I Need Help selecting a Rig

[jpark]

I have went through many different solid state heads and wasn't satisfied. Finally found tubes and haven't looked back. I've tried a number of Ampeg solid state heads and they just don't cut it for me.

 

I have a vintage ampeg 810 and new 810 and I must say if you have the room to transport them then have at it. They are easy to move around because of the tilt back design. The 610's hurt my back trying to move them because they're short.

 

My suggestion is to try stuff out at the store then buy used.

 

If not going for tubes or ampeg heads go for the recommended Genz Benz.

[Apendecto]

Amen C7 and Kindness.

 

8x10's are silly (says the guy with a zillion cabs...).

 

Yo.

[Undead Sycip]

Givati, I dunno if you've noticed yet but this forum is biased against Ampeg. You won't get an objective opinion here about what your son is looking at. And most of the brands suggested are not available in GC (making it a buying sound unheard proposition).

 

Let your son pick his rig with you. The beauty of shopping @ GC is

 

a) You can try it.

 

b) You can return it within 30 days.

 

You can also try the other stores in your area. Some of them will let you play the gear if you look like you're buying.

 

ETA: 810s are good deals in the used market. Hit Craigslist.

[REMUS]

Most of the regular posters here go for a more refined sound that brute speaker surface area, some do both... but mostly the former.

[FreestyleIntruder]

Trace Elliot

 

He'll be the pimpest little emo kid around

[Givati]

 

I have went through many different solid state heads and wasn't satisfied. Finally found tubes and haven't looked back. I've tried a number of Ampeg solid state heads and they just don't cut it for me.

 

 

What do you guys think of the tube pre and solid state power amps. Everone seems to be coming out with them. Ampeg, Mesa, etc.

 

Plus, In my situation what pairs up with the SWR 8x8? I play jazz/funk. I am looking as well though as I have said I don't have much cash. I have been looking at a few Peaveys such as the T-max or another Peavey solid state with a seperate tube pre.

[xOriginalNinjax]

Personally, and coming from playing that kind of music...try to avoid the Ampeg heads if possible. Personally, a Genz Benz 1200 or a GK 1001RBii would be much better...and louder than most Ampeg heads...so, yeah...the 810 might not be bad...but I would look into either a 215 or 412 personally...if he's wanting a huge cab...but that's from my experiences...

[Apendecto]

 

What do you guys think of the tube pre and solid state power amps. Everone seems to be coming out with them. Ampeg, Mesa, etc. Plus, In my situation what pairs up with the SWR 8x8? I play jazz/funk. I am looking as well though as I have said I don't have much cash. I have been looking at a few Peaveys such as the T-max or another Peavey solid state with a seperate tube pre.

 

 

I love the hybrid set up (tube pre). I'm using a Mesa Big Block with a SWR 8x8 (among others). The distortion sound really good and I've got tons of power without the weight. If I was to recommend a cheepo rig that sounded sweet, I would set up a rack with a poweramp and a separate pre. I would like the flex ability of it but it's not for everyone.

 

Anything pairs up with a 8x8. Awesome cab. There are a lot of heads that get good marks around here.

 

Yo.

[Gruntollio Bass]

Givati,

Here's my take on what's been said FWIW, which can frequently be seen at odds with many fellas here.

If your son has his heart set on the ampeg fridge and he digs the tone and can hendle moving it around, then get it. My thoughts on ampeg stuff is that ampeg amps work well with ampeg cabs but they don't cross breed that well.

I'm not a fan of Ampeg stuff in general, but I always beleive that if it floats your boat, then buy it.

I'm a massive EDENofile and you'll find some mixed reviewes about their gear here, but I've been more than satisfied with what I've got. It was not that long ago that I was in a similar position of buying a whole new rig and was thinking similar thoughts to you and your son.

I was thinking the fridge option myself, but went with 2 different Eden 410's (The 410XLT and 410XST). The reason I did this was because Together they sound absolutely freaking brilliant and pack more punch than Tyson on steriods. But I also have the option of using a single 410 if I'm playing a smaller venue + having them sepparate is much easier to handle on my own than lugging a fridge by myself.

Both these models sound a bit different which also gives me some flexibility for different situations such as room configuration, recording, rehearsals, accoustics......and so on. I can pick the cabs that best suits, or like I do more often than not, take both and run them in bridge-mono for a powerful rig that will have guitards balls shrinking into their stomach!

