Which bass amps for a recording studio ?

[pelaurendeau]

Hello everybody,

Which bass amps would you want to have at your disposal in a studio ? I explain my question

I’m a sound engineer (not a bass player, sorry…) and I have in mind to open a recording studio in a few years. I want to put great recording instruments at the disposal of musicians, and to do so, I started buying a few.

Bass amps are often overlooked and I'm trying to be clever about my selection. I don't want to have to have hundreds of them, just a few really good and versatile ones. The studio will be open to all kind of musical genres.

So my first choice would be a SVT-VR (Made in USA - from early 00's). Somebody is selling one not far from me (I'm in Europe) and I'm considering buying it. I really like this amp.

The guy is also selling an Heritage SVT 810E, should I take it ? Or should I find an old 8x10 ? Somebody is selling one not far from me, but it's been painted in blue, including the speakers ... I already have a SVT 9 cabinet (which was for guitar & synths) who could work with the SVT head, but it's maybe not as good as an original 8x10.

What else should I look into ? A Blackface Bassman (could work also for guitars) ? An Ampeg B15N ? Or maybe a V4 ? A Vox AC50 ?

Where I worked before, I didn't see a lot of bass players coming with their amps. They were always using the gear of the studio.

I will have to buy some bass also, but that's another story !

All the help will be gladly appreciated

 

[Parzival]

You're a sound engineer. Aren't you supposed to tell the bass player to just plug into a DI box?

Probably too many good choices, but you couldn't go wrong with B-15, SVT, and Bassman.

 

[Killing Floor]

Personally, depending on the space constraints I’d look at something vintage flavored like a proper SVT rig, something more modern and something that’s more transparent. Maybe Mesa and a PJB or Aguilar? There’s no wrong answer here.

 

[el jeffe bass]

If you have a lot of space and sound isolation you could probably get away with the SVT. If your space is limited you might consider buying a new or used Ampeg PF20T or PF50T head and one of the PF series cabs. If you want more volume and an SVT(ish) tone the PF50T and a larger cab gets it. If you’re looking for more of a B15 vibe the PF20T/PF112HLF gets you close. You also have the ability to use either as a tube DI. Good luck with your project, I’m presently putting together a writing/recording space to keep myself musically involved in retirement.

 

[gstaats]

Honestly, a good tube DI will get great tone without an amp or getting mic'd up. Even a radial JDI isn't easily discernable from a great tube DI. If one must use an amp, it really depends on the tone desired. It wouldn't hurt to have a b-15 in the studio. Classic amp, classic tone. I've used my b-15R for recording and some live use and the engineers I've worked with have loved it.

 

[SAlcott]

Any Ampeg flip top you can afford.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hello everybody,

Which bass amps would you want to have at your disposal in a studio ? I explain my question View attachment 5107018

I’m a sound engineer (not a bass player, sorry…) and I have in mind to open a recording studio in a few years. I want to put great recording instruments at the disposal of musicians, and to do so, I started buying a few.

Bass amps are often overlooked and I'm trying to be clever about my selection. I don't want to have to have hundreds of them, just a few really good and versatile ones. The studio will be open to all kind of musical genres.

So my first choice would be a SVT-VR (Made in USA - from early 00's). Somebody is selling one not far from me (I'm in Europe) and I'm considering buying it. I really like this amp.

The guy is also selling an Heritage SVT 810E, should I take it ? Or should I find an old 8x10 ? Somebody is selling one not far from me, but it's been painted in blue, including the speakers ... I already have a SVT 9 cabinet (which was for guitar & synths) who could work with the SVT head, but it's maybe not as good as an original 8x10.

What else should I look into ? A Blackface Bassman (could work also for guitars) ? An Ampeg B15N ? Or maybe a V4 ? A Vox AC50 ?

Where I worked before, I didn't see a lot of bass players coming with their amps. They were always using the gear of the studio.

I will have to buy some bass also, but that's another story !

All the help will be gladly appreciated View attachment 5107028

You need a 4ohm cab to run an SVT. And, an 810 will never record well without having a lot of properly sound treated space.

I'd go with a pf50t and the pf115he cab.

Bassman would be great for both bass and guitar. But, the v4b is also a killer guitar amp as well.

