Best Bass Rig Continued

[thumbsup]

OK heres what I have to work with.  1-boggie 4/10 cab..1 Deitz 2/15 cab and 2 sound tec 1/18 cabs and  1 1000 watt custom amp that I'm really not that fond of so I'll probably sell the amp or keep it for other stuff like (my phatty moog or yamaha EX5). So the situaction is I want to build my rig with the exsisting cabs I have. My questions are why do some players use seperate amps and pre amps (or when not bi amping)? Should I bi amp or what situaction would I want to bi amp. Bi amp is only needed when 2 cabs are used ,right? Then there's my set up. I do know I want to use a two cab set up. Thats where I get lost as to what kind of amp set up to match the cab set up. Possible cab set ups 2-15s w/ 1-18, 2 15s w/ 4 10s, or 1 18 w/ 4 10s. I know I will have an investment in the amps and I know you get what you pay for. My budget for amp / pre amp lets say no more that $1500. Is that realistic?   I am playing a low B five string. Thanks  Steve

[cozmik_cowboy]

As stated in your other thread, preamps are intensely subjective - just find what works for your ear.  Beyond that, find a high-quality 4-way cross-over, set it for 3-way with overlap between the cabs, and USE THEM ALL! One amp for the 10s & 15s, one for the 18s. Now there's a sound! (You could get by with one of the 18s, but you have it, so why not use it?) As to power, the only amp I'd spend money on is Yamaha.  They're the most transparent, and the ONLY power amp I've never had quit mid-gig; Crown, Crest, QSC, Peavy, BGW, and Traynor (and probably some others I'm forgetting) have all let me down.  
If cost and/or size limits you to 2 cabs & one amp, A/B them & see whether you prefer the 10s or the 15s on top of an 18 (IMHO, a bass rig starts with an 18 - unless you want to go a couple $K over your budget and get Accugroove's Whappo Grande 21 beast.)
 
Peter

[keurosix]

Steve, If you are not happy with your sound, you will probably not notice a big improvement with a new power amp or preamp. The biggest improvement to your sound will always be the speakers - even with a mediocre amp or pre, a premium speaker will make the difference. Definately A/B different combinations to see what sounds best. A low B string needs a good 18 or a great 15 speaker to really sound good. I am not familiar with the Deitz 2x15 so I don't know if it will really push air. For me, the AccuGroove El Whappo does not require me to lug around a crossover or a huge stereo power amp. For the stage, my rig can wheel on and off with little hassle, and can be broken down to 2 pieces. Although Dave's rig is impressive, I bet he wishes he could move it quicker too.
Good luck and happy hunting. Go shopping and play as many rigs as possible - that's the fun part!
Kris

[keurosix]

Oh, and PS:
My EL Whappo replaces an SWR Goliath 4x10 and an SWR Big Ben 1x18. It sounds SOOO much better, cleaner, accurate, lighter to move and LOUDER, I can't go back!
Kris

[bsee]

I'm with Kris here.  If your speakers have any kind of a natural voice, they can overrule the rest of your gear when it comes to tone.  It's not just the type of bass and number of strings, but the tone your looking for and the musical genre.  Do you want perfect accuracy?  Reggae boom?  Fingerstyle punch?
 
As far as budget goes, you can get a great power amp for $500 or so used, maybe $750 new.  You can do the same for a preamp, maybe even a bit cheaper for used.  A used Alembic F-1X and a used PLX 2402 should run you right around a grand.  
 
As far as your cabs go, I'd dump the Boogie.  I used to play through Boogie 10s and thought they were very sterile.  Look for a used Schroeder 21012L, or 1210L if you want to go a little smaller.  Put that on top of either the 2x15 or the 18/18s and cross it over at a very low frequency.  You should be able to do all of the above for under $1500 out of pocket.

[Bradley Young]

Bob,
 
The Schroeders are great cabs, but acknowledged as being something other than neutral.  That's why they can cut through on a loud stage.
 
I'm not saying they are bad, but they aren't flat.
 
Bradley

[bsee]

Didn't say they were, Bradley.  That's why the questions raised in my first paragraph need to be answered in advance of any strong recommendation.  I believe Steve did suggest that he would have PA support for main house sound, so I do stand by the Schroeder as a great stage monitor for many styles as well as a great main sound for fingerstyle in several genres.  I suppose that I would even drop the 18s in such an environment if the PA is a solid system that can carry the load.
 
Steve hasn't yet said anything about the tone he's looking for, only that he wants the best rig.  I ask again, best rig for what?  
 
I do dislike the Boogie 10s for any purpose, though.  Their 2x15 cab is great as are their amps, but the rest of their cabs don't do it for me.
 
-bob

[thumbsup]

I find it comforting that the opinion of boogie 10s is mutual. I thought it was just me.(I know there are those that swear by them but I have at least determined its not for me) I have played through boogie 2/15s w/twetter and it was great. I play mostly classic rock/funk/soul & some disco (funky music/brick house because of demand) so I do pluck & pop some) I've tried the original scene while personally pleasing playing covers around my neck of the woods pays much better and I'm into that right now. At rehearsal last night I played through my custom 1000 watt and only one 18 cab and surprisingly enough made it through the night but was hurting upstairs quite a bit. My playing style is I attack fairly hard and soft tough only when dynamicly needed. I'm definetly not a soft touch player (possibly not to my advantgage, but I'm an old dog). I will try a cab on top of 1/18 next and if that gets a possitive responce to my ear my next step will be to bi amp or not?  Hopufully I won't have to spend any money on cabs! A two cab set up is easy enough to set up.Not to big not to small which meets my needs.  The feedback is helping and appreciated!   thanks   Steve