Why is it that if I have a Musicman Sub4 > Ashdown Mag300 head > Ashdown Mag410T, it sounds better than (any GC bass) > Ampeg SVT-Classic > Ampeg 6x10? This doesn't seem right. I tried out about 7 Jazzes (Geddy Lee, 3 MIA, 2 MIM, and a highway one) and 3 stingrays and my sub4 still toasted them. What's the deal?
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Why does this happen?
- Thread starter skywalkerla5
- Start date
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,614
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
Its your opinion. Sometimes what everyone seems to think is best is nothing like what you like. And no doubt in my opinon there are better amps than most Ampegs. and Stingrays are amazing to me, but some people hate them. It all depends on your style.
The quality of ampeg and fender has declined each decade IMO. Fender has some good buys but they too inconsistent. I have played great MIM ones and terrible MIA ones for instance. Ampegs against other competition sometimes fall flat.
The quality of ampeg and fender has declined each decade IMO. Fender has some good buys but they too inconsistent. I have played great MIM ones and terrible MIA ones for instance. Ampegs against other competition sometimes fall flat.
so are ampegs more of an amp to amp basis? I usually only think of basses being in this manner. But are each amps of the same make and type that tonally different?
My guess is that you are on drugs. 
Hey, you like what you have and paid much less than the other stuff you tried would have cost. You are a lucky guy.
Hey, you like what you have and paid much less than the other stuff you tried would have cost. You are a lucky guy.
Also keep in mind that what your amp/bass sounds like in your bedroom will not be what it would sound like had you been playing it at GC right next to the amps/basses you didn't like. The same can be said about the basses you played at GC. In your bedroom next to your current setup they'd probably sound different too.
zackly.
the SVT really shines once you open it up and play it at non-showroom levels.
I honestly find GC a horrible place to try gear. The basses are usually lacking a setup. The strings feel like they have grape jelly residue on them and GOD knows only what the amps and cabs have been through 
I had a MM Sub that was beat to HELL. I gave it to one of my Sons band friends. That damn thing always got compliments on how good it sounded! One thing I learned over the past year or so is there are plenty of < $600 pre-owned basses that sound very good, often as good as some of the big name ones. Big bucks doesn't always equal great sound.
I had a MM Sub that was beat to HELL. I gave it to one of my Sons band friends. That damn thing always got compliments on how good it sounded! One thing I learned over the past year or so is there are plenty of < $600 pre-owned basses that sound very good, often as good as some of the big name ones. Big bucks doesn't always equal great sound.well, I'm really hoping It's the environment of the store that sucks. because I was really hoping to upgrade soon, but if I can't find something that sounds "better" than I might cry.
Generally no, however reliability with longevity and tone response seem to change every couple of years or so....
For ampeg the company moving overseas is shaking things up, and some will argue that 10 years ago an SVT was different than the ones released now even.
Depends on the company. I do feel they (ampeg) are a good company most of the time but though the years they are less consistent and some competition kills them as the years go buy... kind of like Fender.
I honestly find GC a horrible place to try gear. The basses are usually lacking a setup. The strings feel like they have grape jelly residue on them and GOD knows only what the amps and cabs have been through
+1
The bass and amp combo is giving you the sound in your head. Don;t over analyze it just sit back and enjoy.
Your "A / B" test was not really controlled as most people here have pointed out. When you compare amps and guitars you must have an "all other things being equal" setting / environment;- including the drugs.
I don't know much about your Ashdown equipment vs. Ampeg, but a better way to compare the basses would be to take yours with you to GC and compare it side by side. Also the SVT tube amps do need space to be heard properly. I remember very well having two Acoustic 106 cabs, each 2x15 ported reflexes. To really hear what they did I needed to be about 30 feet out in front of them. Then I could hear it. Standing right in front of one of them, I could feel the drivers kicking me in the pants, but I couldn't get a feel for the tone. I had an extra long cable so I could get way out in front of it during the sound check. In a small room, those seemed muted and muddy. In a big room;- totally different.
FWIW, I use a late model solid state Portabass 800 Ampeg with a 2x12 cab. That blows away an SVT 3 with a 4x10 cab. How do I know? It was on the same stage with one and I was able to hear it real well and play the same bass through both.
