Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Thinking back, the first amp I ever played through was actually a stereo. It wasn't even an instrument amplifier. Beats me why nothing blew up.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
your progression on amps
- Thread starter violatedppl
- Start date
hmm...this list will not be as extensive as many others on here since I have generally been poor most of my life, and also a very simple person to please...
1985 - "inherited" a 1969 Fender Bassman 40 Watt head and 70's era Kustom 2x15. The head is awesome (still have it)...the cab sucked.
1986- added a Peavy TNT160 and used that at home. The above combo lived at our drummers house
1990 - got my first professional grade set up: Hartke 4x10 and HA 3500 amp. Swapped out heads between the Bassman and Hartke depending on the gig
2005 - Hartke stuff is now well used and abused. Needed some new stuff with a bit more power. Went to a rack system with a Yamaha P3500S Power Amp, Sans Amp RBI Pre-Amp. Mu guitar player found the Avatar B410neo that I now use on CL for a steal. She also made a homemade 2x15 with Eminence speakers out of an old Hartke 2x15 box that was laying around.
2011 - Yamaha Power amp went. Replaced with a QVC.
the next addition will be a 2nd Avatar B410neo to replace the 2x15
1985 - "inherited" a 1969 Fender Bassman 40 Watt head and 70's era Kustom 2x15. The head is awesome (still have it)...the cab sucked.
1986- added a Peavy TNT160 and used that at home. The above combo lived at our drummers house
1990 - got my first professional grade set up: Hartke 4x10 and HA 3500 amp. Swapped out heads between the Bassman and Hartke depending on the gig
2005 - Hartke stuff is now well used and abused. Needed some new stuff with a bit more power. Went to a rack system with a Yamaha P3500S Power Amp, Sans Amp RBI Pre-Amp. Mu guitar player found the Avatar B410neo that I now use on CL for a steal. She also made a homemade 2x15 with Eminence speakers out of an old Hartke 2x15 box that was laying around.
2011 - Yamaha Power amp went. Replaced with a QVC.
the next addition will be a 2nd Avatar B410neo to replace the 2x15
Started with bass this time last year.
Did a lot of research, bought a LH1000. Still have it.
Started with a Hartke Vx410 available used, locally, and cheap.
Sounded fine but at 300W knew it was not the final destination.
Found a GK Neo 412 (1200W 4 Ohm) available used, locally, and reasonable.
That'll hold me...
Eventually gave away the 410 (someone paid shipping only).
Thinking I might add a 1x10 or 1x12 combo in the event of an acoustic accompaniment opportunity, which is a possibility but has not yet materialized...
Did a lot of research, bought a LH1000. Still have it.
Started with a Hartke Vx410 available used, locally, and cheap.
Sounded fine but at 300W knew it was not the final destination.
Found a GK Neo 412 (1200W 4 Ohm) available used, locally, and reasonable.
That'll hold me...
Eventually gave away the 410 (someone paid shipping only).
Thinking I might add a 1x10 or 1x12 combo in the event of an acoustic accompaniment opportunity, which is a possibility but has not yet materialized...
Peavey Century into a home made 1-15 with a JBL K or E 140
Fender 100 watt Bassman. This was a wierd one - it was a tube amp, 4 6L6 power tubes, but it had the "transistor" late 60's all-aluminum face. It had to be some kind of prototype and it was a electrical hazard. To this day I never touch my strings and something else that is metal without tapping it a few times to see if there is a little electricity flying around. I had a matching 2-15 Fender cabinet with 2 EVO's
Acoustic 270 into an Acoutsic 2-15 cabinet. - I swapped the EVO's in there
Peavey PA head. The band had a Peavey PA head and we upgraded to something else so I took to using this PA head. It sounded pretty good so I found myself using it over the Acoustic.
Acoutsic 320. I got some custom 1 15 cabinets and put the EVO's in them so now I was modular.
GK 400RB in to the custom 1-15s.
GK MB250 for practice and small gigs
AMP BH 420 and a Trace Elliot 4-10. What a workhorse and tone monster this amp is. I used it for 10 years, over 1000 gigs - never had an issue with it - no roadcase, dropped it on concrete floors, ran it hot - still is my backup and it comes out and works when others have failed.
Eden wt800 into Epifani T2-12. The amp and the cabinet were not a great match.
Aguilar DB 680 into Crown K2 - Epifani T 2-12. Butter and unlimited headroom. A little bulky though
Aguilar DB750 - Epifani T-212. Kickass.
