Bass Amplification question? Help

boleiro

hey, i'm a guitar player looking to buy a bass rig after inheriting a Jazz Bass. I really don't know anything about bass amps and would like to get some help. All I know is that everyone (in the bands I like) use ampeg, and mostly the vintage ones. These are just too expensive for me especially since it is a second instrument for me (although, i might get this and have my bassist use it since his sucks). I ran across a hartke ha3500 and it sounds like something i would like. Any references for this head? just to let you know, i am big into 60's and 70's rock, psyche kind of stuff. I wants lots of clean headroom, i'll use a pedal for overdrive. we play small to medium sized venues and i usually like to get more than i really need as far as power so i don't have a problem in one off type of situations. any help would be much appreciated. I am definitely a gear head and tone freak but only with guitars up until now. I am amazed at this whole new world out there with basses. cheers.

FunkDoctorK · Posted: Tue May 08, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject:

if you like the hartke sound, go with the 3500. i own one and its done nothing but exactly what i want. stay away from ampeg unless its absolute top of the line or vintage. im sure there are some who would disagree with me, but thats just how i feel about it. ive actually used my 3500 and 4x10 with an overdrive pedal as a guitar amp and it was pretty sweet. you might want to check that out too. i imagine that an overdriven bass would sound pretty good too...wonder why i havent done that yet. bottom line is that you just need to take your bass around to different shops and test amps. the only thing you can do is just find what you want, no matter the brand.
_________________
"Excuse me Sir, but do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
"Practice man, practice."
Bass on! Cool

boleiro · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 11:28 pm Post subject:

yeah, i'll go and check out the 3500 at a store. but as far as the "hartke sound," what would that be? i am mostly familiar with ampeg as it seems thats all anyone uses anymore.

FunkDoctorK · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 12:54 am Post subject:

really it depends on if you get a cab with the aluminum cones or the paper ones. i find the aluminum to be more punchy but still maintaing the rumble and also not quite as warm. also, with the hartke heads you have both tube and solid state preamps and the 3500 has the 10 ban eq. really, i've found that you can more precisely controll your sound to get it exactly how you like. it might take a while to dial it in, but once you get it close, there is so much gentle tweaking to be done, its un real.
_________________
"Excuse me Sir, but do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?"
"Practice man, practice."
Bass on! Cool