Count Bassie

[quote name='borisbrain' post='1065038' date='Dec 20 2010, 03:09 PM']As a fellow Trace player, I'd recommend another cab, not a new head. The 1153 is fine for belting out thick bottom end, but maybe you need another cab that will tease out the tones that your SMX can easily achieve. My amp is an AH200 Series 6 GP12 - a couple of models behind yours. I also run it with a 1153, but also with a 2103x, which is a 2x10 with 2x5. That's a heck of a lot of tone, especially with a 12 band graphic. Unfortunately at 31Kg (65-odd lbs) the 2103 isn't a lightweight, but it gets a tone and punch you might like. Just a thought anyway. Have fun. BB[/quote] Hey Boris, I just scored a 1048 for ultra-dirt-cheap, and I'm planning on putting it atop the 1153. That 2103x there sounds like an interesting cab- one of those good things "they" don't make anymore! If I can find one I'll certainly check it out- thanks for the encouragement!

I'm now adding a 410 cab to the 1153. I'll run the AH250SMX along with a Crest power amp if I need to bring the power up for larger gigs. I'll write in again after some trial...

So I appear to have solved my problem! I do feel a little sheepish now, but thanks all for the offerings. Rock n' roll man!

[quote name='jensenmann' post='1061976' date='Dec 17 2010, 03:09 PM']I went the other route from an SM400S (which I liked more than my previous SM400 non-S because of the additional treble control) to a Trace SMX600. If you are used to how a Trace cuts through in your band then you will be disappointed from the SWR. OTOS I´d alway prefer the SM400S for recording. It´s go the perfect tone to exactly fit in a mix, but on stage it doesn´t cut through well. The Trace in my book doesn´t sound nice but gives you accurate control, even when two distorted guitars try to destroy your ears.[/quote] What hooked me was the way the Trace SMX tends to sit in a live mix. Totally right- and I agree, it tends to be a bit ugly solo'd... but it's my gig-rig as it always does the band right. Brings the bread.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1056904' date='Dec 13 2010, 01:56 AM']It was actually a pair of 10's and a pair of 5's. TE ran big ads with Mark King promoting them.[/quote] Wow... TE has made some pretty nutty stuff, when you look into it! A 21" driver for Tony Levin...

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='1056114' date='Dec 12 2010, 10:42 AM']I had the 800rb + 1153 and 2103 (the early vinyl covered models with the 10's and the 5's), nice little rig which I'd not turn my nose up at even now. [/quote] I had a 2x10 cab years ago, the Trace, without the horn- never saw one with a 5" installed. But it was a nice cab, and I suppose I'd snag another if I ran into one. I'm really hoping to find another 1153 though. 15s are my favorite cabs.

[quote name='SignsOfDelirium_bassist' post='1056864' date='Dec 12 2010, 08:10 PM']Ooh, I like the look of that! If I were you I'd get a paisley pickguard! Shame you can't just get a clear one really...[/quote] Sure you can! They're all over the place...

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1055779' date='Dec 12 2010, 05:48 AM']I used an 800RB with a 1153 for years - that was when I was happy with my gear before the days of Talkbs and Basschat poisoned my mind[/quote] I'm hearing that- I had some awesome gear and then sold it... won't even say what it was. It wasn't talkbass, etc- it was before that. But I still feel it. Luckily, I'm feeling pretty good about what I've got now. It's taken some time and a repentant heart! Be strong, man!

[quote name='Gust0o' post='1044402' date='Dec 1 2010, 05:07 PM']...Perhaps a lesson for the less daring, myself included, about being will to look at some fundamental rather than cosmetic changes.[/quote] Hey, I often post at the end of a day, when I'm tired and good and stretched-out mentally. but I just re-read this and understood that you meant the same thing I actually responded with- that the horn is a fundamental change. Yes, a little dumb of me. Just don't call me late for supper. Anyway, before: ...and after: Here's the final, more refined shape, undressed. Note slightly deeper curve in the upper bout, and the slightly shorter lower bout: I'll put it back together temporarily, while I get the materials together for the actual finishing. This last photo shows the bass with 3 sanded coats of nitrocellulose primer/grain filler. This will keep the wood from getting too "beat-up" while I give it a trial run at a few gigs. Looking at a deep, vibrant red of some shade, re-cut black pick guard.