I of course love Eden amps mostly due to their tone and simplicity, but also dig Aguliar.

There's plenty of love for Genz-Benz amps here which I would recommend your son try out, but for me personally I'm not a massive fan of them either. To his ears, they might be magic though........who knows?

 

I have heard one of those 8X8 SWR's once and was massively impressed by it. I've also got an old peavy MKIII at home which collects dust in my garage now, but I reckon I'll clean it up and sell it off on the bay soon to fund more EDEN purchases! I am actually going to buy an Eden 810XLT next to sit in my rehearsal space, but will work well as a back-up if any of my 410's go down, but it will mostly just be a rehearsal rig.

I heard one of these about 4 weeks ago and was very happy with what I heard, but felt it was only a pinch behind my 2 X 410 combination. The main differences are the XST V XLT drivers and 1 less tweeter. It still sounded nice though.

anyway, hope I haven't confused you too much but main suggestion is where possible to try as much different stuff as you can including what the forum has suggested and let your sons ears be the best judge.

[T. Alan Smith]

 

What do you guys think of the tube pre and solid state power amps. Everone seems to be coming out with them. Ampeg, Mesa, etc.

 

 

Depends. Hybrids aren't Ampeg's greatest offerings, IMHO. Genz Benz certainaly does hybrid better. You absolutely cannot go wrong with Boogie tho. Your ears will tell you which is better.

Like I said before, if you want to $hell out for the Ampeg name, their all tube offerings are your safest bet. If your open to others like Mark Bass, Genz Benz, Gallien Kreuger, Boogie, etc...you have many more options available to you.

What are your concers? Sound(descriptions here), size, weight, cost, etc... Prioritize them and let us know.

[james on bass]

Like I mentioned earlier, I absolutely love my Yorkville XS800 tube hybrid amp, which is now called a Traynor ##800 or something. Same amp, new name. Played a Genz 1200 the other week and liked it as well.

 

I'm personally not a huge fan of large cabinets as the best cab I ever owned was a Yorkie 8x8 but I had to sell it due to my back problems. Now that my new band keeps its gear stored in the band trailer, I'd love to have my 8x8 back, maybe 2 of them just for show. Of course, I'm keeping my Neo2x12 for when I actually have to lug gear around myself.

[Undead Sycip]

Givati. I think you and your son owe it to yourselves to try Markbass also.

 

 

This is a CMD121P combo. 300W into a 12" 400W driver. All under 30 pounds. If I plug in the 410 below it output jumps to 500W. Whew. Of course, none of that it worth a lick if it doesn't sound good. And it does. Good and HUGE. Now I know why everyone @ Talkbass is crazy about this brand. Anyway I got this combo for shipboard use.

 

They also make an 810 and a 610 both of which come in under 80#. Anyway, try it.

[Gruntollio Bass]

Undead Sycip,

 

Man that's a beautiful looking Ray BTW! Very Nice!

 

Also, what are your thoughts on that Aggie 810 in your pic? I saw one of these on the baya while back and was very tempted by it. any good?

[Undead Sycip]

Hey thanks. Yeah she's a purdy, sparkly Stingray. It's this year's Ltd Ed.

 

 

Re: Aggie 810

It sounds old school because it doesn't have a tweeter. It took me a while to dial in a growly sound that I like with my active basses. It is ported so it can really flap your pants and pump out the bass. But it is tight and punchy enough for just about any style of playing. It is also 30# lighter than the Ampeg 810.

[Gruntollio Bass]

Hey thanks. Yeah she's a purdy, sparkly Stingray. It's this year's Ltd Ed. Re: Aggie 810 It sounds old school because it doesn't have a tweeter. It took me a while to dial in a growly sound that I like with my active basses. It is ported so it can really flap your pants and pump out the bass. But it is tight and punchy enough for just about any style of playing. It is also 30# lighter than the Ampeg 810.

 

Thanks for the info on the aggie. That's what worried me a bit (not having a tweeter) as with my 2 x 410 cabs I've got one in each of them and I was hoping to get something that will go close to matching my tone. The price was pretty good on the one I saw though.......hmmmmmm............still thinking about it I guess, but what you describe helps.

I'm thinking about an Eden 810XLT, mostly beacuse it will sound pretty darn close to my existing stack, but one of these will cost me a bit more $$$ and they're damn heavy bastages! It will only be living in our reharsal space though so it won't get out much. Thanks again!

