Pirellithecat

Of the small (ish) and affordable D Class Amps I've tried, then the Ashdown RM EVO 2 500 was the best! I ended up with an Ashdown ABM 600, but I would have been just as happy with the RM 500!

Good points, OK I play 70's Rock, and some 80's/90's and even later stuff too. I first played the 70's stuff in ...... the 70's, and the 80's stuff ...... in the 80's ...... And I don't sound like Ronnie Wood, or John Paul Jones, Leo Lyons, or Lemmy or ..... However, I prefer the sound they make/made (except Lemmy) over some of the more modern bands where the sound has a more pronounced "brittle" upper frequency to it. - is that "HiFi"? So I used "70's Rock" as a shortcut to try to describe the sort of sound I'm after. It's not Dub, it's not Mark King it's in the middle. I don't like "clangy" sounds, I don't like harsh upper frequencies, I don't like fret Buzz, I don't really like "driven" sounds (i.e. distortion). And at the moment, the rig would do Dub, it would do Mark King ~(although I couldn't) It would do lots of stuff, but I'm not really getting that deep, punchy, "defined", warm high frequency thing. Had a modern Eden Terra Nova, nice when quiet but ran out of puff, have an Ashdown ABM IV which can be loud and more punchy, but I probably haven't mastered the tone controls yet (as I'm a simple bass player, and can't work out 9 tone controls AND "shape" and and and...) But many of the suggestions are very interesting ...... particularly Stewblack's comments about Markbass v Barefaced, which is probably where I'm at. I must also have another go with the Fender Rumble which I had a brief go on previously but for some reason dismissed it. So thanks for all the comments - food for thought.

Thanks everyone, As a main rig, I'm a bit reluctant to go full valve, - a bit of valveyness in the pre would be fine. Something like the Little Bastard sounds like fun for jams and home use though. In terms of cabs, I have a pair of Vanderkley 112EXT's, which I very much like for practice, but they seem a bit "modern" when used in anger. I see there's a thread discussing Barefaced 10's and I have just bought a BB2 - so far, I'm not sure about it - plenty of low bass, but a little missing in the middle so there's punch, but maybe not the distinct note information (is that "Mids"?) that I'd like. Used it on Saturday, but paired it up with one of the EXT112's - much better!! (no "tweeters" turned on) And out front it sounded good, but on stage ..... not so sure. However, it's new and it certainly improved over the evening and back home. It was used by three bass players over the evening so was on the go for around 6 hours. So I guess one of the questions is whether it's likely I'll end up liking the BB2 on its own or will need to augment it with something or move it along in due course. Does anyone have experience of using a Barefaced BB2 with a second BB2 or Super Compact/Midget?? Hey Ho!

Thanks. I think "lightweight" means cabs less than 25kg (or 2 smaller ones) and for the amp, I'd rather not limit myself to D class so up to 15kg ish ........... if that makes sense? In terms of power I'd rather have a bit (lot?) of headroom so amp cabs - which rate at the 500/600W region at 4 Ohm. But really it's a genuine enquiry as to what works for this kind of music based on fellow basschatter's experience. I'd prefer separates to a combo I think .......

Hi, Anyone moved to a lightweight Bass Rig which excels at that 70's Rock /Rhythm and Blues sound (Ten Years After/Alvin Lee, Early Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, and all that 70's guitar led stuff). I'm looking for a solution which has the "thump" I want, allows the notes to be heard (Leo Lyons), but doesn't do that smile thing where there's no mids and a clanckey top end. Using a P Bass. It might be that I just need to work at it a bit more with my current (new) rig, add something or change something and will experiment more. However, I thought I'd see what those more experienced than me might suggest. So rather than say what I currently have I'd be interested to find out what others use for this type of sound. Cheers all

Here's One I prepared earlier - the black headstock is standard on the ISC xxxxxxx serial numbers I think. This one has upgraded bridge, new SD pickups/pots and fettled by the guitar garus at the GuitarRepairWorkshop in Manchester. If the Fender "original" plays better than this it must be a dream 'cos this is surprisingly nice. Be keen to hear your thoughts. Enjoy!

Thanks Bob-the-dog. I'll have a deeper look at both these suggestions.

