| Author | Message | ||
| bassplayer2106
Junior Username: bassplayer2106 Post Number: 30 Registered: 5-2005 |
Hi - I've used all makes over the last 20 years -Trace elliot,Ashdown,SWR but for me my new EBS rig is fantastic.They are so 'clear' sounding,they just amplify your bass without colouring the sound. | ||
| christov
New Username: christov Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2005 |
I have been partial to SWR professional series for many years. Currently I have downsized to a Super Redhead, and I love the portability and tone. The 2X10 combo amp is also 400 watts with a tube preamp, and a balanced XLR line out that is selectable to either direct or line. I prefer the line selection because the tone of the amp is then send to the house mix instead of being a pre eq/preamp selection. | ||
| jetbass79
Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 56 Registered: 2-2005 |
I suppose it depends on what kind of sound you're after. Alembic instruments present a very clean, clear kind of tone. Through an SVT type of amp you get the angriest bass sound on the planet, and you know what, it's a very good combination. I wasn't exactly sure how well it would work, but for a lo-fi sound (as opposed to what people have mentioned above) it sounds awesome. Very balanced and you can hear every note clearly. I do admit I would like to have a more hi fi rig at some point, particularly for fretless bass. | ||
| alanbass1
Member Username: alanbass1 Post Number: 91 Registered: 4-2005 |
I simply love SVT's. I used to have one but the weight is just too much and I went over to solid state. I use a TL Audio valve compressor and this can dial in some of the 'SVT Dirt' without sounding fuzzy or loose definition (which is exactly the strength of an SVT- grind with definition), so I don't think I could go back and lug that lump of iron around again. | ||
| howierd
Junior Username: howierd Post Number: 32 Registered: 8-2004 |
I bought a used SVT 8-10 cabinet in the early 70's and a few years later got the SVT head to go with it,But after I got my 77 series I, I traded the head for an F2B pre amp and the guy also gave me $100.00 That was a good deal at the time.But "oooooohhhhh" how I wish I had that old SVT head. That combination was awesome. Howierd | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 242 Registered: 3-2004 |
I've used Trace Elliots in numerous configurations over the last few years, and I get my best sound through one 4x10 and one 2x15, bi-amped, using an AH600SMX head. I'd use more since that head can handle it but I'm rarely playing stadiums these days.  Yes Traces do have their own 'distinctive' sound, but you can dial that out if you want and get the true tone of your bass. My Alembics sound incredible through this rig - lively, responsive, deep and clear. I'm excited that the brand is making a comeback! Mike | ||
| beelee
Member Username: beelee Post Number: 65 Registered: 11-2004 |
I 've been using SWR gear since 1998, tho I don't always play my Alembic, only cause its fretted and a 5 string, some material I play requires me to use a fretless and a 6 string bass. I use a SM-900, SM-500, and a Super Redhead Combo I have 2 Goliath III 410 cabs, 2 SOB 115 cabs, Big Ben 118 and a Triad 3 way 15/10/ Horn, I have never played through the whole thing......I usually mix N match components depending on the size of the venue and experiment to see what sounds good at different places. I just got the Triad about 6 mos ago, its an older one I picked up used from Ebay, sounds real nice. My Alembic Series I 5 strng w/ SII electronics sounds good through anything tho, can't wait till my new custom arrives. B. | ||
| jetbass79
Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 61 Registered: 2-2005 |
My only concern with the Trace stuff was reliability. I had a 150W head that sounded really good until it started making funky crackling sounds and then finally went dead just after the warranty expired... I didn't have the money to fix it then so away it went. I have also experienced this kind of thing with their more expensive gear. I did buy a used 1x10" cabinet for use as an extension for my SWR Workingman's 10. I call it the "ghetto stack" but it works for band practices. I hate to say it but the Trace amps remind me (in terms of reliability) of British cars. I hope they make them again more reliable than before. | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 220 Registered: 7-2002 |
As amps go I have had the same Eden WT-300 since 94' and it has only gone down once( it was nice enough to do so right after the gig!)A defective power resistor on the preamp board. One call to Eden's tech dept. pointed me right to it! 50 cents later and a little solder work on my part and it was ready the next day. I run this head with an SF-2 in the effects loop and out to two Euphonic Audio cabs. These are tiny little cabs that really put out a great uncolored sound sound without keeping your chiropractor in business. Unfotunately they don't make these models anymore: VL-110, one ten ,one five and a tweeter, VL-208, two eights ,two fives and tweeter, but you can still find them around on Ebay and I believe Bass Central had some new ones. As far as other amps that I think really compliment Alembics: Trace, yes! GK, absolutely! (especially the 1001RB two ten combo) and strangely enough, I have heard some Peaveys that were a good match. Also, I was able to dial in a very nice tone with my Europa from a Mesa Walkabout/Scout combo. | ||
