Members bassarama Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 It's time to upgrade my bass gear. I've played bass in bands over the years but have been playing keys in bands for the last few. Now I'm playing bass in a band again and my gear isn't cutting it. I play out alot at gigs ranging from clubs and bars to weddings to outdoor stuff, you get the idea. My current gear is an '87 Korean made Squier Jazz Bass (which actually sounds awesome btw, hard to believe) and a Fender Bassman 100 watt combo. Here's my deal. The 100 watt combo isn't nearly powerful enough, and I need some good suggestions as to cabinets (preferably 4X10) and heads (300 or more watts, I'm open to suggestions). Keep in mind, I play a fender jazz in a variety of styles: rock, funk, jazz, bluegrass, Irish, etc. So, I need a sound with some power and some punch but also some versatility and finesse. I have some ideas on upgrading my bass too, but that's another post.
Members zachoff Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 SWR 750 & Goliath III is the rig I want... With a Gibson T-Bird. Talkin' $3000+ or so though.
Members NeonVomit Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Hmm... well you could either go tubey sounding, or clean sounding. Tubey, cant go wrong with a Traynor head and a couple of other cabs. Clean, Gallien-Krueger all the way. But yeah a budget would be helpful.
Members niomosy Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 I'm fond of my rig. EA iAmp 800 and Bergantino HT322
Members bassarama Posted September 10, 2005 Author Members Posted September 10, 2005 my budget is $2000 max, thanks for the help, this forum is great
Members james on bass Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Welcome to the forum. I would say a Gallien 800RB. 200 or so watts at 8ohms, 300watts at 4 ohms. One of those used with 2 new Avatar cabs - a 2x12 and 2x10, both rated at 8ohms and you'd be rockin, and would come in well under your budget.
Members philthygeezer Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 I would say 279+42 = Avatar 212750 = GK1001RB II And you have $930 left over for a used Bongo, Sterling or Stingray. If you really like the skinny neck I'd go with a used rosewood Sterling. Otherwise wait for a Bongo. The Bongos sound incredible.
Members zachoff Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 For $2000 w/ a bass... Peavey Pro 500 head $800Peavey 410 TVX cab $500 Fender Geddy Lee Jazz? ~$700Fender P Deluxe? ~ $600Schecter Stiletto Elite? ~ $600Fender Aerodyne Jazz? ~ $630G&L Tribute? ~ $550
Members bassarama Posted September 10, 2005 Author Members Posted September 10, 2005 I'm not familiar with Bongo. I'll have to check them out. Do you (or anyone else out there) have any opinion on the Modulus VJ series for those who play Fender Jazz? (I love the skinny necks, can't get away from them). If you do have a positive opinion of VJ's, what head and cab? Would I still go with what has been suggested in the posts above? Lastly, would it be worth it to put a modulus neck and some bartolini pickups on jazz bass, or should I just save up and buy a whole new bass?
Members james on bass Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Originally posted by bassarama I'm not familiar with Bongo. I'll have to check them out. Do you (or anyone else out there) have any opinion on the Modulus VJ series for those who play Fender Jazz? (I love the skinny necks, can't get away from them). If you do have a positive opinion of VJ's, what head and cab? Would I still go with what has been suggested in the posts above? Lastly, would it be worth it to put a modulus neck and some bartolini pickups on jazz bass, or should I just save up and buy a whole new bass? Bongo's are the new Music Man basses. Ugly as all hell, but apparantly they sound awesome. I believe the Modulus necks are quite expensive. If you're going to buy everything like that to upgrade your bass, why not just save a bit more and buy the VJ itself.
Members Bassin' 'Round Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 If you want to go the whole $2K... Cab: Schroeder 410. New about $1K, shipped. (Check out the site for other yummy cabs. www.schroedercabinets.com ) Amp: Mesa Boogie 400+, 300 tube watts, 2/4/8 ohms. Used about $800-1K, shipped. Gonna be pretty darned hard to do better than these 2. There are other tube amps that are extra fine too, like the Mesa. Take your pick, Ampeg, Trace, Aguilar(but out of your budget), Peavey, followed not too far back by Traynor. Want clean, you say? EA iAMP 800 one of the very best solid state alternatives, 500 watts @ 8 ohms/ 800 @ 4/ 1000 @ 2. Used about $800-maybe 900, shipped. But for the cab, do the Schroeder, definately. The best available.
Members no-logic Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Originally posted by iualum If you want to go the whole $2K... Cab: Schroeder 410. New about $1K, shipped. (Check out the site for other yummy cabs. www.schroedercabinets.com ) Amp: Mesa Bogie 400+, 300 tube watts, 2/4/8 ohms. Used about $800-1K, shipped. Gonna be pretty darned hard to do better than these 2. There are other tube amps that are extra fine too, like the Mesa. Take your pick, Ampeg, Trace, Aguilar(but out of your budget), Peavey, followed not too far back by Traynor. Want clean, you say? EA iAMP 800 one of the very best solid state alternatives, 500 watts @2 ohms/ 800 @ 4/ 1000 @ 2. Used about $800-maybe 900, shipped. But for the cab, do the Schroeder, definately. The best available. Here, here!!!! +100
Members T. Alan Smith Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 With that kind of budget to work with, I would NOT skimp on anything. Keep it quality over quantity. If I were starting over with that budget, I'd go-
Members oldivor Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Originally posted by T. Alan Smith With that kind of budget to work with, I would NOT skimp on anything. Keep it quality over quantity. If I were starting over with that budget, I'd go- I bet that kick arse for what he is doing.
