From: georged@meaddata.com (George Dibos)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.bass
Subject: Bass Amp Selection Update
Date: 11 Jan 1993 14:58:58 GMT
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: talon.meaddata.com


First, I just want to thank the group for the GREAT response to my
request for help in finding the "perfect" amp (for my needs).  Besides
the posted recommendations, I've been flooded with E-mail.

Needless to say, I spent this past Saturday shopping (took a trip to
Cincinnati)--couldn't wait to hear some of the gear you suggested.

The place which had, by far, the best selection of serious gear and the
most knowlegable and helpful salespeople was Midwest Music Distributors,
5024 Montgomery Rd, 45212.  Ph (513) 631-8318.  They have SWR, Mesa/
Boogie, Trace Elliott, and Peavy's high-end stuff on their "bass floor",
and will answer questions all day, as well as let you play anything you	
want as long as you want.  A real "musician's resource"--not an appliance
warehouse staffed with well-intentioned but under-informed help.  

The first thing I wanted to hear was SWR's RedHead, which got as many 
votes from you guys as everything else put together.  Moved on then to
T-E's reply to that amp--their 122HV (2 10's + 2 5's in a combo with
their QuatraValve 220 watt tube amp/pre amp).  Impressive stuff!  I
wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't heard it--small tuned drivers +
high-powered (relatively) amps = big sound!  Serious little demons in
a suitcase, both of `em.

Then fudged on my $1500 max budget a bit and gave a listen to SWR's
SM-400 amp on top of their Triad cabinet, and had my eyes opened even
wider.

So decided to scrap the budget...  Hell, I really CAN afford more, I just
felt guilty, I guess.

So it was on to the same SM-400 on top of Mesa/Boogie's 1516B (1-15, 1-10,
2-5's and a tweeter), and I was in love!  Really deep AND loud bottom end,
and tansient punch/highs enough to peel paint from the walls.  Wow. 

So, a couple of questions, netters:

  1.  Anybody out there have an SWR SM-400, and want to either warn me
      away or offer encouragement?  I like the hybrid sound and concept,
      the stereo flexibility, and the parametric equalization.   

  2.  Ditto for M/B's 1516B.  It is available also with an EV 10" as an
      extra cost option (the one I played had an EV 15" and a Black
      Shadow 10")...  are EV's worth the significant extra $ and wait
      time for the special order?
      
And since I've now upped what I'm willing to spend, it makes sense to
open the floor to further suggestions in the same ballpark.          

Damn, this is fun!!!  (Oh why did I waste all those years on guitar???)

Thanx,

George     

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| George Dibos        | Views expressed are my own.... | (513) 865-1689        | 
| Mead Data Central   +--------------------------------+ Software Engineer     | 
| P.O. Box 933        | Every day I drink a toast to   | NGS Update/Data Svcs. |  
| Dayton, Ohio  45401 | the wonders of beautiful women | georged@meaddata.com  | 
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