Best solid state or hybrid for grit?

tubaman2 · #1 02-09-2011, 11:22 AM

So I've been posting a ton of threads about amps lately. Mostly because I have some time before I get enough money for anything. Basically I'll be on a budget of maybe $650 at the most. More likely somewhere around $500-$550.

So right now I'm using a GK Backline 600 with an acoustic 4x10 and a peavey 1x15. It's just too stale for me, and I can get it to have much else but a pretty smooth tone no matter what I do. I'm using a light amount of fuzz, but it isn't the same as the amp being able to get a nice natural grit.

Basically I'm asking what solid state or hybrid amps can get a good natural grit. (all tube is almost certainly going to be too expensive) I would like more power as well. I'm looking for something that has a nice character to it and can get that nice little gritty warmth/drive. I'm up for new or used.

(I know I'm going to get a lot of "just go try stuff", but there are no good guitar shops that aren't a decent distance away. There is an alright one in town, but being in college, time isn't really something I have a lot of. So if people can tell me their own opinions just so I have an idea of what to be looking for when I do have some time to look.)

JAUQO III-X · #2 02-09-2011, 11:27 AM

I use one of these. The Ashdown Spyder 550. It fits what you describe you're looking for from a hybrid.

It's a combination of their new tube amp offering and their 500-Watt ABM power stage series.

http://www.ashdownmusic.com/bass/detail.asp?ID=247

Ashdownd endorser(well over a decade).

tsunami1052 · #3 02-09-2011, 11:28 AM

Used TC RH450

NecroticImbecil · #4 02-09-2011, 11:42 AM

The 2 most "natural" sounding non-tube distortions I've found were from cheap antiques, an Acoustic 320 and ancient Peavey. The only model name I could find on the Peavey was "Bass" printed on the front. I've never seen a picture of another one. Wasn't the Centurian, or Musician, no built in distortion knob (those always sound terrible on old amps). Like the Acoustic, and a non-master volume tube amp, it just started distorting once it got loud enough. From there, the louder the hairier. The Acoustic was $120, the Peavey $25.

I will say though that the 2 Ashdown RPM-1 preamps I've owned did a pretty good job too.

tubaman2 · #5 02-09-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsunami1052

Used TC RH450

Is the classic 450 a good amp as well? If it will do what I am looking for it would be nice since it's closer to my price range.

St Drogo · #6 02-09-2011, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

The 2 most "natural" sounding non-tube distortions I've found were from cheap antiques, an Acoustic 320 and ancient Peavey. The only model name I could find on the Peavey was "Bass" printed on the front. I've never seen a picture of another one. Wasn't the Centurian, or Musician, no built in distortion knob (those always sound terrible on old amps). .

You might be talking about the Mark III. That is a hugely underrated amp fo sho! It's one of my favorites. Does evil overdrive very well (though I'm not too sure about the sic "naturalness" of it). It is only 220 watts though, so seeing as the OP was looking for more power, that one may be out...

Lublin · #7 02-09-2011, 12:00 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/Orange-Bass-Terr...item3a62eda6f9

RCCollins · #8 02-09-2011, 12:03 PM

i really like the distortion channel on the Aguilar AG500.

tubaman2 · #9 02-09-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lublin

http://cgi.ebay.com/Orange-Bass-Terr...item3a62eda6f9

That would be just about ideal, but unless I can convince my parents or some benevolent TB'er to help me out, that's gonna be too much for me. I love the tone of those though. Is there anything at a cheaper price that can produce at least a similar tone to that? I'm also afraid those amps are something of a one trick pony. (correct me if I'm wrong)

GrowlerBox · #10 02-09-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubaman2

Basically I'm asking what solid state or hybrid amps can get a good natural grit. (all tube is almost certainly going to be too expensive) I would like more power as well. I'm looking for something that has a nice character to it and can get that nice little gritty warmth/drive. I'm up for new or used.

