basshead56

[quote name='Jag_Bassist' post='728102' date='Jan 28 2010, 08:56 PM']i might go for the av because it will hopefully give me more of a heavy vintage tone and it comes with a fan which is a big bonus cos ive heard the svt-2s overheat very quickly[/quote] I´ve not heard much about them overheating before. I know someone who forgot to take the back cover of his rack and played a 3hour gig with an Ampeg (don´t know if it was a 2,3 or 4PRO though) and overheated it. But all the higher end ones have heat protection circuits I think. The AV/CL SVT´s are great but kind of 1 dimensional. The 2 PRO has a wider array of tones, I reckon anyways. The problems associated with Asian made Ampegs stem from the first few runs of ´Vietnampegs´ Before Ampeg moved again, they were poorly assembled in Vietnam. Most of the range suffered a sharp dip in quality. Prices in Europe dropped and so did confidence in the brand. LOUD shifted Ampeg to Korea and pushed for higher quality. The current Ampegs are fine. Still excellent quality. However, there has been an increase in price again (2nd in 9months) Many people (mostly old-school players, Americans and purists) are gutted that Ampeg is no longer a true american classic and are therefore rubbish. While they are entitled to their opinions, I don´t agree. They are still Ampeg amps. Still sound great. Also, I do not agree with the fact that they now cost the same (more in some stores) than when they were a US made brand. When they were in the US they could differentiate themselves in the market by claiming to be one of the last non-asian made amplifier producers and as brand heritage is important to their image, they could command a premium price. but I think price should be reflective of marketplace/consumer perception and cofidence (sorry, marketing is me background) And the biggest insult is the fact that they will charge even more for the Heritage series this summer! Anyways, to me, Ampeg is the daddy of bass amps. whatever about recent goings on (Fender and Gibson have QC issues too), they are great. I would truly love if they moved back to St Louis again, but I´m not going to diss them based on being made in Asia-everything else is these days! To quote the prophet Dick Valentine (Electric Six) "They call this Making Progress"

There is a certain amount of worry attached to newer Ampegs, as people are fraking out over quality. There are loads of threads on talkbass about this. Personally,I like the idea of an American made Ampeg (have a good few bits). Though as far as I can tell, there is no difference in the higher end tube stuff, compared to the older US ones. In terms of a choice, I´d go with the 2pro-less of a pain to lug around really, and way more versatile. If you don´t want to take the AV, I´d be interested, seriously

If its purely a value thing I´d recommend a second hand Fender Rumble 100 They pop-up second hand all the time for around 100-150. Good value, 100 watts through a 15 speaker. Plenty of kick, well able for pub gigs, 3band eq, and it has a D.I. out that doesn´t run hot to the desk-very simple. The youth centre where I run band nights has two of em (i sold em my old one)and they love them. It wouldn´t be my first choice, but it is a very practical one. There is also a Laney RB-something or other- combo that would suit. Or of course, there´s second hand Trace Elliot combos. I personally only like the the V-Type Trace stuff, but the old Trace stuff is like proper military hadware and is almost indestructable-and VERY loud!

[quote name='farmer61' post='726035' date='Jan 27 2010, 08:49 AM']I'm guessing that the Studio is the chepaer model??? Cheers[/quote] Yip, Studio is cheaper than the standard model. The Studio line was basically Gibson´s version of a cheaper USA built series-like Fender Highway One series, or Musicman S.U.B. series The studio also has a smaller body and headstock. Same pups,wiring, controls and tuners as the standard. Better bridge on the studio than the standard too. The first run of studios also came with the same Gibson cases as the standard (there were a limited number of brown/pnk int. ones with studios)The rest were grey or black. Also, there is no standard V string- this is only a studio series option

These are lovely basses. The bass player in my sis' band has one (and she STILL has my Mike Dirnt P Bass!!!) and it sounds brilliant! Her's is a weird silvery-white colour with a gold pickguard and maple fingerboard. I had a look at it when she first got it (just before Christmas)-2nd hand and it was in good shape. Just needed a clean, some new strings and a quick set up. The range of sounds you can get out of this is unbelievable. The EQ (I think mid and bass?) and pan pot are great. I know lots of people are not huge fans of Fender on-board Pre's, but I quite like it-simple but effective. It doesn't weigh a ton either! If I had a spare 300 lying around (and didn't have a 78 P with J pup mod) I'd definately get one! But hey, thats just me!. As far as I can remember, when these came out, there was a choice of an awful navy blue colour, silver or black-all with maple boards and gold pg. There was a passive mim deluxe P aswell, never tried or heard one though. Think they came in black or fiesta red. Hope thats some sort of help anyway

