The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bass Amps & Effects => Topic started by: godofthunder on January 24, 2012, 11:08:51 AM
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I am looking for a small gig worthy combo amp 300w-500w. I would like 4x10s or 1x15 but will consider other configurations. Most important is the ability to get some grind out of it, something with two channels to blend clean and dirty together. I also would like plywood for cabinet construction. Any thoughts ?
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Scott, have you looked at Peavey's Tour TNT 115? It's not a two channel combo but it does have some pretty cool features including an ext speaker output to take the output power from 300 watts as a stanalone to 450 watts with the addition of a extra cab when necessary. It also has the tilt back style cabinet which is great for monitoring and of course a DI out.
It looks to be well built and the price seems pretty reasonable. You can download the owners manual off the Peavey website to see its specs and features if you're interested.
TD
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Thanks TD , actually I was looking at the VB 115, I can always get my overdrive from my Ibanez bass tube screamer. http://www.peavey.com/products/instAmplifiers/bassamps/proseries/index.cfm/item/117529/VB%26trade%3B%26nbsp%3B115.html
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It's got a Black Widow...Black Widows always sound good to me...had the one from my 30 plus year old Combo 300 re-coned, and it's made a world of difference...it had a 4 ohm celestion in it that sounded like crap. With the Black Widow re-coned it 's like night and day!...
In the old days, I even had a Black Widow in my Ampeg B15...I used to think it gave it more clarity. YMMV.
I always liked the concept of "wheel one box in and plug into it" simplicity of a combo. Guess I've been a weekend warrior too long.
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This probably costs more:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Amps/walkabout/WalkaboutScout/WalkScout.htm
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I was looking at the Mesa stuff pretty pricey, maybe if I can find a deal on one.
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I was on a major quest for the same kind of combo requirements for a year or so. I had high hopes for the 500watt 2x12 GK combo but was really dissappointed by how anemic they were. In fact I was pretty disappointed with a whole lot of stuff I looked at . There were a lot of OK things out there but nothing to get excited about. The 2x10 Markbass was pretty nice at 500watts but it was a not a combo , which was alright with me, but I still felt I was comprimising somewhat.
Pilgrim got me all excited about the Genz Benz 6.0 Shuttle , and he was right. It took me a while to try one out but it was worth the wait. Not a combo but 600watts, lightweight and paired with a 2x12 and tweeter Avatar cab , I'm happy as a clam ;D. It was not what I was actually looking for but it turned out to be exactly what I wanted. I can't say enough good about the Genz Benz.
Rick
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Check out the Ampeg Portaflex stuff...
http://www.ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-500/
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Thanks TD , actually I was looking at the VB 115, I can always get my overdrive from my Ibanez bass tube screamer. http://www.peavey.com/products/instAmplifiers/bassamps/proseries/index.cfm/item/117529/VB%26trade%3B%26nbsp%3B115.html
I did notice that the Peavey Tour TNT 115 has a "Crunch" effect that can be dialed in and turned on/off on the control panel and via a remote footswitch.
Just thought i'd throw it out there.
TD
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At first I was thinking I need something I can overdrive but the Ibanez Tube screamer works great for that and it has a blend.
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At first I was thinking I need something I can overdrive but the Ibanez Tube screamer works great for that and it has a blend.
I hadn't mentioned Genz-Benz earlier because of their reputation for clean sound, without grind...but given that you can get some with a pedal (and I do the same, with a Digitech Bad Monkey mod'd by Scott Humphreys), and with Rahock's comment above, that puts Genz back in the picture.
In that case, try the Genz Shuttle series - for your purposes, probably a Shuttle 9.0. The docking unit for the Shuttles works nicely, but I think it only goes on cabs as big as a single 12. You might need to get a lightweight Genz 2x12 cab to make it sound as you wish.
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The Ampeg PF500 has quite a tubey sound for being solid state, and you can get a pretty good grind out of the gain. It also has a blend knob for the effects loop if you need it. The PF115 cab has surprising amount of low end for a sealed cab, and you can of course store the head inside since it's a fliptop. I've also used the head to drive my 2x15 Gene Simmons cab loaded with JBL's, and thought it sounded great.