Aguilar DB 750 - Epifani T 2-10. Tryting to fit into my car, sounded great, although not as "large" on the bottom end as the 2-12
Aguilar TH 500 - Epifani T 2 10. Nice, small and kick a little ass.
Agular TH 500 - AudioKineses Thunderchild 1-12 -Unbeleivable for the size but I found not enough headroom for my louder funk-horn gig
Aguilar TH 500 - Audiokinesis Thinderchild 1-15. Had the headroom but I found I'm not a 1-15 guy
Aguilar TH 500 - Epifani UL 3-10 - series 2- To me the most balanced setup I've had; light, powerful, plenty of headroom, great tone.
Fender 100 watt Bassman. This was a wierd one - it was a tube amp, 4 6L6 power tubes, but it had the "transistor" late 60's all-aluminum face. It had to be some kind of prototype and it was a electrical hazard. To this day I never touch my strings and something else that is metal without tapping it a few times to see if there is a little electricity flying around. I had a matching 2-15 Fender cabinet with 2 EVO's
Acoustic 270 into an Acoutsic 2-15 cabinet. - I swapped the EVO's in there
Peavey PA head. The band had a Peavey PA head and we upgraded to something else so I took to using this PA head. It sounded pretty good so I found myself using it over the Acoustic.
Acoutsic 320. I got some custom 1 15 cabinets and put the EVO's in them so now I was modular.
GK 400RB in to the custom 1-15s.
GK MB250 for practice and small gigs
AMP BH 420 and a Trace Elliot 4-10. What a workhorse and tone monster this amp is. I used it for 10 years, over 1000 gigs - never had an issue with it - no roadcase, dropped it on concrete floors, ran it hot - still is my backup and it comes out and works when others have failed.
Eden wt800 into Epifani T2-12. The amp and the cabinet were not a great match.
Aguilar DB 680 into Crown K2 - Epifani T 2-12. Butter and unlimited headroom. A little bulky though
Aguilar DB750 - Epifani T-212. Kickass.
Aguilar DB 750 - Epifani T 2-10. Tryting to fit into my car, sounded great, although not as "large" on the bottom end as the 2-12
Aguilar TH 500 - Epifani T 2 10. Nice, small and kick a little ass.
Agular TH 500 - AudioKineses Thunderchild 1-12 -Unbeleivable for the size but I found not enough headroom for my louder funk-horn gig
Aguilar TH 500 - Audiokinesis Thinderchild 1-15. Had the headroom but I found I'm not a 1-15 guy
Aguilar TH 500 - Epifani UL 3-10 - series 2- To me the most balanced setup I've had; light, powerful, plenty of headroom, great tone.
1966 Univox combo
1967 add Kustom head, home built 15"
1969-70 Traynor YBA3A YC810
1973 Sunn Coliseum Lead, Sunn412+Sunn 118v
1987-2001 Break from Music Buisiness
2001 Carvin RC210+Sunn 118v
2005 Yamaha PB-1, power Avatar 410+115
2008 Markbass LMii, schroeder 1210R
2012 GK 1001RB, 2x Neo 112 ii
2013 GB Shuttlemax 9.2, Thunderchild 115
1967 add Kustom head, home built 15"
1969-70 Traynor YBA3A YC810
1973 Sunn Coliseum Lead, Sunn412+Sunn 118v
1987-2001 Break from Music Buisiness
2001 Carvin RC210+Sunn 118v
2005 Yamaha PB-1, power Avatar 410+115
2008 Markbass LMii, schroeder 1210R
2012 GK 1001RB, 2x Neo 112 ii
2013 GB Shuttlemax 9.2, Thunderchild 115
In that's 10 years since I started gigging again after a long layoff....
Carvin BR610 combo to...
Ampeg B2RE to...in no particular order....
GK1001RB-II, GK Fusion 550, Mesa M180, Mesa M9 (x2), Mesa BB750, Orange Thunderverb 200, Markbass F1..... To.....
Ampeg SVT for a long time to....
GK MB Fusion for a long time to....
Jule Monique. All I play now.
Speakers.... Ampeg to Mesa to Ampeg to Bergantino.
Carvin BR610 combo to...
Ampeg B2RE to...in no particular order....
GK1001RB-II, GK Fusion 550, Mesa M180, Mesa M9 (x2), Mesa BB750, Orange Thunderverb 200, Markbass F1..... To.....
