What Amps Do You Use

[chuck]

I would have to agree with f c spoiler on his choice of ampeg svt-pro.this was my choice about 10 years ago. have had no problems with it,its hooked up to ampeg classic cabs 4X10 and 1X15 @450 WATTS @4 OHMS.the best feature of this head besides its flexability is the built in tube preamp and equilizer check one out on ampeg web site.----chuck

[chuck]

correction to above. the amp should be svt-3- pro----chuck

[811952]

I'm running an Ampeg B5-R into a pair of Kustom 410H cabinets, and to my ear it sounds great.  They don't over-emphasize the extreme lows, which makes my stage sound manageable in the house, but the lows are definitely there.  The setup seems to be pretty heavy, but the handles are in the right locations so I can load/unload it all from my truck without help.  When I really want my sound to have some real, significant soul, I use an ART mic preamp (tube with parametric EQ) and one or two ancient Bogen 200w all-tube power amps.  Terribly heavy, but oh my God the TONE!  In my opinion, the boutique stuff is nice but if it's loud enough to really hear that kind of fidelity in a live-performance situation then it's too loud out front (given that you're not playing through junk that just sounds, er, ungood).  On the other hand, an SF2 is something I could get my brain around...
 
Keep in mind that if you're hearing other players through the PA, then the amp/cabinet might have nothing to do with the tone.  The simplest of tube preamps feeding the PA (with no EQ) is the best option in that case, since your EQ will need to be tuned to every different room you play in, and re-tuned as people come and go and as different tunes dictate (as will the entire system).  Sending an EQ'd signal to the house is not unlike tying your soundperson's hands.  You might find that the same person is running the board whenever you hear a bass sound you really like.  Also, some rooms just suck, and others just sound awesome, and bass is always the instrument that suffers most when they suck...
 
John

[dannobasso]

SHURE WIRELESS-F1X-SF2-DTR-PLX3402-UL212-T310 option of T115 or LOW B2-LOW B4
I also have a Genz Benz GBE 1200 which I send ahead for west coast gigs. I much prefer the Alembic racks.
I'm selling the T310 w/casters and cover if anyone wants to make an offer.

[keith_h]

Quote
Can someone explain what a Bag End ELF controller is? I'm using a couple of Bag End cabinets, but I don't really know what this ELF thing is all about.  
 
Ron Wickersham is one of the inventors of ELF.  
The ELF integrator (ie controller) can be looked at like a sophisticated cross-over. It splits the output of the preamp into low frequency and stereo high frequency or into a mono low, middle and high frequencies. These then feed power amps. It provides extended low frequencies and also provides time alignment of the signals. Bag End now calls it Infra. The catch is you need to use subs that are designed for use only with the integrator. Likewise the integrator can only be used with specific subs.  
 
It is explained further in Guide to ELF Systems.  
 
Keith

[Dale M Williams]

After buying and selling too many rigs, I have finally settled on the following.  
 
F-1X, Stewart 2.1, into two Dr. Bass 2 x 12's
 
I ordered the Dr. Bass cabinets loaded with Beyma G-40's instead of the Eminence speakers most manufacturers use.  What a huge difference in tone!  They sound great at any volume.  
 
Dale in Michigan

[hb3]

Keith --  
 
I looked through that document. Great Scott! I love genius hippie stoners. Kind of like the crowd at Cal Tech, or at least what that crowd used to be like, back in the day.  
 
Amongst the upshots, this requires more than one power amp, I presume -- just what I'm trying to avoid. Still, it's highly tempting.

[ajdover]

I use the following:  Main Rig:  An F1-X, an SF-2, a Korg DTR 1000 tuner, a Furman AR-1215 voltage regulator, and a QSC MX-1500a to power it all (I'm looking into getting a PLX series ... the MX is heavier than a ton of bricks!).  The cabinets are Ampeg BXT series, once used by Victor Wooten at a Blues Alley gig in the DC area.  Practice Amps: I have an Ampeg BA-115, a small Rocktron I bought in Korea, a Hartke A25 (also from Korea ... 220V), and a recently purchase Phil Jones Bass Briefcase - love that thing.  Portable as hell, and great tone.  It will even run on a car or internal battery.  I went to Myrtle Beach this past weekend, and took my Lakland 4-94 and the Briefcase.  Worked great, and took up very little space.  I also have an Ampeg BA-210SP that I use in Korea when I'm there - it's at a friend's apartment.  Finally, I have my Ampeg SVT-IV Pro that's now sitting in a rack case since I got the F1-X and the QSC.  It's a great self contained amp for what it is, and powerful.  It was my main amp for the last three years.  Keith played through it when he visited - I had the SF-2 hooked up to it, and it made it incredible.  Alan



  (Message edited by ajdover on September 19, 2006)

[crgaston]

F1X, SF2, QSC PLX2402
 
This is a great rig, and apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so!
Cabinets are 1 Eden 12 and 2 Bergantino 12's.  I have another Eden 12, but haven't felt the need to use it yet.  Maybe for the outdoor show we have coming up...
The nice thing about the 12's is that they are individually small and easy to cary, but when combined have plenty of output.  I can use as few or as many as I need and still keep the same basic sound.  I like the Edens for their volume and low end, and the Bergantinos for their midrange.  The two blend VERY nicely.
 

 
 Still experimenting with head location.  It's easier to adjust up there, but it interferes with the cabinets coupling. When I put it on the ground beside the speakers, I stack them on their sides so the whole array is roughly the same height either way.

[keith_h]

Hugh,  
Yes, you would need 2 amps (or one stereo) to drive an ELF setup. I'm using a QSC PLX3002.  
 
Keith

[ggunn]

Nothing fancy - just an Epic 5 w/ AE-2 & Q switch through an early 80's SVT.  I also have an Ashdown combo for small gigs.

[hb3]

Stereo power amp. Of course. I'm such a mow-ron.  
 
I've never bi-amped anything in my life. However, I have a bass w/ anniversary electronics (which I've only ever run mono).  
 
Re: the Aguilar stuff, I never understood why they'd make such a nice pre-amp with a cross-over but then produce a mono power amp to pair it with.

[olieoliver]

Hugh,
... things that make you go....HMMMM

[2400wattman]

I have both an Aguilar DB680 pre w/Crown Macro Tech 2400 and F1-X, SF-2/Crown K-2 going into Ampeg 8x10's. For my band we have very high volume levels so the SVT's are perfect for a non bi-amp rig w/lots of power. I used to run an SVT-4 PRO (the best amp they make now,I.M.H.O.) but it became unreliable after two years of service, so I had to make a change for something that was fail proof(to a degree). I stopped using bass amps as they have all failed me one way or another(from large problems to the minute) so I opted for a large P.A. amp and killer bass preamps(almost went with studio grade mic pre's like Presonus , Focusrite, Joe Meek) and i have'nt had a problem yet and I doubt I will. Oh, stay away from SWR now, it's just not the same since Blender took it over.

[elwoodblue]

Dale, I like your taste...
I'm using (2) F-1X ,(stereo)with a sf2 in the loops,to the Stewart 2.1,...no regrets  : )