Members Bluescout Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Mesa Boogie 400+ or SVT Classic used Eden 410XLT or Ampeg PR410HLF (used if possible) Go get 'em, tiger.
Members The Insomniac Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 This is how I spent 2k. (or just a tad less) Peavey Cirrus 4 Ampeg SVT 3 Pro - used Avatar B210 & B212
Members Mudbass Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 Where did you see them last?
Members sunburstbasser Posted September 10, 2005 Members Posted September 10, 2005 I've played a Modulus Vintage Jazz. The feel was just barely lacking-just missing that little "something" that makes a good bass great. I think it may be in the design of the neck profile, as the Flea has a similar neck and was also just not quite right for me. A Lakland Skyline Joe Osbourn had about the best Jazz-type neck I've ever played, second only to a Zon Sonus. Strangely, you can sometimes find the Zon basses on Ebay for under $1000 but the Skylines tend to hold their value. If you want to go all new stuff, for that price I'd recommend: AMP: Ashdown ABM 500Genz Benz GBE 600Its your pick between these two. CABS: Eden? I'm really not sure. GB cabs are great too. BASS: A Fender Geddy Lee is a good choice and won't break the bank. On the less expensive side of things. AMP: Ashdown MAG 300 or 600, your choice. CABS: Avatar 2x12 and/or 4x10, my preference being the 2x12 BASS: Cort Curbow Retro This setup would cost closer to $1000 total and still be an excellent rig. Really, you need to go out and try out some different things and see what you do and don't like.
Members bassarama Posted September 11, 2005 Author Members Posted September 11, 2005 Hey everyone, Thanks for the awesome suggestions. I've gotten some great advice and have some serious trying out and researching to, but at least I have some names and models to start with now, so I'm not going in blind. I'm also hearing some common themes among brands, etc., so that is helpful too. Here's another question if anyone's game. The whole reason I was seriously considering a modulus is because of the carbon fiber neck, therefore very little maintenance and adjustment, as well as things like great intonation and no dead spots. However, I would have to agree with one of the posters that the VJ and some other Modulus basses do lack that certain "something" and maybe it's because of carbon fiber rather than wood. For reasons such as tone, I'm really intrigued by a bass like the Bongo, but I'm still concerned about spending a large amount of money on a wood neck I might need to frequently adjust. I mean, my little 87 Jazz bass that I bought used for $150 bucks has to get its neck adjusted at least once a year, but I've played numerous American Fender Jazz basses that don't sound or play as well as my $150 model, and have the exact same intonation, buzz and dead spot issues as my bass that cost $1000 less. What do you guys think, have I just not experienced a good wood bass that is quality enough to not worry about the neck all time, or do I have to just bite the bullet and get a modulus to curb my fears even though I might be sacrificing the tone I ultimately want? Help me on this one, fellow bass mates!
Members zachoff Posted September 11, 2005 Members Posted September 11, 2005 I've never had to adjust the neck on my Reverend, but those are hard to come by these days. They're normally $700 or so used & kick maximum ass. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Reverend+Rumblefish
Members james on bass Posted September 11, 2005 Members Posted September 11, 2005 All basses will need to have the necks adjusted periodically. Moreso if you live somewhere that has a drastic difference in the seasons. Wood is organic - it will expand and retract as temperature and humidity rise and fall.It's not that big a deal to adjust, and not very expensive either if you'd rather leave it to a professional. As for dead spots.... Spend $150 or $5000 on a bass and there will be a dead spot somewhere in the neck. That's the nature of wood. Graphite will have less pronounced dead spots and will (should) hold up better and longer between adjustments. I've had both wood and graphite basses in the past. The graphite will be more precise sounding, but will lack the warmth and "feel" of a good wood neck. My $.02.
Members Undertoad Posted September 11, 2005 Members Posted September 11, 2005 new prices 700 - Geddy Lee Jazz300 - Sansamp RBI400 - QSC RMX 1450230 - Avatar 210270 - Avatar 115100 - Quality instrument & speaker cablestotal $2000 Use the 210 alone for smaller rooms, the combo in larger rooms and outdoors, and the RBI alone if you need to go direct into the PA. Get the speakers in 8 ohm and you can add other combinations later, if you want, and have ultimate flexibility.
Members NeonVomit Posted September 11, 2005 Members Posted September 11, 2005 I have beaten the living daylights out of my Washburn bass time after time at gigs, and the neck has never needed adjustment. Its a cheap Washburn model too. As for amps, I'd go for the GK option with Eden cabs, delivering a super tight sound and then have a $1000 budget for a bass. With that much to spend, you'll have massive choice. I'm partial to Ibanez's myself in terms of 'good' instruments.
Members bassarama Posted September 12, 2005 Author Members Posted September 12, 2005 Somebody explain to me the sansamp preamp thing. I'm getting that you can go direct from them into the board. Is that all they're used for? I've never really used something like that so somebody explain if possible? Thanks a million. I'm learning a ton from this forum. - bassarama
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