I recently ran my old Fender through the PB800 for the first time a few weeks ago, and I don't think that bass has sounded better through anything else ever and I've run it through everything imaginable over a 30 year period. I guess it is a matter of preference but I have always liked the sound of Ampeg equipment and I have preferred the solid state heads since the V6B came out years ago.
I disagree that Ampeg and Fender have gotten worse over the years. I have a '73 P and my brother has two 90's Fenders, both a Jazz and a P and both of those basses sound as good as mine;- if he'd get those roundworms off of them.
I don't know much about your Ashdown equipment vs. Ampeg, but a better way to compare the basses would be to take yours with you to GC and compare it side by side. Also the SVT tube amps do need space to be heard properly. I remember very well having two Acoustic 106 cabs, each 2x15 ported reflexes. To really hear what they did I needed to be about 30 feet out in front of them. Then I could hear it. Standing right in front of one of them, I could feel the drivers kicking me in the pants, but I couldn't get a feel for the tone. I had an extra long cable so I could get way out in front of it during the sound check. In a small room, those seemed muted and muddy. In a big room;- totally different.
FWIW, I use a late model solid state Portabass 800 Ampeg with a 2x12 cab. That blows away an SVT 3 with a 4x10 cab. How do I know? It was on the same stage with one and I was able to hear it real well and play the same bass through both.
I recently ran my old Fender through the PB800 for the first time a few weeks ago, and I don't think that bass has sounded better through anything else ever and I've run it through everything imaginable over a 30 year period. I guess it is a matter of preference but I have always liked the sound of Ampeg equipment and I have preferred the solid state heads since the V6B came out years ago.
I disagree that Ampeg and Fender have gotten worse over the years. I have a '73 P and my brother has two 90's Fenders, both a Jazz and a P and both of those basses sound as good as mine;- if he'd get those roundworms off of them.
Rakie
Let me take you down, 'cause I'm going to...
Personally it come's down to taste...
I'll tell you this, *PERSONALLY* I think Ampeg is crap, i never played one i personally liked. I like how a lot of players sound on them for their sound, but not me, not for MY sound.
Im a big Ashdown / Thunderfunk fan myself, and I love Schroeder cabs. I know if I have either of those setups running, I probably wont like other sounds. Its just what i dig.
I'll tell you this, *PERSONALLY* I think Ampeg is crap, i never played one i personally liked. I like how a lot of players sound on them for their sound, but not me, not for MY sound.
Im a big Ashdown / Thunderfunk fan myself, and I love Schroeder cabs. I know if I have either of those setups running, I probably wont like other sounds. Its just what i dig.
Well you are familiar with your Ashdown, you probably know by now the ins and outs of what makes it sound like you want. There is also a possibility that you like the Ashdown tone more than the Ampeg tone, and there's nothing wrong with that. Don't like what you're "supposed" to like, just like what you like.
Check out some of their higher end stuff if you're looking to upgrade.
Check out some of their higher end stuff if you're looking to upgrade.
Sage wisdom right there. +1000.
I spent YEARS buying and selling gear I was "supposed" to like. One day I got tired of the revolving door, dwindling finances and constant stress of gear trading and did a fairly large purge of the gear I had amassed. (Relax, I still have plenty.
) Sometime simplicity is a good thing. Slowly working my way down now to about 4 or 5 "keeper" guitars, 3 "keeper" basses, a couple of synthesizers and my recording gear.Germane to this forum - a decent bass rig (Eden WTX-260 into a single EA 1x12 cab - IF I gig as a bass player, I'll pick up a second EA cab or a Genz 2x12), a fretless Jazz, a fretted P and a Warwick Thumb BO. That's plenty. They play fine for me, they sound fine for me and the rig works for how I use it.
When you spend more time on the weekends tweaking knobs, shopping at music stores, changing strings and cleaning fretboards than you do practicing or writing, something's wrong.
thanks for all the opinions and input. maybe I just found something good, and if I do upgrade it will probably be to more ashdown equipment. I'm just really digging what I get out of it!
