Bass rig thoughts?

[AprioriMark]

I'm looking into diversifying amplifying myself for my current project.  I'm using an original redfaced SWR Bass 350 (which I've always loved but needs servicing) as an amplifier, but I may pick up an Ampeg again.  I'm using a 4 string Maple-necked Warmoth/Fender P-bass, and I want that classic, gritty P-bass sound.  I don't want "modern" and crispy.  I want tube(s) overdriving when I dig in, and warmth without mud.  I have lots of sonic space in this group.

I'm considering a few odd things, and I'd like the thoughts of players.  I'm going to get my SWR overhauled and then go cab testing.

Carvin enclosures?  Any thoughts?  I'd be picking up a 4x10 and using it with an existing 1x15 (8 ohms).

Hartke?  Same speakers, what are the different lines like?

I will be unplugging (or dialing back) built in tweeters.  I like full range out of my bass speakers, even if it's faking reproducing it.  Tweeters make me want to cry for this sound.

Any other advice/opinions?  I don't want to spend a ton if I don't need to, but I'm not afraid of buying what I need.  I've owned TONS of amp and cabs in the past that were gigged heavily.

-Mark

 

[toronado]

From my point of view, a tube amp is the way to go. The way you describe your desired "tone", I think you should watch out for a used tube amp. But not inevitably an Ampeg. I find Ampegs very limited, soundwise. Well, they have that special sound, but thats all to it, in my opinion.

I suggest looking out for an used Sunn (300T, or an Vintage 2000S) or a Mesa Boogie (Bass 400+).

I have been using a Warwick ProTube IV for almost 10 years, wich is a decent hybrid tube/transistor amp, but bought an Sunn 300T in summer 2008. Like you, I was looking for a really ballsy, full rock sound. And I hate tweeters, too.  :icon_smile:
This is by far the loudest, best sounding bass amp I have ever played. (Also the heaviest, I have to admit  :-\ ).
The difference is quite amazing between my Warwick and the Sunn 300T. I play it through two old Warwick enclosures, 4x10'' and 1x15''.
You can dial in an "Ampegish" tone, but you also can do all kinds of other sound with it. A very flexible amp.

The Sunn 300T was manufactured by Fender, as they bought the company in the 80ies. In 2002, they discontinued the Sunn products. Nowadays, you still can buy the amp, it is called Fender Bassman 300 PRO.

Here is a picture of my rig, altough the cab is not mine, was used for recording, a Sunn 2x15''.

 

[mayfly]

If you want big power and tubes,  I would go for a Traynor YBA-3A super custom special with matching cab.  You can still find them on eBay and in used shops all over the place.

It's a monster.  I think you'll like it.

 

[mayfly]

oh - here's the modern equivalent:

 

[whyachi]

@mayfly - Do you just push Traynor because its Canadian, or is there really something special there? I'm still hunting an amp to be purchased in then new few months - until then I'll be practicing at super low volume through my sister's 15W Crate guitard amp - and GK stuff is seemingly backordered into oblivion right now. I like the GK fusion and the hybrid Ampeg bits, and tubes are fantastic but far out of my skill and budget requirements.

 

[mayfly]

I like traynor because:

1 - they are rugged
2 - sound great
3 - inexpensive
4 - canadian

It's good stuff IMHO, but only you can tell if it will work for you.

 

[Wyliee]

My first thought was Ashdown.  I ran with one of their ABM500s for years.  You can dial in a killer grind and the EQ section is pretty flexible.  Definitely check them out.

 

[NLD09]

I'm a guitar guy so forgive my ignorance... but what's wrong with a vintage style Bassman?

 

[Mor Paul]

They were poorly designed for bass, in ways that made them good for guitar.

 

[Justinginn]

+1 on anything Traynor. Might be the best purchase I ever made... don't know if I can let it be better than my warmoth though.  :icon_thumright:

 

[erogenousjones17]

Another +1 for Traynor. Their low-end stuff is pretty crappy, but they make some really nice stuff as well (for guitar, at least). And it's not just because they're Canadian, though that obviously makes anything better.  :laughing7:

 

[lidesnowi]

I find the Aguilar DB 751 with a DB 412 cab is the most true sounding amp"for me anyway".

 

[Strat Avenger]

Tech 21 SansAmp RBI bass preamp. 'Sounds like a tube amp but there are no tubes to replace. It's only $330.  Is versatile for various styles of music as well. I highly recommend it.

As for cabs, there are lots of good ones out there, but nothing beats the Ampeg SVT 8x10.

 

[DT3]

I've been using a Hartke 3500 head with a Hartke 410 cab (aluminum cones) for 15 years now.  (rock, hard rock, metal... classic to today)  My 65 p-bass, with a maple/ebony Warmoth neck sounds wonderfully bright with a lot of growl.  There's never a shortage of low end either.  Simply put - it's a kick-ass rig... and very affordable.  It has both tube and solid state preamps.  Also, I recently picked up a Hartke 210 cab for the sake of my back...  ... and quite honestly my sound hasn't suffered one bit. 

 

[AprioriMark]

I actually ended up getting my bass 350 repaired, and experimented with adding in a bi-amped 1k watt power amp in the same rack that the head's already in.  I liked the sound a LOT, though I've ordered a different power amp (so my PA amp can stay where it needs to be), and I'm not uncrossing my fingers till I see how it sounds.

This setup allows me to run the SWR amp with one cab for smaller situations, or biamp with 2 cabs for larger applications.

-Mark

 

[AprioriMark]

By the way, I replaced the older Mesa 12ax7 with an older Russian-made Groove Tubes 12ax7-R (R for this series of older-style Russian tube).  It reminded me of exactly why I bought this amp in the first place.  It still has a noisy cooling fan, but I had a gig last night and didn't want to risk what I might screw up by taking it out (it's not super easy to replace... easy, but I'm a wuss).  The tone is nice and buttery again.  I actually cranked the preamp gain wayyyyy up and got some very pleasing growl.  I'm not kidding when I say that I had several people come up to me after the show and comment on how good my bass tone was.

Warmoth + SWR = win.

-Mark

 

[Paul-less]

I've played bass for 6 years now, all unplugged, never in a band.

Is there a bad bass tone? I've never listened to a bad and thought "everybody sounds good, but the bass player needs better tone..."

I mean, I don't like a distorted bass, but other than that I've never really heard a BAD bass tone.

Anybody mind opening my eyes to the world of bass tone?