Author Topic: What amps do you find go well with your Alembic  (Read 3072 times)

jotoft

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What amps do you find go well with your Alembic
« Reply #75 on: January 13, 2006, 01:15:36 AM »
I ordered an Ampeg Portabass from a webshop here in Norway (250W amp, 2x10 speakers).  I wouldn't normally have bought an amp without testing it first, but it was a weekend offer and they were selling it at half price.  
Anyway, I wasn't happy with it, it colored the sound too much and I felt it didn't let the Alembic sound through.
There was also too little bottom end. Anything below C on the A string was to weak.  Might have something to do with the sealed box construction.
It was extremely lightweight though, almost as if they had sent me an empty box. :-)
So I sent it back and got an SWR Workingman's 15 instead. And I'm much happier with that.  It's a lot heavier, but I manage.  It obviously cannot compete with some of the high end gear mentioned in above posts, but I like it a lot.  It gives a nice, full sound that suits the Alembic well.  And powerwise it's an overkill in the band I play now, I only use it for stage sound and we're playing an acoustic type of music.  But it's nice to have that 15 speaker for the bottom end.

bassplayer2106

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« Reply #76 on: June 29, 2005, 10:43:20 AM »
Hi - I've used all makes over the last 20 years -Trace elliot,Ashdown,SWR but for me my new EBS rig is fantastic.They are so 'clear' sounding,they just amplify your bass without colouring the sound.

christov

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« Reply #77 on: June 30, 2005, 04:48:23 AM »
I have been partial to SWR professional series for many years.  Currently I have downsized to a Super Redhead, and I love the portability and tone.  The 2X10 combo amp is also 400 watts with a tube preamp, and a balanced XLR line out that is selectable to either direct or line.  I prefer the line selection because the tone of the amp is then send to the house mix instead of being a pre eq/preamp selection.

jetbass79

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« Reply #78 on: June 30, 2005, 12:05:04 PM »
I suppose it depends on what kind of sound you're after.  Alembic instruments present a very clean, clear kind of tone.  Through an SVT type of amp you get the angriest bass sound on the planet, and you know what, it's a very good combination.  I wasn't exactly sure how well it would work, but for a lo-fi sound (as opposed to what people have mentioned above) it sounds awesome.  Very balanced and you can hear every note clearly. I do admit I would like to have a more hi fi rig at some point, particularly for fretless bass.

alanbass1

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« Reply #79 on: June 30, 2005, 12:20:17 PM »
I simply love SVT's.  I used to have one but the weight is just too much and I went over to solid state.  I use a TL Audio valve compressor and this can dial in some of the 'SVT Dirt' without sounding fuzzy or loose definition (which is exactly the strength of an SVT- grind with definition), so I don't think I could go back and lug that lump of iron around again.

howierd

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« Reply #80 on: June 30, 2005, 05:14:42 PM »
I bought a used SVT 8-10 cabinet in the early 70's and a few years later got the SVT head to go with it,But after I got my 77 series I, I traded the head for an F2B pre amp and the guy also gave me $100.00 That was a good deal at the time.But oooooohhhhh how I wish I had that old SVT head. That combination was awesome.
Howierd

ox_junior

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« Reply #81 on: July 06, 2005, 02:25:51 PM »
I've used Trace Elliots in numerous configurations over the last few years, and I get my best sound through one 4x10 and one 2x15, bi-amped, using an AH600SMX head.  I'd use more since that head can handle it but I'm rarely playing stadiums these days.  
 
Yes Traces do have their own 'distinctive' sound, but you can dial that out if you want and get the true tone of your bass.  My Alembics sound incredible through this rig - lively, responsive, deep and clear.
 
I'm excited that the brand is making a comeback!
 
Mike

beelee

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« Reply #82 on: July 06, 2005, 03:17:53 PM »
I 've been using SWR gear since 1998, tho I don't always play my Alembic, only cause its fretted and a 5 string, some material I play requires me to use a fretless and a 6 string bass.
 
I use a SM-900, SM-500, and a Super Redhead Combo
 
I have 2 Goliath III 410 cabs, 2 SOB 115 cabs, Big Ben 118 and a Triad 3 way 15/10/ Horn, I have never played through the whole thing......I usually mix N match components depending on the size of the venue and experiment to see what sounds good at different places.
 
I just got the Triad about 6 mos ago, its an older one I picked up used from Ebay, sounds real nice.
 
