gear debate

hellyeah2662 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2008, 07:44 PM

ok i ordered some gear randall half stack and dean ml....but got me to thinking..... what do you prefer or what do find find better rack gear or old stand by amp head and stomp boxes vs floor processors......me i like a half stack cab & head as far as effects i find a good head gives me distortion i want then a delay and chrous pedal and a wah......not much for floor processors and definitely not rack gear had that hated it but thats just my opinion

The Wayniac · #2 (**permalink**) 06-15-2008, 09:53 PM

IMO......

The less gear the better.

Amplifiers that dont sound good without effects arent good amplifiers.

It bothers me as a bassist to stand and watch a guitar player that is constantly stepping and tapping and looking down at his pedals. Just plug in and play; There is no need to add a flux capacitor.

Distortion and Wah pedals are the only 2 - I see no reason to have anything else.

If you dont like the sound of your guitar and amp, get another one.

hellyeah2662 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-15-2008, 10:16 PM

i agree if i buy an amp i like it to have a distortion or sound i can live with i like chrous for clean a delay now and again not alot just here n there occaisionally and wah

ssspert · #4 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 07:08 AM

Hey Wayne I agree.
I don't want to see a tap dance.

hell yeah...whats your name?

Randall amps are ok.
Depends on what music you are playing, and how much work you want to do toting your gear around.
A small fender, vox, mesa, or genz 2x12 combo can't be beat.
Don't push it so hard that it sounds like ass.
In larger venues, a half stack is in order.
Good tone is king! I'm all about good tone.

There isn't much of a compromise for bassists.
I will use my 2x10 for smaller venues.
I don't love the way it sounds.
When ever possible I use my 6x10.
It sounds so much better.

hellyeah2662 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 09:12 AM

my name is John,well i havent found a combo sound like a half stack i lke the crate combo's 2x12 are good if i had to in a small venue but id tote my halfstack around lol but at home and recording i want my half stack cant beat the sound and the tone id much rather have great tone than whats lighter or less to carry

xush · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssspert

Depends on what music you are playing

that's the bottom line, to me. There's so much gear out there these days, and you can get just about anything to work for you.

In the studio, my favs were Mesa Dual Rectifier for crunch tones, and Fender or Vox for clean.

For me, it was always the toss-up between rack gear sounding too '80's-ish' or pedals introducing too much noise or sounding low-tech. I think you can work with either issue and find your tone; gear tends to be a very personal issue. I have my preferences, but these days my public opinion is "Whatever works for you/gets you your tone."

Gear = your tools. As long as you're using professional quality tools, you should be OK.

and when you're talking gigging gear, it's important to consider that the tone is coming from the gear but the VOLUME will come from the PA- you're not trying to cover the whole room with your amp.

Cherry-Bomb Productions · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 10:48 AM

If you're gonna boogie,Mesa Boogie...

sixstringer66 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xush

and when you're talking gigging gear, it's important to consider that the tone is coming from the gear but the VOLUME will come from the PA- you're not trying to cover the whole room with your amp.

thats an important point... Too many full stack rigs in small clubs... Although, I hate to see the little 1x12 in a club.

And as for studio work, the sky is the limit. You can create great sounds from a $3000 marshall half stack, or a $100 rockman, and almost everything in between. The sounds are really dependent on the engineer/producer tweeking the knobs....

I have been guilty of recording dirty's, going direct in the past, which isn't bad, but you must devote time to setting up the right "cabinet" sound.

If I had a choice though, for my dirty's, I would setup a dual rect. mesa 4x12, 3 mics, 1 on the cabinet, one 4-5' away, and one 8' away. I love mixing in different mics into a single signal.

As far as rack processors and floor pedals, its like the age old debate of who is the better guitarist.... Everyone will have a different opinion.
Find what works for you, and stick with it.

ssspert · #9 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 03:12 PM

I agree with you both...its what works, and makes you sound the best in any situation.

hellyeah2662 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-16-2008, 03:23 PM

thanks for the input i said i hate rack but had a bad experience first go around with rack gear i would consider it but i went nuts buying all kinda shit instead of what i needed so i could find a good sounding system i might do it altho for now imma stick with what i got but i do admit rack gear seems to sound more professional over a stomp box but i guess it depends i dunno we'll see