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The new Genz Benz 6.2/12t Shuttle combo has been getting good reviews. They've juiced up the gain in the .2 model so it's easier to get a nice sounding overdrive out it. Ed Friedland has a nice review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx9OigytbNw&list=UUranFvDA8I4qHg8GweBmDEA&index=5&feature=plcp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx9OigytbNw&list=UUranFvDA8I4qHg8GweBmDEA&index=5&feature=plcp)
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hahaha I thought this was a combo it's just a cab :o What a dumbass.
Thanks TD , actually I was looking at the VB 115, I can always get my overdrive from my Ibanez bass tube screamer. http://www.peavey.com/products/instAmplifiers/bassamps/proseries/index.cfm/item/117529/VB%26trade%3B%26nbsp%3B115.html
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The new Genz Benz 6.2/12t Shuttle combo has been getting good reviews. They've juiced up the gain in the .2 model so it's easier to get a nice sounding overdrive out it. Ed Friedland has a nice review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx9OigytbNw&list=UUranFvDA8I4qHg8GweBmDEA&index=5&feature=plcp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx9OigytbNw&list=UUranFvDA8I4qHg8GweBmDEA&index=5&feature=plcp)
There's a lot to like in that review!
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I'm curious, how is the quest going?
Rick
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Stalled at the moment I need to go out and try some rigs.
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I'm a big fan of the Shuttle. I have a 6.0 that I bought used on talkbass. Any bass with a decent amount of output can overdrive it if you push the input (the only bass I have that doesn't get much grit out of it is my Danelectro). I also really like the tone controls on the shuttle - simple but effective and it always sounds good to me. I've gone through Peavey, Randall, GK, Eden, Thunderfunk, and AI heads and this is my favorite amp I've ever owned.
I run mine into one or both of an EA CXL112L and CXL110. It is a ridiculously loud rig for the size.
For comparison... At our practice studio, the bass rig has a fancy Aguilar preamp on top of a hefty 1200-watt power amp (I forget the brand).
I usually bring the shuttle and unplug the rack rig ;D
We've got two quite loud guitarists and I have no problem keeping up.
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I get a lot of compliments on my Shuttle from boutique amp snob guitar players. My guitar player says it's the best sounding bass amp ever ;D. I'm not sure about that, but it sure is nice to hear ;D. If I got as many compliments on my playing as I did on my sound, I believe I'd actually be somebody :P.
Rick
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If I can find one locally I'll give it a try. No 15s though that I can see. I like the Ampeg PF500 with the 115HE, I can stow the head and roll out with one unit. The cab is poplar ply not particle board, I like that.
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If I can find one locally I'll give it a try. No 15s though that I can see. I like the Ampeg PF500 with the 115HE, I can stow the head and roll out with one unit. The cab is poplar ply not particle board, I like that.
I was looking thru MF catalog the other day and that rig caught my eye. I wondered if you were considering it. Look forward to your review if you get to try one.
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I'll let you know Carlo. I was considering the Peavey TNT115 Tour till I turned it on and the logo lit up, man I hate that sh*t.
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I'll let you know Carlo. I was considering the Peavey TNT115 Tour till I turned it on and the logo lit up, man I hate that sh*t.
The only light up logo I like is on my B-15 ;D
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If I can find one locally I'll give it a try.
There's always the "buy used, try it, sell it if i don't like it" approach. More work, and riskier, but there's a lot of gear that's hard or impossible to try otherwise, even in a big city.
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I'm waiting for some NAMM stuff to show up at the HOG.
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If I can find one locally I'll give it a try. No 15s though that I can see. I like the Ampeg PF500 with the 115HE, I can stow the head and roll out with one unit. The cab is poplar ply not particle board, I like that.
