So here it goes... I have been meaning to ask your opinions on this issue.

I have been thinking about going a different route with my setup. As you can see by rig ( in the sig ) I have quite the "hard rock" setup. The H&K Duotone Amp and my Orange cabinet are great for what I do, and I have found it very useful.

However, I am thinking about going a different route. I love Fender combos, as I used to run a 65 RI Super Reverb along with my half stack which yields a more Marshall-esque growl. The music my band plays is kind of in between Tool, NIN, Primus, and Muse. But we also end up doing stuff closer to Radiohead and Coldplay. We are usually grouped with heavier type acts, but we tend to be on the lighter side on most bills. We have more of darker sound... but not like Goth, or Metal dark, more of a "Scarcastic" dark.

I have been thinking about possibly going with 2 Fender Bassman LTD's as I love their tone and am quite familiar with them. I am worried that it take away from the "powerful" sound I am able to get.

I do not use my amp's distortion in most cases. I have a hard time getting a signature sound without using multiple distortions and pedals. So drive is not the issue.

Overall, I am just trying get a more unique sound, but as you may see the bands I mentioned above all have similar setups to what I am currently using.

Normally, I would have enough cash to go out and buy two Bassman's... as I don't have alot of bills, and though I am young, I am able to invest in stuff like this. But I would have to sell my other stuff in this case, as cash is quite tight over the next few months.

I am happy with what I have, but I am not that EXCITED about it anymore, and I may just be trying to shake things up... so I don't know how smart it would be to move from a setup that I havent' changed since late 2005, when things are basically fine.


Any suggestions or comments would be welcome.

Thanks guys...

Jarred

MMmmm, well, this will probably not help you at all, just my 2cents though.

I no nothing about H&K amplification, but the Bassman LTD IS my dream amp, so I say; "GET THE AMP", at least one !

True about the other bands.
They do not use Fender, but seeing as you are using stopmboxes for drive, why not ?

CHEERs

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* Technophobia RAT review. * MATAMP * Jon Spencer Blues Explosion * The Cramps * Soledad Brothers * My MySpace *

* Gibson SG w. A2P's -->pedal board -->Bassman AB165 *

* Good deals w : Berarduur

If you are happy with your set-up, but only want to change it because your not exited about it, I would leave it. It might be just a fad you're going through. Maybe not. In any case, you sound like your happy with your set-up, but want a change. Completely switching out your amps might not be the best option. Maybe try getting some new pedals or even a new guitar. Think about it.

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Rip Glitter lives on

Yeah, I LOVE Bassman's... but I guess, the only way I could have the best of both worlds, is to run one with the H&K.


Yeah reading over my post, I was thinking how lame the "excited" comment sounded. I guess I am having difficulty coming to terms with the fact that I am happy with my tone...

I thought about it earlier, and the best solution would to get a Bassman and see how things work, rather than completley switching.

GG is like a support group, If I tried to talk about this with someone who isn't apart of this... they would think I needed therapy or something.

You know how many times I have felt that same exact way? A million at least.

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...This is your brain on Krank.

amen

I've had the same primary amp for about seven years now. Before that I went through six amps in two years.

I think there's a point when we gearheads find something that works, and suddenly the gear lust starts to die a bit. However, it's in our patter of behavior to keep looking and wanting to try new things. So we have to find some other outlet or come to terms.

For me, I started collecting small amps as well as building amps. In addition, I tend to pick up cheap, oddball gear. But I still go back to my main amp for playing live and with other people.

My advice is exactly what you said. Keep your amp and get what you think you might want as well. See if you find yourself migrating to a new setup or sticking with the old. In addition, I'd say rather than having two bassmen, if you decide to go that route, try two different amps, like a bassman and a super, or a bassman and a deluxe. I've always preferred running in stereo to two different amps compared to two of the same.

Cheers!

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ben adrian
Now Doing Amp Repair in San Francisco
ben@feedbackloop.net
the gear

"Benadrain" . . . hats off to you mate, that was well said !

