barneyg42 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Ok, some familiar questions, I've done a bit of searching but could do with some personal input. At the mo I run an MXR preamp D.I. in to a power amp (For sale here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/188077-crown-xls-402-power-amp-mxr-m80-di-fsft/"]http://basschat.co.u...xr-m80-di-fsft/[/url]) into a Compact. I want to lighten the load a bit and get a bit more EQ. So what amp should I use, I'll have about £400 to spend so I'm probably looking at something like a TC BH500/Hartke LH500 or 1000/ various Markbass/GK/. I play in a 5 piece classic rock band and a Pink Floyd tribute, fairly loud and I'll probably add another Compact for bigger gigs when I've the funds having heard Sibobs rig at the SE bassbash last week. I think compact and fairly lightweight is a definite, so no massive Ampegs or Mesas (prob out of price range anyway) Thanks in advance...........GAS is a bugger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 If you like the pre, keep it and get a Peavey IPR power amp, still kinda big, but light and powerful, you can rack it with an EQ, but heading toward another pre then. The hartke LH stuff won't give you more eq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0175westwood29 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 in that price range id look at markbass, there eq is really good and also you've got the filters which can change the sound of the amp alot. plus they aren't lacking in power at 8 ohms if your using a single cab, also ill also put forward the headlite a very nice really light amp with a really adjustable eq, and the aural enhancer which i actually like(i know some ppl dnt) andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 You didn't mention these at all but I have a GB Streamliner 600 and a TC Electronics Classic 450, both lightweight and small but very different beasts. Plus BF Compact and Midget. If you thought it was worth the journey to the darkest depths of SE Essex you are welcome to ABCD it all, if it would help eliminate them for good. Although I actually like the GB quite a lot at the moment and would heartily recommend one of those even if the eq options aren't spectacular (but for me the fewer buttons the better). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I use a markbass LM11 into 1 or 2 15" cabs loaded with the same Eminence drivers as the compact. Sounds great to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Try the GK mb fusion: Good Eq, and a flat GK harshness that sounds suprisingly bright and agressive through the Compact. Channel B can do a pretty satisfying breakup in an ampeggy smoothness vein - I can't really describe it well, you definately need to boost the mids to get there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Having heard several amps through several Barefaced cabs they all sounded pretty good. I guess that's what a well designed cab does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1349275136' post='1824119'] The hartke LH stuff won't give you more eq. [/quote] Definitely not! The only drawback with that amp range in fact... I'm considering some kind of parametric or graphic EQ pedal so that I can add some more mids.... Of course, if you like a scooped sound they are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneyg42 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1349277211' post='1824163'] I use a markbass LM11 into 1 or 2 15" cabs loaded with the same Eminence drivers as the compact. Sounds great to me [/quote] I think that's what Sibob had, sounded immense! GK fusion looks good, possibly out of price range, what about the TC BH500, can get a new one in my price range? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Barney, if you fancy a trip into West London then you're welcome to try my Compact (+ Midget + Super12) with my OBT500 and my GK MB500. Though not at the same time, of course. The OBT is (famously) a one-trick pony, but it's a pretty good trick. The MB500 is far more flexible, but can be a bit too clean for my tastes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Isn't the Orange Terror bass well regarded with the Compact? And the price is good too. But from actual experience the LMII sounds fantastic with the Compact. In fact my cheap backup amp, an Ashdown Little Giant 1000 also sounds excellent and loud with the Compact. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Foxen Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='Conan' timestamp='1349278138' post='1824183'] Definitely not! The only drawback with that amp range in fact... I'm considering some kind of parametric or graphic EQ pedal so that I can add some more mids.... Of course, if you like a scooped sound they are great! [/quote] I consider it an upside having seen how many players treat EQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 If y want a good eq i think there is an ea i500 for sale in the classifieds. Great amps and its only about£250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneyg42 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 [quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1349281650' post='1824271'] If y want a good eq i think there is an ea i500 for sale in the classifieds. Great amps and its only about£250 [/quote] Hmm....tempting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 The LH500 does have mids - you just need to rethink it and turn the bass and treble down and the volume up. If you can get to Herts/Essex border i have a GK MBFusion and a Hartke LH500 you can try out. I also have an Ashdown 15" cab with an Eminence Deltalite speaker in it which does a very good Barefaced impersonation (up for sale if anyone wants it - havent done piccys yet but its a 9/10 cosmetically and weighs next to nothing. £130 would sort it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0175westwood29 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 [quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1349297825' post='1824528'] The LH500 does have mids - you just need to rethink it and turn the bass and treble down and the volume up. If you can get to Herts/Essex border i have a GK MBFusion and a Hartke LH500 you can