bass amplification/preamp questions

[ted]

Hey guys,

I've been pondering over this for some time, wonder if any experts can help me out. I've been considering buying a cheap bass head, but not the speakers cos' its not viable to drag all to a SG gig. However I'm a total NOOB when it comes to stuff like wattage and ohms and impedence etc...

So if I buy a head:

1) Am I able to connect to any brand/type of speaker cabinet?
2) Am I able to connect to a combo amp (without going through the combo's preamp)?
3) Is the power incompatible if I buy from some overseas site (e.g. ebay)?

or...should I just go the way of everyone else and buy a preamp/DI pedal like the Sansamp or Bassbone instead?

Thanks for your advice

[Stunotonyas]

1) brands not a problem.. the ohms and wattage of your head must be compatible to the speakers..
2) no problem.. same as 1)
3) if you get a head from overseas such as US or japan, wattage might be a problem, you'll need a transformer then..

then again... i dun really know much about speakers.. heh ;D

[glamgloom]

hey ted!!!! register!!!!

[Monsieur Gainsbourg]

I think this forum needs registration before you can post a thread...


Out forever.

[Pathein.Raindrop.Moe]

register or non register its ok

we are not out to

1) release ipo
2) start music school
3) get serious
4) gather kids full of idea with lotsa reading
5) share banners
6) spread the name
7) start compilation
8) bbq
9) help each other bro you bro me bro they bro bro
10) give discount

thanked you

[Stunotonyas]

hahahaha..

hey ted, what bass head are you thinking of getting?..

[Dodgy Conman]

pensionstate ted?

[ted trying to reply]

Ok guys I've tried the registration thing, it should be getting back to me soon so I can't post as 'ted', although I don't think I'm gear slut enuff to be here...

Atomic Kitchen > I'm kinda sick of getting a different sound at every gig, so I thought maybe a head can solve that - the Ashdown MAG 300H or the Gallen Krueger Backline 600 both look cheap and nice, but never tried them out yet.

I would love to get a Trace Elliot or an Ampeg, but I think those are out of my budget range lah, and I think most gigs should be 300 watts range anyhow.

Somehow I still have this impression that amp heads would be nicer than DI boxes, even if through XLR output, but I could be wrong.

Sansamp Rocks! > Yeah it's me! Who u?

Glamgloom > Dude, it's YOU right?

[Wookie]

ahhh.... pension state.... hi ted. this is edwin.

Getting a head... ahem... yeah a head... ahem.... ok ok

Most important thing is your question 1 and 2. The speaker cabs must match with the output impedance of your amp. I'm not sure if there are heads that have selectable output impedance.

How about using a Bass Pod or any of those simulator gizmos and the end of your pedal line into whatever amp on stage. Set those amps to as neutral as possible and do your tonal shaping on the simulator?

[ted awaiting registration]

hi Edwin! (all hail...i'mnotworthyi'mnotworthyi'mnotworthy...)

This is my fear:
I'm currently using an ibanez soundgear that has 3 band varimid stock pickups (active), and the on-board EQ is already enuff to give me a headache. if i go thru a bass pod, then thru to the preamp on the combo/head, then i'll have THREE sets of EQ to worry about. Wah kao! Which one to concentrate on??

Like guitars, I seem to notice that my sound will be good or suck with various amps. Like with Laneys, it almost always sound mediocre. That's why I thought if I get a head (ahem) or DI pedal then can always get the same sound with every rig I go through.

The Radial bassbone looks good - any comments from existing/previous owners? It doesn't have XLR out does it?

[Dodgy Conman]

muahahah! so easy to guess. You're the only Terence I know who calls himself Ted for short. I'M A GHOST FROM YOUR PAST FEAR FEAR FEAR ME!!

Anyway.

Get a head....get head...give...ahem ok.

If you're looking for a consistent sound, get an amp modeller stompbox. I've tried the Bass POD, the MXR Bass DI and the the Sansamp Bass DI. The Bass POD is nubbad BUT! *drum roll* THE SANSAMP BASS DI ROCKS! The MXR is ok too, though for that price range, the Sansamp one is better especially for your music (THIS IS FROM HANDS ON EXPERIENCE, NOT "I HEARD"). The Sansamp Bass DI allows you to shape your sound more than your bass EQ (assuming it has only Treble and Bass controls). There's a Prescence knob which is essential a Hi-Mid tweak and a Drive knob that adds some balls to your sound. Very nifty, considering that its quite mild and attack sensitive. Handy when you're switching from the quiet harmonics parts to the anacondajoescreamo part in "Beside Me"

Easier to bring a DI around especially if you're gonna do the occassional acoustic gig like the upcoming one at Blu Jaz cafe. If you're playing that day, I'll bring one for you to try. THEN YOU'LL KNOW WHO I AM! MUAHAHAHH!

Until then.....

SUSPENSE! HAHA!

Oh ya, you don't have to be a gear slut to hang here. Just be gay. Look at Edwin! Fits in like a strawberry flavoured condom!

[ted awaiting registration]

Sansamp Rocks > You are one scary person. It's spooky enough that you know me, but TO KNOW MY PARTS? Yikes!!

I've tried out the Bass POD too, but can't say I really liked it. Amp modelers to me seem like a bit of an overload of info. The MXR I tried out was prob a faulty one, cos' it seemed damn noisy and I don't think it was the active pickups at fault. Have you tried out the Sadowsky or Aguilar one?

I won't be playing the BluJazz gig, but thanks for your generous offer man, really appreciate it.

Hey btw does Singapore bring in that programmable Sansamp Bass DI?

[Wookie]

The sadowsky is more versatile than the aguilar but the aguilar... foooooh! BEEEG BEEEG BOTTTOMS....

now I'm being compared to a strawberry flavoured condom... fuck this sucks...

I'm outta here.

PEACE OUT.

[Stunotonyas]

hey if you free.. go and try out the HARTKE BASS ATTACK pedal... lotsa controls at a very good price..

[Wookie]

admin said:

hey if you free.. go and try out the HARTKE BASS ATTACK pedal... lotsa controls at a very good price..

hmmm.... tried it at your bottom, master?