Ampeg SVT for a long time to....
GK MB Fusion for a long time to....
Jule Monique. All I play now.
Speakers.... Ampeg to Mesa to Ampeg to Bergantino.
In Order since 1965:
Silvertone 115 combo with open back
Fender Bassman head from a 410 combo, put in a Formica cabinet, driving 2 JBL D140s in a homemade Fender cab copy.
Blonde Fender Bassman 50 head driving the same cab.
Kustom 200 with 215 cab Blu SparkleNaugahyde!!!!
Standell 215 upright combo amp -- nice sound at medium volume
Acoustic 360/361
Acoustic 450 head, 215 cab
Ampeg SVT head, 2 custom made 115 cabs patterned after Sunn 115 front loaded horns
Genz Benz 200 tiltback monitor style combo with 210s
Genz Benz 400 combo with 112
Gena Benz Shuttle 6.0 with two 112 cabs
TC Electronic BG250 115 combo
Silvertone 115 combo with open back
Fender Bassman head from a 410 combo, put in a Formica cabinet, driving 2 JBL D140s in a homemade Fender cab copy.
Blonde Fender Bassman 50 head driving the same cab.
Kustom 200 with 215 cab Blu SparkleNaugahyde!!!!
Standell 215 upright combo amp -- nice sound at medium volume
Acoustic 360/361
Acoustic 450 head, 215 cab
Ampeg SVT head, 2 custom made 115 cabs patterned after Sunn 115 front loaded horns
Genz Benz 200 tiltback monitor style combo with 210s
Genz Benz 400 combo with 112
Gena Benz Shuttle 6.0 with two 112 cabs
TC Electronic BG250 115 combo
Main Gigging Amps In order
1. Gibson Dual Hawk (actually a guitar amp) 6 months
2. Gretsch Pro Bass 6 months
3. Standell Super Imperial 1 year
4. Peavey 400BH? 18” reverse horn 1.5 years
5. AmpegB15S about 20 years
6. Genz Benz Basic 50 current, 10 months
Short Term Gigging Amps In order
1. Trace BLX 80
2. SWR WM 4004
3. Ampeg BA112
4. Ash Down 1550 or some such
Trading Stock, or temporary Amps In order
1. B15n
2. B15f
3. White Bassman(s)
4. Blond bassman(s)
5. Vox Essex
6. Vox Super Beatle
7. Gibson Dual Hawk (2)
8. Odds and ends little tube amps. Mostly Single ended.
Misc. Speakers and Cabinets (not including PA stuff.
1. 200S
2. JBL K140
3. 15” Golleon (best Sting bass sound)
4. Acoustic 360
5. 18” EV
6. Single Showman with Tone Ring
7. Odds and ends little tube amps. Mostly Single ended.
8. Some homemade box w/2X15” Utahs, made the same dimensions as a 360.
1. Gibson Dual Hawk (actually a guitar amp) 6 months
2. Gretsch Pro Bass 6 months
3. Standell Super Imperial 1 year
4. Peavey 400BH? 18” reverse horn 1.5 years
5. AmpegB15S about 20 years
6. Genz Benz Basic 50 current, 10 months
Short Term Gigging Amps In order
1. Trace BLX 80
2. SWR WM 4004
3. Ampeg BA112
4. Ash Down 1550 or some such
Trading Stock, or temporary Amps In order
1. B15n
2. B15f
3. White Bassman(s)
4. Blond bassman(s)
5. Vox Essex
6. Vox Super Beatle
7. Gibson Dual Hawk (2)
8. Odds and ends little tube amps. Mostly Single ended.
Misc. Speakers and Cabinets (not including PA stuff.
1. 200S
2. JBL K140
3. 15” Golleon (best Sting bass sound)
4. Acoustic 360
5. 18” EV
6. Single Showman with Tone Ring
7. Odds and ends little tube amps. Mostly Single ended.
8. Some homemade box w/2X15” Utahs, made the same dimensions as a 360.
Hmmm....
1. Peavey TNT 160
2. Some awful Fender 1x15 combo
3. '74 Fender Bassman 10
4. '72 and '74 Fender Bassman 10's
5. Fender Bassman 10 with an Acoustic 220 into an Ampeg 4x10
6. Acoustic 230 into and Acoustic 402 cab
7. Acoustic 320 into an Acoustic 402 cab
1. Peavey TNT 160
2. Some awful Fender 1x15 combo
3. '74 Fender Bassman 10
4. '72 and '74 Fender Bassman 10's
5. Fender Bassman 10 with an Acoustic 220 into an Ampeg 4x10
6. Acoustic 230 into and Acoustic 402 cab
7. Acoustic 320 into an Acoustic 402 cab
1988 - First bass and amp - Fender Musicmaster Bass - perfect for learning at home, not loud enough to play with a band.
