opinions on bass amp

[tcook]

Not sure if I should of put this in the bass section, but oh well.
I just bought an amp rig for my bass. Ampeg br2 amp, Hartke 210XL and an Ampeg SVT15 cab to round it out. I was after a Hartke 15XL, but they were out of stock so I went with the Ampeg. The 2 X10 sure gives the punch I'm looking for and the Ampeg 15 seems to round out the bottom. I'm looking for opinions if I made the right move using the SVT 15 instead of the Hartke. It has a paper cone instead of Aluminum. I didn't get a chance to hear the Hartke. I do have 30 days to decide if I want to keep it.

[zappatude]

tcook I'm gunna copy this thread into the Bass section. Be sure to look there for replies also.

[JChester]

I also recently bought a B2R, but with an Ampeg BSE-410 cab.
It's a monster. I love it! I've been toying with the idea of a 1-15 to go with it, but I'll prob'ly go with another 410...
I prefer PUNCH!

[tcook]

how do you like the BR2? It's been so long since I've played bass, I'm like a newbe with these amps. My last amp was a Sunn 2000S. I'm wondering if the BR2 will have enough power for me in the future and biamping is something I don't understand yet.
I'm just never satisfied...hehe.

[gamma_function]

stick with the ampeg and dont even look back at the hartke 15". those 15" aluminum cones are very harsh musically and do not have the same low end frequence response of most paper cone bass drivers. i wouldnt even bother with the aluminum 10's either, but they might not be so bad with the ampeg on bottom. the ampeg 15" cab is a much better investment.

as far as the b2 having enough power and biamp capablilities. it is relatively low powered (300 watts at 4 ohms bridged & 8 ohms stereo, or thereabouts) and is not biampable. i would look at the ampeg b4 if you want to biamp and have power to spare. swr's nicer amps will biamp and are rated at 4ohms stereo 2 ohms bridged,, but its your call if you trust bridging a bass amp to 2 ohms.

[JChester]

Deleted

[JChester]

I'm lovin the B2R! Even with only the 1 Ampeg 410 cab @ 8 ohms, I'm able to let our "power-mad-lead-player-with-a-Marshall-half-stack" know that he's gone over the line, just by turning it up a little! :hammer:

The secret, I learned, is to turn the gain up until the little red "Peak" LED flashes when you really punch it... then use the "Master" to control your volume. I haven't really used the graphic EQ at all yet and have no interest in the complications involved in bi-amping.

I'll be giving it a truer test, tonight. We're playing an outdoor party. If I need more output, I guess the second cab becomes a necessity. :rolleye:

BTW, I agree with "gamma" about avoiding the aluminum cones (They're more suited to slapping and popping and bringing out the noises associated with that style) and sticking with Ampeg's cabs and paper cones.

[gamma_function]

I also recently bought a B2R, but with an Ampeg BSE-410 cab.
It's a monster. I love it! I've been toying with the idea of a 1-15 to go with it, but I'll prob'ly go with another 410...
I prefer PUNCH!

either cab will be a nice addition. you will be able to turn the volume of your amp down (as you have now essentially doubled your number of speakers) without loss of volume or power (and you will be straining you b2 less). and you will be able to hear your bass more clearly (with a 410 elevated near the same level as your ears) without losing the "feel" of the bass from the bottom cabinet. you will feel more rumble from a 15 and you will get more punch from a 410. in general the 410 will be louder. if you dont play a 5, 6 or detuned 4 string bass, the 410 is probably the better choice based on your stated preferences.

8 10's and 4 10' are like night and day. you have to play the big boy to really see what its about.

[tcook]

The hartke is gone. Traded for svt210, so now I"m running a svt15 and the 210.
I like the sound. I"m a child of the 60's, so that sound is really familiar to me. I didn't like the bright sound of the hartke at all. As far as power goes, it's just fine for now, I have alot of rust to shake out of my fingers before I will feel confident enough to play in a band again, it's not like riding a bike, you do forget

[gamma_function]

hell, if i'd have known you dig the 60's tone, i would have told you to return the hartke for an ampeg, PRONTO.

[tcook]

yes, I like basses to sound like basses. Slap is cool and can really impress your friends, but I think it is over used.

[gamma_function]

i find that slapping seems to work better for me more in a solo/ drum and bass type setting. it isnt totally useless in band situations, but i would say that it is not typically what many people are expecting to or want to hear. it does make for an interesting way to lock with the drums.

but every once a little bit of flash in a group is ok. especially at the country gigs i play. those crowds eat the slap-pop like candy. they love it.

[tcook]

when I put my bass down in the mid 70's (oh my, what was I ever thinking), slap wasn't really popular yet. Funk bands were just started to use it It is a pretty new technique for me to play. As far as playing beyond my living room, that is a few months of practice away.

[JChester]

either cab will be a nice addition. you will be able to turn the volume of your amp down (as you have now essentially doubled your number of speakers) without loss of volume or power (and you will be straining you b2 less). and you will be able to hear your bass more clearly (with a 410 elevated near the same level as your ears) without losing the "feel" of the bass from the bottom cabinet. you will feel more rumble from a 15 and you will get more punch from a 410. in general the 410 will be louder. if you dont play a 5, 6 or detuned 4 string bass, the 410 is probably the better choice based on your stated preferences.

8 10's and 4 10' are like night and day. you have to play the big boy to really see what its about.
Pretty much my feelings as well. I am also a '60s guy, playing Classic Rock, and I like to hear my Ric (4-string) growl . :gotcha2:

BTW... the single BSE-410 passed the outdoor gig, last night, with flying colors. I may not need a second cab for a while. If/when I do, I've been eyeing an Ampeg slant cab, for the top, for even better "hearability" at my height (I'm 6' 4").