Incoming Bass Amp Question... did I make a good decision?

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MetalThrasher

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As some of you know I recently started playing bass about a week or so ago. I was supposed to get my brother's bass amp, but he wants to hold on to it which is fine by me. I've been playing the bass through a pedal board with a 30-watt power amp pedal through a tiny 1x8 orange cab. Don't laugh it's getting me by for now. I just ordered an Ampeg SVT VR stack today. This will be my first bass amp setup! Did I do the right thing? My budget was about 800. Don't want to spend the big bucks unless I know I'm totally into playing bass.
 
I played guitar or bass back in the day depending on the band or the situation. I had a full stack all ADA guitar rig and a full ADA bass rig. I also had other bits and pieces, including Trace Elliot bass preamps (SMX-GP12, and MP-11 - which I still have)

My last bass amp was a TC Electronic RH450 rig, which are worth a look. If you want a traditional bass amp that sounds good at a reasonable price, I think the current Trace Elliot gear is great for the price:

https://www.sweetwater.com/trace-elliot-elf/series

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ELF110C--trace-elliot-elf-200-with-1x10-inch-bass-combo-amp


If you have a powered PA or computer rig, the Trace Elliot transit b is worth a look. I'd start with this if you don't need an amp
 
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MetalThrasher said:
Will this do for basement jamming?
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Absorootly bro'.

SVTmicroStack-large-1079708588.jpeg


I used to run a Peavy MkIV head and 1810 bin (1x18 and 2x10) back in the '80s.

In retrospect, I could have done without the 18" speaker 'cause during gigs you need more midrange so you can hear what the Hell you're playing... IMHO.

The best gig sound I ever had was when I had to borrow a 2x12 JBL cab and use it instead of the 1810. I clearly heard every note and played the best I'd ever done at a gig. Really opened my eyes. Was in my late teens and of course had invested top dollar in wanting to pump out SPL's.
 
I thought about this when I got my last Vass rig. Also looked at the portaflex.ended up getting a hartke lh500. Those are just killer for the old school thrash tones.

I used a friend's peavey century for a bit and it was really cool.
 
rsm said:
I played guitar or bass back in the day depending on the band or the situation. I had a full stack all ADA guitar rig and a full ADA bass rig. I also had other bits and pieces, including Trace Elliot bass preamps (SMX-GP12, and MP-11 - which I still have)

My last bass amp was a TC Electronic RH450 rig, which are worth a look. If you want a traditional bass amp that sounds good at a reasonable price, I think the current Trace Elliot gear is great for the price:

https://www.sweetwater.com/trace-elliot-elf/series

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ELF110C--trace-elliot-elf-200-with-1x10-inch-bass-combo-amp


If you have a powered PA or computer rig, the Trace Elliot transit b is worth a look. I'd start with this if you don't need an amp
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The ADA MB-1 was bad ass !! I think Claypool used one early on !
 
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Amps that were great bang for the buck I sold in the late 90’s were Hartke’s. They had multiple power ranges and they were all very reasonably priced and sounded pretty good. Gotta say, apart from wanting a tube head I don’t need anything more than my GK800RB. Thing is over 30 years old and it’s just on the money for me. They are still good buys on the used market. This and an SVT would be it for me.
 
How are you guys running pedals through a bass amp? I have a compression pedal, OD, and a preamp pedal for this ready to go! Would I run the pedals like this? Bass --- compression --- OD front of amp. Preamp pedal in the loop?
 
MetalThrasher said:
How are you guys running pedals through a bass amp? I have a compression pedal, OD, and a preamp pedal for this ready to go! Would I run the pedals like this? Bass --- compression --- OD front of amp. Preamp pedal in the loop?
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OD definitely in front. Depending on what levels the compressor can handle you could experiment in the loop but most common would be in front. Depending on how the amp takes boosts the compressor may also work well as a boost in the front.
 
Do you put the compressor before or after the OD? I would think before.
 
MetalThrasher said:
Do you put the compressor before or after the OD? I would think before.
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Try both ways and see what you like. Probably compressor first. If the OD has strong EQ on it and you utilize that EQ, before the OD would be better. Some OD’s respond well to being boosted themselves which if you goose the output of the compressor would happen. You’re not going to blow anything up, so try everything.
 
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