So, what's your favorite Solid State amp?

[theavondon]

I know we have a few fans around these parts. I'm hella partial to the 70's silverfaced Sunn SS amps, especially anything in the Coliseum line. Mostly how they can be dropped a billion times, and then still work perfectly, and incredibly loud at that.

But, also, Traynor TS-50B.

Also, I'm gonna get a Beta Lead soon. So, we'll find out how that goes too.

And, also Acoustics rule.

fuck

BUT WHAT DO YOU LIKE?

[rfurtkamp]

The Sunn stuff was great when it was $100 pawn shop special type stuff. The problem is finding someone to work on the older SS stuff (versus what it's "worth") if schematics/parts *can* be found. I junked more than a few Sunn 70s amps when even one of the old product managers who'd migrated to Fender couldn't help me.

It's not something I chase at current prices.

Depends on what I want, but over the years I've been consistently happy with Roland Jazz Choruses, higher end (1x12 minimum) Fender solid state stuff (which is essentially what the Sunn stuff morphed into after the buyouts) from the mid 80s to the mid-90s, and these days with the more expensive Fender Mustang stuff (again, the 1x12 minimum seems to get the poweramp/speaker/construction to a pricepoint where it's not all saving nickels and dimes at the expense of sound).

With my health, I'm lucky to tour the living room but if a miracle descended from the sky and I was cured and all residual damage fixed, I'd probably go with a Mustang IV/V and a Jazz Chorus in super-stereo to tour with.

I'm skeptical of older SS amps though, simply because I don't necessarily know what abuse they've been put through and I want even more of a return policy than with other stuff, simply because it's hard to say what they'll do or sound like at blasting volumes.

That said, I've never had *any* problems with a Jazz Chorus. None. Zilch.

[WayToHip]

^I had a friend that blew the transformer on a Jazz Chorus, but he was slamming it with a keyboard and fuzz war.

I love my Acoustic 136 and I like my Kustom Double Barrel.
I tried this RVS keyboard amp with a leslie sim in it that was the best chorus I've heard, but I was reluctant to get it (I got the acoustic).

[theavondon]

The Sunn stuff was great when it was $100 pawn shop special type stuff. The problem is finding someone to work on the older SS stuff (versus what it's "worth") if schematics/parts *can* be found. I junked more than a few Sunn 70s amps when even one of the old product managers who'd migrated to Fender couldn't help me.

It's not something I chase at current prices.

And for the most part, I agree with this. I've just been kinda incredibly lucky as far as finding things for cheap. And, also, finding techs that will fix it for cheap. But, also, I've had similar luck with them being sturdy. And, fuuuuuuuuuuuck the current pricing trends on those amps.

[kbit]

I have a silverface Sunn Concert Bass. It sounds pretty good and I got it for hella cheap.
It's also suuuuuper light which is really nice.

I also have an Ampeg svt200t. The dude from Young Widows uses two of them. Then can sound cool and the bass boost can get things rumbling, but I find the 6 band EQ more cumbersome than helpful. It's not that easy to coax a solid sound out of it.

Definitely want to try some of those old Acoustics, like a 370

[theavondon]

I have a silverface Sunn Concert Bass. It sounds pretty good and I got it for hella cheap.
It's also suuuuuper light which is really nice.

I also have an Ampeg svt200t. The dude from Young Widows uses two of them. Then can sound cool and the bass boost can get things rumbling, but I find the 6 band EQ more cumbersome than helpful. It's not that easy to coax a solid sound out of it.

Definitely want to try some of those old Acoustics, like a 370

Suggestion: Try everything on 8, except treble, which is at 2 on that Concert Bass. That's my favorite setting, especially with a 4x12. And, yes, try a 370.

[kbit]

I will try that. I think I currently have it set with the bass on 8 and mid+treble around 4.
I'm also running a 1x15, so... iunno.

[GardenoftheDead]

Fender Princeton Chorus

[rot gut]

beta lead and red face concert bass.

[Derelict78]

Peavey

[JohnnyC]

Love my transtube peavey studio pro 112

[psychedelicrelic]

Beta lead and roland cubes. The micro cube always surprises me. Ive had a few people jam with me on one and they sound so good for something so tiny. I also have this SS fender sidekick bass amp that I love...im not sure why. I use it for my synth. Ive only owned like 10 amps in my life so my experience is limited.

[cheesecats]

[trace]

Kustom

[digi2t]

Baby number one, Gibson G-115. Bought it some 30 years ago, it was my first amp. Cost me a C note. Other than having to reflow the solder in spots on the board, never let me down. Recently fitted with Texas Heats. Good clean amp, with decent output.



Baby number two, Ampeg G-212. Recently upgraded the op amps in the pre amp section, and all the driver and power transistors in the power section. Fitted with Texas Heats. This sucker is LOUD!!! A real joist shaker.