 

[Redbrangus]

IME, not that many people are interested in recording a mic'd bass rig, and for those that are, you probably can't afford the investment in cash and real estate to cater to all the various whims. I guess if you were going to record a lot of loud rock/metal/thrash bands head-on, you might want an SVT w/ a 4Ω-410, but otherwise, I wouldn't bother. It would be nice to have a good modern amp, like a Mesa Subway rig, and (maybe) a B-15 or pf50 w/ a 115, but otherwise, I think the money is better invested in mics, mic pre's, tube DI's, etc. But then, I guess that reflects a long-time opinion of mine that recording studios should be in the recording business and not in the musical instrument business.

 

[themickster]

Hello everybody,

Which bass amps would you want to have at your disposal in a studio ? I explain my question View attachment 5107018

I’m a sound engineer (not a bass player, sorry…) and I have in mind to open a recording studio in a few years. I want to put great recording instruments at the disposal of musicians, and to do so, I started buying a few.

Bass amps are often overlooked and I'm trying to be clever about my selection. I don't want to have to have hundreds of them, just a few really good and versatile ones. The studio will be open to all kind of musical genres.

So my first choice would be a SVT-VR (Made in USA - from early 00's). Somebody is selling one not far from me (I'm in Europe) and I'm considering buying it. I really like this amp.

The guy is also selling an Heritage SVT 810E, should I take it ? Or should I find an old 8x10 ? Somebody is selling one not far from me, but it's been painted in blue, including the speakers ... I already have a SVT 9 cabinet (which was for guitar & synths) who could work with the SVT head, but it's maybe not as good as an original 8x10.

What else should I look into ? A Blackface Bassman (could work also for guitars) ? An Ampeg B15N ? Or maybe a V4 ? A Vox AC50 ?

Where I worked before, I didn't see a lot of bass players coming with their amps. They were always using the gear of the studio.

I will have to buy some bass also, but that's another story !

All the help will be gladly appreciated View attachment 5107028

Trace Elliott might be worth a look. Have you thought about getting something like Amplitube? It's a VST plugin with over 400 head, speaker and stomp box models for the Max build and access to users' presets. Tonex works with or without it, with even more user presets, and lets you model your own heads, speakers and overdrive/distortion gear.

 

[logdrum]

Get a used EA Whizzy Cab and if you can find - when EA describe it as the B15 of the new millennium they were not merely making ad print. They are really good for micing and studio monitoring. They also sold a Cab that is sealed and you sat on it and you felt the bass. It helps if the bass player is on the DI and monitoring by phones. I forgot what it is called but I think Nashville studios started this anyway. I played through this in a private studio in Colorado and saw one on sale here

 

[brianrost]

Thinking about what amps I've seen in pro studios over the last four decades, the hands-down most common amp is the Ampeg B-15. Only think about an SVT if you plan on having loud rock bands recording in your studio and you'll have an iso booth to put it in.

Other than Ampeg, GK is a pretty common solid state amp choice.

It's guitar amps where you'll need a wider variety available...some Fender, Marshall, Vox, Mesa, etc.

Find a reliable amp tech who can go though all the amps to get rid of any noises.

 

[J-Mags]

I'd say a B15, simply becauase it's the hardest to replicate with software, and bass players get the most excited about it. I've never liked the sound of an SVT in a small room, and maintaining sound isolation for an SVT sounds like a major task. I'd also get a "regular" amp that's larger than a B15, but smaller and more malleable than an SVT.

 

[BASSDROID]

I agree that a large investment in a variety of bass amplifiers is probably not the best use of resources. I have been fortunate to record in several very high end studios, and it is unusual to see an extensive selection of different bass amps.

More often I have seen a reasonably good selection of DI boxes. The Acme Motown, REDDI, Countryman, Sansamp, Radial JDI, etc.

With any recording studio, floor space is usually at a premium. I would think that any bassist who is wedded to a particular amplifier's sound would care enough to bring their own amp if that is what is needed.

Personally I would go with the B15 and a variety of high-end DI's.

 

[BassinCT]

I would also check out the websites for studios- the gear lists are interesting, especially the mic lists!. The ubiquitous Ampeg B15, Fender Bassman are on many of them, but then you will see other more modern choices mixed in.

My suggestion:
https://www.adesignsaudio.com/reddi-all-tube-direct-box

My favorite amp head: Mesa Subway D-800+

 

[Aloe]

well, to start, you don’t really need a bass amp in studio, that’s why bassists don’t bring one. for many cases, the DI alone is good enough. if you’re looking for some specific overdrive, saturation or baked in tone, modern VSTs are pretty darn good, including the Ampeg’s one.

some modern recording scenarios tho involve both a direct sound and a miked cab, I recall, Wooten referred to this as his preferred way.

so what amp do you need if you do? the one appropriate for your music or tastes of the player if the band requests some specific sound. do you plan to record some bands in a specific genre or want an all-around studio?