Last night was the first time I used my PF500/PF115 combo all by itself for my oldies project at a local corporate party. This thing really put out a big low end considering it's a sealed cab. I've used the head before to push my 2x15's, but last night I did notice it had a different "feel" compared to my tube and hybrid heads. Maybe it was the cab, or just the room and the stage we were on, or the fact it's a class D power section- but it felt "softer". Not in a bad way mind you - but I did have to tweak my settings a bit from what I would normally run my amp to give it a little more "body". Once I did, it rocked! Definitely has an Ampeg tone, more than enough volume, and I got compliments from the soundman using both the T-bird and the Fender. One thing to be aware of is that the DI out is VERY hot, and you may need to use the -40db DI switch on the back of the amp so you don't clip the FOH board. Even though I like big dumb stage rigs, I have to admit the light weight and portability factor has convinced me to order a second PF115 and switch over and make this my main rig for local small bar gigs.
(http://www.talkbass.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=250573&d=1329007591)
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I'll let you know Carlo. I was considering the Peavey TNT115 Tour till I turned it on and the logo lit up, man I hate that sh*t.
Scott, I believe there is a switch on the amp that allows the user to turn the logo light off. But I know what you mean, i'd turn it off too.
TD
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Ah Good to know!
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I am still looking. I am kinda liking this for the price, weight and features. the GK MB410 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/gallien-krueger-mb410-500w-4x10-ultralight-bass-combo-amp/h73088000000000
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I was really looking forward to seeing the 500watt 2x12 GK, especially at the price they were going for. I was REALLY disappointed when I got my hands on one.
I'm a fan of GK stuff too, but it was so anemic it should have been wearing a Silvertone tag instead of GK. Price was good,weight was good.....amp was not :sad:
Rick
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Anemic is not what I am looking for :( GK has a 200x 1x15 combo wonder how that sounds ? School me on class D power amps? What can I expect? Do they have comparable out put to non class D stuff?
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Did you ever test drive the Genz-Benz Shuttle series? As far as I'm concerned the Shuttle 6.0 has all the guts it could need. It's rated 375W "Peak" into 8 ohms...I'm not sure what its RMS rating would be, but I know it gets very dang loud. I can't share any technical details with you because my expertise doesn't extend to the internal details of amp construction.
In the docking combo version on the T12 speaker, it's a whole lot of combo in a 36-pound package. I used to be a 15" player, but this 12" cab reformed me.
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/Amps-Speakers/G-B12TwithShuttle6.jpg)
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I have never tried a Shuttle none around here that I can find. I like 12s.
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When I went to meet the guy at a church gymnasium to pick up that Curlee bass for Robert a while back I tried it through the owners's Shuttle 9.0. That thing was phenomenal and totally filled that place.
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Seems to me like if you find one of the super light D class amps, you can make it a combo with any cab you like. The weight is minimal so it really doesn't matter much that it's a separate head.
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Anemic is not what I am looking for :( GK has a 200x 1x15 combo wonder how that sounds ? School me on class D power amps? What can I expect? Do they have comparable out put to non class D stuff?
The Class D power amp thing can be quite a quest. I looked around for long time and I was pretty disappointed with most of what I saw. The first one that impressed me was the Markbass and I did a side by side comparison with a 500 watt GK 2x10. I think that made the Markbass sound even bettter :o . I wasn't head over heels in love with the Markbass but I liked it and I was about ready to pull the trigger . Then Pilgrim twisted my arm until I tried a Genz Benz and I'm glad he did ;D. Unlike most equipment I've had, the more I get to know this thing , the more I like it ;D.
With the Shuttle I don't feel like I settled or sacrificed just to get a lightweight amp. By nature it is very clean but you can warm it up considerably with it's single 12AX7. If you want real dirt you're gonna have to get a pedal. I love it as is, with the clean and warm thing ;D. It sounds great at high or low volume, it has more definition than any amp I've ever heard and the boost features provide the perfect amount of boost. Most boost features kick in way too strong and start blowing glasses off all the tables in the room. These are more subtle and give you just enough juice to accent a line or stand out for a solo or whatever.
You gotta check out some Genz Benz stuff 8)
Rick
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You gotta check out some Genz Benz stuff 8)
^^^^Yarrr, matey! 8)
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I got to try one of the new Genz 6.2/12 combos the other day. It took a while to dial in a sound I really liked but when I found it I didn't want to leave. It was that good. My only complaint was I never found the right balance with the gain to get some nice usable grit. But I imagine that's just a matter of time since I've heard others achieve it. My next biggest complaint was the $1.2K price tag. Ouch!
