wahit Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Hello guys! Unfortunately my bass playing is 99% at home. So the amp I have right now is way too powerful for home use. With the amp I'm using I only get the great bass sounds with a fairly high volume, and that is a no-no situation for me right now, so I need to find a new home amp to play. I'm looking for a small combo, to play in low volumes, yet I want a combo with a [u]great[/u] sound. I want to be able to fully explore the Stingrays growl but in low volumes. Is that possible?! What do you guys advise me to get!? My main bass is a Musicman Stingray, and my backup bass is a Fender '51 Precision. I've been using GK amps for a long time, yet I'm willing to try new stuff. I don't use any effects right now. Not even a compressor. Auch... So, to sum up: small combo + low volumes + great sound = what ?! Thank you very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 MarkBass Micromark, Genz Benz Shuttle 3, PJB Briefcase to name just a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 The fact that you need a high volume to get the sound you like implies to me that there is some amount of overdrive/distortion involved. That being the case then you could look at a suitable pedal/effects unit, something like a sansamp bassdriver DI or bass pod (or similar amp simulator) will give you a pretty respectable "big rig" sound at any volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sifi2112 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I just sold my GK700RB-II for perhaps the same reason & am looking at a GK400 paired with a single 8ohm cab now. Might still be too powerful to get it to growl for home practice tho ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahit Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Never used a S[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ansamp bassdriver DI. Do you think it will do the trick? Bass > Sansamp > Combo!?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Thanks![/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 A few years ago over on Talkbass, lots of people were replacing their SVT rigs with a Sansamp VT pedal and a Mark bass combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dark Lord Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 I have one of these - about to buy my second. I think, nothing comes close. Look at the user comments on here. [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/aer-amp-one-bass-guitar-amp-combo--54921"]http://www.dv247.com/guitars/aer-amp-one-bass-guitar-amp-combo--54921[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 [quote name='wahit' timestamp='1358889454' post='1946737'] Never used a S[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ansamp bassdriver DI. Do you think it will do the trick? Bass > Sansamp > Combo!?[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Thanks![/font][/color] [/quote] Yes should do, also at least for light home use you could get the behringer clone ... http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-Modeler-Guitar-Effects-Pedal/dp/B000KIPUQG at 35 EUR or thereabouts its a no brainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Line 6 have a great little 1x10 combo with amp models built in. i forget the model but my Dad has one and he uses it alot both at home and for big-band gigs so its pretty versatile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thumperbob 2002 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 [quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1358884872' post='1946633'] The fact that you need a high volume to get the sound you like implies to me that there is some amount of overdrive/distortion involved. That being the case then you could look at a suitable pedal/effects unit, something like a sansamp bassdriver DI or bass pod (or similar amp simulator) will give you a pretty respectable "big rig" sound at any volume. [/quote] I have both the VT Bass- ( had a bass driver but the vTis better ) and have a Basspod XT Live ( same sounds as bass pod ) The pod murders the VT bass in every way and will do SO much more too. Want an SVT sound in your living room while the kids are watching TV ? Best sounds for me is the Marshall clone and the Tweed Bassman is pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Guys, remember that wahit uses a GK and a crancked GK sound has nothing to do with SVT! My best bet would be a overdrive pedal to add a bit of grit to the sound. I would start with a cheap, used, Boss ODB-3 and escalade all the way up to the Darkglass B3K if needed. Note that the pedal should be used on low gain settings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Line 6 ld110 combo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahit Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 Thanks for the input guys! Yeah, Musicman + GK gives a very distinct sound. Imagine "old school Flea". It's just like that with the Stingray growl coming out real sweet. Regarding distortion, actually I always play with the cleanest sound possible. Yep, I'm a weird guy... Some folks in another forum have also advised me to get a multi-effect pedal, in this case the Zoom B3. It's way cheaper than the Sansamp, and even though money is not really an issue here, the guy says the pedals does pretty much what the Sansamp does. I'm finding hard to believe. What do you guys think? Do you think this will do the trick? Sansamp or B3? Or B3 is just not an option? Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 A distortion pedal on low settings won't dirty the sound. It will only give you a small boost on the higher freqs and add bite to the sound. A Sansamp or B3 are expensive as an ODB-3 can be had cheap for 40-50€ second hand. See the example with the B3K, the first setting he uses is light overdrive and that doesn't dirties the sound but gives it that extra punch you may lack on low volumes: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21ovdJJwjg0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21ovdJJwjg0[/url] You can get a similar effect with the Boss ODB-3 if you use it with the gain knob at minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I used to have a Sansamp (and a few other pedals) until i got the Zoom B3. Does that answer your question? Also, B3 is great for Recording, Practicing (built in drum machine too!) and gigging. I think it has a GK modelling amp in there too so add that to your small combo of choice and you'll be away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 That Darkglass B3K on minimum gain is a nice sound for overdrive. Sounds very GK-like to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero9 Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 Your search for a small great sounding bass amp wetted my appetite. Like the look of the AER Amp One but expensive. I quite like PJB stuff and if, as you say, you're after a clean sound, how about the Phil Jones 'Double Four': [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/PJB_Double_Four.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/PJB_Double_Four.html[/url] I'm tempted... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1358971485' post='1947973'] That Darkglass B3K on minimum gain is a nice sound for overdrive. Sounds very GK-like to me. [/quote] That's exactly what i thought when i first saw this video and the reason why i'm talking about a drive pedal to sort this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 What amp and cab do you have now? Save yourself a fortune and just turn the volume down. If you need any specific sounds get pedals. A bigger rig with the volume down will sound better and cleaner than a small rig with the volume up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskit_case Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 What about a Yamaha THR10? One of the members bought one a while back and was really pleased with it, [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186604-yamaha-thr-10/"]here[/url]. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1358894360' post='1946893'] I have one of these - about to buy my second. I think, nothing comes close. Look at the user comments on here. [url="http://www.dv247.com/guitars/aer-amp-one-bass-guitar-amp-combo--54921"]http://www.dv247.com...mp-combo--54921[/url] [/quote] Somebody beat me to it. AER Amp One is the canine's plums. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Sorry, but another vote for the AER Amp One Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wahit Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 I bet it rocks. But I want to play really low at home, so I don't think a 200W combo will do the trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marwood Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Was (and still am!) in the same situation, play mostly at home now, in an apartment, so wanted something small but decent. A/B'd the Genzbenz Shuttle 3.0 10t against the Markbass mini (121). Found the Markbass packed way more punch, but kinda coloured the bass a lot, you kinda knew you were playing through a markbass. The genzbenz was very neutral sounding, very clear, and I found it nicer to play at low volume. And it is so light! No regrets so far. Heard great things about the AER, never got the chance to give one a try... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson23 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 [size=4]Red Sub do a really small compact little amp with tons of extras on[/size] [size=4]it for a silly price of about £149 ![/size] [size=4]It has got me out of a jam once and is more than powerful for small venues.[/size] [size=4]Obviously not the quality of an expensive amp but well worth every penny.[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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