Can Y'all Give me some Amp Advice

[Dr. Nick]

I haven't seen much Sunn stuff around...I'll have to look into that...remember when Sunn, Acoustic and Ampeg ruled the world? (I feel very old all of a sudden!)

You guys sure do have some impressive looking rigs!!!

One thing that I like about the Yorkville is the 2 year warranty that, if I understand correctly, applies even if YOU break the equipment, ie, drop it down the stairs. That would be a big plus to me as opposed to buying used with no warranty over e-bay without the opportunity to play it!

I think I may call Bass Central and see what they have in stock. They are about an hour away and it might be worth the drive...they have some interesting stuff on their webpage, but I am not sure that inventory is current...

For example, they still show my bass as "in stock" http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/sterling_fretted.shtml (It's the twelfth one down the page)

Again, thanks for your inputs~~ I really appreciate them!

 

[Aussie Mark]

I think I may call Bass Central and see what they have in stock. They are about an hour away and it might be worth the drive

They've got two used Musicman Audiophile 2x10 cabs for $300 each, so for $600 you'd have a versatile pair of cabs (1 cab for practice, small gigs; both for bigger gigs)

They also have a used SWR Goliath Jr III for $399 - a great cab.

On the "blowout" page there is an Eden Metro 2x10 combo that has a 600 amp built in, reduced from $1999 to $1199. Add the Goliath Jr to that combo, and you've got a 600 watt amp and 2x 2x10 cabs for $1599.

Oh, and before I forget, here is my rig. I also have a 2x10 cab that I use for practice and small venues instead of the 8x8.

 

[HeavyDuty]

I used a G-K 400RB for a few years (it now lives at our practice space), and recently picked up a G-K MB150 combo. It reminded me how well G-K's tone works with EBMM's tone - it's a great combination! I'd look at something Gallien...

 

[Disquieter]

my vote is that you ought to buy an ampeg B2RE head. and an ampeg 8x10 or 6x10.

the 8x10 would be better for you because it does not have a tweeter, much better for the low end pound.


i spent months playing different cabs for my setup and the 8x10 was the only cab that sounded right.



joel

 

[shamus63]

I'll probably have to go used on these items, gigs not paying what they used to (at least in the Bay Area), but I'm pairing an Ampeg SVT-4PRO with either a Mesa/Boogie RR 2x15, or two separate Mesa/Boogie RR 1x15's for flexibility (depending on gig size).

 

[Randracula]

The GK1001RBII and Neo 2x12 cabs are hard to beat for price, portability and power.IMO the best bang for the buck out there.Of course the 1001RBII is great with any of the GK cabs.It just depends on what your needs are.I prefer to go modular instead of having one huge cab.

 

[oddjob]

What do you all think of this? Reviews seem positive and I like that it is made in North America...

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-Yorkv...ryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I had an older solid stat Yorkie for about a year... the stuff wasn't bad... it just wasn't good either. The warranty is nice but a warranty on gear that doesn't meet your sonic needs is just wasted cash (I, personally, would be very hesitant to buy one of these without hearing it). When it all comes down to it, Jack said it best... POWER. Buy ahead of the curve even if that means spending more money on the amp now and only getting 1 small cab - you can expand the cabs later but it is truely hard to expand your power section without losing your butt. A good friend of mine (who is great bassist in Columbus) once told me to think about how much power I think I need and buy 2x that (since bass power doesn't work the same as guitar power from an auditory standpoint) - for most of us that means 400-700 watts solid state or 400 watts tube... but buy the power first and then the cabs!

 

[AnthonyD]

Ditto on the "buy as much power as you can afford" - aint nothing like headroom to spare!

 

[oddjob]

And you'd be suprised on how fast you can run out of head room (especially with a loud, obnoxious guitar player )

 

[Dr. Nick]

I'll probably have to go used on these items, gigs not paying what they used to (at least in the Bay Area), but I'm pairing an Ampeg SVT-4PRO with either a Mesa/Boogie RR 2x15, or two separate Mesa/Boogie RR 1x15's for flexibility (depending on gig size).

