Amp Conundrum - Please Help!

[mikef09]

So I've been through a bunch of amps this year and found things I like and don't like.

Amp i've had this year:

• Darkglass: AO900 & X900 - high end fizz, not a fan but love how gritty Darkglass amps get
• Sovtek Bassov Blues Boy 100B - LOVED this amp for the tube sound but the EQ was lacking since it's based on a JCM800
• Mesa Bass 800D - fantastic amp but the mesa sound isn't for me
• Quilter Bass Block v803 - loved how it sounded with the gain up in qtube mode but still had the solid state feel and no give like the Sovtek and Mesa

I'm currently looking at the Orange Terror Bass for a slightly broken up sound that I can push with my OD pedal (Dunwich ODB in this case). My favorite amp of all time is the Ampeg B25 - I would obviously get one and that would be the answer but I'm competing with 2 LOUD guitarists in a post rock band who have Fender Deville 410s. I play a Gibson EB13, and the cab of choice is a Darkglass 212NE.

Any suggestions? What would you go with?

 

[blr2]

Ampeg V4B.

 

[JonathanPDX]

If an Ampeg B25 into a big cabinet isn't loud enough you don't need a new amplifier, you need earplugs.

Are you even playing live, or is this just a "how loud can we be in the garage" situation? Because I'd think if you're on stage at those volumes you're going to be running through the mains and likely with in-ear monitors anyway, so your stage amp doesn't need to be crazy loud so long as you have a solid DI.

 

[mikef09]

If an Ampeg B25 into a big cabinet isn't loud enough you don't need a new amplifier, you need earplugs.

Are you even playing live, or is this just a "how loud can we be in the garage" situation? Because I'd think if you're on stage at those volumes you're going to be running through the mains and likely with in-ear monitors anyway, so your stage amp doesn't need to be crazy loud so long as you have a solid DI.

Yes I'm playing live at a dedicated practice space, and at venues. I also love a loud amp.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

So I've been through a bunch of amps this year and found things I like and don't like.

Amp i've had this year:

• Darkglass: AO900 & X900 - high end fizz, not a fan but love how gritty Darkglass amps get
• Sovtek Bassov Blues Boy 100B - LOVED this amp for the tube sound but the EQ was lacking since it's based on a JCM800
• Mesa Bass 800D - fantastic amp but the mesa sound isn't for me
• Quilter Bass Block v803 - loved how it sounded with the gain up in qtube mode but still had the solid state feel and no give like the Sovtek and Mesa

I'm currently looking at the Orange Terror Bass for a slightly broken up sound that I can push with my OD pedal (Dunwich ODB in this case). My favorite amp of all time is the Ampeg B25 - I would obviously get one and that would be the answer but I'm competing with 2 LOUD guitarists in a post rock band who have Fender Deville 410s. I play a Gibson EB13, and the cab of choice is a Darkglass 212NE.

Any suggestions? What would you go with?

A second cab. I have a Mesa WD800. My experience is it sounds better at lower volumes than cranked. Secondly it has a lot more tonal flexibility than the 800D. I have found it to be very versatile for using across genres, although I’m not convinced it’s what I would call it best in class in each genres. But when the notes start flying in an ensemble, it’s seems to fit in.

 

[Core Creek]

My band plays at obscenely loud volumes. I’ve settled on either a Venture V7 into a Markbass 3x10 at 6ohm, or an Ampeg RB210 combo. I’m consistently impressed with how loud the combo gets. Saturday we did a gig and I had the volume just a hair above halfway. Mind you I have PA support taking the XLR out from the amp. But even with less support it’s pretty loud.

 

[RedWire75]

So I've been through a bunch of amps this year and found things I like and don't like.

Amp i've had this year:

• Darkglass: AO900 & X900 - high end fizz, not a fan but love how gritty Darkglass amps get
• Sovtek Bassov Blues Boy 100B - LOVED this amp for the tube sound but the EQ was lacking since it's based on a JCM800
• Mesa Bass 800D - fantastic amp but the mesa sound isn't for me
• Quilter Bass Block v803 - loved how it sounded with the gain up in qtube mode but still had the solid state feel and no give like the Sovtek and Mesa

I'm currently looking at the Orange Terror Bass for a slightly broken up sound that I can push with my OD pedal (Dunwich ODB in this case). My favorite amp of all time is the Ampeg B25 - I would obviously get one and that would be the answer but I'm competing with 2 LOUD guitarists in a post rock band who have Fender Deville 410s. I play a Gibson EB13, and the cab of choice is a Darkglass 212NE.

Any suggestions? What would you go with?

The Mesa 800D is a very specific sound. The D-800/800+ do not sound like that but are what I would describe as quick and clean. TT-800 has an 800/800+ inspired channel and a vintage channel that leans towards the 800D but still has that “quick” feeling. I haven’t played a WD-800 as parametric EQs give me option paralysis.

Maybe an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 or 700 would be up your alley if you like the B25?

 

[mikef09]

The Mesa 800D is a very specific sound. The D-800/800+ do not sound like that but are what I would describe as quick and clean. TT-800 has an 800/800+ inspired channel and a vintage channel that leans towards the 800D but still has that “quick” feeling. I haven’t played a WD-800 as parametric EQs give me option paralysis.

Maybe an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 or 700 would be up your alley if you like the B25?

The TH700 V2 was also on my radar as well. Thanks for the feedback on the Mesa amps here.

 

[henryjurstin13]

Maybe an Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 or 700 would be up your alley if you like the B25?

This is exactly what I was going to suggest!! Tone Hammer head pushed me away from having an always-on dirt pedal.... it's just got it!

