Bassists, what do you use?

[EyesOfAnguishbassist]

Ok so I took this idea from Hawk on the drummer thread and I'm sure its been done before, but I thought it would be a cool thread for the bassists.. What cabs, head, bass, effects, etc. do you use for your live show??

I use a Fender American P bass through a Mesa Boogie 400+ head with an Ampeg 4x10 and Homemade Peavey 18" cabinet (the cabs are my singers though and Im going to purchase probably either an Ampeg 810, or Mesa Powerhouse soon hopefully or maybe even something Gallien Krueger, not really sure yet). And in my rack I have (besides the head of course) a Korg DTR-2 racktuner, Furman Power Conditioner, and Shure wireless system..

Lets hear it bassists!

[DrumAndDestroy]

i have a fender geddy lee jazz bass i used to use for shows and what not.

now i use a cheapo samick...a true workhorse and it sounds awesome. looks like a p-bass only slightly smaller.

i use an old crate combo amp of some kind. gets the job done.

[sunsetbass]

100 watt H&H bass head peavey 15" bottom cab. it's not much for now but it give me good stage sound. fender pro tone bass.

[moxham123]

My main gear is a 1983 (1st year issue) Steinberger bass, 1975 Music Man One-Thirty head, and a Carvin cabinet with two 15" EV speakers.

[bassist_25]

Basses

- Carvin LB75
- SX 5-string Jazz-copy (loaded with hum-cancelling Bartolinis)
- Squier Jazz Special 5
- (hopefully in about two weeks) Carvin Icon 5

Rack

- BBE Bmax preamp (SS version)
- QSC PLX1602 power amp
- Korg DTR-1000 tuner
- Furman PL-8 conditioner
- Shure VHF wireless system (can't remember the model number, I rarely use it)

Cabs

(x2) Aguilar S410
Aguilar GS112
Eden D115

I use different cabinet configurations depending on the venue and FOH situation. Larger stages (e.g., 30 Something), I'll almost always bring two cabs, usually both 4x10s. On smaller stages, I usually just bring a 4x10. If I don't have FOH support, I always bring the 1x12 in addition to a 4x10. *shamless plug * The Eden's for sale. I want to purchase another Aggie 1x12, which would give me a very modular cab solution for small-to-medium gigs.

Mesa Boogie 400+ head

NEVER SELL THAT THING! ...unless it's to me... Seriously though, Mesa doesn't make those anymore, and they are already such a classic in their own right, that I predict that they'll be sought after in a few years the same way vintage SVTs are sought after.

[jangel]

1963 Gibson Thunderbird

Ibenez Roadstar 2

Fender American delux P bass

I use a GK 200 RB Head
and a 15" EV scooped bottom

The bottom is a little much for what I play but I got a deal I couldn't pass up.

[RamRod 1]

I've mentioned this before on Rockpage (not to be too repetitive) but due to Arthritis issues with the fingers, I made a short scale 2 years ago from a "60's" Vox neck I got off ebay and I copied the "60's" Vox Phantom bass body. The Vox necks were really skinny and I put on some kind Ernie Ball "Funky" strings which were the thinest scale that I could find. Sorry but I forget the gauges.
If I use an amp (sometimes just plug into the Pa), I have a Hartke "Kickback 12" but if I have a big gig, I have a "60's" Vox Super Beatle".

Here's the bass.



The Beatle amp's the one on the left.


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[TJ Kelly]

Basses:

Sadowsky MS5

Carvin AC50

1950's Meisel Upright

Amp:

Markbass LM II

Markbass 104HR Standard 410 Cab

[MOONDOGGY]

Basses:
Sadowsky MS5
Carvin AC50
1950's Meisel Upright

Amp:
Markbass LM II
Markbass 104HR Standard 410 Cab

I'd love to try that Sadowsky sometime! And I can't believe that Carvin hasn't sold yet. Their Koa basses are usually pretty hot items as are the AC50s. I'd love to take that off your hands if I weren't forced to be in a non-buying scenario.