How you like the SVT4 Pro? I just spoke to Bass Central, and they have a used (1999, I think) SVT 4 Pro and Goliath III 4 Ohm Cab. I put a few bucks down on the head until I cn get over there next Friday...

My only concern is that I note a LOT of negative reviews on the SVT 4 PRO's reliability...and I mean a LOT. What is your experience? IF it were to be reliable, I think it would be a great choice

 

[philthygeezer]

What do you all think of this? Reviews seem positive and I like that it is made in North America...

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-Yorkv...ryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Very powerful head for 800 watts. Made the Eden wt-550 I was comparing it to look wimpy. I couldn't get the same melodic brightness that I could out my RBI/power amp rack when I brought it home so it went back. The thing was damn near as loud, at 600 watts, as the rack pushing 900 watts into GS112s. Good amp.

If you prefer a powerful darkish tone with tube grit, or a powerful clean sound, this may be your amp.

I am currently on the road to a Thunderfunk, based purely on hearsay.

 

[shamus63]

How you like the SVT4 Pro? I just spoke to Bass Central, and they have a used (1999, I think) SVT 4 Pro and Goliath III 4 Ohm Cab. I put a few bucks down on the head until I cn get over there next Friday...

My only concern is that I note a LOT of negative reviews on the SVT 4 PRO's reliability...and I mean a LOT. What is your experience? IF it were to be reliable, I think it would be a great choice

Well, I had owned the B2R for a quite a while and gigged it regularly (plus weekly practices); no problems. Just not enough power.


Even if I don't get the SVT-4 PRO, I'm still getting another Ampeg (maybe a Classic Series). If I don't score an Ampeg, I'll seriously check out the Mesa/Boogie BB 750.


Either way, tubes and 15's! Hmmm!


There's just too damn-many choices out there! I feel for you!

 

[Dr. Nick]

There's just too damn-many choices out there! I feel for you!

Heck yeah...I'm going nuts! Plan is to make some calls this week and see what the stores have in stock, and then pack up the Sterling and head into Orlando next Friday and hit up BC and any other store (GC, Sam Ash, etc) that has anything worth checking out. (And I ain't ruling out the pre-amp/power amp option, either.)

Should be a fun day!!!

At least "She Who Must Be Obeyed" has given me the green light!!!

Again, thanks to all on the inputs!!!

 

[AnthonyD]

At least "She Who Must Be Obeyed" has given me the green light!!!

Ain't that the best! I remember the rush I got when she looked over my shoulder at a Buttercream Bongo and said "Ooh - that's beautiful!"

 

[shamus63]

Ain't that the best! I remember the rush I got when she looked over my shoulder at a Buttercream Bongo and said "Ooh - that's beautiful!"

My wife gets pissed every time I trade-off or sell a bass! She gets more attached than I do!

 

[Dr. Nick]

My wife gets pissed every time I trade-off or sell a bass! She gets more attached than I do!

Yeah, my wife looked over today and said, "it is a beautiful bass, that's for sure!"

"Damn Straight!" I said. (in my mind.)

 

[Soulfinger]

I've played a lot of different gear, and I'm now convinced that unless you're doing something esoteric or you have more money than you know what to do with (and have already sent me some), Avatar cabs are the way to go. I've been leaving my Goliath III home lately. The things are solid, built with good components, and very cheap.

 

[willhaven]

Best I've ever heard is a GK 2000RB (Though the new 2001RB is probably better) through an Ampeg pro 8x10 cabinet.

1000w of power in a 30lb head. ****ing awesome.

 

[bovinehost]

I've played a lot of different gear, and I'm now convinced that unless you're doing something esoteric or you have more money than you know what to do with (and have already sent me some), Avatar cabs are the way to go. I've been leaving my Goliath III home lately. The things are solid, built with good components, and very cheap.

One of these days, you're going to have to bring one over here so I can hear these things.

 

[Soulfinger]

Word.

These things are ridiculous. You should of heard me pounding my fish through it last night at a gig on Lake Conroe. It was big and fat, but with plenty of nasty--just how I like my bass, and my women. I mainly use the parallel setting, but I switched to single-coil for a few things, and that was ear-opening to say the least. Very late 60's/early 70's. The sterling also digs it. I'm planning on another 15 and a 2x10.