Please bear with me .......... To demonstrate that I find instructions difficult to understand unless they are really specific .......... ,the Scarlett would accept, via USB, digital output from the PC and convert it to Analog and allow one to listen to it via Headphones. At the same time it would accept the signal from my bass via 1/4 inch Jack and overlay this on the analog "stream" from the PC to which I will be listening on headphones? And there's a "headphone amp" somewhere in the chain so that the volume of the headphones can be increased? And the Behringer UMC22 achieves the same? Just to be sure ... Thanks, Luddite-Ian

Hi, I'd like to be able to use computer audio - eg Ultimate Guitar Tabs, and my ripped music, to play along with using headphones - basically in my "music room" with less risk of annoying the Mrs! I have the Vox Bass powered headphones, but I don't get along with them for some reason and I find that the audio out from the PC generates a fair bit of "noise". I've tried using my practice amp as "host", but it's not ideal as the headphone output is rather low for non powered headphones and the PC noise is still an issue. So, what do I need - is it a little mixer/DAC/Headphone amp? Something like the Sub Zero Mix 04 seems to do some of what I want https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/SubZero-SZ-MIX04-4-Channel-Mini-Mixer/SIZ SZMix 04, but not all. So, can anyone recommend anything that might do the trick? (simpler the better!) Many thanks Ian

If only .......

Ha Ha! Yes they are "musician" type ear defenders. And I will have to try harder to use them more often. I guess the beauty of not using them would be that it might make me pack it all in, more quickly, which would save many more ears - indeed it would be an altruistic act. I guess ear defenders are therefore rather a selfish act. The only answer for all concerned would be to play more quietly and sort out a PA! Ooh it's all getting a little philosophical.

Well, one rehearsal done with ear defenders, room set-up improved with speakers off the ground and level with the drummer, less bass boom from bass drum, and a "team talk" re. volume. And also a different bass Amplifier. Much better. However, the ear defenders do tend to get in the way of hearing the music in so far as keeping "in the pocket" with the drums, but that might be a question of getting used to them. However, even without the defenders, the different amp improves things very noticeable. I don't have to turn up to be able to hear the bass part. So, better amp allows quieter playing as the sound is clearer. Still need to keep working on the guitarist though - he's just too loud/bright/brittle/painful - actually it's probably a tone thing rather than absolute volume but it is painful! Might try a different cab next and still need to work on the monitor/PA side of things.

Thanks Everyone, Some very sane and re-assuring comments here which I will "share" with my fellow (rowdy) musicians! Fingers crossed once again, and it is absolutely the case that I need to find a band who are interested in delivering the songs well, rather than the songs just being a reason to demonstrate what fantastic guitarists/vocalists/drummers/ or dare I say it, bass players they (we) are. Except we're not! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts Cheers!

No, No, and Yes! Indeed, I was the taken the fosters out of all evening for suggesting that 40W might be too loud! However, I've a friend who is an erstwhile sound engineer and I'll invite him to come along next time and see what he can do - trouble is, he's too nice!! I'm guessing this primitive need to be as loud as possible has been the end of many bands before they actually get going! However, I will persevere as follows - Ear Protectors Optimal Layout of Speakers Lift Speakers to as near ear height as possible Nag Try to reduce bass output from drums Get decent PA set up Nag Get support from ex-sound engineer PRAY. And get a better amp

Failed! Rehearsal yesterday. Just one guitar, 2x12 cab 40W Valve, smallish Hall plus drums. Too bloody loud. Although a couple of "spectators thought it OK (and not too loud for them at 10meters!) but they felt that the bass needed more volume. Gain set to max (before clipping) and 12.30 on master, bass rolled off slightly. No warning lights on master or tone controls but no ear defenders YET! Changed the layout so guitar speaker not pointing at me etc. and whinged continually. However, the bass rig is just not able to cope with this sound level, to the extent that I got a few signs of distress from the system and, as stated before, I really don't like the tone at higher volumes. I have tried to get the guitar speakers lifted off the floor rather than behind the guitarists knees, but so far unsuccessfully. The guitar tone is "cutting" rather than bassy so I don't think this is the issue. I will see what I can do to get the drummer to do something to reduce the low bass though. Aarghhh!!! Debriefed afterwards but no recognition of the noise issues and VERY reluctant to reduce SPL's. Due to the "distressed" sound, I wonder whether I have an amp or cab problem and will try first a different amp (better not necessarily louder) and if this doesn't improve things I'll look at trying other speakers, reserving the lovely Vanderkleys for folky/jazzy duty. Christ - I must be getting old! Thanks everyone - I'll report back.