Might be worth waiting on the retail release of the Aguilar TH500 -- I use the Tone Hammer pedal, and to my ear, the AGS "channel" provides a very nice grind/grit (however you want to describe it) right through to a nicely broken up heavy overdrive. The Streamliner is also getting rave reviews here and is (clearly) already available -- you can't wander through this site without tripping over a dozen simultaneous threads on it, such is the hype (well-deserved, I'm sure). I have a TCE RH450 on the way to me now -- I like what I've heard of the "Tubetone", and hope it meets expectations, although it wasn't the primary reason for my choice.

NecroticImbecil · #11 02-09-2011, 12:08 PM

Oops, didn't catch the bit about power. Duh. The Acoustic was low power too, they both reacted like 100 watt tube amps as the volumes went up. Guess the Ashdown's my only valid suggestion then. Out of production I think, but AFAIK the same preamp as used in the ABM heads.

I'd post a pic of the Peavey somewhere but unfortunately it's in the (ex?) guitarist's basement underneath piles of debris. Something like this, this might be the same model but too small to be sure.

countrybassist · #12 02-09-2011, 12:12 PM

I have an Orange TB500 that can get down right nasty. There is one in the classified on here that's in your price range.

RickenBoogie · #13 02-09-2011, 12:30 PM

Adding an overdrive pedal to your current rig would be much cheaper.

tubaman2 · #14 02-09-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

Adding an overdrive pedal to your current rig would be much cheaper.

Probably, but I don't really like the tone of the amp itself. It sounds to stagnant and doesn't give a really mature sound. I figure while I'm getting a big chunk of money all at once, I might as well upgrade to a better or more fitting sound for me.

**Faderoktopus** · #15 02-09-2011, 01:05 PM

+1 on the Aguilar TH500 or Terror bass.

The Terror bass has a surprising amount of power for a 500w hybrid and the AGS circuitry in the tone hammer pre/di is pretty amazing.

I have an english Ashdown ABM500 that I basically only use as a power amp with the Valve Drive off. It doesn't give a very musical distortion, at least not to my ears. The AGS ceartainly beats it when it comes to saturation and the Terror Bass is just plain better.

Actually, you might consider just getting the tone hammer pre/di and run it through you GK set flat, that tactic made my life a lot easier.

Good luck

tubaman2 · #16 02-09-2011, 01:11 PM

When is the TH500 supposed to be released? Also, does anyone know any price estimates for it?

GrowlerBox · #17 02-09-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubaman2

When is the TH500 supposed to be released? Also, does anyone know any price estimates for it?

I can't remember off-hand, but there is a big thread all about it here.

JAUQO III-X · #18 02-09-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faderoktopus

I have an english Ashdown ABM500 that I basically only use as a power amp with the Valve Drive off.

It doesn't give a very musical distortion, at least not to my ears.

I was referring to the Ashdown Spyder 550 which is a hybrid. I own several Ashdown ABM 500's and it is a totally different amp than the Spyder 550.

**Faderoktopus** · #19 02-09-2011, 01:35 PM

The ABM is also a hybrid in that it has an optional valve circuit in the pre-section. I haven't tried the Spyder, maybe I should. Is it MIE? My experience with the asian made Ashdown stuff has been pretty unimpressive but I've heard that the newer english models are great quality. But you really have to dig the Ashdown tone which isn't for everyone. If I had the cash for a new amp right now I would probably go with Orange, but that's just me.

P.S. I don't mind asian made in general, this is just my experience with Ashdown.

JAUQO III-X · #20 02-09-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faderoktopus

The ABM is also a hybrid in that it has an optional valve circuit in the pre-section. I haven't tried the Spyder, maybe I should. Is it MIE? My experience with the asian made Ashdown stuff has been pretty unimpressive but I've heard that the newer english models are great quality. But you really have to dig the Ashdown tone which isn't for everyone. If I had the cash for a new amp right now I would probably go with Orange, but that's just me.

P.S. I don't mind asian made in general, this is just my experience with Ashdown.

Yes the ABM is indeed a hybrid. But it is different than the Spyder.

The Spyder 550 is made in England.