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My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He claims the
Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering who uses
Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have any problems
with rattling or blowing speakers.
Regards,
Bill
I play a Fender bass amp in the Cocktail Preachers. A new Bassman 400.
I LOVE the sound of the 400 Combo but I just upgraded to the 400 head &
4x10 cabinet. BIG thump and more than enough high end if you need it.
Fender had a bad rep for bass amps awhile ago but with the new Bassman
series, they got it right.
I've owned Ampegs, Hartkes, GK, Ashdown, among others but I always go
back to the 400. Personally, I think they sound better.
I know alot of people swear by Ampeg but he should head over to GC and
take a listen to the Fenders. He might be surprised. I was.
As far as rattles, so far the Fenders I've owned were the only bass
amps that didn't rattle. Also, I just re-wired my 4x10 down to 2 ohms
so I can get 500 watts out of the Bassman 400 head. I played 3 sets
with it a few weekends ago and had no problem with the speakers.
---------------------------------------------
Phil Tiki
The Cocktail Preachers
On Mar 22, 2004, at 8:45 PM, supertwangreverb wrote:
> My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He claims the
> Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering who uses
> Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have any problems
> with rattling or blowing speakers.
> Regards,
> Bill
>
>
>
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We use a bassman 100 driving a single 15" Altec. never had any
problems with it. Way loud enough and great sound, plenty low and
plenty high, if you want it.
Not a 'tight' sound, but that's not what we're after.
The bassplayer in my former band had an Ampeg and i thought it simply
had bad sound, and very un-versatile (?). Maybe it was just to big:
2x 300W and 8x10 cab. maybe it would sound better on a big stage, but
i have to say, I don't think i ever saw a band with an ampeg were i
really liked the bass sound. besides, don't big stages usually use
d.i. anyway?
anyway, just not an Ampeg-fan.
Another bassplayer i played with had a H&K combo, and though it looks
awful, i'd want to have one if i were a bassplayer: loud, very
versatile, and a third the size and weight, and about 1/6th the
price of an ampeg.
this of course is a personal comment. You could also be glad he
doesn't show up with a Trace Eliot on stage ;-)
surf on, wannes
--- In , "supertwangreverb"
<supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He claims the
> Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering who uses
> Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have any
problems
> with rattling or blowing speakers.
> Regards,
> Bill
I am personally a big fan of Ampeg. I have nothing
against Fenders and the 400 Head/Cab I tried out at a
local music store sounded absolutely great, but I
can't afford and also don't need that much amp. We
play small bars, and my Ampeg Rocket Bass 100 watt
combo is perfect, and I've never had a rattle or
volume problem. I also really like the way it sounds.
If I did manage to start up a surf combo, unless
volume/wattage became an issue, I would not change my
amp.
Richard
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Although I don't play surf music exclusively, our band was into country rock,
playing a lot of R&R oldies, I've always played my bass through a Bassman. Mine
is a black-faced 60W from the early 60's. It has such a mellow tone, that when
I play guitar, I also play through the normal channel of the Bassman, using 12"
speakers instead of 15's. It's the TUBES! The only mod I've ever made to the
amp was to convert it to a three prong electrical cord so I wouldn't get
surprised at the mike when the polarity switch was wrong. I LOVE THE SOUND of
the Bassman.
mono_tones_1 <> wrote:We use a bassman 100 driving a single
15" Altec. never had any
problems with it. Way loud enough and great sound, plenty low and
plenty high, if you want it.
Not a 'tight' sound, but that's not what we're after.
The bassplayer in my former band had an Ampeg and i thought it simply
had bad sound, and very un-versatile (?). Maybe it was just to big:
2x 300W and 8x10 cab. maybe it would sound better on a big stage, but
i have to say, I don't think i ever saw a band with an ampeg were i
really liked the bass sound. besides, don't big stages usually use
d.i. anyway?
anyway, just not an Ampeg-fan.
Another bassplayer i played with had a H&K combo, and though it looks
awful, i'd want to have one if i were a bassplayer: loud, very
versatile, and a third the size and weight, and about 1/6th the
price of an ampeg.
this of course is a personal comment. You could also be glad he
doesn't show up with a Trace Eliot on stage ;-)
surf on, wannes
--- In , "supertwangreverb"
<supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He claims the
> Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering who uses
> Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have any
problems
> with rattling or blowing speakers.
> Regards,
> Bill
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I use a Fender Bassman with a 4X12 Fender cabinet and a
Danelectro 6-string bass. No problems, just power.
