Thinking about going from solidstate to tube. Advice needed.

[JimmyM]

What truly counts is how well you play and how well you get over with the crowd. Nobody's ever going to walk out on a band because the bass player didn't bring a tube amp. But it sure is grand to play through a good one and I totally notice the difference. So do others...the audience is way more sophisticated on the whole than many musicians like to believe. And while I'm quite happy to wuss out and bring a small rig on some gigs, I do miss the big stuff and I inevitably go back to it.

[creis2]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

What truly counts is how well you play and how well you get over with the crowd. Nobody's ever going to walk out on a band because the bass player didn't bring a tube amp. But it sure is grand to play through a good one and I totally notice the difference. So do others...the audience is way more sophisticated on the whole than many musicians like to believe. And while I'm quite happy to wuss out and bring a small rig on some gigs, I do miss the big stuff and I inevitably go back to it.

Yeah, this Traynor 200 watt tube head is igniting my GAS. Maybe I can do that and guy a high powered micro head for the days I'm feeling lazy or need super clean and clear headroom.

[Mastermold]

If you really want a tube amp get an SVT-CL or if money/weight is an issue the Genz Benz Streamliner. Don't let your guitar player pick your gear (unless you get to pick his, in which case make him play a Daisy Rock)

[creis2]

Originally Posted by Mastermold

If you really want a tube amp get an SVT-CL or if money/weight is an issue the Genz Benz Streamliner. Don't let your guitar player pick your gear (unless you get to pick his, in which case make him play a Daisy Rock)

It doesn't have much to do with my guitarist, honestly the only reason I mentioned that is that he is on my nirves today. The Mrs. is sick of me complaining about my band drama, so it felt good to throw that in.

The Orange tube head really ignited my gas, however. The Traynor YBA seems like a less expensive alternative.

[creis2]

After thinking about it, i'm 85% happy with the Ashdown tone, which isn't bad. I'm reading mixed things about both the Eden and Traynor tube heads.

Instead of spending a grand on some new head, I might try some preamp tube rolling on the Ashdown and get down and dirty with really playing with my VT bass pedal.

The Ashdown is probably one of the most common solidstate heads I see on big stages (next to Aguilar).

[BogeyBass]

Seems like the whole reason to have a tube head is to have a little distortion. Not a fuzz bath, but a nice overtone I guess you could say.

Dont really see the need for a heavy 300 watt

really just a quad of 6550's/kt88 is about were its at, for a decent 150 to 180 watts. for what is usually called a "200 watt" head

If i wanted clean overhead would just use more or bigger cabs.
But its all I really use is big cabs, just kinda goes with the deal
with the whole tube thing.

But if your just at low levels and getting a mic or DI
just a simple quad of 6L6 is cool for about 80 watts for what is called a "100 watt" head.

and then a simple small cab like a 1x15 or 2x12
wont be crushing loud. but doesnt need to be as long as you understand the limits, and then to get louder if needed its gonna be a bigger cabinet/more speakers

so its knowing what its about 80 or 160 watts
big cab or little cab. The whole point is to be loud enough to fit in your band mix, but still be riding the edge between clean and slight distortion...or warm whatever you call it.

and no I would not buy the orange thing, poopy boards
poopy transformers. really pretty case.

rather dump money into a vintage head and then spend the extra money for a tech to clean it up. expensive yes
but still cheaper than buying a 2000 dollar thing.

Even that would rather have 2 grand into a vintage head if necessary, the only impressive newer tube head ive seen is the offerings from Reeves

ands yes DI is a nice thing I guess for newer heads, but again seems like if your a tube guy..its already known fact its gonna be this head, this cab and this microphone.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by BogeyBass

Seems like the whole reason to have a tube head is to have a little distortion. Not a fuzz bath, but a nice overtone I guess you could say.

Not for me. I do like overdriven tones but I need a clean base to work from. And I greatly prefer the clean tone of a tube amp over the clean tone of solid state. Some folks say it's not that dramatic a difference. That's OK for them but I totally disagree.

[rodl2005]

Me too. I've always dug tube amps for their "clean" tone. In fact it was years & years playing em till I realised about their overdrive possibilities - yeah, I'm a bit slow
Maybe there's always a bit of distortion going on, but I didn't notice & now I use my YBA300 (mainly with a P bass) for that sweet cushy feeling of the all tube tone

[Tractorr]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the audience is way more sophisticated on the whole than many musicians like to believe.

+1

Like many people I played for years before really knowing the first thing about gear. I would often go to shows and wonder why some bands just moved me more than other despite the bands seeming to be similar in playing ability and songs. Only after I learned more about what gear sounds like what did I realize those big SVTs were part of the reason that the guys who had them had such nice bass tone (to my ears).

Now of course if you suck no amount of great gear will save you, but everything else being equal: great gear sounds better than okay gear.

All that being said I think the OP should go try out some other amps, because there are some surprises out there. If it has enough power for you the Mesa Walkabout is one of the most tubelike heads I have ever heard.

[ScottTunes]

My 2 cents...

