Mosthigh
Junior Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2020
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 29
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
- Guild Total
- 2
So I've been racking (no pun intended) my brain about a new bass rig for my newly acquired '67 Starfire I. I currently have a late 90's SWR Silverado Special 2x12, and although the bottom is tremendous and clear, it's very lacking in highs, and the mids are kind of click-y. Although a 2x8 or 2x10 extension cab might solve things, I think I might want to start from scratch.
I've toyed with going the pure vintage route with a Sunn 2000s or Ampeg SVT and cabs (my ears say yes, but my back says no), or maybe a slave power amp with a Alembic F-2B preamp. Then there's the slightly more modern angle, maybe an Aguilar Tone Hammer with the F-2B preamp, or there's the new, cutting edge Mesa TT800 Subway which everyone is raving about, with 2x10 and 1x15 new Mesa 'Ultra-Lite' bass cabs.
As far as tone reference points, I'm not necessarily hung up on a 'classic vintage' tone, BUT I do love the natural round full sound of Phil Lesh, however, I also dig the overdriven Jack Casady sound, and John Entwistle, who is somewhere in between. I would like to incorporate the F-2B preamp, and possibly a SWR Interstellar Overdive into the mix.
I play basically classic/jam/psychedelic rock in mainly small clubs and jam studios, apart from the occasional outdoor gig, so I'm not looking for overkill, but I'd really like to bring out the best in the Bisonic and natural hollow wood tone of the Starfire, and not get the mids and highs swallowed by the drums. Sure, it would probably sound amazing through anything, but a little direction is appreciated. Cheers.
I've toyed with going the pure vintage route with a Sunn 2000s or Ampeg SVT and cabs (my ears say yes, but my back says no), or maybe a slave power amp with a Alembic F-2B preamp. Then there's the slightly more modern angle, maybe an Aguilar Tone Hammer with the F-2B preamp, or there's the new, cutting edge Mesa TT800 Subway which everyone is raving about, with 2x10 and 1x15 new Mesa 'Ultra-Lite' bass cabs.
As far as tone reference points, I'm not necessarily hung up on a 'classic vintage' tone, BUT I do love the natural round full sound of Phil Lesh, however, I also dig the overdriven Jack Casady sound, and John Entwistle, who is somewhere in between. I would like to incorporate the F-2B preamp, and possibly a SWR Interstellar Overdive into the mix.
I play basically classic/jam/psychedelic rock in mainly small clubs and jam studios, apart from the occasional outdoor gig, so I'm not looking for overkill, but I'd really like to bring out the best in the Bisonic and natural hollow wood tone of the Starfire, and not get the mids and highs swallowed by the drums. Sure, it would probably sound amazing through anything, but a little direction is appreciated. Cheers.