Opinions on bass cabs from Ric players

syncop8r · Post by **syncop8r** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:37 am

Has anyone played through a Vox T-60, or know anything about them? I just stumbled across a review:

http://www.nzmusician.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/articledetail/pi_articleid/448

I currently play through a Peavey TKO 80 Combo which has a 15" speaker, and I'm thinking neck pickup through this and bridge pickup through something like the Vox T-60 (with effects thrown in) which has a 12" speaker. I realise 4x10"s or 2x10"s would be an option here but I'm happy with combos for now.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 6:00 am

B-25's are rare, they only made them for one or two years, most are B-25B's. I have a question for you Greg I'll e-mail you. I think the B-25B's have the same chassis as the B-15S's

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:34 pm

Bob, just to backtrack a bit, I'm certain Ampegs are great amps; I've heard enough people with excellent bass sounds who use them. They've just never worked for me, at least so far. I've tried many, from a B100R combo through to an SVT preamp/various power amps, through to a V4B, through to a B2R, through to an SVT 2, and even an old 70s SVT and 8x10 which was, apart from a couple of old Peaveys I once used, the amp I've liked least of everything I've ever played through, cheap combos included. I'm not alone though; John Paul Jones has said he never liked Ampeg in the 70s, Chris Squire has said the same (although he uses Ampeg now)and I watched a repeat of the making of "Ace of Spades" the other day where Lemmy said at the start something to the effect of "get that Ampeg away from me"! And these are 3 of the guys with my favourite bass sounds. But I have nothing against them as amps; I really like the idea of using them given their pedigree. Maybe one day I'll come across one that does it for me. I have the same problem with Jazz basses. I have a few friends/acquaintances who use old Jazzes and get fantastic sounds out of them; unfortunately when I play their basses I sound awful. And they sound awful when they play my Ricks! Ultimately I don't personally believe in the perfect amp (or guitar), there is only the perfect amp/guitar for the individual. If it doesn't work for you, don't use it! If it does, do, whatever it is!

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 12:48 pm

Good point Shaun, to each their own. Specially your comments on the Jazz's ... I didn't think you were castigating Ampeg as a whole, just stating your experince and preference.

I grew up on Marshall and Orange tube amps, but I can't seriously justify the cost of those heads these days, even Ebay'd they're still out there.

I've been playing through a Fender Bassman combo at practice and although it's been ages since I used a Fender head, I'm very pleasntly surprised with this little combo.

It's only got a pair of tens, so it lacks serious punch (to me) I'm going to connect it to my 4x12 and see where we are.

If you get yourseslf over here you can try my B-25 ...

syncop8r · Post by **syncop8r** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:27 pm

Jim, can you tell me more about the Fender Bassman...

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:42 pm

Mark,
It's a Basssman 400, fitted with 2 Eminence Delta's

Has a switchable active / passive input, and a classic "Bass-Treble" tone set, with a Room Eq setting. It also has a 1U rackspace under the control panel which could take a tuner, or a effects unit. It also has a switchable Parametric Eq which can be engaged via a foot switch.

Here's the link to the Combo on the Fender site: Fender Bassman Pro

As I said, a pleasant surprise playing through it.

syncop8r · Post by **syncop8r** » Wed Jan 05, 2005 2:57 pm

Thanks, very grunty... and probably out of my price range.
The gigs I play the Peavey's 80W is enough and is really just my personal foldback anyway, so my extra amp won't have to be that big.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:37 am

Jim, sounds like you know what you want out of the amp mods, which is very good! I think Don Butler is down that way...I know he's in Cali, but he may be too busy or not work on Ampegs. You may ask him if he knows someone down there. I'm up in Portland, Oregon or I'd help you. I know a real good tech up here too who could use the work, but you'd have to ship it up to him.

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:28 am

Hi Greg,
I'd see what a qualified tech has to say about my list, and also what they had to say after looking over the amp.

I want the amp gone through and re-furbished.
New Caps Throughout New Resistors As Needed All Pots Cleaned Jack Sockets Cleaned Standyby and Polarity Swapped location Tube Seats Cleaned Grounds Isolated From Chassis Transformers Double Checked IEC Detachable Power Cord Fitted

I'm also thinking about the possibility of fitting a master volume, votes still out on that. I may also opt for the additional power tubes, again not sure, adding the tubes would put morer strain on the rest of the system.

As I said earlier I've a case being redone for this head. I don't mind shipping the amp if needed, although UPS already trashed one case on me by dropping the head. They did eventually cough up for the repairs.

I'd prefer to deliver and pickup it up in person, but I realise I might have to ship it to a qualified tech.

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:42 am

My first amp (besides the awful 25w 1x10 marshall i started out with) was my Trace 150w GP7 combo. And Shaun- i am with you- Trace made fantastic bass amps. But the cab design in this Trace combo is great. its a 1x15 - not particularly deep and has two ports on the front. Sounds great to me so i got an Ashdown EB 180w head thats very much like a Trace and built two cabs following the design in my combo for it.

I have used an ampeg 8x10 on two occasions. one time i plugged my trace into it and the other the head was an awful thing called a Carlsbro. I have also played thru an SVT350t - a 200w solid state 2x10 combo that needed to be on FULL VOLUME to be usable in a band rehearsal. (my amps are set on 4 out of 10 usually)

Basically i dislike 10" speakers and sealed cabs. I think they sound great on their own but awful when my band kicks in.

I also think (in my limited experience) that solid state is better than tubes for bass guitar but thats a whole different story!!

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:56 am

I would much rather play through one 15 than two tens, a useless configuration IMHO. It takes a while to get used to SVT's, the tone controls are very touchy. You have to live with one for a while to realize just how good they can sound. Most tube bass amps don't have enough power to really stay clear with a loud band. Good the see you posting Owen, what's up in Merry old england?

thx1955 · Post by **thx1955** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:03 am

I like the 12's as a good compromise to the 15, however nothing beats a couple of 4x15's with several hundrerd watts of Vavle power driving them.

Heavy I know, but who cares !!!!!

ojobob2 · Post by **ojobob2** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:09 am

Hey Bob - well....i found a great new drummer so im back playing for real again! He fits in perfectly,, knows exactly what to do with our songs and can play as frantic as Moon and as solid as one of the Motown/stax drummers. yeah im pretty happy with it all!

a 2x10 alone is a rubbish config for sure. I dont care how good the setup may be....you cant get a loud punchy powerful sound outta those little speakers.

steve_fox · Post by **steve_fox** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:20 am

Hi.
I play through a 2x10 300watt combo with a added 1x15 extension cab.
Alone the Combo sucks the life outa the bottom and is only good for rehearsal but with the 15 the balance is redressed and it sounds fantasatic.
Steve

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 8:21 am

4X15's? What do you have old Marshalls? Now that would move some serious air! An 8X10 is equivalent though in cone area and tighter sounding.
You can't beat the combo of Moon the Loon and Motown/Stax. I love Dunn and Jamerson.