Port City Amps - Prototype All-Tube

Jordan · #1 04-14-2011, 06:05 PM

Port City Amps is working on a high end all-tube bass amp, and I've been lucky enough to be part of the feedback loop over the first iterations of the prototype head and cabinets.

If you want to hear it, here is a clip of me trying out the head through my Bergantino HT112. The settings are totally flat, with the bright switch on:

YouTube - portcityamps's Channel

So far I am very impressed with the sound quality and punch of this amp, I am really looking forward to having one of these babies for myself. My main suggestion so far was to add some switches. The amp now sports some rotary style knobs for the bass and midrange, similar to the Mesa Carbine, with cut, flat and boost, as well as a bright switch.

Although we were using my Bergantino in the video, the plan is to create a 1x15" and a 2x10" cab.

Feel free to give feedback on the amp regarding features ("nice to haves", "must haves", etc), and I will be glad to relay it back to Port City Amps.

Jordan

Calaverasgrande · #2 04-14-2011, 06:12 PM

Hard to say what to recommend. I cant see what knobs or switches it has. Aside from my standard line (how about two discrete channels like on a guitar head) I woudl say keep it simple. Leave off compressors, graphic EQs, exciters etc. Most tube aficionados I know are all about 3 or 4 knob eq with a maybe a mid shift and ultra low/ultra hi switches.

Mojo-Man · #3 04-14-2011, 06:28 PM

Sounds nice.
What is wattage, weight, HxWxD ?

Jordan · #4 04-14-2011, 09:02 PM

Calaverasgrande:
It has low, mid and high knobs. It has a cut/flat/boost switch for lows, a cut/flat/boost for mids, and a bright switch. So it's pretty basic. The tone at center detent was perfect for me, so I didn't have to adjust at all.

Mojo:
Not sure about the physical dimensions, but I think it was 100 watts of hand wired tube goodness. I was a bit skeptical of the wattage, since I play through a 2400 watt EBS/QSC, but it was LOUD. I mean loud in a punch-you-in-the-chest kind of way.

mprvise · #5 04-14-2011, 10:54 PM

That thing looks awesome. I have a Port City 2x10 guitar cabinet (possible the first) and it is incredible - my go to when using a head/cab live rig. Now that I'm picking up some bass gigs it's great to learn they are getting into bass gear. Daniel at Port City was really easy to work with.