Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I am fed up with my rig (again) and am in search of a better amp to do my basses (both Ricks, 4001 and 4003) justice! Here are some things I'm considering:

Marshall
Hartke
Mesa
Gee, short list. Oh well. What I'd like, if you lovely folks could be so kind (like usual) are any and all suggestions.

LOUD is a factor, as I will soon have two half stacks to compete with in one band.
I am open to all suggestions! Thank you one and all!

Hi...
For me, many have come and gone, and the two that remain are a '73 SVT and a Gallien Krueger 800RB.
The one that gets 90% of the work, is the 800RB.

aint VOX in the running?

http://www.voxshowroom.com/us/amp/essex.html

You want loud? I suggest the following:

cabinet: Basson 4 x 10 http://www.bassonsound.com/b410b.htm
power amp: QSC RMX 2450 http://www.qscaudio.com/products/amps/rmx/rmx.htm
pre amp: BBE BMax T http://www.bbesound.com/products/bass_preamps/bmaxt/index.asp

Eric I've been looking at the Bmax. What is your opinion?

Interesting stuff, thanks guys!

As far as Vox is concerned, I thought about that at one time, but I'm afraid they're not powerful enough.

The big problem is that I've been using an SVPCL preamp / Crown XTi1000 / Ampeg 215 Classic setup and it just doesn't cut the mustard. I have it running in bridged mono and either one of the channels keep cutting out, which halves my power and I have the power level on both my amp and the master volume on the preamp cranked up all the way and it's not loud enough. Part of the problem is that it's a 215 but now I'm sick of trying to figure out what the bugs are and all the related nonsense. I just want a good, powerful setup that rings clearly. I want people to hear that my Ricks are, in fact, real Rickenbackers and not Rickenbacker-looking basses that just sound like P-basses.

One of the things I'm considering is a Hartke head with 2 aluminum-coned 410s. All I know are a few things I've heard, though.

I'd try 10's. Their punchier and will cut through better than your 15's.

Sounds like you need to get with your soundman. With what your describing, maybe he thinks you're to loud coming off of the stage, and has you way down in the PA. ?

Have you tried one of the SWR Pro series heads? They come in a range of power ratings, from 550 to 950 watts, I believe.

Couple that to a 4X10 cab or two & BOOM!
Loud, clear, plus a tube preamp section to get a little grind happening.

One word...

Sean, good to see that DR 103. My rig in '74 was one of those with a Hiwatt 2x15 cab loaded with Altecs. It totally kicked ***, but, and it is a big but are they loud enough and reliable enough for today?

I use a very modest Asdown ABM 500 with two of their ABM 2x10 cabs and it sounds just great, is reliable as hell and the DI out goes through the desk and my RIC sounds like a RIC. The Hiwatt would have to be miked and I would want at least two in case one went down.

Hi Bob,
We talked about our rigs, awhile back in another thread. I too used an Ashdown ABM500RC (after being a Hiwatt player for years like you), until recently.
A couple of months ago, I went back to Hiwatt!
Truth be told, as good as I thought the Ashdown was, I can't believe the difference. The Hiwatt is ALIVE.
I am using it with 2 cabs, and it can keep up with the Ashdown and the 2 Eden 2x12s I had... NO problem! I haven't had to mic it, but have a Radial JDI just in case I need to go FOH.
I found a Marshall JCM800 Bass Series 4x12 cab, that sounds incredible and is REALLY loud. On the bottom is a custom 2x15 cab, made from a Mojo 4x12 cab. The Mojo cab is really well made, and comes with S&P grill cloth... I put a Hiwatt logo on it, and it looks the part!
I'm so happy with my sound... this will be my last rig!

Scott-
We don't have a soundman, and rarely do all of us go through a PA anymore; most of our sound is just from the amps.

At any rate, I'd love a Hiwatt, and I looked at the 400 watt model they had on their site, but when I priced it, I could see that I am definitely not their target market.

I do think I'm going to go with 10's next time, though, unless I go with the Marshall VBA 400. Then I might get the 412.

I guess we'll see. This is all stuff to think about and consider.

Sean, are you using an old DR 103? From what I understand that is the best way to get THAT sound. I have also heard recently that the DR 103's needs a bit of looking after, not so much bits falling off them , more bits wearing out and needing replacement?

Damn, I'm just about young enough to go back to Hiwatt, I'm getting serious AAS over this one... (-:

Scott, I don't have the tube version, I just have the regular BMax, but I love it.

I think the EQ is adequate for the sound I'm going for, and I really like having the built-in compressor and Sonic Maximizer. You can turn compression & the Sonic Maximizer on/off with a footswitch. I also like having the DI out since my power amp doesn't. The bright switch really brings out the growl in a Rick.

Yep... an original DR103. Just had it serviced. A few caps, and a resistor replaced... new tubes and ready for another 35 years! People can talk all they want about reliability... EVERYTHING is subject to failure!
I gig without a backup amp. I have a spare quad of KT77s, some fuses and a few preamp tubes; should the amp have a problem. If it goes dead from something else, I have the Radial DI to get to the FOH.

I remember our discussion about Ashdown, and I really thought it was a great amp at the time. Still do actually, but since I went back to using valves... I must say that there's nothing to compare to the sound I get from my Hiwatt!