 

[mikef09]

This is exactly what I was going to suggest!! Tone Hammer head pushed me away from having an always-on dirt pedal.... it's just got it!

Awesome, this it what I like to hear!

 

[henryjurstin13]

Awesome, this it what I like to hear!

Glad to help!!! Even when I was using THE SVT rig (CL & 810), I would use my Ibanez TS9DX as an always on dirt. Then moved over to a VT Bass with various amps.... and took the splurge on a ToneHammer 500. Have not had one single regret!

 

[blr2]

If you like the Tone Hammer baked-in tone, it's a very good head, but transparent it is not.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Nice to hear about somebody else giving some love to the B25.
Ive been using one in venues large and small for 40 years. When 55 Ampeg tube watts isn't loud enough , I splt my signal to FOH with a passive DI. But blr2 is correct that a V4b should deliver the goods with a little more oomph. A second cab wouldn't be a bad choice either. Not being overly picky, I always gladly plugged in to larger provided backline amps whenever they were offered. But nothin sounds exactly like the growl of a slightly underpowered tube Ampeg. You can leave your overdrive pedal at home.

 

[JimChjones]

I'm competing with 2 LOUD guitarists in a post rock band who have Fender Deville 410s. I play a Gibson EB13, and the cab of choice is a Darkglass 212NE.

Any suggestions? What would you go with?

If you've got two 12in drivers competing with eight 10s that sure sounds like a losing game...

There ought to be a rule that if we have to uprate our bass rigs to keep up with guitar players with oversized rigs then the guitar players have to store and transport some extra bass cabs...

 

[mikef09]

If you've got two 12in drivers competing with eight 10s that sure sounds like a losing game...

There ought to be a rule that if we have to uprate our bass rigs to keep up with guitar players with oversized rigs then the guitar players have to store and transport some extra bass cabs...

I mean it's definitely not a question of if the amps keep up. Every amp I mentioned in the OP was definitely loud enough, if not almost drowning out the guitarists sometimes haha. But I agree! I would lug around an 810 if my body could hold up taking it around.

 

[Slevage]

So I've been through a bunch of amps this year and found things I like and don't like.

Amp i've had this year:

• Darkglass: AO900 & X900 - high end fizz, not a fan but love how gritty Darkglass amps get
• Sovtek Bassov Blues Boy 100B - LOVED this amp for the tube sound but the EQ was lacking since it's based on a JCM800
• Mesa Bass 800D - fantastic amp but the mesa sound isn't for me
• Quilter Bass Block v803 - loved how it sounded with the gain up in qtube mode but still had the solid state feel and no give like the Sovtek and Mesa

I'm currently looking at the Orange Terror Bass for a slightly broken up sound that I can push with my OD pedal (Dunwich ODB in this case). My favorite amp of all time is the Ampeg B25 - I would obviously get one and that would be the answer but I'm competing with 2 LOUD guitarists in a post rock band who have Fender Deville 410s. I play a Gibson EB13, and the cab of choice is a Darkglass 212NE.

Any suggestions? What would you go with?

Tone Hammer or TT800.
With two loud guitars-I’d need a second cabinet (though I don’t like playing at those levels).

 

[ole Jason]

If you want onboard distortion the Orange or Aguilar are your best bets. The TT800 will sorta get gritty when cranked but it doesn't produce in your face distortion in the same way as the Darkglass, Orange, or Aguilar. Personally I think pedals are the way to go if you want distortion from a solid state amp though.

 

[Wasnex]

My favorite amp of all time is the Ampeg B25

Depending on how much power you need, Ampeg V4B or SVT seem like obvious choices; providing you are willing to go all tube. Ampeg also makes hybrids and solid state amps that may suit your taste.

Aguilar Tonehammer is often recommended as a proxy for SVTs. The way the controls work is said to be quirky...so you have to figure them out.

Genz Benz Streamliner is another amp that people say is tubey and can be dialed into the SVT tone universe. Genz Benz is long out of business, but the amps are still supported with a reasonably-priced, flat-rate repair service.

IMHO a big part of the sound people think of as SVT is actually the 810 cab. Millions of people think nothing is better than and SVT an 810. I like my SVTs, but the 810 is not my thing. Also it's very big and very heavy.

Ampeg offers smaller cab options that are supposedly designed to emulate the 810. 410HE is pretty much half an 810 with an added tweeter. It uses the same drivers. It's still a pretty big, heavy cab.

SVT112AV and SVT212AV are ported but supposedly voiced to emulate an 810. They have a tweeter.

The SVT210AV is also supposed to emulate the 810. No tweeter and it uses different drivers. If you need much volume, get a pair (minimum)

 

[Pocket Dave]

As others have mentioned - Aguilar Tone Hammer FTW. It does so many flavors of actually usable dirt.

My personal is a TH500 - it can dial in a warm, natural sounding breakup even at lower levels like a vintage B15 if you're into that, where the TH700's I've played seem to need a significantly higher gain setting at those levels. For a loud rock band, either will do well - though I'd recommend a couple 8 ohm cabs for the TH500 to get full power - or a single high capacity 4 ohm 410 - my TH500 is capable of being louder than I ever want to be with a 410 and 210 stacked on top and would have no trouble sitting in the mix with a couple cranked 60w Blues Deville 410 combos.

 

[thombo]

I've run the gamete of amps in similar genres and I'd also say an Ampeg V4, V4B, or SVT. A V4 through big fabs is my favorite heavy bass sound and fuzzes get a tube compression that will have that Dunwich singing with less fizz than the DG.

Honorable mentions for other 100+ watt tunes amps like Fender, Tarynor, Music Man, Orange, Peavey that can get you there too! If you get tired of carrying them, you can decide on when to compromise to lighter amps.