Thanks everyone. And I do "get it" - however, you have described the guitar players accurately - 50-100W all valve amps with 4 x 10 Marshal speakers. (x2 sometimes). And a crap PA with no monitoring. I'm not actually trying to get louder, I just want the sound that I make to be clear so that I can hear it. I do wander off into the front of the band to listen, I do play around with the EQ (mostly on the bass leaving the amp flat) where necessary, I don't use any of the "boost" features or tone shaping. I stack my cabs or lift them off the floor so that it's not just my ankles that get the full lustre performance. But the tendency is, even if I practice loudly (viz 4 meter square room) for a decrease in tone quality as volume increases. I am in control of my part of the equation (or want to be) and I still want to get a better sound for the sake of argument, at reasonable sound levels. It might be that I'm just being picky but there you are. There are a lot of Basschaters discussing amps and speakers with much more clout than mine so I'm probably not alone in looking for a "better" sound (rather than a louder one), and really the question was, should I look to "improve" the amp or try different cabs. So far it seems that headroom might be a limiting factor to the D-Class Amp that I own so I guess buying a second hand amp, eg Ashdown RM 500/800 or ABM600 (although the description of the Trickfish for sale on here does sound enticing) might test this theory (oh and some ear defenders and probably a new band!)). So thanks Owen - I think you're diagnosis fits. Might I ask, of the amps you tried, which worked well for you (and which weren't so impressive)?! Hey Ho!

Thanks - that's helpful. Lots of headroom I guess.

Yes, completely agree a clearer rather than louder sound is what I'm after. And whilst the current set-up delivers this at lower volumes, as soon as you get to louder settings the clarity goes. How do you ensure a "clear" sound? Is it an amp thing or ???

Phil - thanks for the warning - you're right - one of the bands is just too loud and maybe they either reduce the levels or I should seek an alternative! However, it's the tonal quality of the bass, rather than not being able to hear it, that's the issue. Even with a "less-than-really-loud" band the tonal quality isn't really what I'd like - OK, it is still loud, and "yes" ear defenders could be a good idea. I guess the sound at 9 o'clock, maybe 10 o'clock is good enough, but anymore the quality deteriorates (not distorted as such, just "unclear") from 9.30 onwards. So the shopping list is; 1) Ear Defenders, 2)?Amp, 3)?Cabs. However, I get the feeling from the responses so far, that it's more a volume/amp issue than a cab issue. Is that correct? Thanks everyone for suggestions to date and the warnings re. hearing (which is probably pretty poor already - certainly the high frequencies are a little lacking - well apparently those that are produced by female (the wife's) speech!!!) ,

P.S. ABM 600 or Rootmaster 500/800?? Not much difference or ......

Lozz - What's the fan noise like at practice levels? My only real experience of fan noise with amps is with my current amp and this is certainly very noticeable at low volumes. Maybe I'll treat myself to a big amp (eg ABM 600 or equiv) and a little quiet amp for practice and quiet sessions. So far everyone seems to be saying Amp rather than cabs so perhaps I should focus there first. Thanks all

Really? It does say 500W at 4 Ohms on the unit and so I was anticipating 250 at 8 Ohms? Or is my physics even worse than I remember. My workings-out are; with one cab rated at 300W and 8 Ohms the amp delivers 250W and I don't destroy the cab whilst with 2 cabs at 8 Ohms each (giving a resistance of 4 Ohms) I get a louder output of up to 500W without damage. Or ......????

I've tried ......... so many many times!!!!! But hey, I'm only the bass player.

Help needed ........ and I know this has already been done to death ... but worth a try. My current set-up is an old pair of Vanderkley EXT 112's(each 300W/ 8 Ohms) and a Eden Terra Nova 501N.(500W at 4 Ohms). Great for most stuff and really portable and flexible (one or both cabs) For practice and moderate volumes it's really nice, but when playing loudly there's a certain loss of definition to the sound. And by loudly I mean VERY LOUD - 2 guitars, keys, drummer, vocals ..... post 80's Rock! Set for max gain without clipping, EQ flat, and around 12 o'clock on the master (can be more but after 12 there's not much left!). The treble is turned all the way down on the speakers. To improve this I'm not sure whether I should be looking to upgrade the speakers or the amp or both - so thought I'd ask. I've tried various amp/cab combinations, but in the shop they all sound OK. Favorite to date was the Mesa Subway 800+ with the Subway 12 inch cab and 15 inch cab in tandem. But this is a bit steep price-wise as I'm certainly not an "advanced" bassplayer. And I'd be far too inhibited to try such amps at volume in a shop! Probably, not interested in lots of high frequency detail/hifiey sound, but do like a clean sound i.e. I don't like overdrive etc! So folks - amps, speakers, or both and maybe £1000 budget with second hand an option! Oh, and I'd prefer cabs that aren't too heavy (hence the 2 VK's at 13kg each). In terms of amps, as long as I can pick them up one handed that's be fine. I certainly don't need something really light, but wouldn't want something I couldn't easily carry! Otherwise, I like the idea of the Ashdown ABM 600 Evo IV, (but would the fan noise be intrusive for the non LOUD stuff?) maybe the Eich T500, or the Markbass LM111 or Little Marcus 500 (or 800) and and and ............. but I will need the grunt! Preferred type of music Blues Rock. I guess I'm old skool! Any obvious answers? Cheers