Professional luthier and bassist John Brown chooses EV
Electro-Voice products meet rigid demands for critical bass guitar tone...
John Brown, performing bassist and over 20 year touring veteran, is a proud user of Electro-Voice products. John is also a professional luthier, master bass builder, and owner of Brown’s Guitar Factory. Thus, when we learned that John had a long history with EV products that stretches from the early ‘80s to today, we thought you might be interested in how John uses EV to get the best sound possible, whether he’s on stage, exhibiting at NAMM, or producing videos for YouTube.
Currently, John’s bass rig comprises the following:
- Electro-Voice CP3000 power amplifier
- Electro-Voice REV instrument wireless system
- (2) Electro-Voice B115M two-way bass system (made in the ‘80s) (with vented midrange)
- (1) Electro-Voice B215
- Various outboard effects (including an Echoplex for looping)
- Klark Teknik DN100 Direct Injection (D.I.) box
- Midas Venice 160 mixing console
- EV RE410 for recording YouTube video audio
EV: When did you first start using EV products?
John Brown: In 1982 I needed a serious bass cabinet. I went to LaVonne’s music and discovered the Electro-Voice B215M, which is the cabinet that Stanley Clarke was endorsing in music industry print ads. The tone is what sold me. The road case construction was also a selling point. Very pro. At this time we were al using EV PL80 vocal microphones on stage so I felt very confident with the Electro-Voice. The company had a reputation for road worthy, great sounding gear. My history with the PL80 makes me excited about your recent launch of the new PL microphone line.
EV: I see that that you’re using a pro audio power amplifier for bass guitar…
John Brown: With the EV CP3000 we’ve got some serious wattage: 2 x 1100W at 4 ohms. For over 20 years I’ve been lugging these big refrigerators around, and now you have something with massive power in two rackspaces at just over 17 lbs! The CP3000 is incredibly powerful and compact. This really makes a difference when traveling. Especially with doing something like we just did – the NAMM Show – where as an exhibitor you’re charged freight and drayage. So, I really believe I’m over and done with the old heavy power amps of the past. In terms of operation, it’s simple: the power amp is bridged and from there I plug it into one B215M bass cabinet and daisy chain that with the other two. The B215M cabinets are loaded with EVM-15Ls, a truly awesome speaker. I use the B215M at -12dB high-frequency attenuation setting. Occasionally I go from the -12dB to the -6dB setting.
EV: You’ve been a bass guitar wireless user over the years. What has been your experience with the EV REV wireless system for bass guitar?
John Brown: While I play a standard tuned 4 string bass, I do dive bomb the whammy which takes it down to a low Bb and the REV captures and projects the string through my speakers. I don’t hear any frequency loss. It shakes glass off tables. And it’s easy to operate and program. I was intimated at first when I saw the unit but quickly found that programming it was no big deal. It has frequency response like no other wireless I’ve ever used. I challenge anyone to tell the difference between the REV wireless and a cable. It’s just that clean. Once you get the gain unity set, there’s really no telling you’re playing through a wireless system.
EV: How have you incorporated the Midas Venice 160 mixer into your bass rig?
John Brown: I have a channel for clean, a channel for distortion, and a send and return for the Echoplex I use for looping. The preamps in the Midas Venice are outstanding. And the EQ is really fantastic. Those preamps warm up the sound nicely.
Electro-Voice would like to thank John Brown for his continued support of EV products on stage, in the studio, at tradeshows, and in his shop!
To check John’s rig in action (and John’s musicianship), please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-9wY57AZIs
For more information on Brown's Guitar Factory, please visit: www.brownsguitarfactory.com
For more information on Brown's Guitar Factory, please visit: www.brownsguitarfactory.com
