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Demeter Club

#281
pfschim said:
Owned a VTBP-M-800D for a while (and belonged to the Demeter Club thread too), very nice amp, but I eventually sold it.
I am also a big fan of MOSFET power sections, particularly when they are driven by a tube stage ... in my case it's a Mesa Walkabout.
I was very interested in the HB600 because of it Demeter heritage and tube driven MOSFET power section, but they are very few and far between on the used market.
I have never seen a VTHF-300 (the all tube amp) in the wild. I'd love to hear one sometime.
Click to expand...

Yeah I believe there is around 10 of the HB600's if I recall correctly. Am also remembering that Ashdown was somehow involved with the manufacturing? Maybe I have my wires crossed, but I believe they were doing work for other companies around that time.

I almost scored a 300M for $1000 once, I kicked myself for having to pass on that. The best sounding rig I ever heard was at NAMM one year. A Glock Bass Art pre into a Demeter VTHF300M and EL Whappo, and I never forgot how amazing that amp sounded. Definitely my #1 dream amplifier. My buddy just picked up a pair of em. haha
 
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#282
J.Wolf said:
Right on thats very cool, I loved that 1st gen VTBP preamp. Such a great tone. I bet its killer with the Minnie inside, I would love to compare it to the HB600. The marriage between the preamp section and power section is so crucial with the ICE modules. I've heard I think 4 or 5 amps now in some form with the 1200w ICE module, and the variation there is crazy. A couple REALLY stand out, and a couple have needed some love, and it all seems to boil down to feeding the amp just the right signal level.

I also got a TT800, in for review. Very impressive so far! I need to spend some more time with it, but the flexibility is pretty amazing.
Click to expand...
FWIW, I posted over in the TT800 thread some tube rolling (and that head is extremely sensitive to tube choices),
NEW MESA TT 800 AMP. OH. MY. GOD.

and some voicing settings which seem to work really well for Jazz Basses.
NEW MESA TT 800 AMP. OH. MY. GOD.
 
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#284
bucephylus said:
The Bass400 uses the ICEPower 125ASX2. The rest of the Minnie types use the 250ASX2. I had a discussion with James about a year ago focused on the 1200W power sections, which he actually announced at a previous NAMM show. He had decided the 1200W module had some issues; but, that he might be interested in the 700ASC at some point in the future. But, my sense was that he is discouraged about the bass amp market; and he actually told me most of his top bill name players are going ampless. Which somewhat explains his more recent inactivity. Kind of a shame.

I recently picked up one of the Mesa TT800’s, which is also a really nice amp. Here is one A/B I initially posted over in the TT800 thread.

View attachment 3933184

Regarding “slam” factor, the details about the way the preamp is coupled to the Class D module are extremely important. My VTBP-201 in that pic has a 12AT7 driving the 250ASX2 (don’t recall whether or not there is a Jensen as well); and that design slams much harder than any amp I am familiar with, past or present. The TT800 is super cool, plenty potent, and has some very well thought out voicing options. The VTBP / internal Minnie is just a flat out sledge hammer. I’d love to hear it up against a 600. That would be interesting.
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Does it have an additional 12AT7 besides the two other tubes (normally a 12AX7 and a 12AT7, like I have on mine, or two 12AX7’s) and a Minnie power amp built in the chassis? And was it done by James Demeter?
As an owner of that same preamp, I’m finding this insanely exciting....
 
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#285
The bass 400 is really interesting... But what I really want is an HBP1 and VTHF300M. Anyone remember the BP giveaway years ago when they were giving away that rack plus the Demeter rack comp, with a pair of VL208’s? In hindsight I can’t imagine a much better sounding rig.

I have heard rumblings about Demeter changing hands. Anyone have any info or confirmation on this?
 
