Solid State or Tube Head?

[James Rock]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

I think it depends on what tone your after, most of the time I think a fairly clean solid bass tone works but there is something about that rock tone an Ampeg SVT on top of an 8x10. On the cheaper end I think the PA can sound better then small amps no matter if they are ss or hybrid (I don't think there are many cheap all tube 1x10 bass amps) just due to headroom and having more control on the low end. I'm not really a bassist so I'm not sure if there is a feel thing due to response of SS vs Tube I'd assume for more percussive style SS would work better.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

thats cool! bass amp versus bass amp.

tube: awesome breakup and distortion! I love it.

solid state: bottom end that cant be touched! killer low end is needed for live shows.

result: mix them together for the ultimate biamp! I use a peavey 450 tour that has great low end. I really dig my line 6 lowdown 400 since it is modeled after distorted heavy tube amps and mixes a clean low end signal in, for the best of both worlds

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

my Carvin Redline has a tube in the preamp and a knob that lets you blend in as much tube as you need

I really cant tell much difference between the two

 

[ginormous]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

For me, the distinction between tube/valve and solid state is transient response.

When the sound was primarily about the deep grinding throb (Precision, or Gibson mudbucker) blooming into the girls' tender areas, tubes were great.
Heavy transformers, hot glowing glass tubes, and a hulking plywood box to hold it all. Fun for chiropractors and massage therapists, and the only thing available.
Transistor bass amps weren't taken seriously at first, then slap changed the game. The harder 'edge' from spanking a bass with roundwounds got too murky through a tube amp.
Some guys used the only available solid-state amps with any decent power, PA heads. Peavey got in early there.
Then GK, Trace Elliott and others made viable, high-power bass amps that didn't weigh nearly as much.

The story I've heard was that Nathan East (serious session/touring bassist) pointed to the direct sound coming from a set of massive studio monitors and said, "that's what I want to sound like live."
The guy who built his rig started SWR, IIRC.

If SS is too 'sterile' for you, there are options that won't break you physically or financially, primarily tube pedals.
I've played through both. My first serious rig was an Acoustic Control twin 15 loaded with Altecs, driven by a black label (Magnavox) SVT.
I also had an SWR Workingman's 300 through a single 15 w/horn. I could dial in as much boom as I wanted in the SWR, and not kill myself loading out after the gig.

Right now, I'm playing small. I was gifted with an Ampeg PF-350 (class D), and 2x10s. If I need more meat, a direct out to the PA.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

Ampeg PF-350 (class D) and 2x10s. If I need more meat, a direct out to the PA.

My rig is very similar.

t c electronic Staccato '51 (the Rocco Prestia model) and RS210 cab. Multi-band compression and modelled valve saturation are built in.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

its hard to beat an svt for most rootsy music but it better come with a roady to carry it

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

I too have gone small. I used to use a GK 700RB into an Ampeg 4x10/1x15 stack. When the GK crapped out, I downsized the rig to a Carvin BX500 and BRX 2x10. I have no regrets about this.
If I had a studio I would love to have one of the Fender tube bass heads

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

I too have gone small. I used to use a GK 700RB into an Ampeg 4x10/1x15 stack. When the GK crapped out, I downsized the rig to a Carvin BX500 and BRX 2x10. I have no regrets about this.
If I had a studio I would love to have one of the Fender tube bass heads

Carvin
Whoot whoso

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[blueman335]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

tube: awesome breakup and distortion! I love it.

solid state: bottom end that cant be touched! killer low end is needed for live shows.

result: mix them together for the ultimate biamp! I use a peavey 450 tour that has great low end. I really dig my line 6 lowdown 400 since it is modeled after distorted heavy tube amps and mixes a clean low end signal in, for the best of both worlds

Two bass amps at a gig? That's a lot to haul around. You'll be competing with the drummer for the most bulk.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

Two bass amps at a gig? That's a lot to haul around. You'll be competing with the drummer for the most bulk.

no! heh drummers have little bulk compared to any full stack type doomers.

solid state Gallien amps weigh less than 10 pounds!!

tube amps like Orange AD200B weigh 60 pounds. combine the two for sonic mayhem!!!!

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

no! heh drummers have little bulk compared to any full stack type doomers.

solid state Gallien amps weigh less than 10 pounds!!

tube amps like Orange AD200B weigh 60 pounds. combine the two for sonic mayhem!!!!

I can get the job done just fine with a Gallien. It's all I've ever needed.

 

[El Dunco]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

Solid-states and hybrids with plenty of wattage and headroom can be devastatingly loud even if the guitarists are using tube amps. For a good stage mix, there's no way anyone is going to be running at anything close to maximum volume in either case (unless you're micing up a pignose or one of those little GK amps from the late 80s). After you've determined the volume capabilities cut the mustard, it's about what gets the sound you like or what will work with the rest of the band.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

I can get the job done just fine with a Gallien. It's all I've ever needed.

I had a gallien 212 combo amp rated at 500 watts weighing 40 pounds. It did not have much growl so I used my tech 21 vtbass pedal with it, but I was not completely satisfied. the next step for me is jonesing after an awesome tube amp I would crank it and it would sound awesome, but the low end would go away, so I need to biamp

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

I had a gallien 212 combo amp rated at 500 watts weighing 40 pounds. It did not have much growl so I used my tech 21 vtbass pedal with it, but I was not completely satisfied. the next step for me is jonesing after an awesome tube amp I would crank it and it would sound awesome, but the low end would go away, so I need to biamp

My Gallien-Krueger 1001RB:

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

My Gallien-Krueger 1001RB:

Nice. I use 1/2 of the 2001rb with the 10db pad kicked in. The boost knob is where the sick growl is. I also roll the contour off. I'm anxious to try the fusion 550 too.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

Nice. I use 1/2 of the 2001rb with the 10db pad kicked in. The boost knob is where the sick growl is. I also roll the contour off. I'm anxious to try the fusion 550 too.

Awesome! You have good taste my friend!

 

[Poorbluesbass]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

FWIW, my main amp is a 300 watt tube amp....it really is all about your preference and what sounds good to you. I am a hobbyist that mainly plays roots music with friends. My amp can definitely get down and dirty IF I want it to, but 99% of the time I pair it with a single 18" cab and set the master and gain at a reasonable level for the "clean head room". I would not trade it for all of the SS amps in the world.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

^Single 18? Cool! Who makes the driver? Other than Peavey and JBL, I don't know of anybody still cranking those out.

Which tube amp do you use?

 

[Poorbluesbass]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

^Single 18? Cool! Who makes the driver? Other than Peavey and JBL, I don't know of anybody still cranking those out.

Which tube amp do you use?

Right now, I am just using a used Trace Elliot ( a 1518 maybe? I'll have to check the specific model # here in a bit ) powered by my Ashdown CTM-300. As far as I know, Faital makes a modern 18. What started me down the 18 route was that I was actually looking into a greenboy audio 15/6, and the closest authorized builder to me was Mark Robertson from BNA Audio. He mentioned to me to check out an 18 for the type of music that I play, and I was a little leery seeing how I never used a driver THAT big....of course, I did what every person with the world's knowledge at their fingertips did and hit the internet for more info....after finding a mixed bag of reviews, I decided that the only way to know for sure was to try one. I'll be damned if Mark wasn't right and the 18 was perfect for what I like to play....now I am saving my pennies for one of his custom 18 cabs to match my head :-D

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Solid State or Tube Head?

I supposed if you're just going for grit, then a warm tube head would be better than a solid state head. If you need a combination or you are playing super clean, then SS probably works better. I like the sound of my Fender Rumble 75 and the grit sounds amazing on it.