The most versatile bass and amp combination ever

#61
Most sounds?
My Music Man Reflex 5HSS
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and a SWR Marcus Miller Preamp
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#62
mojomike001 said:
I can get more tonal variation out of this EBMM Big Al with it's three pickups and four frequency eq + this control-laden Carvin than I know what to do with.

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HaHa... :). 4 posts in and that's EXACTLY what I was going to post. I own both, and I own both because I wanted the most versatile bass and amp possible. I also went through a ton of other gear to get there, including a Warwick Jazzman, active Fenders, a custom bass, and a long line of others. I only mention those because my intent in buying them was to have as much versatility as possible.

The Carvin head I didn't buy because of it's versatility. I bought it because of it's size and price, and then found only afterward found out what kind of monster that thing is. You can mold and shape your sound with that head much more than with any other amp I ever owned. It became my one and only (outside of my backup).

That being said, and you being a young player I have something to add. Versatility is a great thing, but also comes with it's troubles. My amp I'm happy with because I set and forget it... but versatile basses I only recently realized can make me unhappy at times. I played active basses for over 20 years and only recently started playing passive basses. What I've found is this. All the passive basses I own sound great in any mix, no matter what I do with the knobs. All neck, all bridge, a mix of either - my basses cut, sit well in the mix, and everyone is happy. It's not quite like that with a bass that can sound like anything from the dubbiest upright to a banjo. While you may be able to get precisely what you're looking for in tone, because of the differences in rooms and stages, you're never going to really get the same sound twice. It's great that you can get 1000 sounds out of a bass, but only 100 of those are going to sound great. That leaves 900 that aren't going sit in the mix quite as well. I used to have the head to tweak and get exactly what I was looking for, but I'm finding myself a lot happier these days with basses that can't fail. I have 4 passive basses now I use all the time - a Carprice, a Ric, a Gibson EB (2013), and a Jazz. I can get those basses to sound like just about anything, and they always sound good. My more versatile basses take a a hell of a lot more work.

Not saying versatility is a bad thing. Only that it comes with a price.
 
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#63
1. The Ampeg PF line sounds right up your alley except for the PF410hlf and the two PF115's. Maybe also check out the SVT 212av and 112av if you want easier to handle with high power handling capability.

2. Pretty much every Ampeg has the Ultra-hi and lo but you don't have to use them :D

3. Sounds like your 410hlf is older. 410hlf's made since like 2010 still have enormous low end, but it's tamed down and there's quite a bit more midrange.

4. You might enjoy the Pro Neo line of cabs. I've never played them but word from Ampeg is "Sounds like Ampeg but a little cleaner." Also, I disagree that you can't get clean mids out of Ampeg gear. I do all the time.

5. Versatility comes mostly from you, but when it comes to heads, extra sliders and switches can help to add a level of versatility that you may not get in a standard 3-knob setup (although for me, the standard 3-knob Ampeg setup is just fine for versatility), and you'll want a cab with a tweeter in case you need those tweeter highs for some music. I still stand by my statement that versatility comes mostly from you, though.
 
#64
Find yourself a good condition used Peavey Made In USA combo. Preferably the TNT, Combo, or TKO. You'll recognize it, it will have silver fins on each side of the speaker grill, and black grill cloth. Those amps will give you everything you need until you win the lottery and can afford your state of the art dream rig. When that happens come back to TB again and we'll be glad to assist!
Good luck!
 
#65
I get that versatility comes from the player and agree, but I think it's a moot point when people ask about versatile instruments. Sometimes people want versatile instruments. A Big Al is a billion times more versatile than a standard P bass. A jazz bass is more versatile than a P.

There are versatile bassists, and there are versatile basses. Not sure why anyone still argues this.
 
#66
Joe Nerve said:
I get that versatility comes from the player and agree, but I think it's a moot point when people ask about versatile instruments. Sometimes people want versatile instruments. A Big Al is a billion times more versatile than a standard P bass. A jazz bass is more versatile than a P.