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#288
dirkcalloway said:
Does it have an additional 12AT7 besides the two other tubes (normally a 12AX7 and a 12AT7, like I have on mine, or two 12AX7’s) and a Minnie power amp built in the chassis? And was it done by James Demeter?
As an owner of that same preamp, I’m finding this insanely exciting....
Click to expand...
The stock VTBP-201 comes with two 12AX7’s; the first of which, to the left looking from the front, controls the tone, the second of which feeds the Jensen (but doesn’t affect tone so much). James can install the Minnie 800D section inside the chassis; and I believe he feeds it from the Jensen, which seems to be a really good thing for the Class D module. But, when he does that change, he replaces the 2nd 12AX7 (on the right) with a 12AT7 to supply the correct signal to the 250ASX2 power module. It seems to be an insanely terrific design from a sound perspective.
Here is one of my previous posts on the topic:
Demeter Club

The refit with the power module is not inexpensive. I think I paid a bit over $900. Worth every penny for me.
 
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#290
J.Wolf said:
The bass 400 is really interesting... But what I really want is an HBP1 and VTHF300M. Anyone remember the BP giveaway years ago when they were giving away that rack plus the Demeter rack comp, with a pair of VL208’s? In hindsight I can’t imagine a much better sounding rig.

I have heard rumblings about Demeter changing hands. Anyone have any info or confirmation on this?
Click to expand...
Yeah, the VTHF300M! I too recall when they popped up from time to time.

I noted that Brian Barrett at the Low End listed one maybe 6 months ago. I called to see what his price would be; and he told me that it sounded so insanely fantastic that he had decided to keep it as the “shop standard.”

Technically speaking, the shop can still build them. I’m sure James would appreciate the order.
 
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#291
bucephylus said:
Yeah, the VTHF300M! I too recall when they popped up from time to time.

I noted that Brian Barrett at the Low End listed one maybe 6 months ago. I called to see what his price would be; and he told me that it sounded so insanely fantastic that he had decided to keep it as the “shop standard.”

Technically speaking, the shop can still build them. I’m sure James would appreciate the order.
Click to expand...

Someday I'll scoop one up, but I kick myself for not getting one for a grand when I had the chance. Maybe my buddy will sell me one of his when the time is right :)

But seriously, that thing sounded so good, it took my breath away.
 
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#292
bucephylus said:
The stock VTBP-201 comes with two 12AX7’s; the first of which, to the left looking from the front, controls the tone, the second of which feeds the Jensen (but doesn’t affect tone so much). James can install the Minnie 800D section inside the chassis; and I believe he feeds it from the Jensen, which seems to be a really good thing for the Class D module. But, when he does that change, he replaces the 2nd 12AX7 (on the right) with a 12AT7 to supply the correct signal to the 250ASX2 power module. It seems to be an insanely terrific design from a sound perspective.
Here is one of my previous posts on the topic:
Demeter Club

The refit with the power module is not inexpensive. I think I paid a bit over $900. Worth every penny for me.
Click to expand...
Amazing
 
#295
Cats...

20200726_131044.jpg
 
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#298
J.Wolf said:
I just came here to say, that after playing so much gear over many years, including all kinds of new class D "Du Jour" amps, my HB600 pretty much still destroys everything, in terms of tone, flexibility and versatility. That amp is just bad to the bone. "only" 600w but below 8 ohms ohms will make your teeth rattle (the pic below is an 8 ohm (Glock) and 5.3 ohm (Berg) and it was crushingly loud). If you come across one (which is not likely considering how rare they are), dont sleep on it. I know he makes a new one with a Minnie all inside the 1u HBP1, but, theres something magical about this amp with the 600w Mosfet power section. It is just insanely great. That is all :)

View attachment 3932239
Click to expand...
I concur 100%, the last time that I saw one for sale, I didn't even hesitate I just bought it! After 50 years of playing the HB-600 and my Bass 400D are the best sounding amps that I have ever encountered, enjoy!!
 
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#299
Hello all

My Bass 400 arrived yesterday. It's a used unit but in 100% mint condition. I had the 800 before but like an idiot sold it, so I'm really glad to have that sound back again.

Can someone please remind me how I set the trim pot to get the optimal setting for my basses (1 x passive, 1 x active). I seem to recall maxed out is not recommended, and that noon is the factory default, but how does one determine what is "just right" for their basses?

Thanks!
 

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