I prefer tube tones as well. Especially vintage tube amps - Sunn, Traynor, Fender, even Ampeg. However, I found most of the vintage amps really sounded great at just one volume setting, which was usually either too loud (most common) or too quiet.

Though SS bass amps don't sound as nice, you can typically get good tone at any/all volume levels. Not to mention having plenty power for under 10 lbs! That was the final piece of the gig amp puzzle for me - light weight, but potent, and variable tone to fit the venue.

IMO/IME/YMMV

[Kmonk]

I went from an SVT Classic to a GK 1001RB. Now I am using a U.S. built SVT 6 Pro. It's lighter than an SVT CL and I still get the classic SVT sound.

Here are some specs on the 6 Pro
Preamp: Tubes (2 x 12AX7)
Driver Tubes: 2 x 12AU7, 2 x 12AX7
Power Amp: Solid State
RMS Power Output (8 Ohms): 750-Watts
RMS Power Output (4 Ohms): 1100-Watts

SVT CL:
Preamp: Tube (2 x 12AX7)
Driver Tube(s): 1 x 12AX7, 2x 12AU7
Power Amp: Tube (6 x 6550)
RMS Power Output (2 Ohms): 300-Watts
RMS Power Output (4 Ohms): 300-Watts

[Gearhead17]

Originally Posted by BogeyBass

and yes DI is a nice thing I guess for newer heads, but again seems like if your a tube guy..its already known fact its gonna be this head, this cab and this microphone.

In my eyes, when using a tube amp, you need to get the cabinet miked up. If you are using a DI (not in line with the power output of the tube amp), you are not sending that tube tone to the sound guy. If you want at tube amp as a monitor only, go for it, but I feel like you would be wasting your time.

A VT Bass pedal will grab the sound of a tube amp at lower volumes - might just be the ticket. The guitarist sounds clueless to where bass technology is at compared to Guitar gear.....

[Mr. Foxen]

Originally Posted by mournblade

I am very curious how the two amps will compare with the same bass, same piece, same settings and cabs back to back.

Can't really have the same settings on different preamps.

[wmheilma]

Get a new amp, because you are excited about it no because someone else told you to. I am lucky to have multiple gigs, a really nice tube head, and a really sweet little Genz-Benz head. I choose my amp depending on what sound fits a particular band and venue.

[Sid Fang]

It is, frankly, not for your guitarist to say what sort of amp technology you use, unless, of course, he's paying for it. If he wants you to be more distorted, more midrangey, or just plain louder, it's reasonable for him to ask. But it's up to you how to do it.

[dunwichamps]

You gotta try playing the amp before shelling out cash. A lot of guys want or think tube is the way to go but on bass they just dont like it. So before you chunk any cash down you gotta play some stuff.

Also thanks Oli for the shout out.

[creis2]

Here's what I'm thinking after a few days.

I have experience with DIY electronics, so i want a tube head I can maintenance myself. But after talking with a friend today, just simply replacing tubes when needed and setting the bias isn't enough. he went on about using an oscilloscope and such, he lost me. Is this true?



Also, the price of the Orange is very high. I'm better off owning two Ashdowns, one as a backup. If my Orange needs to be serviced, I would be out of an amp for a while. At least with an Ashdown, I can have it repaired. If the Orange were to get lost, stolen or destroyed, that's a lot of money. Used Ashdowns go for pretty cheap, and are abundant.

Also, it seems like Ashdown ABM's are becoming a new standard. I see a lot of major artists using them, like Foo Fighters, Bloc Party, Radiohead, Paul McCartney, etc. They can't be so bad, can they?

Any other convincing arguments to go in either direction?

I'm still eyeing the Orange 200, she seems awesome, but not sure if it is $2000 awesome.

[Downunderwonder]

Originally Posted by creis2

Any time I've ever doubted a purchase, but bought it, I was unhappy....

But oh man, this amp is pretty

Give it up, you're happy with the sound you have. Everything you post is talking yourself out of it.

There are other "light" tube amps that get going like the Orange without the fancy pricetag. Try one and if you don't like it wear the shipping and try another.

YBA200 are cheap and plentiful, Peaveys moreso.

Keep your eyes peeled for a Mesa D180 while you're making up your mind. There weren't many made but they do come up occasionally. You get a speaker DI and a trick master volume that gets power tube distortion at any output level. Don't let your guitard near it. It's also a guitar amp with cascading channels, you'll never get it back.

Speaking of guitards, I bet if you blindfolded them and put a VT pedal into your Ashdown and told them it was an SVT they wouldn't know the difference.

I certainly couldn't tell them apart with the band playing. JimmyM made some solo demos that needed careful listening to pick the real tubes from the VT. With a live band, no way.

Overpriced Orange? Not unless you're totally in love with it and can mic your cab.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

I certainly couldn't tell them apart with the band playing. JimmyM made some solo demos that needed careful listening to pick the real tubes from the VT. With a live band, no way.

-I- can tell, and that's enough

[Russell L]

No one can tell you what's best for you, pal. All I know is I'm happy with my LMIII. No tubes, no nothin', just a great sound, and very reliable.