| gare
Advanced Member Username: gare Post Number: 227 Registered: 11-2003 |
I think any good quality, reliable amp, once dialed in work well with Alembics. That seems evident from the posts of the variety used. Depends on the taste of sound you're after. Hi-fi, growly sounding, etc. So far I've run my Excel thru a Mesa 400+, nice ballsy amp..see above reference to chiropracter. A Mesa Walkbout and Basis M-2000 head. And have gotten nice sounds from all. I even yanked out an old Vox AC 100 head, Fender pre CBS Bassman, Furman PQ3, Crown and SAE power amps. Various combo's of speakers, 4x10, 2x10, 2x12, 1x15, and 1x12/1x10/+horn cabinet. And gotten nice sounds from all..all different. I'm currently working with the M-2000/Schroeder 1210 combo, and still exploring the possibilites. The Walkabout/Schroeder combo was also nice, small and light. I was also amazed that I got a decent sound out of just a Tech 21 bass driver pedal. And one day I hope to get an FX-1 and SF-2 to add into the mix. Anyway..that's my .25 | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 245 Registered: 3-2004 |
Jet, Sounds like you got some lemons as far as Trace stuff goes. I have had several different Trace heads, cabinets, and combo amps over the last few years, and have never had any issues whatsoever. I've only made cosmetic changes to used cabinets such as putting on new corners or new logos. By the way, there is an outfit here in the US called British Audio Service, that offers replacement parts of all sorts for Trace Elliot gear, as well as Gibson Goldtone amps and Echoplex equipment. Check them out at www.britishaudioservice.com. Prompt service and attention from these folks. Cheers, Mike | ||
| alanbass1
Member Username: alanbass1 Post Number: 96 Registered: 4-2005 |
The new Trace gear looks interesting, very much back to their classic era in design and features. | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 246 Registered: 3-2004 |
Yes it does, doesn't it? Now you guys have me thinking about getting an SF-2. Alan - you think I should get one for what I do? Mike | ||
| ajdover
Advanced Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 232 Registered: 11-2003 |
Mike, An SF-2 works wonders for any bass. It's especially useful for non-Alembics - really brings out tonal options you could only dream of without it, and you can really dial in anything you want. Now that I have one in my rig, I couldn't imagine going without it. Get one and you won't be sorry. Think of it as having Series II electronics, but with the option of going high, low, or bandpass at your leisure. It will make your Spyder come even more alive. Alan | ||
| palembic
Senior Member Username: palembic Post Number: 2056 Registered: 9-2002 |
Hi brother Mike, with an SF-2 you can "play bass behind a corner". Ever played in a club where the public is in the long part of an <L> and the band in the short part???? CAn you imagine it?? Can you guess what your bass would sound like in the end of that L??? An SF-2 "shapes" bass sound wonderfully, any bass, even the Woyasukixuder of your little nephew. But ...it's all in the tweaking ...and patience ...patience ... Paul the ol' bad one (Message edited by palembic on July 10, 2005) (Message edited by palembic on July 10, 2005) | ||
| ox_junior
Advanced Member Username: ox_junior Post Number: 247 Registered: 3-2004 |
Paul TBO and Alan, This SF-2 sounds pretty cool. And yes, Paul, I have played in a configuration like you're talking about. My little brother has one of those Wyzlplzkian basses you're talking about - perhaps I'll give him an SF-2 for Christmas if he's a good lad....and then I'll give myself one! I'll look for one on e-bay. Cheers, Mike Bisch | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 553 Registered: 4-2004 |
dont laugh i use a fender rumble 15"/150 watt and for 300 bucks go find a better one- sounds real good in small clubs for outdoor gigs i bought the deads wall of sound on ebay-lol | ||
| jetbass79
Member Username: jetbass79 Post Number: 63 Registered: 2-2005 |
Please, nothing is more ghetto than an SWR Workingman's 10 and a Trace 1x10" cabinet that I use for practice. I'm waiting for the Workingman's 10 to blow up one of these days. The input jack has always been loose and I have had the thing for nearly 5 years. It kills me it hasn't failed -- yet. My SVT classic pulls live duties and does so with authority. | ||
| bstark110
New Username: bstark110 Post Number: 5 Registered: 8-2003 |
Like others in this discussion, I use SWR. I get all of the power and portability that I need for the kind of gigs I do. Here's my rig: SWR SM-500 Head Goliath III 4X10 Cabinet (for gigs) Goliath Jr 2X10 Cabinet (for practice & small gigs) I play the Spoiler 5 String and a Series I 5 string. I gotta tell you, Its a combination hard to beat, and people have no problem hearing and feeling the bass! | ||
| jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko Post Number: 282 Registered: 10-2002 |