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I got to try one of the new Genz 6.2/12 combos the other day. It took a while to dial in a sound I really liked but when I found it I didn't want to leave. It was that good. My only complaint was I never found the right balance with the gain to get some nice usable grit. But I imagine that's just a matter of time since I've heard others achieve it. My next biggest complaint was the $1.2K price tag. Ouch!
If it's any help, a Fender Bassman with a 2-12 cabinet cost $400 in 1966, that's around $2700 today.
IIRC my Sivertone with the same configuration was $120 in 1962...around $860 today. I'd guess the Genz sounds at least 1.5 times better than the Silvertone. Not so sure about the MarkBass, my one encounter was not good.
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Thanks for you advice guys. I really don't want to spend much more than 500-700, less if I can. I want something that can put out like my Ampeg B25B and 2x15 but in combo form. As for a micro head I thought about that I have like 14 cabs but they are all 8 or 16 ohm.
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As for a micro head I thought about that I have like 14 cabs but they are all 8 or 16 ohm.
8 ohm cabs go fine with the legitimately higher powered micro heads - I run my Markbass TTE-500 regularly through an 8 ohm sealed 410 cab and the 500 watt @ 4 ohm head is barely ticking over - I've yet to have the master past 10 o'clock. Same deal with my 900w @ 4 ohm Genz Benz Streamliner - 8 ohm cabs are not a problem - there is more than enough volume for gigging in a loud rock band.
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Update. I am leaning towards the Peavy TNT Tour 115. Lots of power, Birch ply cab, 1x15, crucnh feature (distortion) Not a whole lot of knobs (a plus for me). The only thing I don't like is the kick back design.
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Update. I am leaning towards the Peavy TNT Tour 115. Lots of power, Birch ply cab, 1x15, crucnh feature (distortion) Not a whole lot of knobs (a plus for me). The only thing I don't like is the kick back design.
Saw that in the current MF catalog, looks like a good deal with the 15% discount.
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I don't have any direct experience since I don't do repairs anymore, but from what I hear from my friends who do is that with new production Peavey, the build quality is nowhere near what it was even five years ago and the amps are near unserviceable.
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That's really a shame. Reliability used to be the one thing you could really count on with Peaveys. The combos I remember from the 80s (I had a TNT-130 circa 1984) sounded pretty blah but they were built like tanks.
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That's really a shame. Reliability used to be the one thing you could really count on with Peaveys. The combos I remember from the 80s (I had a TNT-130 circa 1984) sounded pretty blah but they were built like tanks.
I had plenty of good luck with Peavey equipment in the past. Lot of people loved 'em and Lot of people didn't. Love 'em or hate 'em there was no denying that they were dependable as hell and built like a tank.
Rick
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Yup, traditionally Peavey has been among the most reliable workhorse amps.
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Now considering the GK MB500 Fusion with a 4x10 cab for starters. www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/gallien-krueger-mb-fusion-500w-tube-preamp-ultra-light-bass-amp-head
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Or maybe the plain old GkMB500.
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At that price you really need to get a look at the Genz Benz.
Rick
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At that price you really need to get a look at the Genz Benz.
Rick
Seconded.
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So this maybe? http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/genz-benz-shuttle-3.0-8t-300-watt-lightweight-bass-1x8-combo/482107004000000?condition=used#used
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Never mind checking out the 6.0.............. discontinued :( I will look at the 6.2
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Never mind checking out the 6.0.............. discontinued :( I will look at the 6.2
Correct - but that has also dropped the resale value of the 6.0 units. Worth test driving if you can frind a used one.
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No one's mentioned Ashdown - I'm happily using (but not gigging at present) a MAG300 4x10 which is reasonably portable and nicely LOUD when it needs to be...
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I have looked at Ashdown, it's tough to make a choice as no one has much of anything around here, even the HOG has limited selection when it comes to bass amps :(
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Shuttles flip on talkbass all the time. You could always buy 'n try 'n resell.