1989 - Joined my first band, got a Fender Bassman 50 and 1x15 cab - still not loud enough.
Traded a Harmony Strat for a Fender Bandmaster Reverb 2x12 stack - still not loud enough (I didn't know what I was doing, obviously.) Broke out the jigsaw and put in 15s into the Bandmaster cab - still not loud enough.
1989 - Got an Ampeg V4B head, played through the 2x15 Bandmaster cab - almost loud enough.
Got a Distex 1x18 "sugar-scoop" cab with Pyle driver to go with the V4B. Finally loud enough! Absolutely phenomenal sound. Used it for years.
Now if it's a big gig, I use that same V4B with a 2x15 B25B cab. Plenty loud. Kinda wish I'd never traded the old Distex 1x18 cab, but it was too huge - 2'x2'x4' tall. I put skateboard trucks on the back of it to move it around...
Chris
1989 - Joined my first band, got a Fender Bassman 50 and 1x15 cab - still not loud enough.
Traded a Harmony Strat for a Fender Bandmaster Reverb 2x12 stack - still not loud enough (I didn't know what I was doing, obviously.) Broke out the jigsaw and put in 15s into the Bandmaster cab - still not loud enough.
1989 - Got an Ampeg V4B head, played through the 2x15 Bandmaster cab - almost loud enough.
Got a Distex 1x18 "sugar-scoop" cab with Pyle driver to go with the V4B. Finally loud enough! Absolutely phenomenal sound. Used it for years.
Now if it's a big gig, I use that same V4B with a 2x15 B25B cab. Plenty loud. Kinda wish I'd never traded the old Distex 1x18 cab, but it was too huge - 2'x2'x4' tall. I put skateboard trucks on the back of it to move it around...
Chris
Let's see, I'm going to skip a bunch of stuff cuz I was drunk for a fair chunk of it.
1- I started out on guitar and owned a Peavey Renown, when I bought my first bass I also bought a Peavey 2X18/2X10 cab and put the Renown on top
2- Swapped the Renown for an Acoustic 330 (ironically still a guitar amp) and rewired the cab for just the 2X18
3- Got tired of moving the big cab and traded for a Peavey 1X18, so that and the Acoustic 330
4- Acquired a Road 2X15 and let a friend "buy" the 1X18 (i.e. didn't get paid)
5- Sold the Road (dumb, it was awesome) and ordered 2 Genz Benz 4X10s based on their reputation
6- Sold the Acoustic 330 (also dumb, also awesome) and bought a Trace Elliot G250SM (or something like that, exact model escapes me)
7- Sold the Trace and bought an 80s SVT
8- Sold the GB cabs and bought 2 Ampeg "baby SVT" 2X15 cabs loaded with JBLs
9- Sold the "baby SVT" cabs and bought an actual SVT cab (tilt)
10- Sold the SVT cab because it was just too much to deal with and over the years went through some SWR cabs; 2X10, 4X10, 4X8, and a 2X12 Workingmans
11- Had a GK RB400 for a bit but ditched it. No hate, no love
12- Sold the SVT head after pinching a nerve moving it (couldn't close my middle finger for 2 weeks) and bought an Ampeg SVP-CL and a Crown XTi2000, in a rack with a power conditioner it weighs half what the SVT weighed
13- Bought a LBS Prosound 1X10 on CL, started selling off SWR cabs
14- Down to just the 1X10 I contacted the maker and got a 1X15, stripped the 1X10 myself and he stained them both blue
15- Decided I wanted to try a Boogie bass amp and bought a Pulse 360, love the tone
16- Promethean 1X10 250W combo with the removable head. Not great, don't really use it, but it's convenient for small jams
17- Boogie D-180 favorite amp at this time. Just had it serviced, need a couple of connections resoldered and a couple of new preamp tubes, I replace the power tubes anyways. 50 pounds of awesome
18- Swapped out the SVP-CL with a Tech21 RBI that I've owned for a while but hadn't been using. I now realize SVP-CL has the low output issue, so I have to have it modded or, since I'm digging the Boogies, just sell it. Wanting a compressor for the loop on the RBI, it's almost sterile
19- Ordered a TC Electronic RS212. I've decided the LBS Prosound cabs aren't quite up to snuff for a loud band and wanted to try something new. If I like it I'll get another one, and if I buy another Acoustic 330 (goes down to 2 ohms) a 3rd RS212
Sometime around step 5 or 6 I had an SWR 220 and a Yamaha PA cab (sounded like crap). Underpowered so I bought a name brand power amp (escapes me atm) which weighed a ton (and just made the crap tone louder)
