Reggae bass

[Sk1]

Hey Im trying to but some new equipment and with everything shutdown its hard to really test everything out ahead of time. Looking to buy new head and cabinet probably head between 500-800 watt range and cab between 800-1000. Mainly play reggae also some rock and ska. Would really appreciate any reccomendations, as Im having a really hard time choosing.

[Lozz196]

I’d check out Ashdown, not a recommendation based upon that I use their gear (though I am biased) but because of the sub-octave feature on their amps. Would have thought that would be ideal for reggae, adding a touch of that for some real deep bass.

And given that they have that feature their cabs will be able to handle it - as would Barefaced cabs, they’ll take whatever is sent their way.

Edited April 18, 2020 by Lozz196

[stewblack]

Definitely think about Barefaced. I run two of their 15s and they deep, moving bottom end is massive. 

As @Lozz196@Lozz196 also says can't go far wrong with Ashdown amps. 

[Reggaebass]

I’m an Ashdown fan , I’ve had the Ashdown  mag head with 2x15 NY markbass cabs for quite a while now and I’m really enjoying the tone,  it’s a nice deep clear sound, and the deep bass switch really adds some bottom, but at the moment I’m thinking about the barefaced super twin or the dubster for a bit of fun 

[jazzyvee]

I  use Barefaced cabs now for everything from jazz funk, folk, Rnb and reggae which are my main gigs. If you want a one cab solution I would recommend the Big Twin II. Dubster II on it's own is great but if you were going to use it for ska or other stuff then I'd suggest using it with a big Baby II to get more of the mid range stuff. I guess it depends on what kind of bottom end sound you want. I tend to go for as clean a sound as I can get you may prefer a more classic bass rig tone. Interesting that you guys reach for that sub/deeps button on the amp heads, I've had those on a number of rigs at rehearsal rooms or as backline and to me they made the sound muddy and less defined unless playing in a high register so I personally make sure they are off.

[Lozz196]

Yeah I wouldn’t have a lot of that on, just add a touch so there’s an underlying presence.

[mcnach]

I suspect most people will recommend what they use... and I'm no different

 

I play mostly ska/reggae/funk. The combination I've been most happy with is my current Mesa D800+ plus a couple of Barefaced Two10 cabs. The combination of voice/HPF/bass control on the D800+ is a veritable reggae secret weapon that works very well with those speakers.

But I've also been very happy playing with a Trace Elliot 210 combo + 115 extension... however that was muuuuch heavier.