Had an hour or so with the SMX/1153 cab this evening, and after some extensive tweaking /returning to "square one" several times, I got it dialed in pretty good. It's just really been the ability to generate time for it that's gotten into my path- but now it sounds much better. It seems that using the pre-shape-1 button, doing [i]subtler boost/cut[/i] on the graphic eq, and having the graphic turned up only around half-way (instead of full-up) really brings out a less colored tone. Just getting to know the amp a little better is all I've really needed I guess. There will still be limitations, and it's possible that my ears are just a little fatigued after an hour or so of pushing sliders around. But every time I went through an eq path, I'd return all settings to "flat" and start over in a slightly different direction. Finally got it pretty nailed I think, the sound is full and clear, and has plenty of depth, without the muffling 'blanket' that I had over it previously. Just took some patience and a little tenacity. Here's the settings, just for whatever edification it may provide: I'm still getting my old GK 400RB back from a friend I sold it to a few moths ago. Well, work was sucky and I needed bread! At least I sold it to someone who'd sell it back to me!

I just got my SMX back today, it had an intermittent short. All well now, but the tech remarked that although the Trace stuff is well engineered, it's not generally very well executed. I'll be taking my time- as money is not really good now- but I will be shopping for a replacement when I can I guess. Thanks for the responses!

[quote name='JTUK' post='1053726' date='Dec 10 2010, 04:17 AM']Can't really say how the SWR will work with TE cabs... but the U.S made SM400 is a classic amp, IMV. The S version did away with the 'sub' issue which did nothing but bleed power, but I have the 400 and it is very well hi spec made amp. But...as I am not a fan of TE in general..and you like the cab..I would match the cab up with a TE amp. I think Eden and SWR would be too subtle for a TE cab, tbh.. and although I am not a fan of GK, I think they might be a better match for what you may like to hear. I would suggest that early U.S made SWR and Eden amps are by far the best quality out of your list..but not sonically what you are after..possibly[/quote] I had the 400, great amp! But right, I couldn't get past the 31 Hz eq point. Not quite a crippler, as you could work around it, sort of.

[quote name='casapete' post='1052839' date='Dec 9 2010, 09:56 AM']Ok, I'll be first in to say GK - the 800RB are great amps and fairly priced/plentiful on your side of the pond. The 700's are good too! Depends what you play&where really.[/quote] I do have my eyes glued open for an 800RB...

[quote name='fatback' post='1052740' date='Dec 9 2010, 08:47 AM']Can't let this pass, being a big fan of the old BBs. Relevant to this thread, too, as I think it may prove that it's not the neck width that makes some people unhappy with the P, but the radius. I find my BB400 flatter than the P's I've played, and that may account for how comfortable it is. And you get the benefit of wide-ish string spacing. The impression I get about Fender Ps is that they vary a lot in profile, rather than width, and that may account for people's differing feelings about them. You will love that BB [/quote] I hadn't thought of that, but yeah I really do like the BB. Better (way) than the Fender Precision I swapped the Jazz for. I had a 5-string I hated for the string spacing, and have gone through a couple basses here to get that and the neck profile right. I am in fact almost torn as to which I now like better for the neck, the Jazz or the Yamaha... Thanks for the good word there.

Ooookay. I have a Trace 1153 which I like a lot. I have an AH250SMX which I'm on the fence about... so do any of you venerable Makers of the Thunder have a savvy recommendation for a head to go with this cab? SWR SM-400s? GK 800 RB? 700 RB? Eden?... Etc.? Thanks for your time and thoughts!

[quote name='Busterrabbit' post='1052529' date='Dec 9 2010, 05:53 AM']You've hit the nail on the head there Dave, 99% of the audience won't notice the difference, and probably 99% of the band won't either!! lol Just play what you're happy with.[/quote] Here's the logical end to most of these discussions! No surprise this thread's gone on for 5 pages, it's one of those classic, eternal 'arguments'; but it's fun to get one started! Good to get a new look though at the scope of players and points of view... for me, after several weeks of having come back to a J with LaBella flats, I'm totally at home. If I have another Precision, it'll be after I get settled in with my regular 'quiver'. I'm still refinishing a Hamer mod, and found an old Yamaha BB400- a "P-Bass" really, which is very much a P-Bass... so shut my mouth, I guess! It's actually a really nice plank, a low-priced Japanese entry-level bass from around '81 or so. Doesn't sound like your standard Precision though. But I found it for $80 US, so it's in rotation as a BEAD bass while I finish up the nitro on the Hamer (another thread)...