[Givati]

 

What are your concers? Sound(descriptions here), size, weight, cost, etc... Prioritize them and let us know.

 

 

Well my concerns are different from His. He is almost 18, almost 6' and ready to take on the world. I'm 50, 5'7" and ready to take on another glass of wine.

 

Transportation is not a problem for either of us Truck and a van. So size does not matter for him, but weight does matter for me. (I used a Mesa 400+ for awhile and hated the weight)

 

For him Sound is probably the main priority again he's hardcore/post alternative.

Second is cost. He is prepared to spend about $2000.

 

For me sound is a priority but cost is a major factor as well. Jazz/Funk/R&B

[LanEvo]

For me sound is a priority but cost is a major factor as well. Jazz/Funk/R&B

I would stick to the 8x8 cab you already have...especially if it's an older one Pair it with a good head (like an older Eden, older SWR, Markbass, Phil Jones Bass, Aguiar, or Genz-Benz) and you're in business.

 

Emre

[rpsands]

Man.

 

If I could go back in time and punch myself for lusting after the fridge I would do so.

 

There's so much better stuff out there.

 

Have him get a Thunderfunk, a Sansamp, and a Dr. Bass 2460 and he can send me thank you notes later when he tries to do something other than fart rock and doesn't have to buy a new rig.

[Givati]

I would stick to the 8x8 cab you already have...especially if it's an older one Pair it with a good head (like an older Eden, older SWR, Markbass, Phil Jones Bass, Aguiar, or Genz-Benz) and you're in business. Emre

 

I love the 8x8 so I'll never get rid of that. But for me cost is a major factor. That's why I've been looking at Peavey. Stuff like Aguiar or Mesa (unless I get a great price on a M-pulse 300) is out of the question. I will for sure go used.

[Poltergeist]

i dont think he understand what it is to move a 8x10 ampeg fridge.....

[rpsands]

i dont think he understand what it is to move a 8x10 ampeg fridge.....

 

And then the anemic sound you get out of it compared to a boutique 2x12

[LanEvo]

 

I love the 8x8 so I'll never get rid of that. But for me cost is a major factor. That's why I've been looking at Peavey. Stuff like Aguiar or Mesa (unless I get a great price on a M-pulse 300) is out of the question. I will for sure go used.

Depending on how much power you need, there are LOTS of great options on the used market. You should be able to find an old (red face) SWR Basic 350 or GK 800RB for around $300. If you like Peavey stuff, try to find a MegaBass. I've never used one myself, but they used to get terrific reviews. They run around $200-250 on the used market these days. If you don't need big power, you can always find the GK 400RB for around $200.

 

Emre

[Poltergeist]

And then the anemic sound you get out of it compared to a boutique 2x12

 

exactly... i liked the old fridges... but the new ones are just pure and simple MUDDDDD...

 

what i want now are 2 GK Neo and/or RBH cabs... awesome low end to midrange to highs and still fill the sound and cut through like butter... at about half the weight and with alot more portability, IMO...

 

if he wants a fridge, Mesa is the way to go.... and so many people are talking about Bergantino 610's that it's giving me an unspeakable amount of GAS without having even tried them!

[LanEvo]

 

if he wants a fridge, Mesa is the way to go....

If I were playing in a loud rock act on big stages and absolutely needed a massive stage rig with that classic hard rock sound, I would also lean towards a Mesa Bass 400+ over a RoadReady 2x15 cab.

 

For my current needs, there's nothing I can't accomplish with my SWR Red Head combo and Line6 Bass PODxt. I sometimes wonder if I can swap the SWR for something smaller...maybe one of those Markbass 1x12 combos. But there's something about the sound of my old combo that I can't seem to move away from.

 

Emre

[Givati]

 

Depending on how much power you need, there are LOTS of great options on the used market. You should be able to find an old (red face) SWR Basic 350 or GK 800RB for around $300. If you like Peavey stuff, try to find a MegaBass. I've never used one myself, but they used to get terrific reviews. They run around $200-250 on the used market these days. If you don't need big power, you can always find the GK 400RB for around $200. Emre

 

 

There's a GK 800RB for sale in my area now. He wants $400 A bit much. We'll see if he'll deal.

The megabass is if i'm not mistaken only 200 watts into 4 ohms right?