 

[Grinderman]

Personally, depending on the space constraints I’d look at something vintage flavored like a proper SVT rig, something more modern and something that’s more transparent. Maybe Mesa and a PJB or Aguilar? There’s no wrong answer here.

This plus depends on the band's sound or style, tracking methods in recording, place/studio, available time, or budget.



Example in choosing between a B-15 or SVT.

Q: Is the band a loud rock type of some sort and do they and their producer mainly record with whole the band playing loud/er together at once, where for example an amp cooling fan would present less of a problem? A: SVT

Q: Does the band do more nuanced stuff and do they and their producer mainly record more by building or layering tracks, where the volume of amps need not compete directly with drums and less extraneous noise is advantageous? A: B-15

Alt: Use an Original Effects BassRIG Super Vintage with cab sim and DI. These things sound fantastic, the closest thing I've ever heard to an SVT aside from an actual SVT.

 

[Wasnex]

I would focus more on getting the best signal path you can. Preamps, compressors, EQ, etc. Some are clear and transparent and some have more personality, so you need a variety them that suit different tone goals.

If you insist on real amps, rather than getting an SVT and 810, I suggest getting a PF50T and a Little Stubby. Also consider buying two small cabs, one traditional sounding and one more modern. An Ampeg SVT210AV would probably be a good cab to consider, and may even serve as a single cab solution.

I would not recommend an SVT for a studio unless you have lot's of paying customers clamoring for it. Not every bass player thinks the SVT and 810 is a great sounding rig. Most bass players will want to use their own rig or go direct. Don't get me wrong, some will be thrilled to play through an SVT, but many others will be meh.

IMHO the 810 is about 80% of the sound most associate with the SVT. I would say it's one of the most heavily-voiced quality cabs you can buy. I don't enjoy playing through them, but I understand why millions of people do. IMHO awesome cab, but not my voice.

I own two vintage SVTs. They are very good amps. I would not say they are particularly versatile though. I own a PF50T and it has a lot of the same qualities as an SVT. IMHO the PF50T is a little more hifi and sweet sounding, and the way it transitions into OD is a bit different.

If you get a PF50T, check it for hum. Current production amps have a factory update to reduce the hum. If you buy a NOS PF50T with excessive hum, it should be covered by warranty. The fix involves changing one or two resistors and adding a capacitor to the bias supply.

Ashdown also made some nice low powered amps. I own a Mk1 LB30, Mk2 LB30, and a CTM 30 Litttle Stubby. Each has a bit of a different personality, so IMHO neither is clearly the best; it depends on your tone goals.

I do think think the Little Stubby has the most useful and intuitive tonestack. The Mk2 LB30 is great if you want huge lows and a mid scoop, but it's the least versatile and the mid control does little if anything. The Mk1 LB30 is voiced similar to the Little Stubby, but it's a bit more vintagey sounding...think late 60s early 70s. The Mk1 may be a bit more versatile than the Little Stubby, but I think the Little Stubby is easier to dial in.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Don't get hooked on bass amp tones, use the DAW, save some bucks.

 

[Alper Yilmaz]

I would go for an Ampeg PF-20T or PF-50T with a cabinet(s) that is in good synergy with either of these heads. The good thing about this setup would be being able to take two different DI signals as well as mic’ing the cabinet(s) if you are not worried about bleeding issues.

Such a setup, to me, would be almost the equivalent of a B15 and a top-quality DI; but in one simple flexible box. Over years you can still expend into buying new heads, cabinets as well as DI’s. But as a starting point, you need good mics, preamps, a board, soundproofing, etc. which would already cost a lot. So I would confine my expenses on the bass to a simple, pragmatic solution, yet at some top-notch quality…

 

[pbass2]

If I were building a studio, a bass amp is one of the last things I'd spend my budget on. That said, a clean DI track and a mic'd B15 is the studio standard for good reason. I've recorded at some "famous studios" and a B15 was most always there or one was brought in. Never anything as big as an SVT--that is very rare. That said, there's others that would certainly work, and some cool new B15-ish clones, but ya just don't need a ton of power. I actually once took my ol B100R to a session and it won out over the B15 they had there. Also, since the DI is typically the meat of the bass sound, many producers like to play around with re-amping the bass through guitar amps--that's a super cool technique for getting some dirt and grind, with the majority of the lows coming from the DI.