[quote name='xesusxesus' post='725560' date='Jan 26 2010, 06:36 PM']does anybody knows what model (i mean what year, what pick ups... ) is using Dean Bernardini of Chevelle? he's got a killer sound.[/quote] From the few videos and live bits I´ve seen, he´s weilding a Black Gibson Thunderbird (standard model) As for pups, not 100% but I reckon they´re Gibson stock. And that tone is, I reckon, The classic TBird into a Sansamp driver

Either a Tanglewood Elf or a Squier bronco would be my recoms anyway. The Elf usually goes for about 40-60 pounds. Usually a weird light Blue colour. They are great for adults too-as a travel bass and a very cheap alternative to the Fender MIM P Bass JNR The Bronco from around 50 pounds secondhand. There are also a few Cort shortscales out there worth looking at.

[quote name='Dodge' post='725149' date='Jan 26 2010, 01:54 PM']+1. If I need any really underexposed photos I'll know exactly who to go to.[/quote] +1 Brilliant!

I regret selling mine. Loved the neck and the pups are fantastic! Much bigger sound than most Jazz basses. May consider buying another once the Precision Obsession has passed me by

looking into a second hand one of these in very good condition, so would like to know what they fetch these days. Also, where are these made? Are they Korean? Any help appreciated

Hi guys. Recently changed my effects set up and would like to run my pedal board at rehearsal now too. I am using an Ampeg B500dr head with two BSE 410HLF cabs. Effects board has: EHX Bass Big Muff Distortion EHX Small Stone Phaser EHX Doctor Q Envelope Filter (nano) EHX Mole Bass Booster (nano) EHX LPB1 Linear Power Booster (nano) 9v pedal supply Now, usually, when I run ths setup live through my Marshall VBA400´s effects loop-no problem whatsoever, but when I connect them to the Ampeg B500dr, there is a distinct loss of punch/clarity and even a touch of distortion. I have tried messing with the effects blend knob on the front of the amp, but this only makes the distortion more noticeable. What should I do to get around this?

As a matter of interest, is the one you are thinking of buying new or second hand? what kind of figure do they want for it?

[quote name='Sibob' post='722277' date='Jan 23 2010, 04:10 PM']I don't know about other companies, but Fender have just put their prices up! Si[/quote] Was in Pro Musica in Cork this morning and they had just gotten in a Roadwoarn Jazz in S/Burst. Looked lovely. Then I noticed the price tag 1259euro There were two American Fenders, one on each side of it (one was a standard P, the other was an S1 Jazz)-both 1100euro. I asked the guy about the difference-he said the Fender rep told him about another price increase recently and the owner of the store put the tag on it. that´s crazy money for one of these things-nice as they are, when for less money I could get a new American Standard instrument) But this place is a bit of a rip-off shack TBH, They have a Red Aerodyne Strat for 1700euro. Think they were about 850 when they were out first. So not sure about it being just people like Fender- both manufacturer and retailler are equally responsible these days. it might be much more difficult for smaller stores to operate these days though, as online instrument sales are crippling them with buying power/low prices and huge distribution networks. Couple that with increasing operational costs of running a brick and mortat premises, wages, overheads and a complete lack of customer loyalty, in this poor (one hopes recovering) economic climate. Still, there must be a balance somewhere though?

That´s weird man!!! I was in a pub in Cork last night and the band´s bass player had a similar set up. It was an SVT-CL with Trace Elliot 2x10 & 4x10 cabs. He aslo used a PJ BassBuddy. Bass-wise he was using a Tokai Rickenfaker and the whole thing sounded amazing. Seems Ampeg and Trace Elliot were meant to be together!

Tried one in Walton´s in Dublin a few years ago. I asked to try one of the Ampeg Blue Diamond series bass amps and the guy at the counter brought me down to the area they were in, grabbed a bass off the wall and plugged me into a Reverborocket 50 guitar amp Convinced him it was a tube guiar amp before he switched it on. Got the right one in the end anyway. From what I remember, it sounded very loud at 1/3 volume. Plenty of bottom end. The EQ setup was fairly simple, but the bass (an Epi Ebo IIRC) sounded lovely through it. I do remeber lifting it and being annoyed that for the size, it weighed a fair bit. At the time it was between this, a secondhand Ampeg B3 combo and a Fender Rumble 100 (which had just come out) The B3 won-but only just (didn´t have the cash to buy a new DB100r ) Walton´s prices were ridiculous anyway. They didn´t have the 200 version in stock in either store, but they "had one on order" (it never showed) I love the look of it. Very fifties-right up my street!-Just add a Gretsch style bass or a Coronado and bam! If only they´d modernise it a wee bit. Maybe do something like the new Fender Bassman TV combos and stick in a valve pre and an ext spkr jack and do some nice blue diamond cabs(2x10,2x12,1x15?). Hmm...