There are other amps and cabs I didn't list because I didn't have them long or just plain forgot. I have an Ampeg V5 which I've practiced with and is nice, but have never actually used it consistently as my bass amp. I suspect on a 2X15 cab it would thunder, but on a little 1X10, not so much. Also on the chopping block
1- I started out on guitar and owned a Peavey Renown, when I bought my first bass I also bought a Peavey 2X18/2X10 cab and put the Renown on top
2- Swapped the Renown for an Acoustic 330 (ironically still a guitar amp) and rewired the cab for just the 2X18
3- Got tired of moving the big cab and traded for a Peavey 1X18, so that and the Acoustic 330
4- Acquired a Road 2X15 and let a friend "buy" the 1X18 (i.e. didn't get paid)
5- Sold the Road (dumb, it was awesome) and ordered 2 Genz Benz 4X10s based on their reputation
6- Sold the Acoustic 330 (also dumb, also awesome) and bought a Trace Elliot G250SM (or something like that, exact model escapes me)
7- Sold the Trace and bought an 80s SVT
8- Sold the GB cabs and bought 2 Ampeg "baby SVT" 2X15 cabs loaded with JBLs
9- Sold the "baby SVT" cabs and bought an actual SVT cab (tilt)
10- Sold the SVT cab because it was just too much to deal with and over the years went through some SWR cabs; 2X10, 4X10, 4X8, and a 2X12 Workingmans
11- Had a GK RB400 for a bit but ditched it. No hate, no love
12- Sold the SVT head after pinching a nerve moving it (couldn't close my middle finger for 2 weeks) and bought an Ampeg SVP-CL and a Crown XTi2000, in a rack with a power conditioner it weighs half what the SVT weighed
13- Bought a LBS Prosound 1X10 on CL, started selling off SWR cabs
14- Down to just the 1X10 I contacted the maker and got a 1X15, stripped the 1X10 myself and he stained them both blue
15- Decided I wanted to try a Boogie bass amp and bought a Pulse 360, love the tone
16- Promethean 1X10 250W combo with the removable head. Not great, don't really use it, but it's convenient for small jams
17- Boogie D-180 favorite amp at this time. Just had it serviced, need a couple of connections resoldered and a couple of new preamp tubes, I replace the power tubes anyways. 50 pounds of awesome
18- Swapped out the SVP-CL with a Tech21 RBI that I've owned for a while but hadn't been using. I now realize SVP-CL has the low output issue, so I have to have it modded or, since I'm digging the Boogies, just sell it. Wanting a compressor for the loop on the RBI, it's almost sterile
19- Ordered a TC Electronic RS212. I've decided the LBS Prosound cabs aren't quite up to snuff for a loud band and wanted to try something new. If I like it I'll get another one, and if I buy another Acoustic 330 (goes down to 2 ohms) a 3rd RS212
Sometime around step 5 or 6 I had an SWR 220 and a Yamaha PA cab (sounded like crap). Underpowered so I bought a name brand power amp (escapes me atm) which weighed a ton (and just made the crap tone louder)
There are other amps and cabs I didn't list because I didn't have them long or just plain forgot. I have an Ampeg V5 which I've practiced with and is nice, but have never actually used it consistently as my bass amp. I suspect on a 2X15 cab it would thunder, but on a little 1X10, not so much. Also on the chopping block
1 Squire sidekick guitar combo
2 Ampeg ba108
3. Acoustic B100
4. TC Electronic BG250 ( I've had it for two weeks and I'm trying to sell it. Its not what I was looking for.)
5. Hopefully an Ampeg pf500 or Rumble 500.
2 Ampeg ba108
3. Acoustic B100
4. TC Electronic BG250 ( I've had it for two weeks and I'm trying to sell it. Its not what I was looking for.)
5. Hopefully an Ampeg pf500 or Rumble 500.
Polytone 1 x 15
GK Backline 115
SWR Workingmans 15 w/15 ext cab - became a permanent practice room rig
Markbass LM3 w/ 102 & 115 cabs
Ampeg SVT 7 pro with 4 x 10 cab
GK Backline 115
SWR Workingmans 15 w/15 ext cab - became a permanent practice room rig
Markbass LM3 w/ 102 & 115 cabs
Ampeg SVT 7 pro with 4 x 10 cab
Bought in 1979: No name SS 1x12 bass amp (Valco made), replaced speaker in 1980, power supply cap in 1981. Upgraded in 1982 to...
