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Amp For Massive Volume, Vintage Fattiness, Warmth

HeavyAxe

HeavyAxe

Jul 16, 2013
420
222
Alberta, Canada
#1
Hey! I know this is my second thread in a very short span, but I thought I needed a more accurate request. So here it is:
I need a head that will deliver devastating volume, with vintage fat and warmth. Solid state/tube/hyrbid. Doesn't matter as long as it has some good warmth to it. My band has quickly decided to go the desert/acid/fuzz/lo-fi/blues/psychedelic root and gigs are booked! Though my Mesa/Bass 400 doesn't give me near the tone or volume I need/want. Ampeg SVT is the obvious candidate but I'd like to hear others. Especially less expensive other options! I'd generally like to keep it in the couple grand range but preferrably below that. I don't have anything against brands which are less than mainstream. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!

Oh yeah! Did I mention I need it LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!? Preferably with not too many knobs or graphic EQ stuff etc. Also it would be a bonus if its not something super unobtainable.








R.I.P. Jack
 
#3
What Sunns do you have now? I'd suggest using those. Or just picking up that Marshall, ignore the "that's a guitar amp" hate. Aside from a few obvious design changes, larger power section, master volume, etc. Super Leads are still inherently Fender Bassman amps (albeit those were more popular as guitar amps, it's still modeled after an amp that was intended for bass)
 
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#4
waltdogg said:
What Sunns do you have now? I'd suggest using those. Or just picking up that Marshall, ignore the "that's a guitar amp" hate. Aside from a few obvious design changes, larger power section, master volume, etc. Super Leads are still inherently Fender Bassman amps (albeit those were more popular as guitar amps, it's still modeled after an amp that was intended for bass)
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I have the SUNN Concert Lead (late 70s red knob) and the SUNN Concert Slave (silverface). Well, the Marshall he has is a 84' JCM 800 which isn't the same as Super Lead, correct?
 
#6
Aside from the MV a JCM800 is essentially a Super Lead. There are some crucial changes that were made to the Super Lead circuit in the early 70s though that made the amps very very bright and a littler bit weaker on the bass. I'd still suggest just using your Sunns through that split 8x10 or a couple of 2x15s. That's as desert rock as it gets.
 
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#10
B-string said:
WAIT, you have a Mesa 400 and it is not loud enough? An SVT tube with lower wattage is not going to help you and a 100 watt Marshall is even worse. Something is not right about all this.
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Well the 400 isn't really all that high of wattage in reality. I have it dimed all the time when I'm just practising scales. Its loud to my friends who like country, but I like rock n' roll. :bassist:
 
#11
waltdogg said:
Aside from the MV a JCM800 is essentially a Super Lead. There are some crucial changes that were made to the Super Lead circuit in the early 70s though that made the amps very very bright and a littler bit weaker on the bass. I'd still suggest just using your Sunns through that split 8x10 or a couple of 2x15s. That's as desert rock as it gets.
Click to expand...
Well it turned out my 2x15 had the split mode as well. It worked but kinda sounded like arse and actually seemed quieter with both heads. I don't know, would the 8x10 split work better?
 
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#14
HeavyAxe said:
Well it turned out my 2x15 had the split mode as well. It worked but kinda sounded like arse and actually seemed quieter with both heads. I don't know, would the 8x10 split work better?
Click to expand...

Sound like one of the 15" speakers were wired out of polarity. When they are wired out of polarity with each other that is exactly what happens, no bass, boxy mids and loss of volume. OR the two amp outputs were out of polarity.
 

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