Here's most of my arsenal:

- '92-'95 Yamaha TRB-6P
- mid 90's Spector NS5CRFM
- Hamer Chaparral 12
- Fender/Warmoth/Moses fretless mutt Jazz
- LeFay Piccolo bass
- '84-'85 Gibson Explorer Shadow (needs restored)
- Andreas Basking Shark 5 (in California for work)
- '91 Modulus TBX 5 (just got it....more to come)
- Martin Artinger 1 acoustic
- and for my B-day, I just got a cheap Cello to mess around with!!!!!

As for amps, I just let go of my Mesa Basis M-2000. It is selling locally, so if you want to see/hear it or find out who's buying it, you'll just have to start going to more local shows! It got replaced with an Ampeg SVT-4 PRO. I'm running it thru a Schroeder 1212R and a custom Low Down Sound 3x8 cab. If I need a single full-range cab, I've been using my Schroeder 1210R (which is for sale along with the Hamer and Martin!!!! [/end *Shameless Plug*]).

[JackANSI]

Basses:
3 Yamaha BBN-5's all natural satin finish
- 1 1995 with tons of crap done to it. (what I try crazy/stupid ideas on)
- 1 1994 with just electronics done to it (my main)
- 1 1994 BBN5-A new old stock (as they say), still has film on the plastic bits, mint.

1963 Klira 30" scale (best bluegrass monster around)

1983 G&L L2000

Ibanez SR506 fretless

Dean Pace Bass

Combo Amps:
1978 Fender Bassman 10
Fender Bassman 100 combo

Amp Heads:
2 Ashdown MAG300's

Power Amps:
2 Behringer EP1500 (did you know that these and the similarly spec'd QSC RMX1450 are identical on the inside?)
1 Behringer EP2500 (indentical to QSC RMX2450)

Preamp:
Tech21 RBI

Effects:
Behringer PEQ2200
1996 BBE 362NR (bit hissy, but the warmer sounding v1 processor)
Alesis dirty-six-dirty (3630) compressor (black lion modified)
Boss ME50B
Boss Bass OD
MXR M188 Auto-Q
X2 Digital wireless


Notes:

Basses:
I love my yamahas, but they are an aquired taste. I doubt anyone would really like playing the BBN series that much. If you have the means the TRB series is oh so sweet.

Since screwing around with Paul's Carvin for a few minutes before the RPJ, I think I'm going to get me one of those next. Nothing so far has impressed me that much as that thing. Its slightly different in measurements than what I'm used to, but might be worth retraining for.


Power Amps:
Not that QSC or behringer are any better than anything else or each other, but behringer's prices are the closest to a real value than any other power amp. But they still only pay about 65$ for the parts and labor in the EP1500 and mark it up to $300. Power amps (especially those lightweight ones with switching power suppies) are seriously over-priced in general. Add a brand name and a bass preamp to the mix and the price can be well over 15X what the parts/labor cost.

Best advice I can give anyone: Buy the preamp for the tone you like (even if it has a poweramp, you don't have to use that in most cases) and buy the power amp to fit the cabinet you like. If your cabinet can take 400W RMS, get a 900W RMS or larger amp. It will sound/perform better when your power amp has some headroom and isn't working like a dog.

[moxham123]

I also have a 1975 4001 stereo Rickenbacker bass, a 1971 3/4 scale neck Epiphone bass, and a 1976 Acoustic 370 head that needs to be repaired. Anybody know somebody who can fix a solid state Acoustic head?

[Banned]

Basses, Ibanez ATK and an Ibanez Soundgear. Love the ATK. The neck's alot beefier than the Soundgear (Much like the neck on my old Gibson Ripper).

Amp, Carvin R1000 Series III

Cabs, Carvin 4x10 (x2)

I usually use both cabs and bridge the head to run 1000w @ 4 ohms.
I've read that many people have had problems with the R1000, but mine's been performing flawlessly for 6 years now (Keeping fingers crossed). I love the sound of this head so I hope it holds up for a long time.

