JamesBass Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 So I've decided it's time for a new rig, and as such my CTM300 is up for sale and once gone, the proceeds shall be funding a new rig. But I can't decide what I want exactly. I'm looking for an amp that sounds old school, yet still retains clarity, definition, and articulation. I'm looking for something portable and lightweight. I play in a soul/funk/jazz function band as well as a few originals bands that range from rock to acoustic singer-songwriter stuff. Ideally I need a minimum of 500 watts. Cab wise I'm pretty set on either TKS or Barefaced, with a stronger preference for TKS as it stands. I've identified the following as possibles but am unsure which is best thus far. Aguilar TH500 MarkBass LMIII & LM800(Tube) &TTE 500 GK MB800 Fusion EBS So please, someone help me out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Wot, no Tecamp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 (edited) Be careful with the TH500/Barefaced combination.... That amp seems to be much more compatible with TKS. Edited April 28, 2015 by Conan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 I demo'd the TH500 and TKS S112's ...along with a few other cabs and I bought the TH/TKS set-up. The S112 cabs have that something else and they are superbly made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Balsamic Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 My LMIII with one of the old Barefaced Compacts works pretty nicely. Bit of warmth and very, very clean, which some people may not care for. I'd definitely recommend the LMIII if you want a clean amp with relatively little colouring; it's a nice little bit of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 [quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1430235973' post='2759335'] Wot, no Tecamp? [/quote] That's the one I missed off! Never seen one in the metal so any opinion on them helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1430236962' post='2759352'] I demo'd the TH500 and TKS S112's ...along with a few other cabs and I bought the TH/TKS set-up. The S112 cabs have that something else and they are superbly made. [/quote]That's good to hear, it's what I'm looking at most, but not sure till I can shift my CTM300! Think I'm leaning towards the H115 though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Streamliner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1430236816' post='2759348'] Be careful with the TH500/Barefaced combination.... [/quote] The TH500 works brilliantly with all current Barefaced cabs - in fact the only one I know it doesn't work well with is the long discontinued Big One and possibly the Gen 2 Big Baby and Big Twin. It's great with all the Gen 3 cabs, both 12XN and 10CR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 A Markbass multiamp will give you all those amp sounds and more..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 In my experience the Tecamp stuff sits really well in a live mix. There is a comprehensive range of goodies onboard too. My Black Jag has boostable eq sections for High, Low and High Mids and Bass. I don't think the Pumas have this. There is also a Taste function which gives a wide range of tonal options and a really nice compressor. I also have a GB Streamliner which, in isolation, sounds fabulous, but tends to sound a bit woolly in a live setting. The Tecamp just cuts through all the time. Off your list I'd like to have a try with a GK MB Fusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted April 28, 2015 Share Posted April 28, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1430243309' post='2759450'] The TH500 works brilliantly with all current Barefaced cabs - in fact the only one I know it doesn't work well with is the long discontinued Big One and possibly the Gen 2 Big Baby and Big Twin. It's great with all the Gen 3 cabs, both 12XN and 10CR. [/quote] Have to agree it`s awesome when matched with the - now discontinued - Super 12T. Power and tone by the trailer load. Re amps, well the Markbass will do clean but warm very well (and I really like Precisions with Markbass amps as well), the GK will do clean or warm, plus drive, lots of eq possibles on these, and the TH500 is an old-school amp, plenty of power, but not a hi-tech sound at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted April 28, 2015 Author Share Posted April 28, 2015 [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1430255492' post='2759649'] Have to agree it`s awesome when matched with the - now discontinued - Super 12T. Power and tone by the trailer load. Re amps, well the Markbass will do clean but warm very well (and I really like Precisions with Markbass amps as well), the GK will do clean or warm, plus drive, lots of eq possibles on these, and the TH500 is an old-school amp, plenty of power, but not a hi-tech sound at all. [/quote] Sounds like I need to find a way of trying everything together then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1430243309' post='2759450'] The TH500 works brilliantly with all current Barefaced cabs - in fact the only one I know it doesn't work well with is the long discontinued Big One and possibly the Gen 2 Big Baby and Big Twin. It's great with all the Gen 3 cabs, both 12XN and 10CR. [/quote] That's cool, and why I suggested that the OP "be careful". If he looks to buy on the used market and one of those "problem" cabs comes up, he will know what to expect if he has a TH500. BTW, I use a (long discontinued) Big One! