Surprisingly good sounding rig!

[kwmlondon]

This is my dad’s OHM KA140 keyboard amp from the mid 80’s that he’s had since new. It’s got a nasty piezo tweeter and is quite shrill but makes for a fantastic bass amp! Really snappy and deep, very very modern and hifi. Honestly it’s one of the nicest tones I’ve achieved in years! 

[kwmlondon]

It’s really just a small PA head in a combo. I’ve never liked the sound with keyboard as it’s really brittle and sharp but with this bass it’s epic!!!

[Mudpup]

I had the bass combo version of this back in the 80's (think it was a GA140 or something like that). It was great as you said - really clear and punchy

[kwmlondon]

3 hours ago, Mudpup said:

I had the bass combo version of this back in the 80's (think it was a GA140 or something like that). It was great as you said - really clear and punchy

Probably very similar except for the preamp. 

[JPJ]

My first proper amp was an Ohm GB60, a horrendously underpowered 60W 1x15 combo with an H&H driver, but a lovely sound.

[kwmlondon]

I play through compact 1x12" cabs which are a miracle of portability (I can get my whole rig to a venue on the bus!!!) but man, it's lovely to plug into a big cabinet with a 1x15 driver in it...

[ahpook]

26 minutes ago, kwmlondon said:

I can get my whole rig to a venue on the bus!!!

 

I salute you, sir !

[gjones]

A bass player I replaced, back in the 80s, left his Ohm amp and 2x15 cab in his old band's rehearsal room. It had a fantastic sound and even when I plugged my rubbish Carlsbro Stingray combo head into the speaker cab I got a great sound.

 

Unfortunately for me, he came by and picked his gear up after a couple of weeks and I was left with my rubbish Carlsbro Stingray combo, which sounded like a wet fart in comparison.

[kwmlondon]

3 hours ago, ahpook said:

 

I salute you, sir !

It's not dignified what with my MarkBass CM121 on a trolley and the bass in a gig bag but I've gotten across London on the tube with it.

[kwmlondon]

3 hours ago, gjones said:

A bass player I replaced, back in the 80s, left his Ohm amp and 2x15 cab in his old band's rehearsal room. It had a fantastic sound and even when I plugged my rubbish Carlsbro Stingray combo head into the speaker cab I got a great sound.

 

Unfortunately for me, he came by and picked his gear up after a couple of weeks and I was left with my rubbish Carlsbro Stingray combo, which sounded like a wet fart in comparison.

They went into pro-PA installations by the start of the 90s didn't they? OHM?

[nekomatic]

12 hours ago, kwmlondon said:

It's not dignified what with my MarkBass CM121 on a trolley and the bass in a gig bag but I've gotten across London on the tube with it.

Many years back I used to take a 1x12 cab on luggage wheels - and a bass - from Clapham Junction to if memory serves Highgate for a jazz class. Ask me about the time I got there and found the escalator wasn’t working. 

[kwmlondon]

9 hours ago, nekomatic said:

Many years back I used to take a 1x12 cab on luggage wheels - and a bass - from Clapham Junction to if memory serves Highgate for a jazz class. Ask me about the time I got there and found the escalator wasn’t working. 

Class d amps and neodymium drivers have changed my life!!!

[BassmanPaul]

@kwmlondon Does your dad know you're messing with his stuff??

[kwmlondon]

3 hours ago, BassmanPaul said:

@kwmlondon Does your dad know you're messing with his stuff??

He does and he has a bit of a whinge but I had the amp repaired when it went wrong so I’ve earned the right to use it as I wish! 

[BassmanPaul]

On 27/12/2023 at 17:16, kwmlondon said:

He does and he has a bit of a whinge but I had the amp repaired when it went wrong so I’ve earned the right to use it as I wish! 

In my mind not really. Your dad bought the amp and paid good money for it that possibly was tight at the time like most of us.

 

It was designed for keyboards not bass guitar. Certainly use it but use it respecting your father's feelings on the matter.  Destroying it by using it "as I wish" would be a selfish act.

Edited December 30, 2023 by BassmanPaul

[kwmlondon]

2 hours ago, BassmanPaul said:

In my mind not really. Your dad bought the amp and paid good money for it that possibly was tight at the time like most of us.

 

It was designed for keyboards not bass guitar. Certainly use it but use it respecting your father's feelings on the matter.  Destroying it by using it "as I wish" would be a selfish act.

wait, are you my dad?!

Edited December 30, 2023 by kwmlondon

[kwmlondon]

Should have made clear

- I was just at low practise levels, low volume

- using a preamp with compression 

- he trusts me with his kit, I’ve been helping I’m out for decades 

- I bought him a second rig, a light one that’s easier for him to lug around. 

[3below]

Two surprising rigs (at low volume), Telecaster copy > Stagg 20W transistor combo, unbelievably good lead and chords.  Bass wise, G&L SB-1> Fender super 60 guitar combo, mic up & record, just thick and lush. 

[kwmlondon]

I think I read that Supergrass recorded through an old Carlsbro combo so I can well believe what you say.