What gear to use

[Dani_M]

We've just recorded a demo in which I used a Cube amp (can't recall which model) for my bass playing. I've now earned the money to buy a new amp and wondered if you guys had any advice on which to buy.

The music we play is a mixture of metal and jazz and can be heard at this site

http://www.myspace.com/quavila

Please listen to the third track and let me know what you think of the bass-sound, and also how to improve it.

Thanks

[Rocky McDougall]

Hi Dani, that is a big, complex question. There are so many things to put into the equation to come up with even a long list of options. The Amp you used was probably Roland Cube 60 or 100.

In my opinion, the Roland Cube is a great amp for it's size and price. It probably has no business in a metal band, compeating with loud g****rs and a drummer. Where will you be playing with your group? How large is the venue? What is the PA support? And then, the big question, How much money can you spend?

Welcome to the Forum.

Rocky

[theTragicRich]

Listen to Rocky, he knows what he's doing

 

He posed all the right questions at you in order for us to further assist you. Any info you can toss our way will be great.

 

Do you play a 5 or 6 string bass (or detune/drop tune a 4 string)? Do you use a pick? Fingerstyle? Slap/pop? Fretted or fretless? You looking to cut through the mix or give the guitars more bottom end? Part your hair to the left? Or the right?

[SteveC]

I havea Roland Cube 100. It is a great little amp. Works well for practice and small gigs, but if you get into a loud situation - without and even with a PA sometimes - it won't be enough.

 

I use mine for a stage monitor with PA support and as a stand alone for smaller gigs and- except for 2 gigs so far - it has been fine.

 

That said, and as much as I lov ethe sound from my Cube 100, I am looking at more powerful options.

[JonathanD]

I think someone recently said you can have 2 of the following but not all 3.

Cheap

light

loud

What is most important you? Do you always have people to help you carry it? Do you have PA support?

 

[jeremy c]

Listening to your track, I can't imagine that a cube amp is going to big enough for you to use in your band.

 

Even though I'm listening at low volume on my computer, the music sounds loud and sounds as if it will need to be played reasonably loud to get the effect you seem to be going for.

 

I'd say get at least a 4x10 cabinet and a 300 or 400 watt head. At the least.

 

I liked the bass sound, it's very distinctive.

 

I didn't hear any jazz in there, but maybe because I'm too old.

[Tom Capasso]

I thought your bass sound was great for the music. It sounds like you are playing with a pick, and sometimes you're sliding the pick along the string a bit. Again, it fits the music quite well.

 

I thought the 3rd track had little to no jazz influence as well (that's not a bad thing). The second track had a different influence (at least the first part), but I took it more as classical than jazz. I like what the piano adds to the music.

 

And I agree with Jeremy that it sounds loud. I don't know which manufacturers are available or how their pricing works (we've seen that European prices don't always work the same as in the US). I think a 4x10 (or two 2x10s) is about right, although I'd consider more power (and hearing protection).

 

Tom

[Rocky McDougall]

Rule of thumb:

It is better to have too much and not need it, than to have too little and need more.

 

Just kidding, Two 2x10's are very flexible. There are many venues where one 2x10 may be just right, and adding the second 2x10 for the larger venues works nicely. As mentioned above, a 300-400 watt amp should be the minimum considered.

Rocky

[...]

I agree with Jeremy and Tom. You will want a 4x10 at minimum to get the effect your band sounds like it is going for when you play live.

[Dani_M]

I really appreciate all the feedback... Thanks!

*The venues we play are first and foremost small clubs.

*I use a 5-string bass and play with a pick.

*I use both a fretted and a fretless bass

*Pa-support: ? (Sorry)

*I've accumulated about 10 000 NOK, which I think is about 770£.

 

I think it was Miles Davis who said "if its got more than three chords in it it's jazz..."

 

 

 

[...]

A 4x0 should do you nicely.

 

I think it was Miles Davis who said "if its got more than three chords in it it's jazz..."

 

He also said, "Just take the f'ing horn out of your mouth, man" to John Coltrane when Coltrane was trying to explain to Miles why he took such long solos on every tune.

[jeremy c]

I think it was Miles Davis who said "if its got more than three chords in it it's jazz..."

 

I can dig it.

[getz out]

*Pa-support: ? (Sorry)

 

PA-Support referring to the bass being plugged into the club's sound system.

 

I agree with my the rest of the crowd; a quality 4x10" and a quality amplifier should do fine for nearly any indoor gig.

 

What gear manufacturers can you choose from?

[c3scott]

My response as to your bass sound, on my end with headphones, bring up your level in the mix despite what your guitarists might think. 350 watts mininmum on stage. Last I recall, I have 350 watts pushing a 15 cab and a 12 cab and it seems like I need a bit more playing classic rock, with PA support. Like your bass tone on track 3 BTW.

[Luke73]

I think you guys sound pretty good. Not what I'd normally listen to, but very good.

 

I like track two's piano, and I like your bass tone.

 

It's pretty crisp, and metallic sounding. I'm only listening on crappy inbuilt speakers on my office PC, so can't tell how much reall bottom end is in there.

 

I can hear bits of your Jazz reference too here and there. It's not really your average metal.

 

Great work.

 

I think the above advice regarding gear is pretty much right on. I would want at least a 410 cabinet and a minimum of 300-500 watts in my amp head.