Question Cabs and Heads?

[brockusher]

I dug through the bass rig part for as long as I could but I can only really gather so much with little expirience. Unfortionitly, though I do live in a decent sized city I have no access to almost every cab and amp brand out there. Would you beleive I can't even get out to test an SVT Pro of any kind? So I want some advice before I see what I can convince local dealers to bring in. I have a Stingray 4H and I'm a modern sound guy. I'm pretty much decided on the Peavey Tour VB-2 because it's $900 and all tube, though low wattage.

So I wouldn't mind some suggestions for a 4x10 (most important) 1x15 and any other heads/difference between all tube and hybrid.

Thanks everyone, and sorry if it's slightly off-topic but I figured it's the best place to go seeing as this rig is going to play EBMM's 90% of the time.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

Well, since you're in Canada I would consider Traynor, they have some great amps that are very dependable and priced well. As far as cabs I imagine alot of us get by with a single ported 410, the ported aspect gives you more bottom end so you might not feel the need to consider 15s aswell.

 

[Bassmedic14]

I have a F#nd#r 300W all tube head with an Eden 4x10 and 1x15 an I've had good results

 

[Dr Stankface]

For an all tube head you can't go wrong with an Ampeg 410HE.

 

[toomanyslurpees]

I looked up the VB-3 'cause I had never heard of it, interesting, I've never heard one but the fact it's half the weight of an SVT would help the back for sure.

 

[cellkirk74]

You might consider something small and light as well, especially if you want to go for a modern sound. Depends on how loud your band is and what style of music you are up to.

You can get things like the Markbass F1 / Little Mark II / III or the Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 for a decent price. I would recommend a 2x12 with it for the start. Just look at the classifieds at this other internet bass forum.

If you wanna go all tube a 4x10' or 4x12' are a good idea.

 

[five7]

My new markbass tube 800 sounds better that any ampeg svt head I have owned and it is way lighter.

 

[Holdsg]

+1 on Markbass LM Tube 500 or 800. makes me smile everytime I plug in.

 

[Bassmedic14]

Also Mesa Boogie has some great stuff worth looking at too!

 

[brockusher]

Well I've looked around, and I have to say the Markbass Tube 800 is tempting, as is the Peavey Tour 450 because 500 bucks is pretty good for 450 watts which would be my minimum. I really like the sound of 10's with a Stingray though. I've got a Fender Bassman 100 and it's in no way a bad sounding amp, and works very well for Fender Basses. I think just having the 15 though really seems to limit the sound. It's good because the source is a EBMM instrument so it'll always be good, just could be better.

As for what I and my band play, it's mainly more alternative and rock, I do some slaping to add flavor to it, but it needs to be something that can help me stand out because our guitarist has guitarist syndrome pretty bad. He's got a sound that's very hard to work with.

 

[Elad_E]

I can only attest about the gear I own because I don't believe in gear store experience and there ain't much variety in the local stores here anyway.

I highly suggest you try Markbass stuff, I'm running a SA450 head with a CL104 sealed 4x10 cab and it's got some very nice modern tone with lots of punch (very crisp high, slight scoop in high mids). seems to complement my Stingrays the best, but not so my passive basses.
I also got an Ampeg SVT15 cab that is very strong with the lows but has a bit of a harsh hi mid response and a general "loose" feeling tone.
I'm selling it as it's not my cup of tea but should be considered if you're looking for a good priced cab that will do a grindy rock tone with lots of bass response. two of these will be a very nice rig for a punk or hard rock band (though the power rating is very modest).
I recently bought a pair of Aguilar DB112s and these seem to nail what I'm looking for in terms of old school warmth. they lend more to the Ampeg cab than the Markbass but they have super smooth mids and highs.

regarding tube tone - I'm using a Tech21 Bass VT pedal for the Ampegish tones.
for the time being this has satisfied my GAS for an all tube head.

 

[Manfloozy]

Check out the Epifani UL2-410. It's pricey but paired with an LM Tube 800 would probably sound killer. Markbass cabs also do a really good job cutting through in a band setting.

 

[rizzo9247]

Don't be too concerned with the "low wattage" of tube amps, you will be heard.

 

[T Alan]

For an all tube head you can't go wrong with an Ampeg 410HE.

All this time I thought the 410HE was a cab.

 

[T Alan]

Based on
a) what you've said thus far and
b) my experience
I would go for a 4x10 cab configuration. As for the recommendations requested, the Bergantino AE410 is at the top of my list. The Epifani 4x10's mentioned sound quite different, so it comes down to the type of sound your after. To my ears, and many other's, the Epi's sound is much smoother than the Berg sound. Epifani are now being made in China, if that is a concern.
Mark Bass heads match up perfectly with both, however. Again, the right head depends on what the ideal sound is in your mind. Being I already own a Little Mark II head and a Berg HT112, I'm leaning towards the Aguilar AG500 to go with the Berg AE410. For alt rock, that setup was pure bliss to me.
The SWR Son of Bertha has been my fave 1x15" cab, but as you found out already, tens match particularly well with MM instruments.

 

[Manfloozy]

Epifani are now being made in China

another one bites the dust... Dissappointing.

Maybe they'll wait a few years and re release the same line only American made and more expensive, a la Ampeg Heritage series.

I personally love "smooth". T, any thoughts on the UL2's vs the PS series vs the Ampeg 410HLF regarding depth and smoothness?

 

[Elad_E]

another one bites the dust... Dissappointing.

Maybe they'll wait a few years and re release the same line only American made and more expensive, a la Ampeg Heritage series.

I think you may be confusing their new budget line of cabs (called "Epifunky" if I remember correctly) with moving production to China.
for the amount of cabs Epifani sells as a boutique cab maker moving production to China will probably not be as rewarding as much as it would be for a mass production operation and they'll instantly lose their credit.
a Chinese made budget line of products is a good way of utilizing the brand name's reputation to reach the crowd which isn't going to put down $900+ for a single bass cab.

 

[T Alan]

Last I heard, ALL Epi cabs were mfged in China. I'd love to know if/when their non-budget line ever moves back to the US tho.
That said, I've no experience yet with their budget line. I've read good things, so I suppose they're worth checking out. Personally, I haven't been excited about them. When I look for budget gear, I don't look at a "boutique" mfger. Currently, I'd be willing to give Carvin a try. The only reason I have a Berg tho is because I'm a quality over quantity guy. I could have gotten a Carvin 4x10" for what my Berg 1x12" cost.

 

[AREA]

I use a Gallien Krueger GT700 RB-II and a Custom 2x12" + Horn Custom Light Cab from a german Luthier and with my SR5 ist´s just awesome. "BOOOM"

 

[brockusher]

So I've come to a conclusion. With price in mind it's going to be the GK mb212 paired with the gk neo212 600 watt cab. That's about as minimal as I can go. Though if I get in with an engineering firm this summer or in construction Markbass tube 800 and ported 4x10 and 1x15 are very possible.