This is so far the only head I've owned of which I am a ridiculous fanboy. I just love this thing.
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Shuttles flip on talkbass all the time. You could always buy 'n try 'n resell.
This is so far the only head I've owned of which I am a ridiculous fanboy. I just love this thing.
The more I play mine the more I like it . +1 ;D
Rick
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I should probably add the disclaimer that I have never owned the cool tube rigs that a lot of you guys have. If I had the funds, the space, the muscles, and the car space, I'd probably build a massive wall of Hiwatts or something... but in reality I've always been too wimpy to lug a big rig around and have always been interested in portability.
Amps I've owned in the past 30 years, roughly in chronological order:
Roland Cube 60 combo
Peavey TNT 130 combo
Randall RB 120 (I think?)
GK 400RB (I probably kept this the longest, did most of my gigs with it)
Eden WT-500 (not coincidentally around the time I finally got a decent-paying day job)
Eden WT-300
Thunderfunk 400? (not sure of model number)
Acoustic Image Clarus
AI Focus II
AI Focus III
I liked all of those ... except the Peavey, which I was never able to dial in to my satisfaction, but then I was just a kid ... All of those have since moved on.
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i have the roland 60 combo as my only amp for the last twenty years or so. it is exactly what i need for what i do. although getting kind of shakey lately, even with a new eminence 15" speaker.
best part is i got it for free. a friend left it at my house and never came back for it. ???
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i have the roland 60 combo as my only amp for the last twenty years or so. it is exactly what i need for what i do. although getting kind of shakey lately, even with a new eminence 15" speaker.
best part is i got it for free. a friend left it at my house and never came back for it. ???
I think you have a later model. The one I got was circa 1980 and was orange with a 12" speaker, definitely not a 15.
Rear-ported too, I remember that the port doubled as the place to store the power cord.
I don't have clear memories of what it sounded like, but I liked it; I sold it and got the Peavey once I started playing with drummers.
My dad later got the keyboard version, which was great - it was similar except it was silver and had two inputs with separate volume controls, a spring reverb, a square instead of round rear port, and a tweeter.
... ah here we go:
(http://www.bazaar-world.com/uploads/amp/45/280274111501-2.jpg)
(http://ja.audiofanzine.com/utilities/a.provider,m.46355,mod.media,down.true,th.normal,s.pictures.JPG)
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your amp is cuter than mine, which looks more like a smaller peavey tnt. :)
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Those little Rolands have always been great. The 60 watt 12" new ones are really nice too. I wish we played at a bit lower volume so I could get by with one. Maybe I could lose the white noise and ringing in my ears :P
Rick
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Seriously...I went to my local hearing center and had 9 dB molded earplugs made. They work really well for me, and cut the sound just enough less than the 15 dB over the counter models that I can hear the music.
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Molded earplugs are so important for me! I've been using (and cleaning) the same pair of etymotic ER-15 plugs for over a decade now.
Best gear investment ever.
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Sounds like a pretty good plan. I hear tree frogs in the middle of winter with a foot of snow on the ground :o. I know they aren't there but I hear them plain as day.
Rick
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Sounds like a pretty good plan. I hear tree frogs in the middle of winter with a foot of snow on the ground :o. I know they aren't there but I hear them plain as day.
Rick
Well, it's either your ears or those funny sugar cubes you ate in the 60's. ???
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Well, it's either your ears or those funny sugar cubes you ate in the 60's. ???
Yeah, that and the paper stuff ;D. I'm not seeing any tree frogs though,so I'm going with the ear thing,
Rick
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I finally made a decision! I bought a Orange Terror Bass, it should be here in a few days. if I like the amp I am then going to buy two of the Orange 1x15 cabs. With the two cabs I can use it for almost any gig. I am excited!
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All I can say is WOW through my Hiwatt 2150 this thing sounds great! Seriously thick full tone, at either low or high volume. Love the fact it has a direct out and effects loop. Love the simple controls, def not a knob twiddler amp. I can't wait to take it to rehearsal tomorrow. Looks like I am going to be ordering a couple of cabs :)
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Boy, that sounds great! I love the sound of my Mesa, but the 30 knobs on it are a big pain in the butt when I want to make a quick adjustment between basses. Maybe I should consider going that route. I've looked at Ampegs and other amps and they just don't do anything for me. What do you think?
