What kind of bass amp do you use with your Rickenbacker?

[woodyng]

It's a Tech 21 VT Bass Sansamp pedal. Basically it simulates an Ampeg SVT,or the ampeg piggyback tube amps,and makes a great preamp for the markbass. Personally,i really like markbass speakers too. In addition to the 1-12" combo,i run an Avatar 1-12" extension cabinet. I tend toward a somewhat "middy" sound with the flatwound equipped basses,and more of a grindy bass/treble boost with the rw's. All of my basses are 4 stringers, but i have played a borrowed 5 string through the rig with no problem(other than not being comfortable on a 5 string bass!)
I'm sure the ampeg 1-15 cab would sound fine with the MB head.(be sure to check the ampeg's power rating) I always wanted to hear my old mesa walkabout/ scout cab with a markbass head.

[JackTheRipper]

This is my current rig and I love it. My signal chain is: Bass->SansAmp RPM->SansAmp RBI->dbx 160A->Carvin DCM3000L->Ampeg Heritage SVT-810e. I generally use only the bridge pickup on the 4003, Circle K strings and love the tone and it can get as loud as it needs! This is definitely the best rig I've ever had. And it's really not that hard to load/unload...

--jack

[cjj]

My signal chain is: Bass->SansAmp RPM->SansAmp RBI->dbx 160A->Carvin DCM3000L->Ampeg Heritage SVT-810e.

Interesting. What can you do with the chained RPM->RBI that is better than either alone? Are you doing the Bi-Amp setup they show in the manual?

I've got both, but use them in Rick-O-Sound mode, one for each pickup. I'll have to try 'em in series some day.

A Carvin DCM3000L? Man, now I feel like my DCM1540L is wimpy...

[JackTheRipper]

My signal chain is: Bass->SansAmp RPM->SansAmp RBI->dbx 160A->Carvin DCM3000L->Ampeg Heritage SVT-810e.

Interesting. What can you do with the chained RPM->RBI that is better than either alone? Are you doing the Bi-Amp setup they show in the manual?

I've got both, but use them in Rick-O-Sound mode, one for each pickup. I'll have to try 'em in series some day.

A Carvin DCM3000L? Man, now I feel like my DCM1540L is wimpy...

Its a bit hard to describe, but with the RPM and RBI chained, the tone is a bit brighter and more defined. I have it setup so I can use them both, or bypass the RPM and use just the RBI. Surprisingly, there is actually less noise (hiss) when using both than when using just the RBI. I almost always use them both because I like the tone more. The tone is really good with just the RBI, but with but it's just more better

No, I don't bi-amp and I use just one channel of the DCM3000L. It's plenty

--jack

[ricnbacker]

do any of you have experience with an Ashdown Combo? how are they, whats their story? I dont hear or read people talking about them very often or at all for that matter.

I used one on my last tour of the UK in 2008. I don't remember the model, but it was a 100 watt combo with 2X10's in it and was one of the UK hand wired versions.
It took a little getting used to, as I'm used to mt Trace Elliot setup, but once I got it dialed in, it had a great RIC sound. I used my '75 4001 on that tour, and I managed to get wgat was essentially a classic RIC 70's flatwound tone out of it whilst using roundwounds. It had a sub bass feature on it which really made a lot of difference.

As it was a combo, it didn't have the throw of my big stack, but it did have a nice balanced DI built in that delivered the sound to the desk.

It was impressive enough that if I was ever to move off Trace Elliot, I'd be getting Ashdown gear.

thanks, you are the only person who can give a hands on review.

only thing is they dont have anything current that is less than 300 watts
this is a Chinese made 2X10 307 w
http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/produc ... 0Combo.jpg

and this is the English made 2X10

http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/produc ... 0Combo.jpg

which one looks like the one you played?

[ricnbacker]

Hi,Chris S. i like the power and transparency of the markbass combo.(i have the 1-12" combo),but didn't think it got me quite what i wanted til i got a VT pedal to preamp it. It really makes a spectacular difference. I imagine the markbass head with the tube preamp might also come close. Of course after playing through Gareth's rig this past weekend at BARC II,i do see that there's no substitute for power and more speakers!

I was playing it earlier and was fooling with the eq...I have found 2 things....