I wish I had THE tone I hear in my head, but I am still looking for that valve amp.
Been trying as much as I can. (not alot in my city)
I was blown away by the Peavey Classic 30.
Tone verses dollar - wow !
However, I am looking more towards the Fender Blues DeLuxe 1x12. (...we do not get the 4x10 over here)

Bottom line - I know the feeling !
You look for YOUR tone what seems forever, and then one day, when you all of asudden get IT, it slaps you right back onto your arse.

BOOM - what do you do then ?
Oh no, the search is over, NOOoooooooo !

It's frustrating to look all over for your tone, but boy, isn't it fun !???!

PS
. . . I truely think a H&K, and one Bassman will look bad-ass, and sound even better, running them together !!!! GOOD LUCK with that !

CHEERs

__________________
* Technophobia RAT review. * MATAMP * Jon Spencer Blues Explosion * The Cramps * Soledad Brothers * My MySpace *

* Gibson SG w. A2P's -->pedal board -->Bassman AB165 *

* Good deals w : Berarduur

If you like your sound, the safest bet is to just keep both amps. But since most of your distorted tone comes from your pedals you could start with one bassman and see if it works for you, and if you like it you can always get a second one.

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I can't say I've tried the H&K, I've heard good things though. Honestly, I think your sound would get a little heavier with a Bassman. I never found the Twins to be good for distorted bass, but I'm a over gainer. I've killed amps with my distortion tastes. You sound may change a little, I've always found 4x10s to be cleaner in the bottom end department though. The speakers don't "fart" out. Some ways I wish I had bought my guitar tech ( the only clerk I'd trust who even swears at me for what I use) his Blues Deville. I ran a Metal Zone through it, and HOLY CRAP!! It almost made a Blue Voodoo melt. The Marshall 1965a Cab made it even more when they had it there before I bought it. I've tried a bassman, and it seemed a little more lower tone to me. They compliment a twin very well. I think every guitarist should own a fender at least once, or play many hours through one. Go and try out the bassman. Throw a rat, or a muff, or a metal zone in front of it, and see your results. I wish I could see more guys using 4x10s

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ESP Eclipse Limited (3/100) or Gibson Les Paul Standard (97) - Fulltone OCD - H.B.E. Detox EQ - Laney GH50L - 80's Ibanez AD-9 (in loop) - Randall XL 4x12
Tortex "The wedge" picks, Blue Steel strings, Line 6 Moble In, Charvel Model 6 modded to a Model 5FX.... Probly other stuff as well

I've gotten simliar results with a Super in the past. One thing about what you said, they H&K Amp I use is not a huge gain amp either, it's got a ton of clean headroom, and the WAYYYY less gain then a JCM2000 of anykind.

I've owned 2 Super Reverbs, 2-3 different Twin Reverbs, Twin Amps, a Blues Deville, a Custom Vibrolux, and and Hot Rod Deville. I use a Bassman in the studio alot, so I am VERY familar with Fender Amps.

I just never used a Fender alone in my setup, it was always accompanied by a Marshall of some sort, or another EL34 based head.

Low end isn't really a problem either, I don't use nearly as much low end as most guys (although people always tell me how they love the low-end in my sound??? WEIRD!)

I think like you guys said, the smartest decision would just be acquire a BASSMAN, and see how it works... if I like it maybe get another one, or something else.

umm i dunno if this has been suggested or if its a possibility but what about the new fender supersonic amps (is that their names i cant remember) im sure i read they can do a bunch of fender tones as well as some decent distortion tones. it may be a possibility gives you a bit more flexibility.....i dunno....man im tired..

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SG---->Fuzz---->delay--->RAWK!

. . . yet another idea, before you put your $1000's down.

Why not try to hire one at a guitar store that have them for hire ? Get it over the week end - play with it, twist and turn those knobs, and like others have said, ad a Muff, a RAT, and even an 808, or what ever you have with you at the time !!!

Play around, and see if you take a liking to it.
...and if you don't, mail it to me !!

CHEERs

__________________
* Technophobia RAT review. * MATAMP * Jon Spencer Blues Explosion * The Cramps * Soledad Brothers * My MySpace *

* Gibson SG w. A2P's -->pedal board -->Bassman AB165 *

* Good deals w : Berarduur

+1.

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