Considering a switch from SVT3PRO to something solid state. Will I miss my tubes?

[TomB]

Honestly, altho I use tube amps half the time, I've been wishing the larger, backline supplied festivals, that 90% of the time have an SVT and SVT810,

would actually have a quality class D amp on top of a quality big cab.
Next year I might take mine.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my class D stuff and carry nothing else, but I still get a thrill out of seeing that 8x10 monster in the backline - since I didn’t have to put it there . …always makes a great “stage monitor” too.

 

[TomB]

There’s no best amp and you can always find things you like.

But if you like your current rig and you are planning to change because it weighs a lot let’s ask a different question.

How much time in an average gig cycle do you spend carrying it?

I’ve had really large and really small rigs, multi rack and tube amp rigs and big cabs and small Phil Jones amps.

And I could never guess the exact number of gigs but it’s a lot.

I don’t ever recall having to carry stuff that far. Put it on a cart or hand truck. Or put casters on your rack. If you love your rig don’t ditch it because it’s heavy. Most of the gig it’s sitting on the floor or cab. If you had to carry it while you play I’d get that.

There’s more to rock’n’roll than worrying about how much your stuff weighs.

…unless you’ve actually hurt your back.

 

[ultra60]

I sold my CL and 3Pro last year. I don't miss either. I had a 700RB at the time and thought it edged the Ampeg tone a bit. Went through quite a few class D offerings. While none sounded bad, there was something missing. All class D amps are gone now, in favor of older 400 and 800 RBs. I'm not getting any younger but am willing to schlep 20 - 30 lbs to get a tone I like.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

IMO; There's a certain ambience and/or heft in older bass amps that I find lacking when I play via modern bass amps.
I've struggled to enjoy every lightweight amp ive ever played through and I've played through a lot..
For me, the trade-off in weight and "efficiency" is not worth the loss in tonal enjoyment.
If you have to put pedals in front of it to be happy, then the amp isn't right for you..

I would strongly suggest not selling your current amp until you've spent enough time searching, investigating and being 100% certain that Class D is for you.

Theres always the option of buying a trolley...

 

[Killing Floor]

…until you’ve actually hurt your back.

Every band I’ve been in since I was in 7th grade had another person in it.

Are you in an olde timey 1-man band?
Do the other people in your band dislike you? That’s toxic and you shouldn’t be in that band anyway. Not healthy.

Join or start a band where people are a team.

What else you got?

 

[pepj]

And yet... no decent gtr I know doesn't use a tube amp. And very typically they have far better understanding on sound than most bass players. The level of comphrehension there is not even close to the vast majority, ime.

Personally, I've tried the likes of TH, Bergantino and Thunderfunk etc. The latter two were nicely built, no doubt, but for me, didn't really cut it.
So, imv, you need a tube at pre stage at very least. That's not beyond the market adding a tube so the bass player carries a 12lb amp which is, imv, THE number one consideration for most.

 

[agedhorse]

And yet... no decent gtr I know doesn't use a tube amp. And very typically they have far better understanding on sound than most bass players. The level of comphrehension there is not even close to the vast majority, ime.

Personally, I've tried the likes of TH, Bergantino and Thunderfunk etc. The latter two were nicely built, no doubt, but for me, didn't really cut it.
So, imv, you need a tube at pre stage at very least. That's not beyond the market adding a tube so the bass player carries a 12lb amp which is, imv, THE number one consideration for most.

Really? Perhaps you just haven’t noticed the impact that the Fender Tonemaster, AxeFx, Kemper, etc. have had in the touring world with players.

 

[meisi]

as mentioned SVT3 pro is old big and heavy for relatively low watts. Get something newer and lighter. Or get something bigger and heavier with actual power tubes. You’re in a weird spot. Nostalgia is winning.

Btw, If we come from a guitar tube purists perspective the SVT3 is a hybrid and doesn’t count as a real tube amp.

Bass amps don’t need tubes as badly as guitars, imo. Maybe it’s the frequency spectrum being produced or role in the music sound scapes or just history of recorded bass DI. Often we are just reproducing live what we hear on 60s recordings which for me was fender tone stack tube amps for guitar and DI for bass.

 

[pepj]

Really? Perhaps you just haven’t noticed the impact that the Fender Tonemaster, AxeFx, Kemper, etc. have had in the touring world with players.

Hmmm...the best player I know actually carries a Kemper and even his band mates on his local gig tell him not to use it but its an easy carry.
I know this because I mentioned it to them...and they said, yep, we know..etc etc.
And he was an endorsee of a very high profile marque and international tourer with very high profile bands.

So, Imv marketeers tell the amp designers what they want them to build because the local market is the volume, and if that prime brief was lightweight, that is what the market gets by and large.

 

[pepj]

as mentioned SVT3 pro is old big and heavy for relatively low watts. Get something newer and lighter. Or get something bigger and heavier with actual power tubes. You’re in a weird spot. Nostalgia is winning.