1- there is a lot more bass to this amp than my Ampeg. its really deep. I dialed back the bass and low mids and got a sound I was happy with <Phew>. the Ampeg speaker seems a little tighter or more punch with the eq set flat...Idk

2- I think me E string is dead. I plugged into the ampeg and it sounded a little flat compared to the last time I played it.

seems a funny time to go dead, they just turned 11 years old last month. they are the original factory strings when I got the 4003 in 2001.
got a set of rotosound swing bass 66 strings a few years ago. guess its time to put them on...lol

[ricnbacker]

do any of you have experience with an Ashdown Combo? how are they, whats their story? I dont hear or read people talking about them very often or at all for that matter.

I used one on my last tour of the UK in 2008. I don't remember the model, but it was a 100 watt combo with 2X10's in it and was one of the UK hand wired versions.
It took a little getting used to, as I'm used to mt Trace Elliot setup, but once I got it dialed in, it had a great RIC sound. I used my '75 4001 on that tour, and I managed to get wgat was essentially a classic RIC 70's flatwound tone out of it whilst using roundwounds. It had a sub bass feature on it which really made a lot of difference.

As it was a combo, it didn't have the throw of my big stack, but it did have a nice balanced DI built in that delivered the sound to the desk.

It was impressive enough that if I was ever to move off Trace Elliot, I'd be getting Ashdown gear.

interesting tidbit...Ashdown was formed by a guy named Mark Gooday...formerly of Trace Elliot. this may not be news to some but I just read an article about it...

[jps]

interesting tidbit...Ashdown was formed by a guy named Mark Gooday...formerly of Trace Elliot. this may not be news to some but I just read an article about it...

Yep, Ashdown is really Trace Elliot Part II. The new TE by Peavey is v3.

[gareth]

and this is the English made 2X10

http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/produc ... 0Combo.jpg

which one looks like the one you played?

That's the one. Surpisingly powerful I think it one really delivers 300 watts if you connect another cabinet to it. They do this as a 300 watt head too, and I would be very tempted to build a double stack like my TE stuff with it all. Megadeth's James Lomenzo is currently using a double Ashdown stack last time I checked. Paul Gray of The Hod Rods/Damned/UFO also uses one with a 74 4001.

[ricnbacker]

and this is the English made 2X10

http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/produc ... 0Combo.jpg

which one looks like the one you played?

That's the one. Surpisingly powerful I think it one really delivers 300 watts if you connect another cabinet to it. They do this as a 300 watt head too, and I would be very tempted to build a double stack like my TE stuff with it all. Megadeth's James Lomenzo is currently using a double Ashdown stack last time I checked. Paul Gray of The Hod Rods/Damned/UFO also uses one with a 74 4001.

ok, so its 300 watts at 4ohms but the combo is 8 so you are not getting the full wattage from just the combo. thanks

The MB I have is 300 watts @8 ohms which is the amps impedance and 500 if I pair it with another cab bringing it down to 4 ohms.

I was looking at the Ashdown for some time but never could find one locally to try. I am 90 % satisfied with the MB...need a little more playtime before I give it " its the best amp I aver played" nod....its pretty cool so far with the Steinberger, so so with the Ric but I am finding some sounds I am happy with that fit my style. like I said earlier, 10 years playing through a little b100R tends to influence what you are hearing in a new piece of equipment.

I will say this about the MB...its the loudest damn thing in a small package I ever heard. too loud for me to crank in the house. almost gave myself a headache the other day......then again that could have just been my playing...lol

[chrisdski]

My current rig is Markbass LM2 with 2 MB 12's with a Basswitch preamp and Markbass compressor

[turlu]

101_0186.JPG

My current rig is Markbass LM2 with 2 MB 12's with a Basswitch preamp and Markbass compressor

Ahhhh... The nicest of alll... The 75th anniversary Ric 4003....should sound awesome thru those MarkBass !!!!

[soundmasterg]

I've got a vintage SVT head that I use with SVT cabinets, but I am currently looking to downsize on the cabinets....anyone want a SVT style 8x10 cabinet with four 10's and one 15?

I like the SVT sound, but I prefer the sound through my vintage Sunn 2000S head and cabinet, so that is what I use when I play bass live these days.

Greg

[SloRider]

101_0186.JPG

My current rig is Markbass LM2 with 2 MB 12's with a Basswitch preamp and Markbass compressor

Love the ministack. [thumbsup]

[psychomatthias]

ameg svt...old real ones ! thems the swines to use, but alas...kids are weak now and can't lift a finger anymore. geddy used to use them and had great tone in the early daze, then went clinical ! but you guys want an amp that weighs 5 pounds and puts out 5 million watts ??? effort baby...effort !

I back this AND I'm 5'4'', 135 pounds. Get buff and sound great!