Why did you choose the amp that you use?

[PraiseBassing]

Between all the various threads on power amp class and all the differences of opinion, I have read a lot of descriptive words that really tell me nothing about what people are hearing. In my experience there are so many variables that dictate how a head sounds. Instrument and cab pairing, eq settings, desired amount of drive heard.

For me, my GK MB210-II and 210MBE-II are lightweight and loud enough for any stage I will play. I'll do some testing with it later, because honestly there is a specific frequency range that it has a bump in with the eq flat, that led me to choose it. It's not down at 35Hz, but it is what was the most pleasing out of all the MB combos to my ears when playing up and down the B string. I'm assuming it is somewhere around 60Hz but don't know for sure, so I'll run some sine waves through it. I'll add more to this thread later.

So what does everyone use? More importantly to me, why do you use it? What contributes to the sound you hear and love from your amp?

 

[PraiseBassing]

I'll also add that I look for a clean tone about 90% of the time. I like the boost feature on the MB to mess around with and get the GK "growl" but it's definitely not something I will always have on. I should get my Aftershock to add drive/distortion at the push of a button when I want it, but it is a new venture for me and not something I will always have on.

I do believe clean vs driven signal is a huge factor in amp choice that is often not mentioned when talking about amps. It's something that should be mentioned whenever talking about what you like about your amp, because a "nice driven" sound could sound like just distortion to someone who is looking for a clean sound with "loads of headroom".

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I use an Ampeg SVT CL. It is to me the greatest amp, I love the tone I get through it. I use 2 410 cabs.

 

[12BitSlab]

1) Weight
2) Sound
3) Versatility

I have 2 Ampeg Micro-VR heads and 4 of the SVT210AV cabs. The heaviest component is about 27 pounds and the sound is exactly what I want. Lastly, I can go small (i.e., 1 head, 1 cab) or I can go big (i.e., 2 heads, 4 cabs). It also allows me to use Ric-O-Sound on my 4003.

That set up ticked all of my boxes and I am very happy with it.

 

[PraiseBassing]

I use an Ampeg SVT CL. It is to me the greatest amp, I love the tone I get through it. I use 2 410 cabs.

What is it about the tone that you love? Is it clean, slightly driven, overdriven? What are your eq settings like? Is the bass control being centered at 40 Hz what you love? That the treble is centered at 4Khz?

 

[wizerd]

GK Backline 600. Not megawatt, and more than 2 pounds, but fills any room I've been in so far. I keep thinking I should replace it but, why?

 

[shawshank72]

I

 

[PraiseBassing]

I was hoping for a little bit more elaboration on what everyone likes and seeks with their tone.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

What is it about the tone that you love? Is it clean, slightly driven, overdriven? What are your eq settings like? Is the bass control being centered at 40 Hz what you love? That the treble is centered at 4Khz?

I have played various Ampeg amps over the years and have always liked the tone. The SVT CL feels much more present. It is hard to explain, it just sounds awesome. I keep my EQ basically set at flat.

 

[tedious1]

I'm using a VT-RM as a pre and Behringer iNuke 3000 as the power amp driving a pair of SVT-210AV's, stacked vertically, natch...

The primary goal of this setup was to be able to switch preamp easily, i.e. change my tone at the drop of some cash. So tone wasn't the motivation behind the rig setup, but it definitely applies to the VT.

I like the VT because between it and the cabs, I can cop a good Ampeg tone, but I like the rig 'cause of it's flexibility.

 

[JRA]

these days: i've chosen on the basis of weight and portability. i've never played any amp or speaker combination which didn't get a nice sound for the application. lucky i guess. i do not believe that there is such a thing as "best." there are so many good rigs out there these days.....

 

[PraiseBassing]

I have played various Ampeg amps over the years and have always liked the tone. The SVT CL feels much more present. It is hard to explain, it just sounds awesome. I keep my EQ basically set at flat.

Interesting. What do you have your Gain set at? What position are your Ultra switches at?

 

[DirtDog]

Price, weight, performance, vibe and sound.

 

[PraiseBassing]

I'm using a VT-RM as a pre and Behringer iNuke 3000 as the power amp driving a pair of SVT-210AV's, stacked vertically, natch...