I played my 715-S combo at rehearsal last night, and finally had the stones to turn the Output Gain up! She broke up very nicely as I pushed the Jazz through with some muscle, and now I wish it had more speakers and a bigger power section! By contrast, the AH250SMX through the 1153 sounds, especially with the open E and A strings, a little like there's a blanket over it. Mid-neck, closed position, etc sounds pretty good, even a little bit 'toppy'. But it's doing something strange to the sound now with the Trace cab. When I had a pair of Bag End S15-Ds this wasn't really the case. I'm concluding that it's a side-effect of the famous Trace-Elliot 'color'. I've thought, for a long time now, that the speakers one uses are a notch up from the amp in order of importance to one's sound, and I like the 1153 cab better than the Bags- it goes deeper and has a nicer, more friendly, rounder sound to my ear than the Bag Ends. But I don't like what's happening now with the SMX powering it... I'll be trying out a few other things as opportunity presents itself I guess. Change something, open a can of worms. But I know that...

[quote name='redstriper' post='1049888' date='Dec 6 2010, 04:17 PM']I know what you mean about carrying heavy rigs after gigs and I've got rid of my Trace rig now. I use a Markbass LM2 with one or two Flite 152 cabs - it sounds great for reggae or anything else I do and those Flite cabs are f...lite alright ![/quote] Oh yeah! I'd forgotten about Flite- those are made in the next state- Connecticut. I'm in Rhode Island. I wonder if that guy's even still making them?

And thanks for the reminder on the foam under the bridge... I used to do that...

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='1049555' date='Dec 6 2010, 11:49 AM']I think your rig will be fine. I use a flatwound strung Precision with foam under the bridge which although not used for reggae is ideal for that sound. Really thumpy.[/quote] I think so now too, thanks Burrito. I ran it today (home from work- boss says it's too cold! Yes!) with the AH250 SMX and it sounds pretty huge actually. Works with the combo also, but the SMX has that compressor, which seems to do a nice thing for the lows. Anyhow, squared up for now. And the reggae gig got cancelled! But at least I know I can do it... thanks all!

[quote name='redstriper' post='1020851' date='Nov 11 2010, 06:57 PM']I used a Trace 150w combo with a single 15 for ages in a reggae band and found it plenty deep and loud enough for most gigs. It's what I used to record all the tracks [url="http://myspace.com/redstriper"]here[/url].[/quote] Hey, nice tones! Dig the horn line copping "She's a Woman" on "Happy Within"!... Good playing man.

[quote name='redstriper' post='1020851' date='Nov 11 2010, 06:57 PM']2 x 15s is perfect for reggae, I don't think you'll have any problems unless the drivers are not up to the job - which phat cab do you ordinarily use that's so much better? I used a Trace 150w combo with a single 15 for ages in a reggae band and found it plenty deep and loud enough for most gigs. It's what I used to record all the tracks [url="http://myspace.com/redstriper"]here[/url].[/quote] Didn't mean to let this go unanswered- sorry! I had been using a Peavey 215-D loaded with Black Widows. It was a great, deep, hefty sound. I've had a few other cabs too, but all too big for my weird logistics at home. We have rough stone steps going [i]up[/i] to our basement, and in winter they're a drag to traverse with any significant burden. I've bit the dust pretty hard a couple times at 3 in the a.m. after a gig, carrying some big bastard of a plywood box up those icy perils, and finally got sick of it. I've had an 1153 for a couple weeks now, and you know I think it'll do the deal. I'm just now tuning in to your tracks... thanks for the link.

[quote name='Delberthot' post='1049099' date='Dec 6 2010, 06:01 AM']to be honest, I've listened to Mk II, IV, V, Series 6 and SMX range side by side and the sound gets progressivly worse. I really did not like the SMX at all, I found that it strangled the sound. I'm sure others will disagree but I lusted after one for years only to be disappointed at it. The Mark V is the best Trace amp I ever used and even the GP7 2x10" combo I had was good as well. I used a 1153 for years with a Gallien Krueger 800RB and loved the sound - I use quite a trebly sound and the cab was good at producing exactly what i was looking for[/quote] I can see why you'd say that about the SMX, actually. I have a MK IV going to the shop, and when it gets back maybe it'll make a difference. Thanks for the comment.

Does anyone who uses Trace Elliot cabs find them dark-ish sounding? I have a single 1153 and find it so, using it with my SMX250 head. Fender Jazz Bass w/ LaBella flats going in. The Series-6 715-S combo I'm using for rehearsals I find not nearly so 'closed' sounding. Will the 1153s 'open up' some if there are two of them? Or should I find something else if I want a more open sound- with a little more 'air' or top-end? Am I being pretty clear here?...

[quote name='Vibrating G String' post='1045893' date='Dec 2 2010, 08:22 PM']Will cutting the body change the tone? If you expect to hear a difference you will. No difference will be detectable in a proper double blind test. Look at the bright side, it may make it sound better You could also just get another cheap body for the Jazz and save the collectors value. If you later find out you love the midi thing cut into the original Fender body and enjoy it.[/quote] +1 again here.