bass speaker cab question

[Smidgelton]

Alrighty. As soon as I sell an instrument, I'm going to be looking into a new rig. I really like 1x15" cabs for serious low boom. My question is what type of cabinet should be ideal to accompany the 1x15"? I've been thinking about a 2x12 but I'm unsure. I don't know enough. I'm looking in SWR amps by the way.

While on the subject of bass, should I mic the cabs or go DI when playing a show? What's a good DI to check out? I don't have much live experience.

[brandondrury]

I always thought that the 4x10 and 8x10 cabinets had more than enough low end for anything I'd ever need to do. Depending on the music, I usually give the deep frequences to the kick drum anyway so the difference between 10", 12", and 15" is lost. In a live setting this may be different. This may not apply if you are playing reagea.

What kind of music are you playing? I see a lot of rock bass players who are obsessed with low end, but usually that type of tone does not fit in their mix very well. I'd like to see more Guns N Roses bass sounds every once in a while. Of course, guitar players also think they want enormous low end in their tone. So does the drummer. You end up with a mess.

As for DIs, there are many. A lot of good bass heads come with one. The Sansamp DI is pretty cool. What is your budget?

Brandon

[Smidgelton]

Since you mention GnR, Duff has an awesome sound. If I could closely channel his sound at all, I would be in love. The style I'll mostly be playing is rock. I also love playing punk and metal (I play a bright fucking orange Ernie Ball Musicman Sterling).

My budget right now is low. I've got an instrument to sell before I can buy anything. But I'll work hard for that high dollar piece of dollar piece of equipment if it is truly better and won't end up dissapointing me.

[brandondrury]

I'm no bass player, but I know that there is a tremendous difference in the hands. In other words, the best way to get a great bass sound is to be a great player. A lot of it is timing, but the biggest part is feel. Some bass players just sound amazing.

If I was a bass player, I'd focus on getting the light touch and groove. As for gear, I'd think the bass makes the biggest difference. I'd get a high end bass before I bought an expensive amp. It's kind of backwards from my opinions on guitars, actually.

I don't want to flap my jaw too much, because I'm not overly knowledgable on the subject.

Brandon

[slapinandpopin78]

if your into the GnR sound, then you might want to go with a 2 12 and a 4 10. Duff dosnt have alot of bass in his sound, but alot of in your face mids, the 12s will give you the mid punch much more than a 1 15, and the 4 10 will take care of the hi-mids and highs.

as for a DI, i recomend the MXR M-80 over the sansamp, its cheaper, and has more EQ(bass mid and highs, while the sansamp has just lows and highs), a gate, clean and distortion levels, color switch. So it can be use to get alittle grind to.

andy

[brandondrury]

Duff dosnt have alot of bass in his sound, but alot of in your face mids, the 12s will give you the mid punch much more than a 1 15, and the 4 10 will take care of the hi-mids and highs.

Just don't be fooled into the notion that a 4x10 bass cabinet doesn't have any bass. 4x10s go as deep as any rock guy would ever need to go, in my opinion.....unless you just had some really off the wall type of bass tone.

Brandon

[slapinandpopin78]

i do agree a 4 10 will produce nice lows, i used a 2 10 and got good low end out of it, but all im saying is that its much less low end than a 1 15 IMO, not that thats not alot of low end, just 15s have crazy amounts

10s will deffanatly push more air, and be much more punchy.

andy