What amp works best with MusicMan Basses?

[EBMM7181]

I just ordered a new StingRay and now I am looking to upgrade my Amp. I have narrowed it down to three bass amps, Gallien-Krueger - Eden - and Mesa/Boogie.
I was wondering what amps you guys play through and what amp sounds best matched up with the StingRay/Sterling/Bongo tones.
I'm sure I couldnt go wrong with any of these amps, but I'm having a hard time deciding which one!

*I will be buying a head 700-800 watt range
* and a 4x10 cabinet

 

[Dr Stankface]

GK 1001RB and GK RBH 410.

 

[EBMM7181]

GK 1001RB and GK RBH 410.

I would already have a 1001 RB II, but I'm waiting on someone who is slower than Christmas, haha!

 

[MingusBASS]

Well what does that guy in Matchbox 20 play?

 

[Aussie Mark]

Why don't you just give your dealer a blank check and ask him to surprise you?

Seriously, this question gets asked at least once every two weeks, so a search of the forum will reveal lots of information. However, to save you the trouble of searching, the answer to your question is "What ever rig the person replying currently owns". We all like to talk about our own gear, so it's natural for people to recommend what they currently own. There are some fundamental questions you need to answer first, particularly how much your budget will stretch to, since that will make a huge difference to your options. And, do you prefer an all in one head, or a preamp/power amp rack? Do you need stereo or biamping capabilities? Tube or solid state preamp? Tube or solid state power stage? Is weight an issue? Do you prefer tolex or carpeted cabinets? Do you need a balanced direct out for recording? Effects loop?

 

[82Daion]

I'd say that the tube warmth from my Sunn complements the natural MM tone pretty well, although you won't get SWR clarity out of it. Still, running the SS preamp channel and boosting the treble on the bass works quite nicely for cleaner tone.

From your suggestions, I'd say that GK would be better for a more hi-fi tone, and that Mesa would be a good choice if you want a more tubey/warm quality in your sound.

Eden has had some serious customer service and quality control issues lately, although their amps sound quite nice.

Try 'em all and see which you like the most.

 

[cdb]

Genz Benz.

 

[phatduckk]

i hated the SVT Classic

liked the Mesa MPulese 600 but it blew up 45 minutes after i got it

i like my GK... it works

 

[Slim]

My Ampeg B2RE for a small room and Ampeg SVT 4 PRO for a large room with one or two Ampeg 410 HLF cabinet works very nicely for me.

 

[Aussie Mark]

"What ever rig the person replying currently owns".

See what I mean?

 

[MingusBASS]

Ashdown- Buy mine... ha

 

[TSanders]

I currently use EBMM cabs and an Ashdown amp. The Ashdown is a good amp.

HOWEVER, out of all the amps Ive tried so far, my favs with EBMM basses were:

MarkBass Little Mark II, EBMM HD-500, and the GK 1001-RBII

 

[Bill]

I'll recommend the amp/cab I'm using! A GK 1001RB-II & Neo 212. My Stingray running through that rig will cause an earthquake.

 

[Dr Stankface]

PM your way Bill.

 

[screaminhugger]

SWR 350X, ampeg svt 410HE cab, Mesa Boogie 1X15 on the bottom. Warm, yet punchy and very clear. For smaller gigs, I use just the 4X10. Sometimes I miss my Ampeg B2R, but not often.

 

[cdb]

See what I mean?

Well, yeah, but I have been thru my share of amps over the last 25 years... I have settled on purchasing a Genz Benz rig, and for practices and small bar gigs, a GK MB150 -- both of which, IMHO, are great with the SR5, and both bring out the tonal qualities I like in the SR5.

In the past I have used Ampeg, Musicman, Peavey, Fender, Trace, SWR.... but these 2 are the brands I have settled on. No reason to change. For now.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Well, yeah, but I have been thru my share of amps over the last 25 years

Join the club, 25 years of amp history here as well, but that doesn't mean that the rig that you or I have settled on is the best out there or will work for everybody. Like I said, this question gets done to death every couple of weeks, and the only common theme is that just about everybody recommends the amp and cabinet/s they currently own. That doesn't mean those people are right or wrong, but if I were the person asking the question it would just confuse the heck out of me and not get me any closer to making a decision.

 

[cdb]

Join the club, 25 years of amp history here as well, but that doesn't mean that the rig that you or I have settled on is the best out there or will work for everybody. Like I said, this question gets done to death every couple of weeks, and the only common theme is that just about everybody recommends the amp and cabinet/s they currently own. That doesn't mean those people are right or wrong, but if I were the person asking the question it would just confuse the heck out of me and not get me any closer to making a decision.

Wait! I forgot to mention that I had a 20 watt Hartke amp for a short time!!

pbtw, I am right.

 

[EBMM7181]

Well what does that guy in Matchbox 20 play?

He plays an Eden




----You are very funny----- I just wanted his BASS, im not obsessed with him, lol!

 

[Aussie Mark]

Wait! I forgot to mention that I had a 20 watt Hartke amp for a short time!!

Don't make me try and remember all this stuff! Let's see ....

Moody Vibrolux 30w 1x12 combo
Jade 100w 4x10 combo
Vox T60(?) head into unbranded 2x15 cab
Peavey TKO(?) 75w 1x15 combo
Yamaha BP-1 preamp + Jands J600 power amp into 2 x EV-TL15 cabs
Marshall 60w 1x15 combo
Peavey TNT 130w(?) 1x15 combo
Ampeg SVT100T 100w 2x8 combo
SWR SM400 into Sovtek 4x10 + 1x15 cabs
SWR SM400 into SWR 2x10 + 1x15 cabs
Bluetube preamp + Yamaha P4500 power amp into SWR 2x10 + 1x15 cabs
Demeter preamp + Yamaha P4500 power amp into SWR 8x8 (or 2x10) cabs

Of course, that doesn't include the countless house rigs and hired backline I've played through over those 25 years, but my head is starting to spin already without trying to list those as well.