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1430235426' post='2759325'] So I've decided it's time for a new rig, and as such my CTM300 is up for sale and once gone, the proceeds shall be funding a new rig. But I can't decide what I want exactly. I'm looking for an amp that sounds old school, yet still retains clarity, definition, and articulation. I'm looking for something portable and lightweight. I play in a soul/funk/jazz function band as well as a few originals bands that range from rock to acoustic singer-songwriter stuff. Ideally I need a minimum of 500 watts. Cab wise I'm pretty set on either TKS or Barefaced, with a stronger preference for TKS as it stands. I've identified the following as possibles but am unsure which is best thus far. Aguilar TH500 MarkBass LMIII & LM800(Tube) &TTE 500 GK MB800 Fusion EBS [/quote] Take a day off and go to one of the specialist shops such as Bass Gear with your bass and try some stuff out. The interplay or otherwise between certain amp and cab combinations is well documented and what suits one guy may not suit you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largo Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 And take your band(s) along as well because what sounds great in a shop might sound completely different in your band context I'm old enough to remember the days when your local music shop would let you take gear to try out at a gig before committing to a purchase. These days, sometimes all you can do is buy & sell to get the combination that's right. I'm still looking but getting there, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No lust in Jazz Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 [quote name='largo' timestamp='1430300897' post='2759931'] And take your band(s) along as well because what sounds great in a shop might sound completely different in your band context [/quote] Clearly your rig will sound different in the shop to how it will sound with a band, you could factor in the differing gig locations where you'd use it and things are likely to get out hand at a rate of knots - if you have confidence in your sound, band dynamics and venues can be dealt with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 You're welcome to borrow one of our demo cabs and wander down to GAK with it (only a few hundred yards away) for tonal comparisons with the variety of heads/cabs they have in stock. And if you buy a head there you can try it REALLY LOUD with our cabs in our factory! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funky8884 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) Take up Alex's offer ! Edited April 29, 2015 by funky8884 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) [quote name='funky8884' timestamp='1430313480' post='2760147'] Take up Alex's offer ! [/quote] +10000 Talk to Alex.... I spoke with Alex in his factory with my own bass in my hand. He listened to what I wanted, plugged me into two different cabs to try loud. Within 1 minute I made the decision to buy a Two10Retro and placed the order immediately. Best decision, rig wise, I've ever made. Edited April 29, 2015 by Jazzneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 [quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1430303546' post='2759976'] You're welcome to borrow one of our demo cabs and wander down to GAK with it (only a few hundred yards away) for tonal comparisons with the variety of heads/cabs they have in stock. And if you buy a head there you can try it REALLY LOUD with our cabs in our factory! [/quote] How's best to arrange such a thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 [quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1430243985' post='2759467'] In my experience the Tecamp stuff sits really well in a live mix. There is a comprehensive range of goodies onboard too. My Black Jag has boostable eq sections for High, Low and High Mids and Bass. I don't think the Pumas have this. There is also a Taste function which gives a wide range of tonal options and a really nice compressor. [/quote] The Pumas are a bit more limited, with no compressor or distortion, and the four eq controls are set at fixed frequencies for low, low-lid, high-mid, and high. This means I have less to mess with and cock up, which is a plus point for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guinness21 Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Go try them, the come back to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 [quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1430404471' post='2761086'] How's best to arrange such a thing? [/quote] Email us! [email protected] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musashimonkey Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Love my GK mb800 & Barefaced BB2 + Super Midget! Mmmmm! Highly recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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