Pow_22

Ive always had good luck with Elites Groundwounds. Not Hotwire smooth but certainly not GHS Brite/D'addario Halfround rough

Thanks for the replies people I don't think its a volume thing to be honest, the SB12 is only 22 watts! I think micing it is the way to go. Re:Barefaced - it is an option I tried with several other heads (orange, ashdown, marshall and ampeg) No denying the weight, it was just too much a sacrifice on tone for me

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Ive recently joined a new band who have ‘out of hours’ access to a rehearsal space run by the singers friend. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Its an old converted loft type building so a flight of stairs to access our space.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]The band is a 5 piece with 2 x guitards, drummist and a singist.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]My current arsenal of ampage is an Ampeg V4Bh with a 410he cab for gigs (and used to rehearse in my last band) and a vintage Ampeg SB12 fliptop for home/recording. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]The guitarist mentioned that they will be using 2 x 100w Blackstar combos and with a drummer I’m thinking I would need my big rig.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]However, lugging the 4x10 up a flight of stairs doesn’t enthral me and I know the SB12 wont have the beans.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Ive asked about the possibility of renting a cab from the studio but they only have bass combos which I know will be the usual Ashdown/Trace rehearsal space stuff.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]I do feel that playing through a nice valve amp gets me the main part of my sound (a valve amp [/color][/size][i][size="3"][color="#000000"]just[/color][/size][/i][size="3"][color="#000000"] on the point of break-up, still fat and meaty) so I don’t really want to rent a generic solid state combo and spend the night battling to get my sound.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]The option the guitarist has mentioned is micing up the SB12 and sticking a bit through the PA. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Whilst not a loud band the SB12 will certainly need help.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Having never mic’d a cab up before im wondering if its just as simple as setting my sound, sticking a mic in front of the speaker then setting the level on the board?[/color][/size][/font]

Pawel bought some flatwounds off me in an effortlessly smooth transaction. Nae danger here

Another hassle free transaction with Davie. Nae danger here, one of the good guys

Cool, glad it got sorted and is back to pumping out that lovely valve tone! Did the tech say what the fault was?

Bought some flats off Chris in an effortlessly smooth transaction. Nae danger here

[font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]I read that a lot whilst doing my research before buying but I can honestly say ive never wanted for power or more headroom. [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]Im up against a rock drummer, a Vox AC30 and a Fender Twin and easily compete with room to spare.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]One thing I read (whether its right or wrong) if that these particular amps really do need balanced driver valves (the 12AX7 and 12AU7) before the 6L6’s so first thing I did was this and it did seem to ‘wake the amp up’ somewhat. [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]If anything it might even be TOO powerful for me as im not able to crank it to the valve saturation point.[/color][/size][/font] [size=3][color=#000000][font=Calibri]Think im gonna tinker with my DHA Drive Pedal and see if I can get some grit there – though that will leave me short of a nice OD pedal for Chelsea Dagger [/font][font=Wingdings][font=Wingdings]J[/font][/font][/color][/size]

[font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Need a bit of help here possible with amp settings or maybe even valve selection.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]My current rig/set up is – Pbass with Elites flatwounds into an Ampeg V4BH into an Ampeg 410he. [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]Great beefy sound but just lacking a little grind/drive.[/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000] [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]Initially I thought it was maybe down to strings – the Elites are very much an old school type flat with a tubby and thumpy sound.[/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000] [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]I switched to some Elites Groundwounds which certainly brought more grind but also less thump and more tension.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Ive tried messing around with having the amps volume on max and setting the level using the gain and also vice versa. [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]Ive put some Chinese 12AX7’s in the pre to try and get a bit more breakup but nothing seems to be working.[/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000] [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]I just cant seem to get the grind and drive I want – the kind of open, woody tone with a hint of break up that was always associated with p bass through an ampeg valve amp.[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Amp settings are Bass at Noon, Treble at 11 oclock, Mid at 3 oclock with Mid selector on 3. [/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Finally, I recently I bought a DHA Bass Drive to use on Chelsea Dagger (which it does very well) and im wondering if I should look to use this as an ‘always-on’ type pre-amp pedal (with a less extreme setting than Chelsea Dagger).[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Any help here much appreciated. [/color][/size][size=3][color=#000000]I just want to open the sound up a little and add that bit of hair to it.[/color][/size][/font]

Elites flatwounds on everything for me, just feel right and sound good. 99% of my basses are P Basses tho

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Did a bass trade with Dunc in an effortlessly smooth transaction. [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Had a good chin wag on all things bass and ive now got myself another P.[/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"] [/color][/size][size="3"][color="#000000"]Nae danger here[/color][/size][/font]

I loved my old Spyder 330 head, cracking amp. I like their amps but never got on with their cabs. Most recently tried a CL cab which is supposedly their top line - very underwhelmed