Well, after all the guff earlier about moving away from trace and building an Eden rig, I've just bought an excellent condition used Trace 1x15 cabinet to sit under my 4x10. Should arrive tomorrow or Friday. can't wait to 'feel' what it sounds like - probably at my next gig on wednesday. Looks like the eden rig will have to wait a while. graeme | ||
| ginobass
New Username: ginobass Post Number: 3 Registered: 8-2005 |
I use a 'vintage' (ca.1978) Ashly pre-amp and a QSC power amp (which replaced my BGW which I sold a long time ago -like an idiot). No effects, but I'd like to get some type of digital delay/reverb for some depth sometime soon here. For speakers I built 2 EV-TL 15 inch vented cabs and loaded my also 'vintage' JBL K140 and JBL 2135's into them. Seems to do the trick. Although I am lusting for those Bergantino cabs.... | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 453 Registered: 10-2003 |
I recently picked up an Ampeg B5-R head and a Kustom Groove Bass 410H cabinet. They sound great together and move plenty of air. I am quite happy with the setup, as is my Series I (it seldom complains about anything though). I'm playing mostly rock-through-the-ages stuff, with a range of tones from Hofner-esque to, well, Entwistle-ish, fingers and pick, and the system does them all with aplomb. And I can lift them. John | ||
| rockbassist
New Username: rockbassist Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2005 |
I am using a Gallien Krueger 1001RB-II running biamped through a GK 410RBH and a GK 115RBH. In the past I have tried Ampeg SVT's, SWR, Hartke,and many others. I love the way this GK set up sounds with my Alembic and my 76 Precision. | ||
| jlpicard
Advanced Member Username: jlpicard Post Number: 230 Registered: 7-2002 |
I'm with you on GK! Coincidently, I've just returned from a local store after spending time with a 1001RBIII two ten combo. My Seried II went from a great round finger tone to a killer slap tone, to a nasal Jaco, to a big warm dub tone all with just minor EQ tweaking. Very nice! | ||
| hasadari
Member Username: hasadari Post Number: 53 Registered: 6-2005 |
I use a Mesa Engineering M-Pulse 360 and Mesa Engineering 4x10 + horn cab. Simply awesome and very flexible. Between the flexibility of my Alembicsd and flexibility of the amp, I can get almost any sound imaginable. | ||
| mpisanek
Junior Username: mpisanek Post Number: 28 Registered: 1-2005 |
I use an F1x into a QSC 2402 and power 2 Eden 2x10 XST cabs. The sound is ncredible. Both my Spoiler 6 and upright 6 sound great through it. It is great to have a rig that can be used in both small and medium sized venues. This rig will even work in very large venues. Sound is clean and crystal clear. | ||
| karl
Member Username: karl Post Number: 51 Registered: 7-2002 |
Has anybody here tried one of those Phil Jones Briefcase amps with their Alembic? I'm looking for something more portable than my current rig and it struck me that I honestly can't remember the last time I played a gig where I didn't have a direct line out the back of my amp to the PA. So all that stuff I carry round with me is just for onstage sound . . . Anyway, I'd love to hear anyone's opinions on the Briefcase thing. For the record, my current rig is a Hartke 3500 head into a Hartke 210XL and a Hartke 115VX. And I don't like the way it sounds with my Alembic - Fine for my other basses, but makes the Alembic sound a bit boxy and brittle somehow. I need something warmer, to bring out the rich bottom end of the Alembic nicely. K. | ||
| jacko
Advanced Member Username: jacko Post Number: 301 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey Karl. That little amp you 'borrowed' up here a couple of weeks ago sounded fantastic - EH or something if I recall correctly. Might be worth looking into. I believe the distributer is Overwater. On a similar (but slightly different) tack, I'd be interested to hear what everyone uses for practising - Mrs J isn't that happy when I unpack the trace elliot. Graeme (Message edited by jacko on September 02, 2005) | ||
| karl
Member Username: karl Post Number: 52 Registered: 7-2002 |
Hi Graeme, Heh, funny thing about that EA amp I borrowed: halfway through that gig you heard, I noticed it 'farting', like the speaker was about to blow. Gain and volume were both on 3, so it wasn't like I was overdriving it. Tried turning it down, but then I just couldn't hear it, so we soldiered on with the onstage farting and got to the end of the set intact. But the next night, it started off fine, farted for a bit then actually went dead about two thirds of the way through the gig - the head was still working but the speaker had died, so I had nothing onstage at all. I had to ask the sound guy to patch some bass back through my vocal monitor, which was enough for me to hear what I was doing. So, anyway, after being initially impressed with that little amp, this experience put me off getting one of those! (Also, the damn thing had too many controls - little eqs for each eq band! Couldn't get my head round it at all - I can only just visualise what my Alembic controls do - I can't be dealing with all those other eq options too . . .) K. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2297 Registered: 5-2002 |
Karl; there have been a number of previous threads mentioning Phil Jones equipment, you might want to run a search and see if any are helpful. I did glance at one where a fellow club member gives a review of the suitcase. |