try out. I also have an Ashdown 15" cab with an Eminence Deltalite speaker in it which does a very good Barefaced impersonation (up for sale if anyone wants it - havent done piccys yet but its a 9/10 cosmetically and weighs next to nothing. £130 would sort it) [/quote] Isnt flat eq on the lh500/1000 bass and treble at 3 and mids at 10? So mids anywhere but full gives you a scooped sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Bass and treble at about 9o'clock and mids at about 3o'clock is flat but you'll find that in reality a small bass or treble adjustment in conjunction with volume makes the mids sound quite different. You can still boost the mids a bit anyway and if you set the bass or treble around 11/12o'clock then it sounds more traditionally scoopy. I demoed it like that at a shop and thought it sounded a bit gutless until the guy there showed me how to get the best out of it Its one of those amps that doesnt jump out at you with an in your face tone but if you spend a bit of time with it you'll figure it out. You need to get away from the "everything at 12 and boost from there" idea and its not an amp for fiddlers - it makes you just get on with playing I find its really punchy and warm sounding with a solid clarity with the bass and treble at about 10o'clock and mids at 3o'clock. Bloody loud as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneyg42 Posted October 6, 2012 Author Share Posted October 6, 2012 Well on Thursday on the way back from my mums in Loughborough I cut across to Bass Direct in Warwick and pulled the trigger on a TC BH500. Sounded great through the TC cabs but I wasn't sure about the Compact. Gave it its first run out tonight and I was well pleased. Not great on the treble side so I punched the amp treble up and gave my Mxr M80 a tweek and there we were. Hamster popped in to pick up a bass from me and even though I was only on 4 on the master he thought I was just a small notch too loud! So plenty of headroom there then. I still think I will go for a Midget T when money allows though, I was pushing the treble quite a lot and would like a bit more headroom in that respect. Thanks for all the advice, hopefully I'm settled for a bit now but hey, you never know when the gas will get you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomBass Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 i think either the OTB500 or an Ashdown ABM500 will fit the bill perfectly. Having said that, I'm mostly gigging with my LB30 and Compact these days,.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 [quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1349344571' post='1824911'] Bass and treble at about 9o'clock and mids at about 3o'clock is flat.... its not an amp for fiddlers - it makes you just get on with playing Bloody loud as well. [/quote] Certainly no question about the volume!! I'm sure I read somewhere that "flat" is bass and treble on 2 and mid on full. That's my default setting and it usually does the trick but is definitely not "mid-heavy". I like a lot of mid in my tone, and sometimes find it wanting. Last weekend I used it on a hollow stage in a pretty packed room and it just seemed to suck all the mids out. Even with the bass cut further there was a lack of mids. Part of the problem could be my bass choices too I suppose - the Status and Geddy Lee are hardly known for their middly tones!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barneyg42 Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share Posted October 28, 2012 Ok so the rig is sorted. TC BH500 into TC BC210 and Barefaced Compact. Got the 210 yesterday and gigged it all last night. Big room in a social club, volume on 3 and it was great. 210 with the tweetertone control on the head was fantastic. Could back the treble off on the bass and get a good boost for any slappy clicky bits. Seems to have all the tonal variation I need. Crap photo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Rumble Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) This works for me although I have sold the Warwick [attachment=122233:DSC00704.JPG] and I can carry the whole damn lot in one hand Edited October 28, 2012 by Captain Rumble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alstocko Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 Couldn't recommend the Markbass LMT more! It really makes for a great setup and at just over 2kgs it's light as a feather! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigevilman Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I use a BH500 with a compact, and it never usually goes about 4 or 5, even without PA support! Used to have a second compact, but it all honestly, don't need the second one, but it was always nice for the festival shows shifting all that air! Headlined Bridge Rats Biker Rally in Halifax last summer to 1500 bikers, had one compact and the bh500 cranked to 7 - sounded immense! The compact deffo works better cranked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted October 30, 2012 Share Posted October 30, 2012 I gigged the Compact with my new Mesa Boogie Walkabout last weekend and I was blown away by the sound. The Walkabout seems to have a fantastic thickness and depth to the sound - I can't quite explain it but, even though the Walkabout delivers only 165 watts into the Compact, the combination is very loud and what a satisfying sound it is! I backed of at 30hz because of a wooden stage and I don't think I've ever heard myself so clearly. The drummer told me he was thinking he was too quiet during the gig and might need a new kit. So, expensive as the Walkabout definately is, a good used one is a fantastic investment, for me anyhow. (Although a used Walkabout can be had for the same money as a new micro-amp, so you pays yer money and makes yer choice) Out of interest, the reason I bought the Walkabout was because I wanted to get back to an amp with a transformer rather than a Switch Mode Power Supply. I have become suspicious that most SMPS can't deliver the required amps and maintain the voltage when pushed hard. I might be wrong although I'm very happy with the Walkabout. Frank. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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