Your bassisst is correct though, Ampeg makes a killer bass
amp...historically acurate too, by the way...Ampeg created
the first bass amps in the 1940's and many were utilized by
surf instro early-60s bands. The Ampeg flip-top B-15N
Portaflex (I think it was called that)would be a killer
surf machine!
dp
--- supertwangreverb <> wrote:
> My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He
> claims the
> Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering
> who uses
> Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have
> any problems
> with rattling or blowing speakers.
> Regards,
> Bill
>
>
>
> ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
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Craig,
I agree 100%... your rig sounds like what I play
through...4x12 fender cabinet with crappy tolex, right?
dp
--- Craig Wagner <> wrote:
> Although I don't play surf music exclusively, our band
> was into country rock, playing a lot of R&R oldies, I've
> always played my bass through a Bassman. Mine is a
> black-faced 60W from the early 60's. It has such a
> mellow tone, that when I play guitar, I also play through
> the normal channel of the Bassman, using 12" speakers
> instead of 15's. It's the TUBES! The only mod I've ever
> made to the amp was to convert it to a three prong
> electrical cord so I wouldn't get surprised at the mike
> when the polarity switch was wrong. I LOVE THE SOUND of
> the Bassman.
>
> mono_tones_1 <> wrote:We use a
> bassman 100 driving a single 15" Altec. never had any
> problems with it. Way loud enough and great sound, plenty
> low and
> plenty high, if you want it.
> Not a 'tight' sound, but that's not what we're after.
>
> The bassplayer in my former band had an Ampeg and i
> thought it simply
> had bad sound, and very un-versatile (?). Maybe it was
> just to big:
> 2x 300W and 8x10 cab. maybe it would sound better on a
> big stage, but
> i have to say, I don't think i ever saw a band with an
> ampeg were i
> really liked the bass sound. besides, don't big stages
> usually use
> d.i. anyway?
> anyway, just not an Ampeg-fan.
>
> Another bassplayer i played with had a H&K combo, and
> though it looks
> awful, i'd want to have one if i were a bassplayer: loud,
> very
> versatile, and a third the size and weight, and about
> 1/6th the
> price of an ampeg.
>
> this of course is a personal comment. You could also be
> glad he
> doesn't show up with a Trace Eliot on stage ;-)
>
> surf on, wannes
>
> --- In , "supertwangreverb"
> <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> > My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He
> claims the
> > Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering
> who uses
> > Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have
> any
> problems
> > with rattling or blowing speakers.
> > Regards,
> > Bill
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
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> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
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>
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> Terms of Service.
>
>
>
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> Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> .
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>
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>
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The bassplayer in my former band had an Ampeg and i thought it simply
had bad sound, and very un-versatile (?). Maybe it was just to big:
2x 300W and 8x10 cab. maybe it would sound better on a big stage, but
i have to say, I don't think i ever saw a band with an ampeg were i
really liked the bass sound. besides, don't big stages usually use
d.i. anyway?
anyway, just not an Ampeg-fan.
Hi Wannes,
Well, you are right about 10" for bass in a big combo...It sounds bad,
But a Ampeg 15" or larger sounds very nice.
Our bass player combines a H&K wit a single 15" cabinet an this sounds
very nice.
I use to play bass in a band myself and I had a Laney 4x10" combo and I
just hated it.
I came from a single 15" Fender bass combo I liked a lot more...(stupid
of me to sell it before purchasing the Laney....)
I never understud the combination of 4x10" or 8x10" with a Bass amp.
When for example 2x10" are combined with a single 15" or larger, the
sound is more verstaile.
The 10" just sounds to "sissy" for bass when used alone.
(IMHO)
-Jerry S.
Funny you should mention that. I had a Sun cabinet with 2 12's that I managed
to destroy playing the bass through them. I replaced one of the 12's with a
brit 12" from Carvin. It sound so great, I'm not sure I want to add another
speaker and jinx it. When playing the bass, I got a used 2x15 peavy cab. We
called it "the hernia." I've since cut it into two smaller cabs. Much easier
to move. Tolex? Does it ever look nice?
DP <> wrote:Craig,
I agree 100%... your rig sounds like what I play
through...4x12 fender cabinet with crappy tolex, right?
dp
--- Craig Wagner <> wrote:
> Although I don't play surf music exclusively, our band
> was into country rock, playing a lot of R&R oldies, I've
> always played my bass through a Bassman. Mine is a
> black-faced 60W from the early 60's. It has such a
> mellow tone, that when I play guitar, I also play through
> the normal channel of the Bassman, using 12" speakers
> instead of 15's. It's the TUBES! The only mod I've ever
> made to the amp was to convert it to a three prong
> electrical cord so I wouldn't get surprised at the mike
> when the polarity switch was wrong. I LOVE THE SOUND of
> the Bassman.
