Bass Amp Thread

[guitfiddle]

Re: Bass Amp Thread

That is a mean thing to do. Peavey makes some great products, but they in no way compare to spending just a few bucks more for a Mesa.

...and an SVT seems to get knocked off other's when I plug them into the a Bass 400+ in my little studio....and seems to be prefered over Mark Bass, Trace, Fender, SWR, and Ampeg. Not my opinion, but theirs respectively. Not only the live tone, but how well it records.

Oh, yeah. I was thinking of live tone. For recording, if you're smart/creative there are few limits. If you want to rock a stage like a champ, SVT is the standard for a reason.

Good high watt Peavey gear will more than get the job done, too.

 

[crguti]

Re: Bass Amp Thread

I've heard that the Marshall VBA400 all tube amp is a monster

 

[crguti]

Re: Bass Amp Thread

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Bass Amp Thread

Anything with tubes in it does it for me. Bass tube amps tend to sound more 'old school' and I love it. Solid state amps have tons of clean power and can get the fizzy bass distortion...not really my thing.

Mesa Bass 400+ is one of the best. Lots of clean chewy tube power. The EQ is extremely responsive and the graphic EQ is perfect for solos, ect. I am going to buy one of these as soon as I can, especially since Mesa no longer makes them.

I personally have a Mesa D-180 (all tube 150 watts). It is described as a bass/guitar amp and sounds similar to the Electric Amp clips on their website. Think "death from above 1979" tones. These amps don't have very much power and will have to work hard at gigs...making them sound absolutely fantastic.

My experiences with other bass amps:
Ampeg = very dark sounding, almost dull to my ears. Our bass player used an SVT-4 once at a gig (was the house set backline) and none of us could hear the individual notes. It sucked. I can't comment on the tube heads but I never liked any of their solid state amps.

Gallien Krueger = these amps seem to have a certain punch/growl to them. Flea endorses them and the 1001rb I tried got some really cool RHCP tones. Really good rock tones but I didn't try for much else.

I really want to try some Aguilar stuff. Maybe a DB750 through the 4x12.

 

[joelap]

Re: Bass Amp Thread

No Alembic F2B references?

I have been designing and built a prototype tube bass preamp I am planning on selling starting January 1st. As it sits now, it is all-tube, simple controls: -3dB pad, Volume, bright switch, voicing switch to change the frequencies emphasized in the EQ, Bass, Mid, Treble. It also contains a Jensen transformer DI out which is selectable pre-EQ or post-EQ (flat response or the same EQ you set on the preamp) and has a level control for the DI. Handwired, all quality components. Fits in a 1U rack space. I am debating adding a graphic EQ and/or a compressor. Half of the people I ask say include, half say exclude.

I will be giving a ridiculous discount when I am ready to start production, if anyone in this thread is interested in a tube bass preamp at that time and wants to get in at 50% off.

-JL

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Bass Amp Thread

Anything with tubes in it does it for me. Bass tube amps tend to sound more 'old school' and I love it. Solid state amps have tons of clean power and can get the fizzy bass distortion...not really my thing.

Yup. Even my Music Man which only has 150 watts will shake a large stage through a few good effecient speakers. BTW, the MM also makes for a dang good guitar amp.