[Thornmoon]

Basses:

Main bass - Mike Lull M5V:

Conklin GTBD 7:

Stambaugh SCNT8 & Benavente SCD 5:

My main rig is a Roland DB-700 combo that I go DI out to the board for live apps.

In the studio I use either a Johnson J Station or SansAmp Bass Driver DI

The only effects I use are an EBS Octabass and maybe a touch of chorus on occasion.. I'm very much a minimalist in my setup...

bass ------> cord ------> amp

[EyesOfAnguishbassist]

Mesa Boogie 400+ head

NEVER SELL THAT THING! ...unless it's to me... Seriously though, Mesa doesn't make those anymore, and they are already such a classic in their own right, that I predict that they'll be sought after in a few years the same way vintage SVTs are sought after.

I definetly never will.. its by far the best sounding head Ive ever owned and one of the best ive heard ever.. only paid 500$ for it off a friend too

[Thornmoon]

Basses:

Sadowsky MS5

Nice!! I'd love to have one of those... Along with a M5-24....

[bassist_25]

custom Low Down Sound 3x8 cab.

Dan, what's your thoughts on the LDS cab? I almost bought one of their neo-loaded cabinets a few years ago. They make some very cool looking stuff, and their custom prices seem to be about the same that you'd pay for any other high-quality production line cabinet.

Best advice I can give anyone: Buy the preamp for the tone you like (even if it has a poweramp, you don't have to use that in most cases) and buy the power amp to fit the cabinet you like. If your cabinet can take 400W RMS, get a 900W RMS or larger amp. It will sound/perform better when your power amp has some headroom and isn't working like a dog.

That was the approach that I took when building my rig, and I'm really glad that I did. Upgrading has ultimately been much easier (and cheaper). The preamp has been the only constant in my rig since when I first went from a combo amp to a stack. On the other hand, in addition to a rack system, I would like a small and good-sounding head (like a G-K) as it would ultimately be much easier to bring to a rehearsal or a jam session. When I have a little bit of extra coin to throw around, I'm definitely planning on picking something up to use in those types of situations.

BTW Rob, you're welcome to check out my Icon 5 once it gets here...the card says that it will be done in about eight more days. I'm as giddy as a school girl about it.

Benavente SCD 5

I came really close to pulling the trigger on a 219 a few months ago, but ultimately ended up going with an Icon 5 as I'm a Carvin dude. The 219 was quite a sweet bass though. It really reminded me of a Warwick Dolphin.

[Thornmoon]

Benavente SCD 5

I came really close to pulling the trigger on a 219 a few months ago, but ultimately ended up going with an Icon 5 as I'm a Carvin dude. The 219 was quite a sweet bass though. It really reminded me of a Warwick Dolphin.

I hear ya.. I'm a Carvin fan from way back!! Had one of the 5 string Brunel sigs and it's the only bass I've ever regretted selling..


I'm really gassing for another one... Or two or three...

[horse_WDE]

Bassses


3 Fender American P Basses.
1 50th Anniversary Blonde. Sweetest bass I have
1 3 Tone with S-1 switch (what a joke that switch is)
1 White Standard

1 Fender American J
3 Tone with a tortise shell guard. Sounds great, don't care for the
tapered neck that much

1 Gibson Thunderbird Studio
Heritage Cherry

1 Squier P bass First bass I ever owned

1 OLD ass bass. Its a mid to late 50's, and I have no idea who made it. Sounds like a fretless stand up bass. RARELY ever sees the light of day. Pretty cool to have in the arsenal though.

I alternate depending on what I feel like that night


Rack:

Furman Power Conditioner
Ampeg SVT-4 Pro Head
Korg Rack Tuner
AKG Guitar Bug wireless


Cab:

Ampeg SVT810E Classic cab

Since I suck, and bottom end and punch is all I am after, this is the shit for me. I leave the mids and clarity for those of you who are actually good at playing.

