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Can Y'all Give me some Amp Advice

Dr. Nick

Dr. Nick

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
451
Location
In a van, down by the river...
Hi, everbody!

Hauling my rig to practice this week, I felt like I was moving a washer and dryer into the house. A washer and dryer full of bricks! I've been getting by with my poor man's stack: A Peavey 210TX Combo and a very old and worn late 70's Kustom 1x15 Cab. Supposedly pushes 350w with the external cab. It cost me very little, and actually doesn't sound that bad! (Certainly much better now with my new Sterling 4 :D )

I am going to be doing some big gigs in the next few months, and I really want to get separate head and cab(s) for a little better weight distribution (The Peavey 210 is a really cumbersome and HEAVY box.) Plus, I just think it's about time to upgrade.)

I mostly play classic rock, blues and RnB stuff. I need something that will give me the nice old school sounds, from warm n' thumpy to a more agressive Entwhistle or Geddy Lee sound. I'm no slap fiend, but I do venture into the old funk stuff ocassionally :rolleyes: Of course, the only bass going into will be the EBMM Sterling :p

So I guess I need somewhat versatile head 350w or more (preferrably more!). XLR line out a must. I have no preference for tube or solid-state. I'd like to spend around $1,000 (but in no case more that $1,500 or the wife-bomb will detonate!)

Whaddya think? GK 700RB-II? Ashdown Mag ? Hartke 3500? Ampeg B2RE? SWR? Thunderfunk? New? Used? Anybody played a Kustom Groove Bass 1200? (Reliability is a major factor...dare I get an amp made in the PRC :eek: )

(I know the old Kustom cab will probably have to be retired, so figure a cab in there as well...)

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer your humble servant.

In exchange, I swear never to post a pic of myself in my skivvies!

(jongitarz: thanks for the avatar. You rock!)
 
On that last note, try this 'un!
 
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I love GK heads. My 2001RB is amazing sounding, and sounds natural, with the eq flat. IMO it is very important for an amp not to mask the sound of the bass, and the GK actually aids the sound, and does not take away. As for cabs, I'd stay away from Ampeg. I really like the Hartke XLs, but many people have mixed reviews. The metal cones help to bring out the punchiness of GK/MM. Mesa, EBS, and GK (I have neo cabs too) sound great, and doesn't really alter the sound. That of course is my own opinion, and if youre seriously thinking about GK stuff, I'd talk to Travis (ebmmlvr), as he endorses them. I hope my semi-rambling helped.
 
stingrayplayr83 said:
I love GK heads. My 2001RB is amazing sounding, and sounds natural, with the eq flat. IMO it is very important for an amp not to mask the sound of the bass, and the GK actually aids the sound, and does not take away. As for cabs, I'd stay away from Ampeg. I really like the Hartke XLs, but many people have mixed reviews. The metal cones help to bring out the punchiness of GK/MM. Mesa, EBS, and GK (I have neo cabs too) sound great, and doesn't really alter the sound. That of course is my own opinion, and if youre seriously thinking about GK stuff, I'd talk to Travis (ebmmlvr), as he endorses them. I hope my semi-rambling helped.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
+1 for GK.

I use a 1001RBII into a GK Neo 2x12 and a GK RBH 1x15. I bought the head and the Neo cab new, and the RBH used. Total investment $1475. This rig will handle any gigging situation. If it's a small gig, I can use the head and 2x12. A big gig, I can use everything. The "small" rig is putting 460 watts into 2-12" speakers, the big one is pushing 700 watts into 2-12", and 1-15" speaker. Also, consider using GK cabinets because the are compatible with the Horn Management System which bi-amps it so the highs run through a seperate controllable power amp. It really helps - especially when you are running distortion on your sound, the distortion is very harsh when run through the tweeters.

Tonally, it's very flexible - you can dial in just about anything. Good Luck!
 
I do not have a wide range of experience with various amps, but you've mentioned Hartke so I'll give my 2¢...

I am a Hartke fan - I have an HA5500 and like the option that the dual pre-amp provides (tube & solid state). You can go with either or a blend of the two which gives you a wide variety of tone to use.

I currently run through a 4x10XL cabinet. I have always loved the aluminum cones and the Hartke XL punch. I will say, though, that I immediately moved from rounds to flats on my Sterling once I got this set-up home. The edge was way to sharp for me but the flats brought it right into focus. :D
 
bovinehost said:
GET LOTS OF POWER.

That is my only advice.

ALL THE POWER YOU CAN AFFORD.
Click to expand...

+1

For that reason, a rack mount pre/power amp rig will give you much better bang for bucks than a bass head. Looking in your price range, good value preamps are the BBE Max and the RBI (both sell for around $299 new). Couple this with a power amp (eg. QSC, Crown, Yamaha, Mackie) - the QSC1450 sells for $399, and puts out 450w x 2 @ 4 ohm and 900/1400 bridged into 8/4 ohm. That gives you a lot of power for $700 spent so far, then you just need to add a cabinet (or two, when the budget allows). For cabinets, I'd recommend a pair of Eden 2x10's, an SWR Henry 8x8, or an Ampeg 4x10.

Of course, if you buy used, the options get even more interesting. Demeter or Alembic preamps, which are killer, can be had for around $400 used, and great cabs (eg. Avatar, Eden, Musicman, pre Fender SWR) are very cheap used.
 
Also try some of the EBS stuff, butyou will have to look second hand, because they're quite expensive, especially in the US.
 
I know nothing about those Yorvilles but they sure look nice.

I'm exclusively an Ashdown user since '97.
 
Big Sunn head + Ampeg cabs = oodles of goodness.

sunnhead.jpg
 
I'm probably out of touch with the market now, but as of a couple of years ago, the Sunns were selling for maybe 500-600 used in great shape.
 
I haven't any real idea what they are worth. If that is what Lord Bongo plays through then well you know.



Thanks Jack


tk
 
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