Talk to me about bass amps. G-K, Ampeg, etc.

[VH4_BigRig]

Hey guys, I did a search and didn't come up with much but I know there's a number of bass players out there...I've been GASing for a G-K 2001RB lately, does anyone here play one? The only reason I haven't jumped on one is funds....I've seen the other RB models like the 800 cheaper on ebay, is there much of a tonal difference between the amps, or is it mainly wattage/features?

Basically, what bass amp do you play and why? G-K? Ampeg? Fender? SWR? Hartke? I know about a number of your guitar rigs, but I wanna see how you liquify organs Pics would be great too

My current setup is a Musicman Sterling straight into my friend's Ampeg B2R and 4x10 (he's too busy fixing cars these days- lucky me), but I've been thinking about upping the ante and getting something raunchier when the funds are right....

Cheers,

bigrig

 

[Juggernaut]

Right now, I run a Peavey Mark VIII in a Marshall clone cab loaded with EVM12L. killer workhorse rig, but if I had my way about it, I'd own an Aguilar DB751 and matching 4x12.





far left.....

 

[grimmchaos]

I run either a G&L L2000 or Stingray5 into an Ampeg SVT 3Pro and an Ampeg SVT410HLF cab. It has plenty of power for what I need (classic rock/modern rock covers and some originals) and is darker than the GK rig I had before. I was running a GK 700RBII into a 410 and was never worried about having enough power.

How much power do you need and what kind of music are you playing? A 2001RB is a big amp with a ton of power. GK's generally are underrated watt and headroomwise. They also have a very distinct, cutting tone. Ideally I'd want an SVT2-PRO and a couple 810 cabs, but they weigh a ton.

 

[EXPcustom]

I got them all because my friend was moving out of his studio and I got them for a steal.

Best one by itself is the SVTII Pro, then the GK2001rb. Get a good preamp like a Demeter to run with the GK2001rb also make sure you get the model with the black rack rails, newer ones have the grey colored ones.

 

[VH4_BigRig]

Sweet Jug, I didn't know there was a bass amp hidden along the wall of metal

I got them all because my friend was moving out of his studio and I got them for a steal.

Holy sh*t, that's a crazy rack dude!! An SVT, G-K, Bogner.....drool......

How much power do you need and what kind of music are you playing? A 2001RB is a big amp with a ton of power. GK's generally are underrated watt and headroomwise. They also have a very distinct, cutting tone. Ideally I'd want an SVT2-PRO and a couple 810 cabs, but they weigh a ton.

Most of what I play is funky or rock type stuff in the vein of RHCP (mixed with other bands- STP, Tragically Hip, etc) which is why the 2001 got my attention with both Flea and Duff McKagan using them....also, since I play a VH4 and love Tool's mixes, when I found out Justin C. uses a 2001 as well, it kind of made it look like the main amp to go for. However, it's not like I'm touring professionally or anything and need a lot of power, which is why I was curious if the other amps were voiced the same, just with less power...did you find that was the case with the 700?

Thanks

 

[EXPcustom]

Sweet Jug, I didn't know there was a bass amp hidden along the wall of metal

I got them all because my friend was moving out of his studio and I got them for a steal.

Holy sh*t, that's a crazy rack dude!! An SVT, G-K, Bogner.....drool......

How much power do you need and what kind of music are you playing? A 2001RB is a big amp with a ton of power. GK's generally are underrated watt and headroomwise. They also have a very distinct, cutting tone. Ideally I'd want an SVT2-PRO and a couple 810 cabs, but they weigh a ton.

Most of what I play is funky or rock type stuff in the vein of RHCP (mixed with other bands- STP, Tragically Hip, etc) which is why the 2001 got my attention with both Flea and Duff McKagan using them....also, since I play a VH4 and love Tool's mixes, when I found out Justin C. uses a 2001 as well, it kind of made it look like the main amp to go for. However, it's not like I'm touring professionally or anything and need a lot of power, which is why I was curious if the other amps were voiced the same, just with less power...did you find that was the case with the 700?

Thanks

If you dont plan on running 8x10 cabs than the 2001 is way to much power.

 

[grimmchaos]

The only other thing the 2001RB has is an overdrive channel (if I remember correctly). I'm sure you can approximate that with a boost pedal though of some sort to add grit if you need it. Otherwise I believe the preamps are pretty similar, and a 700RBII would get you closer to the sweet spot at a lower volume than the 2001RB would. GK's tend to have a sweet spot at higher volumes, sort of like tube amps do when you push them. I believe Bob Gallien refers to it as "riding the rails".

 

[grimmchaos]

Also I think Rob DeLeo from STP uses the Demeter tube preamp that EXPcustom has in his bass rack.

 

[EXPcustom]

Also I think Rob DeLeo from STP uses the Demeter tube preamp that EXPcustom has in his bass rack.

Its a rare early Demeter with a Jensen DI, this is said to be the best preamp to get the cleanest most unmolested sound directly from your bass.

 

[VH4_BigRig]

Thanks guys, this is some useful info!

I forgot to mention that another part of the reason I'm interested in the G-K RB series is they are solid state, and therefore I wouldn't have to worry about maintaining another tube amp. Otherwise the SVT series would probably be number one on the list, as that's what Timmy C from Rage/Audioslave uses and he's a big influence as well. So, if you were going for the RB series sound but were only playing through a 4x10, which head would you go for? I know Duff used an 800 on Appetite, which makes that one sound good, but the 400/700 also look promising...

 

[rsm]

I was primarily a bass player back in the day. I purchased an ADA Bass Rig new in '93, pictured here:

I also had Trace Elliot gear. I sold the ADA Bass Rig this year, and I sold a Trace Elliot GP12SMX preamp once I found a TE MP11 which I still have and use at home only. These days I use the MP11 or a Tech 21 Programmable Bass Driver DI into my Bose L1 Model II system. Both also work great direct (they are or have DI outs after all!)

Once I get my guitar gear squared away, I may look into getting a new Trace Elliot combo (12-band as they have more features than the 7 band). I'm also hoping TE decides to release or reissue preamps, or I may pickup another old, used preamp. I still dig TE for bass.