1982: Mid '50's Knight (Allied electronics) tube PA with a homemade (by me) 1x15 reflex cabinet. Gave that cab up in 1994 for a matching Allied 2x12 (Jensen) cab. Jensen's re-coiled/coned in 2005, rig sold in 2010.
1993: Crate BX-15, traded in 2008 for...
2008: Peavey Max 112, shortly upgraded to a Max115 (both Mk I) within the refund period, traded in 2011 for...
2011: Acoustic B100 (Mk I).
Not currently seeking out another.
Now the guitar amp list is MUCH longer.
1982: Mid '50's Knight (Allied electronics) tube PA with a homemade (by me) 1x15 reflex cabinet. Gave that cab up in 1994 for a matching Allied 2x12 (Jensen) cab. Jensen's re-coiled/coned in 2005, rig sold in 2010.
1993: Crate BX-15, traded in 2008 for...
2008: Peavey Max 112, shortly upgraded to a Max115 (both Mk I) within the refund period, traded in 2011 for...
2011: Acoustic B100 (Mk I).
Not currently seeking out another.
Now the guitar amp list is MUCH longer.
First came a Yakima bass. No joke I paid like 10 bucks a week for the cheapest one the local store had. Took forever it seemed like. Didn't have an amp, but my folks had an old magnavox tube console stereo rotting away in the basement. I ripped it up and played through that until it stopped working. (prob the OT, I didn't know anything about anything as far as electronics. my guess now, it was Ω issues) Finally scraped together lawn mowing money for a Peavey Combo 300. Then, converted it to a head. (used a 3620 cab with it>>>BOOOOOOM!)
Had a Crate B-150 and a 2x15 I made from an old pine trunk and the speakers from the magnavox, actually sounded very good as a cab, the amp,meh.
Used a Carver home audio preamp (sonic holography was a great sounding circuit) through a CS 800 power amp (bridged, into 3620). And until I got a crate powerblock (gitfiddle amp) a few years back, that's all the amps I ever owned. Eventually picked up a Genz Benz shuttle 3.0-10t, and another 10t, and then my beautiful baby the Ampro stack that I cobbled together. Left out some miscellaneous homegrown speaker cabs that were decent-ish, a marshall bass microstack, and a ton of guitar amps, but as far as actual time in band use, I mentioned all the bass stuff...
Had a Crate B-150 and a 2x15 I made from an old pine trunk and the speakers from the magnavox, actually sounded very good as a cab, the amp,meh.
Used a Carver home audio preamp (sonic holography was a great sounding circuit) through a CS 800 power amp (bridged, into 3620). And until I got a crate powerblock (gitfiddle amp) a few years back, that's all the amps I ever owned. Eventually picked up a Genz Benz shuttle 3.0-10t, and another 10t, and then my beautiful baby the Ampro stack that I cobbled together. Left out some miscellaneous homegrown speaker cabs that were decent-ish, a marshall bass microstack, and a ton of guitar amps, but as far as actual time in band use, I mentioned all the bass stuff...
2004 was a RME practice amp... Oh lord
2006 was a Ashdown MAG300H EVO I and the MAG410T Deep cab and I've never had anything else
2006 was a Ashdown MAG300H EVO I and the MAG410T Deep cab and I've never had anything else
I started playing bass long after I was a fairly accomplished guitarist so I skipped the entry level stuff...
Mesa M2000
Aguilar DB-359
Markbass LMII
Gallien Krueger 2000RB
Ampeg SVP-Pro into a Crest CA4
Ampeg SVP-CL into the same CA4
Genz Benz Streamliner 900
Gallien Krueger 800RB
Gallien Krueger MB500
Gallien Krueger MB800
Gallien Krueger MB500 again
Gallien Krueger MB200
Gallien Krueger 400RB
Ampeg SVT-CL
Mesa Boogie 400+
Mesa Boogie Prodigy
I alove my GK and Mesa stuff, and I switch back and fourth between them a lot. Right now I'm absolutely loving the Prodigy.