[JackANSI]

My main rig is a Roland DB-700 combo that I go DI out to the board for live apps.

The best sounding bass combos I've ever heard all came from roland.

i'm still dying to get ahold of a decently priced D-210.


And I noticed I left cabs out of my list.

Down to 2 Ashdown MAG410D's, 1 modified (individually boxed and ported each speaker)

Down to 1 Ashdown ABM15C

A few home made and customized jobs that never leave the basement anymore 1 - 4x10 with hartke drivers, 1 - 18 with an EV driver.

Two incomplete boxes waiting for speakers and finishing a 2 x 12 (Genz-Benz copy) and a 2 x 10/1 x 12 (in the vein of the whappo jr.)

[RamRod 1]

I also have a 1975 4001 stereo Rickenbacker bass, a 1971 3/4 scale neck Epiphone bass, and a 1976 Acoustic 370 head that needs to be repaired. Anybody know somebody who can fix a solid state Acoustic head?

Dyane, those "Acoustic's" were great bass amps. Get it fixed.

[MOONDOGGY]

+1 on the Acoustic heads. That was one of my first amps and I ran it thru a Cerwin Vega 118 cab. I wish I still had it just for nostalgia sake. I was too young and stupid to realize what a cool sound I could get from that rig!



And Paul, that LDS cab is great. It has three 8"ers, one 6" and a selenium tweeter (whatever selenium is!). It is great for upper end and it's punchy. I haven't really had a chance to mess around with using it as a stand alone cab. I'm willing to bet it would sound pretty darn good as a full range cab. They seem like they were going for that Phil Jones philosophy with this cab where bigger is not always better. LDS experiments with tons of different speaker configurations (pretty much whatever crazy idea the customer can come up with) as I'm sure you know. However, I'd get rid of this LDS cab long before I ever thought of getting rid my 1212R Schroeder cab. I can't say enough good stuff about those cabs!

[Thornmoon]

My main rig is a Roland DB-700 combo that I go DI out to the board for live apps.

The best sounding bass combos I've ever heard all came from roland.

I had some problems with it in the beginning (more than 6 years ago), even had to send it back to the company once. Since then however, it's worked great! Sounds great too!! Has that signature Roland chorus built in!!

May look into getting a new rig when the band J and I are in get ready to start gigging.. Looking into the Carvin BRX series..

[Baceman Spiff]

I have a Dean Demonator, and a bored out Rogue 5 string. My amp is a Behringer BXL-3000, 300watt combo. Nothin to brag about, but it gets the job done.

[JackANSI]

BTW Rob, you're welcome to check out my Icon 5 once it gets here...the card says that it will be done in about eight more days. I'm as giddy as a school girl about it.

I'm starting to look around at all the stuff I don't use frequently (like the G&L) and pondering a sale or two to get a Carvin 4-string...

If you ever want to sell your old Carvin keep me in mind. Long shot I know, but...

[bassist_25]

I shall, Rob, but not to sound all fruity - I really do have a spriritual connection with that bass. It's my "Lucille," so to speak. I pick it up and the neck's just there, you know? It has a few character dings on it, and I like it that way. I've played a ton of gigs with it (haven't taken it into a studio yet, though). I want to play it so much that it looks like one of those worn pre-CBS Fenders. I'm not talking beat to hell from being abused, but rather, worn down past the primer in a few select spots from having my hand lay on a certain part of the body or where my fingers continually struck over and over again throughout the years.

Wow, this really sounds like a Songsmith stream of consciousness post.

Edit: Here's one of my favorite photos of the Carvin and me. I just love looking at good pictures of it. LOL You can even see all of the finger smudges on it. I just love that kind of shit.


I'm probably telling you something that you already know, but Carvins can be had for decent prices on Ebay if you look hard enough. Of course, they are still reasonably priced at what you'd pay for a nice high-end Fender or MTD if you go brand new. What model are you thinking of?