Suggestions for rock-rock/blues amp+cab

[aleio82]

Hi guys, need your help. I sold some months ago my old amp system and now I am thinking to buy a new one; problem is that in shops around here there is not much choice for tests.

As written I mostly play classic rock and rock blues (srv and similars), what would you suggest for head and cab? Which setup? 4x10? 2x12?

Before I had an ABM 500 EVO III with an ABM 414H 4 ohm which was not bad.

Just for information: thumbs up for ashdown, ampeg, hartke. Thumbs down for mark bass, tc etc.

Many thanks in advance!

[JapanAxe]

Sounds like you already have a clear idea of what you want!

[aleio82]

i have a clear idea of the sound i want: warm but also defined, not too muddy. I am looking for your opinions about ashdown, hartke, ampeg or other solutions with not too heavy cabs if possible

Edited January 17, 2016 by aleio82

[JapanAxe]

I suggest you remove Hartke from your list - the ones I have heard have been defined but not warm.

[Truckstop]

I used my Fender Rumble100 12" combo in a rhythm and blues band and, with judicious use of the gain control and a P bass, I got a really nice vintage smooth tone.

Dead round rounds helped to eliminate the zing that I didn't want and cutting the bass control helped to keep the ultra-low frequencies from invading everything.

Looks the part too!

[aleio82]

Uh ok for hartke as wattage i'd say not less than 500 w

[FinnDave]

I play the same kind of music, used to use Ashdown ABM 500 plus Ashdown 410, still using the amp but now through a Barefaced super twin (212). Good solid but still clear sound with a Fender P.

[Merton]

Don't scrub Hartke from the list just yet - the LH500 is a monster and could be well worth a look

[wateroftyne]

Lots of great stuff out there. The Mesa Walkabout is a great rock & blues head. Take a look at the TKS 'S' range for cabs.

[Lozz196]

Adding to warm/defined amps I`d put in Aguilar Tonehammers and Fender Rumbles. Very nice warm, old-school type sounds from these.

Cab-wise a good 212 should be enough for most venues, Berg CN212, Barefaced, TKS, all get good reviews.

[IanA]

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1453023498' post='2955510']
Don't scrub Hartke from the list just yet - the LH500 is a monster and could be well worth a look
[/quote]

+1. I think Dave Ellefson does ok with them...
Edit and Nate Watts 😊

Edited January 17, 2016 by IanA

[aleio82]

In fact I was tempted by a ha5500 (more tubey than then lh imo) or the kilo (but I see many overheating issues in forums) matched with hydrive 410 but almost impossible to find in shops for test

[aleio82]

Aguilar I tried once but I found it not so warm, am I wrong?

[Lozz196]

[quote name='aleio82' timestamp='1453030150' post='2955641']
Aguilar I tried once but I found it not so warm, am I wrong?
[/quote]

Depends which one - their AG amps are meant to be a lot clearer/hi-fi, whereas the Tonehammer is as warm as a non-tube amp as is possible, in both mine and many others opinion - check out Talkbass for their threads on it.

[aleio82]

Ok thx

[JTUK]

[quote name='aleio82' timestamp='1453030150' post='2955641']
Aguilar I tried once but I found it not so warm, am I wrong?
[/quote]

I wouldn't call them 'warm'... but I would say they are as warm as you need to get
without blatting your tone.

And another shout for TKS 112's which I'd pair with a TH500 or Ampeg PF500.

[machinehead]

I'd agree that the new Fender combos and cabs are lovely warm sounding kit. What about a pair of Fender 2 x 10 or 1 x 12 cabs and amp of your choice? I've never heard an Aguilar TH500 but they seem to be well thought of.

Frank.

[Kirky]

I play similar music with a GK Fusion 550 into a TKS S212 cab. Sometimes via a DHA VT1 drive. Its plenty loud enough, warm, and looks great. I previously had Barefaced cabs which were just as nice.

[aleio82]

many people talking well on tks!

[chris_b]

I know guys playing rock/blues through a Hartke 115, Markbass 210's, Ampeg 115, Ampeg 410, Bergantino 212, Barefaced 112's, GB 610 and TC cabs.

Basically If you're good at what you do you can make any amp and cab format work.

[6v6]

You seem to have discounted Mark Bass for unspecified reasons, but FWIW I play blues/rock with a LM3 and it works very well.

It's not as coloured as some heads, but one thing worth considering is it's easy to add a pedal if you need more grit/warmth/colouration, but it's generally hard to remove if you get a heavily voiced amp with that tone built in.

[aleio82]

Hi 6v6, I tryed playing with MB but I found missing low end, I mean that lows that shakes inside I tried CMD serie so maybe was the wrong serie.

[Conan]

No shortage of low end on my LM2! In fact it has too much for what I need so the bass control is usually at just past 12 o'clock! Sounds relatively "warm" too (to my ears).

Edited January 18, 2016 by Conan

[aleio82]

maybe i was on the wrong serie

[Dan Dare]

Gotta be 15s. Several of 'em. I know, I know. Modern 2x10s and 2x12s are supposed to give it sufficient wellie, but they just don't, OK.