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Hey, long time no talk! My July has been jam packed with moving, family in the hospital, preparing for a CD release show, and just working a whole bunch. I have basically just been checking in on ILF as a mod, and thats lame... But I am back, and wouldn't mind a few pointers on bass gear!

Goals: To go from booty shaking sub bass like in the Gorillaz track below to more open/basic punk/alt. riffage ala Savages. The latter is easily achieved with the bass I have chosen and tweaking the tone knob for treble response. I want to start/join a project by the end of the year where I can play music without the responsibilities of being the main band leader/songwriter.

Bass of choice: Butterscotch blonde Squier Classic Vibe 50's Precision Bass. A used one came into work priced under the cost of a new one, I played it through multiple amps, loved how it felt and it seemed to provide a good base to build the sound I am looking for.

Amp: This is where I need help. Looking for something inexpensive and loud, like everybody is I am sure. Can be a combo or a half stack, 1x15, 2x10, 4x10 preferred. Lightweight amps like the new Fender Rumble series are tempting too. New or used.

Effects: I imagine a Sansamp and some sort of compression? I obviously have plenty of fuzz options if needed. I am wondering if a sub-octave pedal would get me closer to that Gorillaz vibe. Any comp or sub recommendations?

Gorillaz reference:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU6AD3-rLF0[/youtube]

Savages reference:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL7uHhCo4qw[/youtube]

You could probably get both of those tones pretty easily with something like a used G&K 700/800rb and a decent 410 or 215.

You'll need some sort of sub octave synth pedal.

BoatRich wrote:You could probably get both of those tones pretty easily with something like a used G&K 700/800rb and a decent 410 or 215.

This or any SS amp from the 70s. Just troll for an 800RB or Acoustic head and then a matching cab.

PV KVLT

I'm going totally recommend a pedal preamp (sansamp/rusty box) -> poweramp (mine is a carvin dcm but look on CL ones can be had for cheap now a days) -> cab (get a 4x10 at a minimum), setup. That's what works for me. Whats your actual price range?

bronzetalon wrote:I'm going totally recommend a pedal preamp (sansamp/rusty box) -> poweramp (mine is a carvin dcm but look on CL ones can be had for cheap now a days) -> cab (get a 4x10 at a minimum), setup. That's what works for me. Whats your actual price range?

As much as it takes, I figure I would shuffle around gear and money until I get what I want.

Strange Tales wrote:

BoatRich wrote:You could probably get both of those tones pretty easily with something like a used G&K 700/800rb and a decent 410 or 215.

This or any SS amp from the 70s. Just troll for an 800RB or Acoustic head and then a matching cab.

Ooooh, I did play a GK 700 at work the other day and it was pretty louuuuud and tasty.

UglyCasanova wrote:You'll need some sort of sub octave synth pedal.

Thats what I suspected. Much sub is wanted.

D.o.S. wrote:PV KVLT

What are some solid Peavey Bass heads/cabs?

The 80s Peavey cabs weigh 10000 suns (like all bass cabs), but you can't break them and they sound awesome. I use a 215 and it's just so fucking juicy. There is also a cab with 2 10" and 1 18" speaker that probably sounds better, never heard one myself though.

Strange Tales wrote:The 80s Peavey cabs weigh 10000 suns (like all bass cabs), but you can't break them and they sound awesome. I use a 215 and it's just so fucking juicy. There is also a cab with 2 10" and 1 18" speaker that probably sounds better, never heard one myself though.

I just want to emphasize that 1x15 just isint enough IMO you need at least 4x10 or 2x15 or more to really get by.

PumpkinPieces wrote:

UglyCasanova wrote:You'll need some sort of sub octave synth pedal.

Thats what I suspected. Much sub is wanted.

Well, the reissue DOD Meatbox should be out soon. Though not that cheap, it definitely is an awesome sub synth on bass. I think Juan used one when playing with Mars Volta when I saw them live a couple of years ago. That thing goes loooooooooow.

something loud and clean with headroom (so, Peavey basically) so you can boost the lows with something like a meatbox and get your actual grind and tone with a distortion pedal. To get subby lows you're wanting to move a LOT of air so barring finding a cheap SVT 8x10 I'd be looking into a 2x15 or even one of those old Acoustic folded horn 1x18s. 15s would be preferable though because they're a good compromise between handling low end and sounding great warmed up with a distortion pedal.

Old GK's and Acoustics are GREAT, FUCKING FANSTASTIC amps. Seriously good stuff. What I would prefer to use as a bass head over an old Peavey personally. But I feel like neither of them really have the headroom to push low end if you really want to get super dubby. To do that you need decent clean power. The GK's I personally find lack volume, Acoustics all sound incredible but maybe the breakup and distortion that's the whole charm of them won't work? I used Acoustic bass heads for years and love them, but always mixed one with something else (usually Ampeg) to push my low end. This was playing in a band that was very loud and I wanted my bottom end to be shaking beer glasses off the bar. For the versatility you require maybe it's better to go something that you can use as a blank slate and then shape with pedals. As much as I find stuff like the old Peavey MK's lack personality, this is what they excel at. I've heard those big old Earth Sound Research heads are good at that too.

If you're wanting to buy new look into some of those 800watt class d portable things like the ampeg portaflex maybe?

I am going to recommend that you seriously consider an old GK head and a big speaker or two. i got a 200RCB for a hundred bucks and at 100w it drives this Aguilar 115 amazingly and keeps up with two guitars and synth and drums juuuust fine. Such good tones from GK always

Strange Tales wrote:There is also a cab with 2 10" and 1 18" speaker that probably sounds better, never heard one myself though.

Don't get one of those, they are big, and a pain to maneuver, and are only rated for 250 watts. I never thought that cab sounded good. Maybe that's why they don't make them anymore.

I've heard there are two kinds of PV 2x15, one is a little bit deeper box (so, it has better low end).

For bass, more is better. More power, more cabs, more speakers. Over at Talk Bass they recommend having all your speaker cabs be the same (don't mix speaker sizes). The good part about that is your setup can be modular (small rig for small club, big rig for big club). And you can start with one cab, then buy another if needed.

Meat Box!

I Got myself an older GK 300RBIII head and a beat up Ampeg SVT 410HLF cab. Cheap and super efficient, with the right bass it sounds like a million bucks imo.

Come to think of it...Why do I still not have a cheap p-bass??

K2000 wrote:

Strange Tales wrote:There is also a cab with 2 10" and 1 18" speaker that probably sounds better, never heard one myself though.

Don't get one of those, they are big, and a pain to maneuver, and are only rated for 250 watts. I never thought that cab sounded good. Maybe that's why they don't make them anymore.

Really? Well no shit. I bought my 215 from a guy who was selling this one as well. Glad I went with the 215 over that then!