Ray

[quote name='alexclaber' post='168177' date='Apr 2 2008, 09:53 AM']No, it needn't be. At low volumes any bass amp should be able to produce the sound you want, within reason. The problem you run into is maintaining that tone at gig volumes. We are bass players and as such our speakers have to be able to produce bass frequencies in substantial quantities, which requires moving air. This is done by the speakers moving forwards and backwards - the amount the speakers can move fore and aft multiplied by the area of the speakers gives you the amount of clean bass the rig can produce. I had the pleasure of trying quite a few nice rigs at the bass bash and one thing I noticed was that none of the smaller cabs could cleanly produce bottom at a good volume. They all did produce lows but they were those punchy lows which are actually a result of the speakers moving out of their linear zone, which subtly distorts and noticeably compresses the sound. Once you get up to 4x10" sized cabs you're in a situation where in less loud bands you can actually get clean bottom instead of 'punchy' bottom. So I strongly believe that if you added another matching cab to your rig you'd be able to get the 'warm' bottom you want. The other issue is one of amp preshapes - that's the tone curve the manufacturer designs into the amp with the EQ set 'flat'. Unfortunately I can't find the image but in an old thread on another forum a whole load of us ran frequency analysis software through our amps and posted the results. One of these was a GK and what we found was that the sound sloped up towards the highs with the EQ set flat. To get a reasonably flat response you had to turn the treble all the way down! So don't be afraid to really twist those knobs (apart from the bass knob that is - twist that far and you'll quickly send your speakers beyond clean and into 'punchy'). The last thing I'd suggest is selling a nice head and cab and replacing them with a combo, an Ampeg one least of all. Do try an Eden head, I can see one of them working well, particularly the ones with a valve in. The only small cab I can imagine actually getting you the sound you want is an Acme Low-B2 but if you're happier with something bigger, or a pair of cabs, then the world is your oyster. In the meantime, try to use the room acoustics in your favour by taking advantage of wall or corner reinforcement wherever possible. Alex[/quote] Thanks Alex. That's really helpful. I did think about adding another NEO112 a while ago. It's definitely back at the top of my to-do list. Ray P.S. Sorry if I over-reacted to your first reply.

Thanks for your advice. All taken on-board. It's going to be a long and expensive journey to find my ideal setup!

[quote name='alexclaber' post='167756' date='Apr 1 2008, 04:32 PM']I don't have much useful to contribute but I'd like to suggest the words 'punchy' and 'warm' are banned.[/quote] 1. Why? I think they are good adjectives for describing bass tone. 2. It's a bit off to reply, admit you don't have much to contribute then criticize my original post! [quote name='alexclaber' post='167756' date='Apr 1 2008, 04:32 PM']Have you tried turning your treble down, using less bright strings and/or muting a bit?[/quote] Yes (tone control is always less than halfway and I use flats) but this isn't the issue. It's the general GK tone I'm not happy with. As I said, I'm looking for a [b]warmer [/b]tone but wondered if the Ampeg would be [b]punchy [/b]enough.

I'm thinking of selling my GK 700RB-II and NEO112. I've never been completely happy with the tone - a little too hi-fi and edgy although I like the punchiness. I'm looking for a slightly warmer sound but not wooly like the Ashdown ABM tone (I really don't like the ABM tone). My interest has turned to the new Ampeg BA300/210 combo. I'm not familiar with the Ampeg tone. Can you get a good mid-range punch from Ampeg's? I play mainly funk and jazz. Any thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks, Ray

Great! Thanks.

A friend of a friend's '76 Fender Jazz. The guy who owns it lent it to my friend and moved to Australia! I think he's forgotten about it. Our keyboard player's 1962 Hammond C3 organ is pretty special. Especially as it's autographed by Jimmy Smith, Brian Auger, Jimmy McGriff and Rueben Wilson among others. We did a Radio 2 session at Maida Vale last year and there was a Steinway grand piano just sitting there in amongst some plastic chairs and tables. I'm not much of pianist but did manage to play "Lick My Love Pump" by Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap much to Mark Lamaar's amusement. D minor is the saddest key...

[quote name='gary mac' post='149808' date='Mar 2 2008, 01:19 PM']I've got the same option on my american precision deluxe. I have tried bothover the years and although the general consensus is that through body improves sustain and resonance, I'll be honest and admit that I can't really notice a discernable difference, but I really want to. For the last few years it has been strung through the back of the bridge. I'm about to restring again in the near future, so will go through the body. Will let you know the outcome. All the best Gary.[/quote] Thanks Gary. Much appreciated.

I have a USA Jazz that I'll be re-stringing soon. I've always strung through the body. I thought I might try stringing through the back of the bridge for a change. I know stringing through the body apparently improves sustain but are there any differences in tone between the two stringing methods? Any advice/thoughts appreciated. Thanks

So, a couple of months on.... anyone tried one yet? Looks like a great amp.