>
> mono_tones_1 <> wrote:We use a
> bassman 100 driving a single 15" Altec. never had any
> problems with it. Way loud enough and great sound, plenty
> low and
> plenty high, if you want it.
> Not a 'tight' sound, but that's not what we're after.
>
> The bassplayer in my former band had an Ampeg and i
> thought it simply
> had bad sound, and very un-versatile (?). Maybe it was
> just to big:
> 2x 300W and 8x10 cab. maybe it would sound better on a
> big stage, but
> i have to say, I don't think i ever saw a band with an
> ampeg were i
> really liked the bass sound. besides, don't big stages
> usually use
> d.i. anyway?
> anyway, just not an Ampeg-fan.
>
> Another bassplayer i played with had a H&K combo, and
> though it looks
> awful, i'd want to have one if i were a bassplayer: loud,
> very
> versatile, and a third the size and weight, and about
> 1/6th the
> price of an ampeg.
>
> this of course is a personal comment. You could also be
> glad he
> doesn't show up with a Trace Eliot on stage ;-)
>
> surf on, wannes
>
> --- In , "supertwangreverb"
> <supertwangreverb@y...> wrote:
> > My bassist in my band will not use a Fender amp. He
> claims the
> > Ampegs are better for bass guitars. I'm just wondering
> who uses
> > Fender amps for their bass, what model, and do you have
> any
> problems
> > with rattling or blowing speakers.
> > Regards,
> > Bill
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
> Terms of Service.
>
>
>
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for
> archived messages, bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
---------------------------------
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Do you Yahoo!?
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I use a couple different rigs depending on the venue.
I am bias as I perfer only fender. I have played and
owned some Ampeg and GK rigs but my current set up
blows them all away. I play through a 1964 Blackface
Dual Showman head with the origional 2 15" cab. I did
find that the JBL's couldnt handle all the bass and
would break up a bit when I needed just a little more
volume. So I bought some EV 15's and replaced the
JBL's. It sounds great.
Also I have a custom 4 10" combo amp driven by a 64'
blackface dual showman head.
Frodo
www.thenebulas.com
--- Jerry <> wrote:
>
>
>
> The bassplayer in my former band had an Ampeg and i
> thought it simply
> had bad sound, and very un-versatile (?). Maybe it
> was just to big:
> 2x 300W and 8x10 cab. maybe it would sound better on
> a big stage, but
> i have to say, I don't think i ever saw a band with
> an ampeg were i
> really liked the bass sound. besides, don't big
> stages usually use
> d.i. anyway?
> anyway, just not an Ampeg-fan.
>
>
> Hi Wannes,
>
>
> Well, you are right about 10" for bass in a big
> combo...It sounds bad,
> But a Ampeg 15" or larger sounds very nice.
>
> Our bass player combines a H&K wit a single 15"
> cabinet an this sounds
> very nice.
>
> I use to play bass in a band myself and I had a
> Laney 4x10" combo and I
> just hated it.
> I came from a single 15" Fender bass combo I liked a
> lot more...(stupid
> of me to sell it before purchasing the Laney....)
> I never understud the combination of 4x10" or 8x10"
> with a Bass amp.
> When for example 2x10" are combined with a single
> 15" or larger, the
> sound is more verstaile.
>
> The 10" just sounds to "sissy" for bass when used
> alone.
> (IMHO)
>
> -Jerry S.
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.
Wow, I think about Frodo and he posts milliseconds later! Thanks Eric!
BN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frodo [mailto:]
> Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 7:17 PM
> To:
> Subject: RE: [SurfGuitar101] Re: bass players? amp question
>
>
> I use a couple different rigs depending on the venue.
> I am bias as I perfer only fender. I have played and
> owned some Ampeg and GK rigs but my current set up
> blows them all away. I play through a 1964 Blackface
> Dual Showman head with the origional 2 15" cab. I did
> find that the JBL's couldnt handle all the bass and
> would break up a bit when I needed just a little more
> volume. So I bought some EV 15's and replaced the
> JBL's. It sounds great.
>
> Also I have a custom 4 10" combo amp driven by a 64'
> blackface dual showman head.
>
> Frodo
> www.thenebulas.com
>