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I think you should stop by and try it out! I am taking it to rehearsal tonight, I'll have a report tomorrow.
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I think you should stop by and try it out! I am taking it to rehearsal tonight, I'll have a report tomorrow.
I'll do that! I'll have some free time next Tuesday morning after a Drs. appointment, I'll give you a call to see if you're around then.
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WOW! I love this thing! I used it at rehearsal last night and it was a plug in and play kind of deal. Very, very easy to get a great tone with just a few tweaks.I set the gain at about 10 O'clock giving a nice warm overdrive, just enough not to much, it would be easy to get carried away because you can drive the snot out of this thing. For a SS amp it has a lot of inherent bass in it's overall sound, sort of reminded me of a Acoustic 360. My tone controls were treble at 3 o'clock, mid at 12 o'clock, and bass around 9 o'clock and my master right around 10 o'clock. Vintage is the word to describe this amp, if you are looking for a modern tone move on. My '67 Thunderbird just sings on the settings I used, notes on the D and G string were lively and full, the E string had lots of punch and growl. The overall tone is what gets me, I have used tube preamp pedals and earlier hybrid amps and the all sounded grainy to me, The Terror sounds warm and full. Another thing that impressed me was it's sound at relatively low volume, Punchy, gritty, with lots of life no notes dying on the fingerboard (always a problem for me at lower volume). This amp can do it all from rehearsal to small gigs and big venues. In the settings I have used it so far I like it better than my Hiwatt DR201 :o I can't wait to use it live, that direct out and the effects loop will greatly improve my FOH sound. I bough this amp for smaller venues and as a back up to the Hiwatts but I can certainly see me using it at larger gigs ;)
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WOW! I love this thing! I used it at rehearsal last night and it was a plug in and play kind of deal. Very, very easy to get a great tone with just a few tweaks.I set the gain at about 10 O'clock giving a nice warm overdrive, just enough not to much, it would be easy to get carried away because you can drive the snot out of this thing. For a SS amp it has a lot of inherent bass in it's overall sound, sort of reminded me of a Acoustic 360. My tone controls were treble at 3 o'clock, mid at 12 o'clock, and bass around 9 o'clock and my master right around 10 o'clock. Vintage is the word to describe this amp, if you are looking for a modern tone move on. My '67 Thunderbird just sings on the settings I used, notes on the D and G string were lively and full, the E string had lots of punch and growl. The overall tone is what gets me, I have used tube preamp pedals and earlier hybrid amps and the all sounded grainy to me, The Terror sounds warm and full. Another thing that impressed me was it's sound at relatively low volume, Punchy, gritty, with lots of life no notes dying on the fingerboard (always a problem for me at lower volume). This amp can do it all from rehearsal to small gigs and big venues. In the settings I have used it so far I like it better than my Hiwatt DR201 :o I can't wait to use it live, that direct out and the effects loop will greatly improve my FOH sound. I bough this amp for smaller venues and as a back up to the Hiwatts but I can certainly see me using it at larger gigs ;)
Sounds good! I'll call you next week to see if you're around on Tuesday. I should be done with the doc by noon. Maybe we could do lunch again.
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Bill, Sounds good. I look forward to it.
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Congrats Scott.
Ermm...
I hate to rain on your parade, but I absolutely had a problem with the complete lack of dynamics of this brave little monster. For the first time in my life I found myself creating some sort of difference between the loud parts and the not so loud parts in our songs with the volume knob on my bass.
And the DI was absolutely worthless. Beyond nine o clock all it gave was an ugly scratchy faux drive sound...
Maybe I had a monday morning model?
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I have not tried the DI so I can't comment on that. Live I found the amp to be everything I wanted it to be, I had no difficulty with dynamic range. It's rare that I can plug into a "modern" amp and get what I want out of it. This little brute delivered in spades for me. I have always said I can make anything sound like crap ;D