I love my TBiird(s) The Epiphone is lovely looking but not great soundwise-I´ve heard better copies-Grecco, Tokai etc My Gibson T-Bird is great! I bought (more like traded for ) a second-hand Thunderbird Studio V in Ebony with Gibson case. Beautiful instrument. Have always been a kind of hard-line Fender guy (ocasionally picking up a Ray or G&L) And always four strings! The opportunity to cross both lines with one bass was too awesome to resist. Always loved the look of them, just hated the price tag and neck dive Took a while to get the 5 string thing down, but got there. But as far as the actual instrument goes-great value. Have seen and heard Les Paul and Firebird Studio models (they are pretty much Gibson´s version of the Fender Highwy series imo) and have seen tons of variation in finish and fit and playability. Some are planks, some are great. The finish on my TBird is lovely. No flaws anywhere. My only problem is with the hardware. So many sharp edges on the bridge and the volume and tone knob were backwards (tone on aneck pup pot, then vol ,vol). If, like me, you can make such little sacrifices and get past this, you will be ok. I love the clank from the TBird and fiddling with the bridge pup volume, you can get some great classic rock sounds, as well as some cool indie vibes- Kings of Leon, Breeders etc. Very high output pups, but run them through an SVT with a bit of grit and you´re on the pig´s back headed toward tonal bliss! Oh, and neck dive is not really an issue with the studio model! There is about 4 or 500 quid of a difference between the Tbird and TBird studio-Try both if you can and A/B them. I personally prefer my studio, but it´s a matter of what sounds best to you. Happy hunting

Did you buy an Orange bass terror?

For what it´s worth, the Marshall VBA 400 is pretty good at that Jam sound too. After playing with the 3 way style switch and bass dial, I got a pretty good sound. Then switched over basses-my siennaburst 78 Precision. Dialled down the the tone knob on the bass a quarter or so and BAM-That´s Entertainment-perfect replica of the sound. To make sure it wasn´t a fluke, tried Eton Rifles and In The City-great (though one of them should have been on a Ric I´m sure-but I hate them!lol). I think its more to do with 4x12 sound than the valve amp tbh. Still, do not discount the big awkward ba****d that is the beautiful warm sounding VBA 400!

The difference between Jazz and Precision is astounding. I too have smallish hands. I started on a Jazz and went through a good few before I settled on one. Loved the necks on all of them (bar one), just wasn´t thrilled with the tone. Got a Geddy Lee and that changed everything! Neck profile was weirdly amazing. So thin and quick! Then I discovered that as much as I thought I disliked Precisions, I had a revealation (I now know it was some sort of Divine Intervention/cosmic/Karma shift etc). Cast out were all but two jazzes and in flooded the Precisions, sometimes two by two I love the necks on precsions-they feel RIGHT-big, chunky and heavey-like a REAL bass should be!

Ampeg SVT CL or VR if I had to pick. And of the two, I would swing slightly more toward the VR-just seems that little bit grizzlier and ballsy (think the lack of an input gain control has something to do with it) Had a Mesa 400+ and liked it a lot but I just couldn't get the most of it. [quote name='Andy Blowers' post='720659' date='Jan 21 2010, 11:17 PM']Marshall VBA400 anyone?[/quote] +1 Got one a few months ago and love it! Weighs a bloody ton, but well worth the aches! Bone rattlin!!! Use it with a VBC 4x12. Just wish i had a second VBC 4x12 cab!

[quote name='throwoff' post='719945' date='Jan 21 2010, 11:31 AM']Anyone know? I assume far east but anyone got a definate answer?[/quote] China. Got an HLF from that series-definately China Most of the B series stuff comes from there now. They were made in Vietnam but that changed in mid 07- I guess Vietnam=Old US Series and China=Vietnam now

Bought an Ampeg BSE 410HLF from Paul, I am in Ireland and was not expecting this transaction to run as quickly. It was ollected on Monday and arrived last night! Packed securely. Not a single blemish or tear on the cab. Plays beautiful and sounds HUGE! Very very happy to recommend Paul as a seller on here. Cheers mate Col

Top Boke. Bought a Cream coloured Phil Jones Briefcase form Paul. Amazing! Can´t turn it off! Item was EXACTLY as described-which was immaculate. Would Highly Recommend!!!