Toobz vs SS - Bass Amps

[Derelict78]

When I bought my bassman 300 they let me come in after hours to test it out with my equipment. CRAZY fun making everything in the joint rattle.
I really miss toobs

[DuoSonicII]

I know it's super-conformist, but I got a really good deal on a 70's SVT from a friend...and I don't think I can go back to solid-state. I used to use a SWR 750, and before that, a G-K 800RB, and neither of those are bad at all. But my band right now (maybe "project" is a better term since we are yet to play out) is a really loud heavy-psych thing, so volume is key. The 300W SVT can get much louder than the 750W SWR ever could, without even breaking a sweat. But that doesn't really apply to your situation, Mr. Behndy.

For me, combining pedals with a little of that natural powertube breakup thing is where it's at - and that's the one thing solid-state amps can't pull off, as far as I can see.

[Jwar]

Is there anywhere you can go and try out a tube amp to see how you like it?

I mean, yes they are cool. But seriously what is the point? The extra dough makes it a no go for me. I could buy a really, really nice amp head and cabinet for less than a tube amp. I almost feel like it's a nostalgia thing for some people.

Every has an opinion though. So I suggest checking one out in person.

[behndy]

yah. i've never had one. if i let the peoples at my local Awesome Store Of Music LOVE know i'm curious, i'm sure they'd let me either come in late or borrow one for a bit.

i'd actually be curious having one setup next to a ss amp, 'cause i have 3 GS112's (2 for practice/shows, one for the house) and the GS212, i could pretty accurately A/B them where the only difference would be the head.

the weight, the finickiness of tubes and the extra money has always pushed me to ss (i love the little half rack things like the SWR AmpLite that pushes 400 watts). wondering if i'm missing anything though.

[coldbrightsunlight]

the finickiness of tubes

Not really as big an issue as most people think, in my (kinda limited) experience tube amps don't need to be fixed/retubed as much as some people say/think, although the cost of retubing a big amp can be terrifying. The other concerns are legit though, my 30W head is fairly heavy, I can't even imagine what a 300W tube head weighs.

[Derelict78]

I can't even imagine what a 300W tube head weighs.

my bassman was 85lbs

[sanfordandsonny]

Once I went tubed there was no turning back.

[Mudfuzz]

I started with a tube amp and I think.. I had a "SS" rig for all of 6 months... [transitional period between my Musicman HD130 and my SVT] which was a Alembic tube pre into various power amps... all I can say is I got a good sound but there was something to me that was missing and it was hard to define really... I tried EQs and comps and shit but in the end I was just like FUCK IT! I'M JUST GETTING A SVT AND BEING DONE WITH THIS MESS! Why because every time I would try a SVT [ SET CLEAN and used a dirt box ] in a store and that sound for me just trumped all the other amps you could find in stores in the late 90's, it t'was think and big and loud I used that amp as my main amp for like 12 years in till I got a Mesa 400+ which still has the BIG, MEAN and EVIL thing going for it but has a more "even" voicing. I don't hate SS per say but most of them are like eh just not my thing

[Bassus Sanguinis]

^^Mudz knows his stuff

There are a few amps I swear by after years of good experiences only AND only two of them are t00bz. NONE of them is Fender. NONE tries to emulate anything either, I was personally devastated when Hughes & Kettner did the WRONG choice and went all the way that path.

I mostly rely on and prefer still my Hughes & Kettner 600watts hybrid head. All cheap solid states tends to sound... a little too clinical and clear without natural roundness to it. There are exceptions to that, too. All tube tech isn't always what You want for example, for the harsh noise, or for the nastiest br00tlz, since tube amps tend to mellow the pedalboard hard edges.

If I'm playing - for example - the Orange Terror Bass ...which is almost always readily available for me (either that or Ampeg SVT CL, which I'd prefer) if not using my own gear, there seems to be no way playing some songs their signature sounds. Not that I'd be super expert with mentioned amps, just have used them a bit during the past years. THEN AGAIN they've got by nature tendency for some other great sounds

Best to find a way to test the heads with Your full set up, either have amp or two for loan to test. If they offer to rent, tell them courtly to fuck off unless they will be recompense that in the bought amp price WITHOUT reducing it from the 20% sale price they OWE You for being cool.

Personally I've never really thought the difference between tube and solid state was as drastic for bass as it is for guitar, except for volume.

With all due respect, I couldn't disagree more. Why should it be any different? A bass guitar is still a guitar, isn't it? Especially vintage tube amps are very different animals from solid state amps. It's like the difference between a Music Man Stingray bass and the Hohner Beatle bass.

[Moustache_Bash]

I feel like tubes EQ your sound differently than something solid state. And tubes generally sound better in my experience. But, really, it's going to be all music in the end.

[SmallEQ]

Meh.

[GardenoftheDead]

Personally I've never really thought the difference between tube and solid state was as drastic for bass as it is for guitar, except for volume.

With all due respect, I couldn't disagree more. Why should it be any different? A bass guitar is still a guitar, isn't it? Especially vintage tube amps are very different animals from solid state amps. It's like the difference between a Music Man Stingray bass and the Hohner Beatle bass.

I personally can't hear a difference like I can with a guitar. Though I guess a big part of it is that, I may be in a minority here, but I honestly can't stand distorted bass 99% of the time. For clean bass, I'm sort of in the Greg Ginn camp: I don't like roundness in my bass tone. I want that sharp attack.

[Jwar]

To me the price is really the killer. I'd totally rock on a tube amp if they weren't so expensive. My brother has a little Fender tube amp and it sound fucking killer with his Taylor. My cousin has a Bad Cat tube amp and it is one of the most amazing sounding things I've ever heard. They buzz and hum too much too for my taste. I like SS because #1 they are relatively inexpensive and you get more for you money. I have a 400w head on my cab SS that cost me like 1200 bucks. If it were a decent tube head I bet it would cost double that (new of course). I'm a broke motherfucker. That's it. lol

[Deltaphoenix]

Toobz can be had cheaper than you are thinking Jwarrior. I got my old 100 watt Univox head (it is an amp, not bass or guitar amp, sounds great) for like $350. I got my like new Eden tube head for about $800 (considering trade value and cash). $800 for a 300 watt tube head with very low hours isn't bad at all. Not much more than a solid state. BTW that Univox is a LOUD 100 watts.

[Haki]

There's some solid SS amps that I really like, but my love is reserved for toob amps (though there's plenty of horrendous sounding all toob amps). It's mostly about the power amp toobs, much less about the pre-amp toobs so you will still like your Box of Rust in front.

yah. i've never had one. if i let the peoples at my local Awesome Store Of Music LOVE know i'm curious, i'm sure they'd let me either come in late or borrow one for a bit.

... you have no more excuses.