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Gibson EB3 with Ampeg SVT plus 8x10

jules

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Gibson EB3 with Ampeg SVT plus 8x10
« on: August 10, 2008, 01:16:24 PM »
I've got a few gigs coming up in where I am hiring equipment. I'm taking a '69 EB3 to play through an ampeg SVT II head with 8x10 SVT cab.

Any thoughts on this anyone? Does anyone use this setup? Any ideas on how its going to sound (i'm hoping awesome)

I've got an SVT 4x10 cab, that I usually play with a fender bassman head.

Similar siounding? totally different?

Is the EB3 the right bass for this amp?

Any thoughts?

Gibson EB3 with Ampeg SVT plus 8x10
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2008, 03:06:45 PM »
It's going to sound pretty damn good.  It should sound like the 4x10.  I used to play with an 8x10, but I prefer the 4x10 + 1x15 for portability and for low end.

To my ears, the SVT sounds like a bassman on steroids, however, I'm sure someone will disagree with me.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about that head/bass/cabinet combination... there's a reason it's considered the gold standard among rigs-- heck, that's the reason you chose it, right?

To answer your question, any bass is the right bass for an SVT head--however, I've now eschewed the SVT head in lieu of this:





Gibson EB3 with Ampeg SVT plus 8x10
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2008, 01:55:07 AM »
Quote from: fidopunk
It's going to sound pretty damn good.  It should sound like the 4x10.  I used to play with an 8x10, but I prefer the 4x10 + 1x15 for portability and for low end.

To my ears, the SVT sounds like a bassman on steroids, however, I'm sure someone will disagree with me.

If I were you, I wouldn't worry about that head/bass/cabinet combination... there's a reason it's considered the gold standard among rigs-- heck, that's the reason you chose it, right?

To answer your question, any bass is the right bass for an SVT head--however, I've now eschewed the SVT head in lieu of this:


Funny, I too have an Ampeg 4-10"cabinet and a single 15" cabinet for the same reasons.  I get awesome highs and mids along with thundering lows with that 15".  But I use a V4B head, although not as powerful as the SVT, it can still bust your eardrums.

Jules, the rig is right!  Works great with my EB-0, gets warm and fuzzy like JBruce at moderate volumes.  At high volumes, it sounds like the live Cream stuff.
Huh?

Gibson EB3 with Ampeg SVT plus 8x10
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2008, 08:46:01 AM »
Very similar to my standard set-up with a rock covers band;  Gibson RD Artist fitted with late ‘60’s EB-3 pick-ups through an SVP-pro pre-amp/ SVT 300 valve power amp (the pre/power stages of the SVT II-pro as separates) and Mesa Boogie Diesel 2x15 EV cab (tight as any 10” array cabs I’ve used).   Huge but very articulate wall-of-sound bass, which fits perfectly in the three-piece band format with a very physical drummer.   The RD has inherently a bit more top-end and sustain than a stock EB, so I guess the sound is rather more Entwhistle than Bruce, but the basic sound ought to be similar.  
Only drawback is all components of the system are about as physically heavy as it’s possible to get!

That "Eric" amp looks the business mind - have to check those out!

jules

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A different bass rig
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2008, 12:24:53 AM »
Thanks for all that input. Yep, really looking forward to these shows. It's always nice to try some new equipment out.

You know i've always wanted to try out some Gibson amps. To hear what the people at Gibson were presumably hearing when they tried them out at the factory.


Quote from: Shaggy
Gibson RD Artist fitted with late ‘60’s EB-3 pick-ups


What? Thats the first time i've heard someone do that. Naturally you are going to furnish us with pictures? soundclips?  :wink:

Re: A different bass rig
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2008, 08:59:45 AM »
Quote from: jules
What? Thats the first time i've heard someone do that. Naturally you are going to furnish us with pictures? soundclips?  :wink:

Tried and failed to post a pic – any advice??? :oops:
 Apparently 2 owners ago it came with a decrepit set of P / J pick-ups fitted, and as genuine Gibbo pickups are famously hard to come by he fitted some EB3 type ones (probably modern Epi ones) .
My initial aim was to return it to standard spec, but I reckon the chrome really suits the look of the bass (the guitar models had chrome or gold p/u’s after all).  I swapped the Epi units for a genuine ‘60’s EB bridge pick-up I already had from a long-dead bass, and found a neck mudbucker on the ‘bay of rather indeterminate vintage.   Sound is seriously nice on “combined”; more low-mids and growl than stock RD’s I’ve tried.   The guy had also replaced the Moog circuit with a decent Bart one, but I generally leave it switched to passive.  I’d used a 1980 MM Sabre as my main bass for 10 years previously and thought nothing would replace her, but the RD has such huge presence and sustain the Sabre has sat in it’s case lately.
BUT to go for an upgrade that would also return it more to original looks whilst keeping the chrome I’m going for a pair of the Lindy Fralin bassbuckers I posted the link for in the “Grabber p/u” thread – as the current pick-guard has obviously been chopped around I found a genuine NOS one on the ‘bay, and luckily there seems to have been minimal aftermarket routing done underneath.   I’ll attempt to post a couple more pics and clips then!  
Have you tried the rig yet Jules?

jules

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Re: A different bass rig
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2008, 02:32:50 PM »
Quote from: Shaggy

Tried and failed to post a pic – any advice??? :oops:


yes email the pics to me (info@vintageguitarandbass.com) and i'll post them. Same with soundclips. You could also try uploading them to a photobucket account, but i'm happy to host them here.

Quite looking forward to seeing it.

Yes, RD parts are hard to come by, particularly the pickups. The fact that the parts are so hard to find makes going for a custom project rather than a restoration that bit easier to stomach.

Quote from: Shaggy
Have you tried the rig yet Jules?


No, its 1000s of miles away- I won't see it until the gig. I am taking one bass with me (the '69 EB3 - I guess my original question should have been what Gibson goes best with an SVT 8x10, just in case someone persuaded me to take a EB2, Ripper, Triumph or something else.

Re: A different bass rig
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2008, 04:04:18 PM »
Quote from: jules

Yes, RD parts are hard to come by, particularly the pickups. The fact that the parts are so hard to find makes going for a custom project rather than a restoration that bit easier to stomach.


I had Seymour Duncan make me a replacement pickup for an RD Artist.  The cover was exact and the sound was no different from that of one of my originals.  Only cost $180.  That way, you can preserve the original sound and appearance.
Huh?

Re: A different bass rig
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2008, 04:05:38 PM »
Quote from: jules
I guess my original question should have been what Gibson goes best with an SVT 8x10, just in case someone persuaded me to take a EB2, Ripper, Triumph or something else.


Take an RD Artist---sounds great through an Ampeg!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLFd3Fbfr_8
Huh?

Gibson EB3 with Ampeg SVT plus 8x10
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2008, 11:00:32 PM »
I can only speak for my RD, too... it sounds like a weapon with that setup.

Re: A different bass rig
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2008, 11:55:05 AM »
Quote from: Sturmvogel
Quote from: jules

Yes, RD parts are hard to come by, particularly the pickups. The fact that the parts are so hard to find makes going for a custom project rather than a restoration that bit easier to stomach.

I had Seymour Duncan make me a replacement pickup for an RD Artist.  The cover was exact and the sound was no different from that of one of my originals.  Only cost $180.  That way, you can preserve the original sound and appearance.

Thanks for the info Sturmvogel, might well try that route!  I really like those Lindy Fralins though, and as it's the most modded of my old basses, and along with a '73 fretless Fender P the one I actually play most,  I don't mind a bit of light customising

 

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