There are versatile bassists, and there are versatile basses. Not sure why anyone still argues this.
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Because of all the versatile bassists who use Precisions :D
 
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#69
Bassic Playing said:
Most sounds? Probably a big Al through some fancy solid state with a 50 slider graphic EQ.

Usable in the most musical contexts? P Bass through and Ampeg.
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That's two of my rigs. The third is GK 400RB through either a 6 x 10 or SVT 8 x 10. (I also do a lot of shows with a Hartke HD150 because it's convenient.) But to answer the OP's question-Fender P and Ampeg for me!
 
#70
The most versatile combo's I've ever had (and still have)
1) Warwick Streamer 1 5 string bass (honey maple, wenge fingerboard) and SWR SM900 w/ 2 Goliath III cabs (4x10) for rock
2) Alembic Spoiler 4 string (zebra wood w/ ebony fingerboard) and GK 200MB amp or SWR SM900 w/ 2 Goliath IIIJr cabs (2x10) for everything else.

As I'm getting older I am considering getting rid of the SWR rig and maybe go with a new Genzler I might also sell the Warwick (it's quite heavy) and pick up or make a 5 string J - Bass.
 
#71
Joe Nerve said:
HaHa... :). 4 posts in and that's EXACTLY what I was going to post. I own both, and I own both because I wanted the most versatile bass and amp possible. I also went through a ton of other gear to get there, including a Warwick Jazzman, active Fenders, a custom bass, and a long line of others. I only mention those because my intent in buying them was to have as much versatility as possible.

The Carvin head I didn't buy because of it's versatility. I bought it because of it's size and price, and then found only afterward found out what kind of monster that thing is. You can mold and shape your sound with that head much more than with any other amp I ever owned. It became my one and only (outside of my backup).

That being said, and you being a young player I have something to add. Versatility is a great thing, but also comes with it's troubles. My amp I'm happy with because I set and forget it... but versatile basses I only recently realized can make me unhappy at times. I played active basses for over 20 years and only recently started playing passive basses. What I've found is this. All the passive basses I own sound great in any mix, no matter what I do with the knobs. All neck, all bridge, a mix of either - my basses cut, sit well in the mix, and everyone is happy. It's not quite like that with a bass that can sound like anything from the dubbiest upright to a banjo. While you may be able to get precisely what you're looking for in tone, because of the differences in rooms and stages, you're never going to really get the same sound twice. It's great that you can get 1000 sounds out of a bass, but only 100 of those are going to sound great. That leaves 900 that aren't going sit in the mix quite as well. I used to have the head to tweak and get exactly what I was looking for, but I'm finding myself a lot happier these days with basses that can't fail. I have 4 passive basses now I use all the time - a Carprice, a Ric, a Gibson EB (2013), and a Jazz. I can get those basses to sound like just about anything, and they always sound good. My more versatile basses take a a hell of a lot more work.

Not saying versatility is a bad thing. Only that it comes with a price.
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Well, I'm not actually a young player, but rather an old guy (now 63) who is relatively new to playing. I got that Carvin at a great price slightly used. It's a very flexible amp and even has 2 ohm capability, but some of the small switches and sliders and light feel of the amp makes it feel delicate to me. Therefore it stays home while other amps go out to the gigs.
 
#73
mojomike001 said:
Well, I'm not actually a young player, but rather an old guy (now 63) who is relatively new to playing. I got that Carvin at a great price slightly used. It's a very flexible amp and even has 2 ohm capability, but some of the small switches and sliders and light feel of the amp makes it feel delicate to me. Therefore it stays home while other amps go out to the gigs.
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I've been knocking the crap out of mine for about 3 yrs now. Keep it in a laptop bag. No issues.
 
#74
Hmmmmm.... Verasatile...

Tough question- I have lots of gear to combine, and most offer a lot of versatility. There's some awfully sweet gear out on the bass-players market now.

But... since you ask...:cool:

Amp- My TFunk 750A has an amazing eq, almost too much to mention, plus a "tube" emulation feature that really does make it tubular.
It defines versatility IMO.

Basses- I would go for my Bongo 4HH- also a powerful 4-band eq combined with (2) powerful pups and the mighty BLEND control for tone perfection.
 
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