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Best (Or most preferred) solid-state head for under $1,500?
- Thread starter OkkultistBass
- Start date
I run mine through an LDS 15/6. Bliss (at least for me). For my tatse, the fEarful type cabs are superior to regular off-the-shelf boxes. YMMV. I have played it through other cabs, but this one makes me smile the most. I like the Scout cabs for smaller heads, but apart from that I'm not a big fan of Mesa cabs. IMHO they are well-built, but very heavy and sound about as good as most of the competition, some of which costs and weighs less. Again, just my opinion. This isn't math, so there's no right answer
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Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
- 7,613
- 76
- Disclosures
- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
I guess I have become an evangelist. If you read the mega thread, especially the most recent posts, some of us have been comparing our other rigs to our M9's. Check it.
LOL! Well it's true. I sound pretty much like I always do no matter what I use. I only use the stuff I use because it makes it easy for me.
This is the crux of the matter, and why you really need to try as much stuff as you can.
FWIW, though, invest some time and money in good speaker cabinets -- the best head available will still sound like a$$ if the furniture isn't working for you.
Funny how another solid-state thread got turned into a slanging-match between Jimmy and the Monkey. You guys should really start a band then do a high-profile split.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
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- John K Custom Basses
i've been playing around with a friend's (LarryR's) GB ST-900 and i have to say, my first impression is that it's probably my favorite hybrid amp so far. it sounds very natural, touch responsive and full (not to mention powerful). i directly compared it to my SVT and it hung right there with it.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,634
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
well, Larry told me to take it to the gig tonight so i'm going to set it on top of my SVT and try it in the second set. nothing like testing it with a full band in the real world. 
+1
I gigged with a 65lb, 30' wide, Sunn 2000s for years. Kept a cover on it and didn't bang it around. It rode in my small station wagon in the passenger seat floor well tilted up on the seat. I always loaded it in/out. Never a problem. Never replaced any tubes. Looked near mint after 5 years. IMO, always had one of the cleanest bass tones at the time which is what I was after.
The Streamliner sounds like it's the only amp out there that could directly compete with the SVT 7 Pro. I have not tried it, but I've got tons of respect for Andy and Roger. But from their descriptors, it sounds more like an amp that fans of the Sadowsky SA200 as opposed to the SVT would like.
The best SS amp is the HeartRock 2. (I just sold mine so this isn't a plug)I wouldn't have sold it if I weren't primarily playing guitar.(and of course the wife)
Remove what you spent from your psyche so your hearing isn't colored, it's simply the best SS amp. Find a used HR2.
Remove what you spent from your psyche so your hearing isn't colored, it's simply the best SS amp. Find a used HR2.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,943
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
As an SA200 and an SVT owner, I don't really find that the Streamliner sounds a whole lot like either of them. Yes, it can do some of the same things that they do, but so can the 7Pro (and the 7Pro is more tonally flexible, IME/IMHO). For my tonal preferences, I prefer the 7Pro.
$1500 is a lot of money for an SS amp. You can find some of the best SS amps for nearly half of that.
If you want a warm but truly neutral tone you can really shape up to create your own sound, I recommend Eden. Try to find a used WT800/550 (hybrid) or Time Traveller 405 (full SS) and play through one. Make sure to go for the pre-company acquisition units as they are of better quality and known for their high reliability. Since they are not very "in" right now, you should be able to find great deals on these heads!
Otherwise, the SVT7 is very sweet sounding and plenty flexible but you have to like that Ampeg tone (what's not to like?
)
The matter of tubes is entirely subjective IMO. If you don't feel it, you don't need it. In my limited experience, I have found that top-end SS have very little to envy their tube cousins for. It all depends on the sound (and vibe) you're after. For my part, I'm passionate about tubes: the glow, the smell, the sound, the pseudo-obsolete technology that defined the sound of the electric bass makes me weak in the knees but that's just me... It's also true that it doesn't make sense for me to buy one!
If you want a warm but truly neutral tone you can really shape up to create your own sound, I recommend Eden. Try to find a used WT800/550 (hybrid) or Time Traveller 405 (full SS) and play through one. Make sure to go for the pre-company acquisition units as they are of better quality and known for their high reliability. Since they are not very "in" right now, you should be able to find great deals on these heads!
Otherwise, the SVT7 is very sweet sounding and plenty flexible but you have to like that Ampeg tone (what's not to like?
)The matter of tubes is entirely subjective IMO. If you don't feel it, you don't need it. In my limited experience, I have found that top-end SS have very little to envy their tube cousins for. It all depends on the sound (and vibe) you're after. For my part, I'm passionate about tubes: the glow, the smell, the sound, the pseudo-obsolete technology that defined the sound of the electric bass makes me weak in the knees but that's just me... It's also true that it doesn't make sense for me to buy one!