My Alembic Series I 5 strng w/ SII electronics sounds good through anything tho, can't wait till my new custom arrives.
 
B.

jetbass79

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« Reply #83 on: July 06, 2005, 04:55:53 PM »
My only concern with the Trace stuff was reliability.  I had a 150W head that sounded really good until it started making funky crackling sounds and then finally went dead just after the warranty expired...  I didn't have the money to fix it then so away it went.  I have also experienced this kind of thing with their more expensive gear.  I did buy a used 1x10 cabinet for use as an extension for my SWR Workingman's 10.  I call it the ghetto stack but it works for band practices.  I hate to say it but the Trace amps remind me (in terms of reliability) of British cars.  I hope they make them again more reliable than before.

jlpicard

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« Reply #84 on: July 06, 2005, 05:51:18 PM »
As amps go I have had the same Eden WT-300 since 94' and it has only gone down once( it was nice  enough to do so right after the gig!)A defective power resistor on the preamp board. One call to Eden's tech dept. pointed me right to it! 50 cents later and a little solder work on my part and it was ready the next day. I run this head with an SF-2 in the effects loop and out to two Euphonic Audio cabs. These are tiny little cabs that really put out a great uncolored sound sound without keeping your chiropractor in business. Unfotunately they don't make these models anymore: VL-110, one ten ,one five and a tweeter, VL-208, two eights ,two fives and tweeter, but you can still find them around on Ebay and I believe Bass Central had some new ones.  
 As far as other amps that I think really compliment Alembics: Trace, yes! GK, absolutely! (especially the 1001RB two ten combo) and strangely enough, I have heard some Peaveys that were a good match. Also, I was able to dial in a very nice tone with my Europa from a Mesa Walkabout/Scout combo.

gare

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« Reply #85 on: July 07, 2005, 07:23:03 AM »
I think any good quality, reliable amp, once dialed in   work well with Alembics. That seems evident from the posts of the variety used. Depends on the taste of sound you're after. Hi-fi, growly sounding, etc.
So far I've run my Excel thru a Mesa 400+, nice ballsy amp..see above reference to chiropracter. A Mesa Walkbout and Basis M-2000 head. And have gotten nice sounds from all. I even yanked out an old Vox AC 100 head, Fender pre CBS Bassman, Furman PQ3,  Crown and SAE power amps. Various combo's of speakers, 4x10, 2x10, 2x12, 1x15, and 1x12/1x10/+horn cabinet. And gotten nice sounds from all..all different.
I'm currently working with the M-2000/Schroeder 1210 combo, and still exploring the possibilites. The Walkabout/Schroeder combo was also nice, small and light.    
I was also amazed that I got a decent sound out of just a Tech 21 bass driver pedal.    
And one day I hope to get an FX-1 and SF-2 to add into the mix.
Anyway..that's my .25

ox_junior

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« Reply #86 on: July 08, 2005, 02:58:13 PM »
Jet,
 
Sounds like you got some lemons as far as Trace stuff goes.  I have had several different Trace heads, cabinets, and combo amps over the last few years, and have never had any issues whatsoever.  I've only made cosmetic changes to used cabinets such as putting on new corners or new logos.
 
By the way, there is an outfit here in the US called British Audio Service, that offers replacement parts of all sorts for Trace Elliot gear, as well as Gibson Goldtone amps and Echoplex equipment.  Check them out at www.britishaudioservice.com.  Prompt service and attention from these folks.
 
Cheers, Mike

alanbass1

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« Reply #87 on: July 10, 2005, 02:14:33 AM »
The new Trace gear looks interesting, very much back to their classic era in design and features.

ox_junior

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« Reply #88 on: July 10, 2005, 11:25:52 AM »
Yes it does, doesn't it?
 
Now you guys have me thinking about getting an SF-2.  Alan - you think I should get one for what I do?
 
Mike

ajdover

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« Reply #89 on: July 10, 2005, 02:39:22 PM »
Mike,
 
    An SF-2 works wonders for any bass.  It's especially useful for non-Alembics - really brings out tonal options you could only dream of without it, and you can really dial in anything you want.  Now that I have one in my rig, I couldn't imagine going without it.  Get one and you won't be sorry.  Think of it as having Series II electronics, but with the option of going high, low, or bandpass at your leisure.  It will make your Spyder come even more alive.
 
Alan