The primary goal of this setup was to be able to switch preamp easily, i.e. change my tone at the drop of some cash. So tone wasn't the motivation behind the rig setup, but it definitely applies to the VT.

I like the VT because between it and the cabs, I can cop a good Ampeg tone, but I like the rig 'cause of it's flexibility.

Does this combo not only get a good Ampeg tone but also get others easily? I haven't looked much at the Tech 21 pre's out there before.

Also, for all Ampeg users, what is the Ampeg tone you are looking for in your amp? I recently watched a video of a multi effects unit, I believe, and the reviewers as well as myself found that the preset using the Ampeg based settings was a little excessive in it's drive/distortion settings. Any demos anyone has or can reference for the tone they are using/looking for?

 

[PraiseBassing]

these days: i've chosen on the basis of weight and portability. i've never played any amp or speaker combination which didn't get a nice sound for the application. lucky i guess. i do not believe that there is such a thing as "best." there are so many good rigs out there these days.....

I have to agree with you. So many options out there, which are derived from the many different preferences, there really can't be a "best". Just a best fit for you.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Price, weight, performance, vibe and sound.

Vibe meaning the way it looks? That is one thing that I can see. I wonder how many bassists base their amp choice off of how it looks, classic vibe vs modern vibe.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

Interesting. What do you have your Gain set at? What position are your Ultra switches at?

Ultras are off, gain maxed.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Ultras are off, gain maxed.

That explains the choice of amps there!

 

[JGbassman]

My three favorite amps are the Ampeg SVT CL through either an 810 cab or 410 hlf, GK 400RB, or Trace Elliott ELF through a GK neo 212, 410, or both.

For the Ampeg, I like a clear but full and rich sound. Bear in mind my settings reflect playing live with a full band setting, not in my bedroom or recording. My bases of choice are normally passive four or five string jazz or p basses with SS roundwound strings.

I will run my master gain anywhere from 7-10, and bring the pre gain in to set the stage volume. I push the pre gain as little as possible. I roll the bass off, never more than 12oclock, normally 9 0clock. I push the mids, centered at 800hz, and roll the bass in for warmth. I roll the treble off a touch, to keep it from clanking, but enough for an edge and some presence. This is a big huge and deep sounding amp, so the bass control can really bring the boom if you aren't watching it. Less is more here for a live show. It's extremely heavy and large, so it doesn't come out for many shows. But when it does, wow.

The GK cabs I have do have a most definite mid bump, which I like. I can set the rb400 a little flatter because of that, and run the pre gain/post gain close to the same as the Ampeg. I will roll the boost in at times to get that growl. No more that 5 on the amp though. I cut the highs back as they difinitely will get harsh fast. The real voice of this amp is in the high and low mid section, and this will change based on venue. I use the same formula; find the voice and texture with the high mids, then roll the low mids in for a little girth and warmth. This amp/cab combo sounds great pushed as it compresses a touch like a tube head does that GK growl is a nice and controlled grunt when you want it. The DI is ok, but not the best. It will work for foh nicely though. This amp is the one I use if I want a growly rock tone.

The TE elf I love because of its simplicity. It blends the old and new TE sounds together in my opinion. I like the three bands of eq and where they are placed frequency wise. On this I run the pre gain a little hotter, from 9-12 o'clock, and run the post gain no harder than 12 oclock. So far I haven't needed any more volume than that. Bass is set around 9-10 o'clock, midrange around 3 o'clock, treble about 10-11 oclock. This amp has a deep, almost Tubey baked in sound. If I had to describe it, I would use the words thick, full, and meaty, but not tubby at all. It plays extremely well with the GK 212 and 410 neo cabs, where the two compliment each other immensely.

The real sleeper with this amp is the DI. It's post gain and amazing sounding. By far one of the best signals I've used to send to foh. It's my favorite di sound so far. I'd like to add I do use a rack mounted compressor in front of the elf, to compress the signal a touch to keep the on board compressor from effecting the sound too much. I normally run a soft knee and either a 4:1 or 3:1 ratio. Nothing clamping, just enough to tame a little heavy handing when I'm digging in.

So those are my approaches and reasoning behind my favorite amp/cab combos. You wanted descriptive, here ya go.

 

[bigboy_78]

KJung told me it was good.

TH500 + CN212