that once too - only once. I still remember it. Trace from that era was amazing gear!

 

[Rick Brienzo]

Old as dirt Hiwatt 50 watt into its matching 4x12 cabinet. Used a Fender Musicmaster bass. It changed the way I think about bass rigs.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Lab Series w/Fender 2x15

I had a 200w Lab on (2) Joe's Sound 1x15's w/ EVM drivers. It really was a smooth sounding rig. I used mine with a J Bass with flats in a Judas Priest tribute.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Mesa D800+ with the Genzler BA15-3 cab. Best sound qualities I have ever had. Versatile, modular and light weight.

 

[Steadfast]

Mackie Thump 15 with a Fishman amp through a Yorkville PA.

They really do sound good. I sometimes practice through a pair of mackie 12's. Good modern sound.

 

[Dincrest]

My favorite was my longtime rig of a GK Fusion 550 head through two Bergantino 1x12 cabinets. A few years ago I sold the GK (it was a big, bulky, cumbersome head and I wanted something smaller, lighter, and lower maintenance) and got a Peavey MiniMax, which has comparable wattage but is small and lightweight. It sounds great and I love it to pieces (my main bass sounds awesome through it), but with it being solid state, it doesn't have that volcanic "je ne sais quois" that the GK's tube preamp did.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Mine, so far.
H&K Bassmaster into Bergantino IP112ER+AE112.
I have heard different but not better.

 

[BaltBass5]

Backline while on tour: 2 Ampeg SVT-CL's with 2 Ampeg 810's

 

[maxschrek]

Reeves C225 through 1 or 2 custom Decibel Sound Implements 1X15s. Basically a Hiwatt Custom 200 that will go down to 2ohms.

 

[BassNugget]

Aggie DB750 on a Aggie GS412. Glorious at any volume.

Same. A EBMM Stingray (in my avatar) through that rig was unbelievably good.

 

[baileyboy]

Best sounding gear I've ever had the pleasure of playing through was a V4B with a 2-12 or 15 (not sure) Ampeg cab. The tone was so amazing. The next best thing, and much easier to lug around, is what I use now... Mesa Walkabout with 2-12 Radiator Scouts. Awesome rig.

 

[bassface69]

Reeves C225 through 1 or 2 custom Decibel Sound Implements 1X15s. Basically a Hiwatt Custom 200 that will go down to 2ohms.
View attachment 4167899

Dude ... that looks like an awesome rig!

 

[HardNHeavy]

some monstrosity hartke rig at a rehearsal room, it was two- 4x12"s. Felt like i was 100ft tall whereas everyone else was the size of a flea.