Btw, If we come from a guitar tube purists perspective the SVT3 is a hybrid and doesn’t count as a real tube amp.

Bass amps don’t need tubes as badly as guitars, imo. Maybe it’s the frequency spectrum being produced or role in the music sound scapes or just history of recorded bass DI. Often we are just reproducing live what we hear on 60s recordings which for me was fender tone stack tube amps for guitar and DI for bass.

The SVT 3 Pro is also not a great amp, imo but its appeal seems to be the graphic...which is horrid, and the equally horrid selector switch.

I agree that a pre tube is less critical for bass but I wouldn't might hearing a TH, Berg and Thunderfunk with one. I think they might make a pleasing difference.
Anyway, all my amps have valves in the pre stage and I've been through a few without.

 

[J Wilson]

I am convinced, and are absolutely certain, that if I could do a blind test with two of the same tube head, one bone stock and the second looking identical but with an all-SS amp inside using the same front panel, way more guys would guess wrong in an A/B test than the handful that could/would hear it.

Tubes for me will always equal parts 'they said . . .' and hearing what you see.

Your results may vary.

 

[meisi]

I am convinced, and are absolutely certain, that if I could do a blind test with two of the same tube head, one bone stock and the second looking identical but with an all-SS amp inside using the same front panel, way more guys would guess wrong in an A/B test than the handful that could/would hear it.

Tubes for me will always equal parts 'they said . . .' and hearing what you see.

Your results may vary.

whatever keeps us interested and things spicy. Music is equal parts mojo as it is technical.

If you’re not inspired you’re gonna play like a robot. For me, guitar amps shall have power tubes. For bass amps, it’s a vintage ampeg SVT, mesa 400+ or happy to have convenience of class d and what sounds best.

Bass tube amps are a bit more hassle than a 5w single ended champ.

 

[agedhorse]

Hmmm...the best player I know actually carries a Kemper and even his band mates on his local gig tell him not to use it but its an easy carry.
I know this because I mentioned it to them...and they said, yep, we know..etc etc.
And he was an endorsee of a very high profile marque and international tourer with very high profile bands.

So, Imv marketeers tell the amp designers what they want them to build because the local market is the volume, and if that prime brief was lightweight, that is what the market gets by and large.

This is being driven by players.

On tour, one benefit is a much better ability to manage noise floor and signal path reliability in a complex set-up. This benefit alone can and has justified the switch to solid state/digital for some players.

Not saying that I prefer digital, just that I understand that for some players it’s their preference.

 

[pepj]

I understand it too...I don't prefer it but I'm mindful where I need to carry gear to at times..and I'm the one doing that so I can't be totally oblivious to weight.
I don't think there needs to be no compromise but I'm very often shocked what some will settle for in the interests of a light or no carry when I hear it...but I guess we 'hear' different things.

FWIW, was asked by friend designer to give him ideas on the bass market.....I know it is going to be class D because that is what he has been 'told' ...

Will be interesting to see what happens...if anything.

 

[J Wilson]

With 'amps are dead/obsolete, we've all gone to IEM's' going in the background.

I wonder if I could make stash-o-cash selling tube-driven IEMs . . .

 

[agedhorse]

Different brands and models of amps often sound very different. These differences are well beyond the differences between a (particular) tube amp and a good emulation of the same amp, and frankly some emulations actually sound better because they are free from the annoying negative artifacts and the sometimes wide differences from one unit to the next.

Pick and embrace your own personal poison.

 

[rickdog]

The SVT 3 Pro is also not a great amp, imo but its appeal seems to be the graphic...which is horrid, and the equally horrid selector switch.

I'll respect your opinion, and also offer mine. I've had a 3Pro for a couple decades now, and I find its appeal to be the way the all-tube preamp "thickens up" when the gain control is cranked up. I hardly ever switch in the graphic equalizer (once in a while, as a tone preset).

I think the reputation of the 3Pro has suffered a bit because if the power amp isn't biased correctly (yes, MOSFETs need to be biased) it can sound weak, especially in the bass, and has some annoying distortion. I get the impression that they often shipped from the factory with the bias set too cold.

I've never experienced bass through modern digital amp emulation, but a guitarist I know has (I think) a Kemper of some sort and he gets some awesome variety of overdriven guitar amp sounds out of it. The technology has come a long way. But I'm not going to spend money to replace my variety of tube gear

 

[pepj]

The eq section is what I don't much care for...rather than the power section.
However, I'm sure I could get it working ok because it crops up in rooms and stages quite a bit and my onboard pre's can deal with it.

 

[henryjurstin13]

I switched from a full SVT stack into a Markbass LMT800 with a VT bass pedal in front... .now, I'm using an Aguilar Tone Hammer without a preamp pedal.

You'll likely miss the MOJO. But, if you find something you like - you probably won't miss the weight.