Tube or Solid State?

[Tibar]

I'm trying to figure out what works (sounds) best for a double bass amplifier.

Tube or Solid State?

[hdiddy]

Solid state. Unlike porkchops you don't want coloration from the amp.

[Francois Blais]

A tube preamp is often used, and even desirable in many ways.
But for the power section, only if it's state of the art tube circuitry.
And even then, it's very heavy and bulky.

[bassteban]

I have played my DB through an all-tube head and liked it, but the vast majority of DB folks IME go SS. The best-sounding rig for DB(again- IME & IMO)was an Eden CXC-110, a 1x10 SS combo.

[fingers]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

Solid state. Unlike porkchops you don't want coloration from the amp.

I have to slightly disagree here.

I agree that too much coloration is undesirable but I have yet to find an amp the yields no coloration. The closest I came to it was I did a duo gig with a guitar player where we both played through one of those Bose phallus' with mic only on the bass. As soon as we get a pickup involved all bets are off.

That said we do try our best to preserve the character of the DB. If it ends up sounding like a Fender then... well bring a Fender. There are all kinds of other considerations with sound ass soon as a drummer is involved too.

Truth be told a Sansamp Bass Driver has been at the core of my sound for 10+ years. Amps come and go but that thing always seems to make its way into the signal chain.

I guess the bottom line is that if an amp and pickup and less than perfect acoustic space is involved we do whatever necessary to get our sound out to the people.

The more I mess with it this whole "my bass only bigger/louder" thing I'm starting to think, especially when a pickup and amp is involved, it is like chasing Sasquatch.

[Ric Vice]

Originally Posted by Tibar

I'm trying to figure out what works (sounds) best for a double bass amplifier.

Tube or Solid State?

Tibar,
I used a Ampeg B-15 for years and loved it, but amps have really
improved over the last 20 years. Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio, MarkBass, and GK all make small powerful heads that sound great.
I have to agree with Mark as well, all amps color your sound somewhat. You just have to find one that gives you the color of your choice. For me it was a red Walter Woods, for others it's a Acoustic Image, Euphonic Audio or GK.

Ric

[drurb]

This has been discussed many times here. Take a look here and here.

In short, there is no particular advantage to tubes for bass amplification and plenty of disadvantages. I say that being somewhat of a "tubeophile" who restores vintage hi-fi tube equipment.

[fdeck]

The primary sources of coloration in double bass amplification are: Plywood and Spirocores.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by fdeck

The primary sources of coloration in double bass amplification are: Plywood and Spirocores.

The primary source of color on my bass is a green crayola in the hands of my 3-yr-old.

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by Tibar

I'm trying to figure out what works (sounds) best for a double bass amplifier.

Tube or Solid State?

42.
In my opinion, I don't think you're asking the right question.
Think about a black box approach. Forget what's in the box and just play through some. You may have to turn your back and let someone else A/B/X switch them for you. Make sure you match the gain because louder always sounds better. Then buy from a store that let's you use it for a month and return it if it doesn't work out. Gigs say more about an amp than a music store. Especially having to haul it around with your big bass.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

42.
In my opinion, I don't think you're asking the right question.
Think about a black box approach. Forget what's in the box and just play through some. You may have to turn your back and let someone else A/B/X switch them for you. Make sure you match the gain because louder always sounds better. Then buy from a store that let's you use it for a month and return it if it doesn't work out. Gigs say more about an amp than a music store. Especially having to haul it around with your big bass.

I'd agree were it not for the more fragile and somewhat less reliable nature of tube amps. As they offer no particular general advantage, I'd suggest choosing the solid-state amp that one likes the most.

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by drurb

I'd agree were it not for the more fragile and somewhat less reliable nature of tube amps. As they offer no particular general advantage, I'd suggest choosing the solid-state amp that one likes the most.

I agree 100%

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by drurb

I'd agree were it not for the more fragile and somewhat less reliable nature of tube amps. As they offer no particular general advantage, I'd suggest choosing the solid-state amp that one likes the most.

+1. Transporting the bass itself is enough trouble. My general philosophy is to start with something that is "modern" in a technical sense, i.e., compact, portable, and of high quality. If you can make it sound good for your bass, ears, and playing style, chalk up a victory. It will take longer to figure these things out than the money-back approval time of any but the most patient dealer.

If you use something that is relatively mainstream in the DB world, than you will have a source of free advice here at the forum.

So... all together... Plywood, Spirocores, Solid-State.

[drurb]

Carved, Evah Pirazzis, solid-state. Does this make me a non-conformist?

[drurb]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

I agree 100%

Oh, and your caution about matching gain (actually SPL--or randomizing it a bit) is a very important one. It's a very powerful effect. 2 dB or so is all it takes to bias judgments in favor of the amp with the greater output. It's a trick many a hi-fi salesperson has used.

[fdeck]

Originally Posted by drurb

Carved, Evah Pirazzis, solid-state. Does this make me a non-conformist?

Carved? Pizzas? I can't imagine carving all of those layers before squishing them together in the mould.