Why did you choose the amp that you use?

[minimalist freedom]

Did you see this one? Had to be quick Lab Systems VP400 w/ EV4x10 Cabinet & Road Cases owned by Chris Joannou of Silverchair — would've been a nice score. Love these amps.

That's my baby ,did not know Chris joannou used it , it was popular with pro gigging Aussie bands in the day.

 

[Tom Bomb]

That's my baby ,did not know Chris joannou used it , it was popular with pro gigging Aussie bands in the day.

Right on the money Gives one a little insight into the spirit of Silverchair too Chris left the platform with that rig in tow

This was the first big equipment purchase for Chris dating back to when Frogstomp was released.

 

[Raulplaysbass]

1. Looks!

The pre-amp lights turns from white to green when warmed up. The money just started flying outta my pockets after that!!

Sounds pretty deadly too!

 

[edencab]

View attachment 2995650 View attachment 2995649

I love this for the tone. GK MBF-800 with upgraded GK 410 cabs.

I use the TCE for rehearsals and small gigs. I use the same head with everything.

I use this because I love the sound. I love that this little 6 pound head will just kill.

I would like the 410s to be a little lighter but that's why we have casters and carts. The 210 is very easy to just carry away.

oh, those GK cabs ...drooldrooldrool

 

[Raulplaysbass]

the V4B and SVT were the standard by which they were all judged, and I always came back because nothing quite hits me like Ampegs.

Ditto!

 

[amper]

why do you use it? What contributes to the sound you hear and love from your amp?

Mesa Walkabout Scout 12 4 Ohm combo. Because sound, weight, and size. My little Mesa is loud enough to fill a small concert hall, sounds fantastic, and I can pick it up with one hand. What contributes to the sound? Mainly, it's the clever design of the passive radiator cabinet, and the flexibility of the amp head, with its built-in semi-parametric EQ section.

 

[David A. Davis]

Can't believe they left out the lo-mid frequency area I like to boost most. Any adjustable option down there I'll set between 120 and 130 Hz.

The bass center frequency can be set to 120Hz then cut or boosted from there.

 

[PraiseBassing]

And I probably gave you TOO much!

Not at all! I appreciate the thought out response!

 

[PraiseBassing]

The bass center frequency can be set to 120Hz then cut or boosted from there.

You're right, I would use it that way since it has the variable HPF. Was thinking I would need the bass control to cut any boom, but the HPF would take care of it. Or my pedal would too. Ha

 

[PraiseBassing]

Back in the day I was looking at Dr. Bass cabs because they were rated so high and they had some really cool configurations. Ended up buying a 1260 (12", 3-way) and a 112LF, a 12" sub. At the time I also saw that Carvin had an amp called a BX1200, which had two separate amps built in plus an active crossover function along with para-metric EQ plus a defeatable graphic EQ. What a great head and it turned out to be a perfect compliment to the cabs, which I still run in bi-amp mode.

I had that BX1200 at one point too, running into one of their 8x10 cabs. It was very versatile and sounded great! Glad they have kept that style since then.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Grammar violation!
One doesn't end a sentence with a preposition.

At what level is your gain set?

Carry on Officer.

 

[acleex38]

Currently running a Quilter BB800 into either a Genz Benz Shuttle 8T cab or a Markbass NY121.

My old setup was a TH500 with a GK MB200 for backup/quiet stuff. The MB200 blew up but was insured - I needed a new backup. Rather than replace it either with another or something in that MB200 price range, I bumped up to the BB800.
1.) Word of mouth on TB
2.) features (size, power)
3.) The simple EQ

In the end I liked it better than the TH500 (which is saying something - I love the TH500). So now the TH500 sits in storage and the Quilter gets all the love.

The Markbass cab replaced a Hartke HX112 (actually 2) and a Ampeg SVT15e cab. It was the tone and volume I wanted from the Ampeg at the weight I wanted from Hartke. Sheer luck that I got both in one box.

The GB cab was from a Shuttle 3-8T combo. The local store had sold the head out of the combo, but the cab (with brackets) just sat there. I'd ask the owner "what can I give you for the 8" speaker" - after 2+ years, I finally got an answer i liked. Last year, a friend modded it to replace the the hard-wired 1/4" wire with a speakon jack.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Grammar violation!
One doesn't end a sentence with a preposition.

That fallacy goes back to the days of Latin grammar setting the standard for English grammar. Latin syntax is such that you can't end with a preposition and snooty academics applied that to English. The rule was relevant and enforceable nowhere outside academia. The rule is long obsolete but it can't be killed. It's like trying to claim a measure of clean power in an amp laden with inherent distortion.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Currently running a Quilter BB800 into either a Genz Benz Shuttle 8T cab or a Markbass NY121.