Mesa M2000
Aguilar DB-359
Markbass LMII
Gallien Krueger 2000RB
Ampeg SVP-Pro into a Crest CA4
Ampeg SVP-CL into the same CA4
Genz Benz Streamliner 900
Gallien Krueger 800RB
Gallien Krueger MB500
Gallien Krueger MB800
Gallien Krueger MB500 again
Gallien Krueger MB200
Gallien Krueger 400RB
Ampeg SVT-CL
Mesa Boogie 400+
Mesa Boogie Prodigy
I alove my GK and Mesa stuff, and I switch back and fourth between them a lot. Right now I'm absolutely loving the Prodigy.
Began with a 20 watt combo from a brand named Challenge. Still have it at home.
Got a 120 watt combo from Laney then. Sold.
Here comes more serious stuff: Warwick protube IV with Terminator cab. SWR Interstellar added for additional sound. Sold. Both.
Ampeg SVT 2 pro with 8x10 fridge. Still there.
Warwick Hellborg pre&500 mono poweramp, 1x15 locab, 1x15 clubcab. Actual gigrig.
Got a 120 watt combo from Laney then. Sold.
Here comes more serious stuff: Warwick protube IV with Terminator cab. SWR Interstellar added for additional sound. Sold. Both.
Ampeg SVT 2 pro with 8x10 fridge. Still there.
Warwick Hellborg pre&500 mono poweramp, 1x15 locab, 1x15 clubcab. Actual gigrig.
Bass players who started when I did (1967) were usually plagued with too small bass amps, with wimpy speakers and no headroom heads. Since PA support was years away, one had to fill a room or venue with what their bass rig could put out.
The Fender Bassman was lousy...I struggled with one for years.
It took the larger Sunn, SVT or Acoustic 360 or 370 to really do the job.
My progression was through larger and larger amps...whatever I could afford.
Today is really a golden age for bass players. Lightweight, powerful heads, with excellent, comprehensive EQ, and high power handling, high excursion bass drivers...often Neo and lightweight. And the prices, compared to the 60's and 70's, (adjusted for inflation) are just fantastic!
There have been many classic, great sounding and great performing bass rigs over the years. It has been a joy just following the technology over the years. Look at the two giants, the SVT and Acoustic 370. They couldn't be more different. 300 watts, all tube, sixteen 10" speakers in a sealed enclosures. Massive! Today one cabinet will do as the power handling of modern speakers is far more than what the SVT used originally.
The 370...300 watts or so, SS into one (or two) huge folded horn 18" cabinets. Incredible...but which of these two giants do you still see on most concert stages all over the world?
What a great time for bass players. I love it. I only wish there were as many places to play as we had around here in the late 60's and through the 70's.
The Fender Bassman was lousy...I struggled with one for years.
It took the larger Sunn, SVT or Acoustic 360 or 370 to really do the job.
My progression was through larger and larger amps...whatever I could afford.
Today is really a golden age for bass players. Lightweight, powerful heads, with excellent, comprehensive EQ, and high power handling, high excursion bass drivers...often Neo and lightweight. And the prices, compared to the 60's and 70's, (adjusted for inflation) are just fantastic!
There have been many classic, great sounding and great performing bass rigs over the years. It has been a joy just following the technology over the years. Look at the two giants, the SVT and Acoustic 370. They couldn't be more different. 300 watts, all tube, sixteen 10" speakers in a sealed enclosures. Massive! Today one cabinet will do as the power handling of modern speakers is far more than what the SVT used originally.
The 370...300 watts or so, SS into one (or two) huge folded horn 18" cabinets. Incredible...but which of these two giants do you still see on most concert stages all over the world?
What a great time for bass players. I love it. I only wish there were as many places to play as we had around here in the late 60's and through the 70's.
I started with a Kustom 250 with a 2x15 cabinet 25 years ago. Then, when I went to music school, I got a GK 800RB and played through a Hartke cabinet if I remember correctly (hated those aluminum cones!). I blew it up, had it repaired, blew it up again, then sold it (cab and head). Then I got an SWR Basic 350 and that is still the head I use. I love the thing. I've gone through a few 4x10 cabinets during that time. The first was an SWR 4x10 which I would probably still be using if it hadn't been stolen. Now I use an Eden 4x10 and that's all I need.
