Author Topic: Hi-Fi Sound (Read 285 times)

jphilauren · « **on:** July 25, 2008, 12:03:52 PM »

Was looking for advice as to adjusting my rig set up without purchasing new componets. Currently using an SVT 4 Pro through Ampeg HLF cabinet 4 10's and either another Ampeg HE or will use an SWR 4 10. Purchased an Exploiter and looking to get more of a Hi Fi sound without buying a new rig, preamp and power amp. Ampeg has that particular growl, would adding an F-1x preamp work and give me more sound variations?

keith_h · « **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2008, 12:45:47 PM »

I use an Eden Navigator/QSC amp with Bag End cabinets. It is very clean sounding and Hi-Fi in my opinion.

Keith

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2008, 12:49:16 PM »

John:

For tone shaping there is nothing, and I mean NOTHING like an SF-2.

Bill, the guitar one

jphilauren · « **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2008, 12:54:20 PM »

Has anyone had experience using SF1 or 2 with an SVT as the power amp and by passing the SVT preamp?

hieronymous · « **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:05:49 PM »

+1 on the SF-2, though I don't have any experience using it with anything Ampeg.

What electronics does your Exploiter have? Assuming it has a Q-switch, have you tried it with the Q-switch engaged and the filter frequency as high as it will go? You will probably be able to tell if your amp & speakers are even capable of reproducing those frequencies!

jphilauren · « **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:08:04 PM »

The Q Switch works fine, just that the Ampeg has the typical growl.

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:14:41 PM »

While the the SF-2 can be used as a pre-amp, it doesn't have to be and, it seems as if most people don't. I use mine in the effects loop of my Boogie. My bass player just puts his in front of a Traynor head. Both ways work very well. By the way, ther is no such thing as an SF-1. Alembic makes two pre-amps, the F-1X (mono), and the the F-2B (stereo). The SF-2 Superfilter is a different animal altogether.

Bill, tgo

hieronymous · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:20:39 PM »

The Q Switch works fine, just that the Ampeg has the typical growl.

Got it - so you're looking for a clean, powerful sound. Kenbass4 has an Ampeg (SVT I think), but not sure if he has an SF-2. I would think that a big part of the Ampeg sound is the power-amp tubes, so even with a clean preamp, it might still get that Ampeg drive...

Hey, I just noticed you're in Braintree! I used to live in Bedford, and was just visiting out there - stayed with a friend in Marlborough. I miss Massachusetts...

jphilauren · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2008, 01:22:03 PM »

Sorry I was refering to the F-1x, which would give the more flexible sound? I thought most of the Ampeg sound would come from its pre amp .

ivartshiva · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2008, 02:15:57 PM »

My two cents: I'm running my Essences through all Ampeg amps and cabinets - I've been using an SVT-3PRO through an SVT-410HLF cabinet with very satisfying results, but after reading on this board about getting some high end, and of course a desire to push more air, I just got an SVT-410HE, which runs at 8 ohms so I got an Ampeg 350W BR head to run the 410HE. For some reason the Preamp out on the 3PRO doesn't send any signal (I wish I knew why) so I'm getting the signal from the 3PRO to the BR from the main output, with the level set at about 5.

So I have a sort of ghetto bi-amped setup with the 410HE set to produce the mids and highs and the 410HLF set to give maximum low end. It's great, like night and day from just the 410HLF. I can play chords and they're clear. I can get as much sharp high end as I want and still have incredible earthquake below.

If I could afford an F-1X or even a crossover I'd probably do better, but this seems to working.

Good Luck!

Michael

jphilauren · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2008, 02:28:24 PM »

With the SVT 4 I can bypass the the preamp and go direct to the power amp. The SVT 4 does not have tubes on the power amp onlyin the preamp.
hieronymous where are you living now?

hieronymous · « **Reply #11 on:** July 25, 2008, 03:23:11 PM »

I live in California now, between Sacramento and Stockton. I left Mass. in 1996 to go to grad school in Berkeley, CA, spent a few years in Japan too.

Oh, and I'll be sending you an email soon - look for one from hieronymous_three

glocke · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2008, 05:35:44 AM »

I think most amps like ampeg, mesa, etc.will add alot of color to the sound that isn't needed or wanted for bass if you want a really clean hi-fi sound.

I have three amp setups in my possesion, and use bag end 15 cabs. A mesa walkabout, a demeter preamp with a qsc power amp, and an ampeg b25. By far the most hi-fi and cleanest sonding is the ampeg followed by the Demeter. The mesa adds sometimg to my sound I really don't like.

If you want a true hifi sound, you should look into getting an Alembic preamp or the Demeter preamp. An sf2 will also improve your sound greatly and may be the least expensive route.

(Message edited by glocke on July 26, 2008)

keurosix · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2008, 05:30:50 PM »

Hey John,
A lot has been posted about rigs and getting the best sound for your bass here in the club. IMHO it would be difficult to improve your sound to Hi-Fi without comparing your rig to other rigs on the market to educate your ear as to what you call Hi-Fi. I firmly believe that the single most important part of your sound is the speaker cabinets, and upgrading them to Hi Fi quality will drastically improve the contribution of all other parts of the sound system. check out this post and also do a search for others in the club to see what types of systems are being used:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/53842.html?1216580936

My advice would be to try your Exploiter thru various rigs, and bring along the Ampeg to try it through various cabinets too. I know the Growl you speak of, and I believe my SWR SM900 provides it too. I also agree with Bill in that the SF-2 is THE ultimate sound shaping tool.
If you have a high end dealer near you that carries boutique gear, go in and try out cabinets with your bass. I recommend the El Whappo by AccuGroove very highly. It is a 4 way studio quality cabinet that handles 800 watts and brings out the best of any guitar or preamp's tonal features. It is only one box to move but sounds like a whole wall of cabinets. I replaced an SWR Goliath 4x10 and SWR Big Ben 1x18 with mine. It really sounds a whole lot better. It ain't cheap, so you might want to try other cabs too, like Bergantino, Acme, Schroeder, Glockenklang, and others club members swear by. You will probably find a perfect fit with your Exploiter and Ampeg SVT to get the sound you are looking for. Wouldn't it be cool if it's already the rig you own?
Happy hunting!
Kris

rockbassist · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2008, 07:51:25 PM »

In my opinion, you will never get the sound you are looking for with Ampeg. I used to have a deal with them and tried every amp and cabinet combination they offered. I could never get the sound I wanted and gave up the deal. I tried SWR and HATED the tone. I have had very good luck with Gallien Krueger. It's tvery close to what I am looking for in terms of tone. I will admit though that whenever I hear That Sound it's always a bass being played through an Eden or EBS rig. I am considering buying an Eden rig but while reading the posts on their forum it seems that a lot of people are unhappy with the reliability. My GK has been a workhorse so even though I am not getting the exact sound I want (it's close) I might be better off hanging on to it.