Amps Amps Amps

[Figjam]

Okay so now that I have basses taken care of for a while, time for me to settle down on some ideas for amps.

Until now i was pretty set on the idea of getting the GK 1001rb-II and neo212, but then i remembered that i AM going to college next year and this rig will obviously still be with me at that time, and i dont want anything too large. Once i go to college it will essentialy have to serve as a practice amp, since i doubt i will have any time to be in a gigging band out there. The most im hoping for is a few guys to jam with. When i DO return home for breaks and such, ill keep my avatar b212 if i ever need to play out.

That being said, I was looking at smaller cabs. When i downsize physically, I can really go for a lot,quality wise, since smaller cabs tend to cost less. Right now I am quite attracted to the Bergantino HT112. The Eden D112XLT looks good too.

Any other suggestions for small cabs? Or support for the Berg?
What heads should i be looking at. I like a nice modern tone, good for slap, but can handle a low B.

The Eden amps appeal to me. The WT405 would probably be the most expensive id go. What else should i be looking at?

I dont want to spend over $1000 on the head.

 

[Randracula]

What about a Neo 1-12 ?

 

[Figjam]

The gk 700rb and neo 112 was an option as well. Something that turns me off from GK is the lack of headphone jack. That is becoming more of a necesity as I think about college.

 

[Mobay45]

Looking at this months Bass Player, I would say a Mark Bass Little Mark II (I think) and one of their 112 Neo cabs.

 

[Randracula]

The gk 700rb and neo 112 was an option as well. Something that turns me off from GK is the lack of headphone jack. That is becoming more of a necesity as I think about college.

You can use the tuner out or effects send for headphones.

 

[Figjam]

Good to know.


I know the GK stuff is good and definitely worth considering, Im just lookin at my other options. Doing the meticulous fig-research that i do before any buy

 

[Mobay45]

Oh yeah, the complaint in BP about the Little Mark was that it didn't have a mute button. The mute button is one thing that I really like on my GK. I use it quite a bit. At the end of each set I push the mute button before I unplug my wireless and turn it off. Also, if I switch basses, I press the mute button during the switch.

 

[phatduckk]

Once i go to college it will essentialy have to serve as a practice amp, since i doubt i will have any time to be in a gigging band out there.

youd be surprised man. I had a lot of time to mess around in college. Me n my friends managed to study and get good grades and still played in plenty of bands, skated a lot etc

you'll adjust and you'll find yourself having as much time on your hands as you do now. maybe even more if you can set up a good class schedule

 

[Figjam]

Hopefully more, heh since right now i have NO time.

Ill be pulling a double major though, so we'll see how that works out. Depending on what school i go to, the music scene may or may not be great.

 

[MCBTunes]

Dude, Eden sounds really good with EBMM, and they are built to last. CS reps have a reputation just like EB's to solve any problems.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of the WT405, and the warm switch is plain crap. If I were in your position I would look on ebay for a 550 = 300@8/500@4/750W@2 RMS. Excellent head with a ton of versatility, and you wont need to upgrade power later.

For a cab ick up a 210XST 4ohm which is a little more expensive but it goes lower than the 112 and it is lound if you want to gig it. At which point you could buy another 210 and have 750 watts into 410 speakers. Or convert your 210 to 16 ohms and stick a 410 or 212(whatever) underneath it.

I play a WT400 though a 410XLT
Here's all the stats on eden heads and cabs http://www.eden-electronics.com/products/amps/index.asp

 

[Figjam]

Im not real keen on buying used amps, so Id like to avoid that if at all possible.


I dont really need lots of volume right now. The most power i see myself needing right now is 300-400 watts at any given moment, and the 250 at 8 ohms was an appealing factor on the wt405, since it wont blow me away for practice.

Also, the 210XST is a bit too expensive for me. I dont want to spend over $1500 total, and that would put me over.

The cheaper the better, heh.

 

[MCBTunes]

Ok, just make sure you give the 405 a really good run through as it is different from most eden heads I've played and I'm not sure which tone turned you onto eden. Turn the warm switch off

 

[Figjam]

Ive heard people that say they do like the warm switch, what do you have against it?


My ideal tone is modern, i dont know which Eden that points me towards though, but out of their currently in production models, the 405 was basicaly the only one that is even remotely close to what i need.

 

[EasyTiger]

The Markbass stuff's great man, it's small, but the Little Mark 2 head through 1 cab is as loud as you'll need for jamming. And all the cabs are amazing, we have a standad 4X10 in stock here, and I can carry it EASILY in one hand.

and they look cool!!

 

[oddjob]

Ok, just make sure you give the 405 a really good run through as it is different from most eden heads I've played and I'm not sure which tone turned you onto eden. Turn the warm switch off

Amen... I was checking the Eden stuff before the GK, and the 405 is a bit of an odd beast... and you are being real nice about the "warm" button

 

[smallequestrian]

One of the things that sold me on Berg cabs in comparison to others, is that they sound great at both loud and soft volumes. I tried a lot of nice cabs, and a lot of them sounded very poor when played at lower volumes.

 

[Figjam]

One of the things that sold me on Berg cabs in comparison to others, is that they sound great at both loud and soft volumes. I tried a lot of nice cabs, and a lot of them sounded very poor when played at lower volumes.

That is something that is definitely important to me. Must sound good at low volumes. The berg looks great as a cab. Finding which head to go with it will be tricky.

 

[Figjam]

Amen... I was checking the Eden stuff before the GK, and the 405 is a bit of an odd beast... and you are being real nice about the "warm" button

Heh so if the 405 is a bit quirky.. other suggestoins?

 

[Randracula]

Heh so if the 405 is a bit quirky.. other suggestoins?

Walkabout? Or if Eden the WT550

 

[oddjob]

If you aree looking at staying small I would look into a combo (The GK 1001RBII - 210 is a GREAT unit - I also like the SWR Black Beauty - but perfer their "pre_ fendr stuff - the Eden Metro is also killer (but sounds a tiny bit "squashed")) and usually you can expand them at a later date (slap a 15 under the GK and you have a real nice stack). Combos at college are always nice. Don't have to worry about extra cables, it is all together, it usually takes up less space. If you like the 405, save a bit more and get the 550... it is a huge difference and money well sent, even for college boys .

As far as used goes, I know the feeling, but if you do your homework, used isn't that bad and can get you in the range of a product you could never afford before. I had 2 SWR Silverado Specials - 1 new, 1 used - I sold 1 to help pay for my GK stuff... guess which one I sold? The new one - I actually liked the older one's tone better. I would try to hunt a used 550 down (they are very reliable from what I've heard) and see. Worse comes to worse you wasted a little time searching, best case you come away with a better (albeit "used") amp than you dreamed of.

Ok, my $.02