My old setup was a TH500 with a GK MB200 for backup/quiet stuff. The MB200 blew up but was insured - I needed a new backup. Rather than replace it either with another or something in that MB200 price range, I bumped up to the BB800.
1.) Word of mouth on TB
2.) features (size, power)
3.) The simple EQ

In the end I liked it better than the TH500 (which is saying something - I love the TH500). So now the TH500 sits in storage and the Quilter gets all the love.

The Markbass cab replaced a Hartke HX112 (actually 2) and a Ampeg SVT15e cab. It was the tone and volume I wanted from the Ampeg at the weight I wanted from Hartke. Sheer luck that I got both in one box.

The GB cab was from a Shuttle 3-8T combo. The local store had sold the head out of the combo, but the cab (with brackets) just sat there. I'd ask the owner "what can I give you for the 8" speaker" - after 2+ years, I finally got an answer i liked. Last year, a friend modded it to replace the the hard-wired 1/4" wire with a speakon jack.

Those Quilters are the ultimate head for someone who does not like tweaking knobs! I have no experience with them, so I have no idea what the range of sounds is, but if it is broad then I am, sure it is useful!

 

[Steve Wiley]

For me it's the room, stage size, and FOH circumstances. If I'm Providing FOH and stage space is limited, I stick a Berg CN112 on top of my PA rack (12 spaces with mixer, power amps and VTRM). Space permitting in small/medium rooms, I'll use a Prodigy with either the Berg CN212 or two Bag End S15s. Big stage, big rooms/outdoors it could be the SVT-CL or Prodigy on top of a Berg NV610 or Bag Ends...or the D800 on top of the CN212 + CN112 stack. I like to have choices.

 

[chadds]

That fallacy goes back to the days of Latin grammar setting the standard for English grammar. Latin syntax is such that you can't end with a preposition and snooty academics applied that to English. The rule was relevant and enforceable nowhere outside academia. The rule is long obsolete but it can't be killed. It's like trying to claim a measure of clean power in an amp laden with inherent distortion.

Yes common English is loose with the rules. Our choice is ours. There is a different effect on the listener. I'd rather know the rules and break them. On point it means playing the roadhouse gigs and the State Department dinners.

 

[FingerDub]

In fifty-plus years of playing bass I've rarely been disappointed with the tone of the amps I've plugged into, whether mine or someone else's. From the beginning I've considered myself a sideman so I'm looking for amp settings that let the singers and soloists stand out. At sound check I turn the knobs while using my ears and, as I said above, I've rarely been disappointed. (Did you ever notice that every room is different and needs different knob settings? I did.) If I was a recording artist I'd be more inclined to be a cork sniffer but the people who are drinking, dancing and partying don't particularly care if my sound has or needs a little more top end or less mid. When we're grooving they're grooving.
That's just my take on it.

Thank you, I have a hard time finding any difference between any amp I've ever played before. They almost always sound the same to me after a few minutes. It's only on TalkBass where people with tons of time and extra money go nuts over apparently vital things that no one else can hear or cares about.

 

[PraiseBassing]

Thank you, I have a hard time finding any difference between any amp I've ever played before. They almost always sound the same to me after a few minutes. It's only on TalkBass where people with tons of time and extra money go nuts over apparently vital things that no one else can hear or cares about.

There's more to it than "tons of time and extra money". While I agree that I can find a pleasing and useable tone from almost any amp, there are differences with amps. Most of those differences are intentionally built into the amps to appeal to certain users and let them take advantage of them to get a particular sound. However, you can coax a lot out of most amps and cover a lot of ground.

 

[chadds]

Thank you, I have a hard time finding any difference between any amp I've ever played before. They almost always sound the same to me after a few minutes. It's only on TalkBass where people with tons of time and extra money go nuts over apparently vital things that no one else can hear or cares about.

It's been noted that some folks hear things that others don't. It's just the way we are. Those that do, want the gear to do what they want it to. Some of us humans can coax amazing music out of wood and metal. Whatever they require to do it is okay with me.

Audiences can hear and certainly care. Its not just here on TB. Your admission at the beginning that you don't hear a difference is profound. It is what's real for you. It is however not what's operating for others in the audio or classical instrument worlds outside of TB. Perhaps after a few minutes you begin to play with an identical touch and aren't playing through the possibilities that different amp and cab designs offer.

 

[Hundred proof]

Played an out of town gig 2 weeks ago ... decided to use the old Sunn rig, I over heard a couple of guys talking about my sound in the audience, that surprised me actually, people do notice the other guys in the band noticed too.