Evening All, I have my eye on an old Australian Wasp guitar amp which has 4 kt-88s loaded. Easy to get the old schematics but as it's on Ebay and 4 hours drive away, I can't get to try it out. Would an old guitar amp like this be any good for bass? Would I need to have it modded in some way? Given the Bassman's have always been popular with the 6 string slingers would it work the other way around?
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Difference between bass and guitar amps?
- Thread starter Skyblue977
- Start date
Guitar amps are good at producing a mid-high sound, bass amps are good at producing a low-mid sound. If you play a bass through a guitar amp, the speaker won't be able to cope with the low frequencies and then you will destroy the speaker. Just get a proper bass amp.
Is just a head Stan- not a combo. 200W early '70's Australian valve powerhouse. Is it just the EQ section which is different of the power section?
The Wasp should work fine for bass. I've heard many good things about them.
The only problem I can think of would be the eq centres would be off, but that's not a huge one.
Assuming I'm looking at the correct amp, looks like a good buy.
Link Removed may be of use. Good place for Australian Valve Amps. Holden are the same as Wasp.
If I remember correctly, this would give you more like 150 watts (I think).
The only problem I can think of would be the eq centres would be off, but that's not a huge one.
Assuming I'm looking at the correct amp, looks like a good buy.
Link Removed may be of use. Good place for Australian Valve Amps. Holden are the same as Wasp.
If I remember correctly, this would give you more like 150 watts (I think).
THanks Mellow- I do recall that a few weeks ago someone from around here bought a Wasp VBA and raved about it. It's either this or some hi-fi combo like a nemesis or workingmans or something reasonable.
- May 9, 2008
- 4,081
- 1,236
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Springvale Studios
200 watts RMS correctly biased with four KT 88's and it will be a great bass amp there is no difference in a tube amp other than the tone stack values and thats only in some cases, a 4 KT 88 hiwatt dr201 is an all purpose amp, a Simms Watts AP 200 the ap stands for all purpose
then there's the Marhall Major.
Try any pre eq driver like the sans amp or the incredibly cheep but shockingly good with a vintage tube amp behringer di driver.
(and thats from me a world class gear snob) That will give you a parametric eq to get a more incisive mid tone The wasp should be a monster with the right cab's.
then there's the Marhall Major.
Try any pre eq driver like the sans amp or the incredibly cheep but shockingly good with a vintage tube amp behringer di driver.
(and thats from me a world class gear snob) That will give you a parametric eq to get a more incisive mid tone The wasp should be a monster with the right cab's.
There was another one for sale not too long ago and it was bought by a member here. Maybe do a search for WASP- PM the dude who nabbed it and ask him about it.
People had good things to say
People had good things to say
Try any pre eq driver like the sans amp or the incredibly cheep but shockingly good with a vintage tube amp behringer di driver. (and thats from me a world class gear snob).:ninja:[/QUOTE said:
GO for it mate- I've been watching that one-looks great!! W/ four KT88's it'll be a KILLER bass amp. I used to use an old Eminar 200w PA head for bass!! Had 6x mEL34's(well 6CA7's to be exact)-sounded AWESOME for bass, & OK for vocals! If U can, ask the seller re it's servicing, condition of tubes-age etc, if it's had any caps replaced? If it hums at all when on, after it's been on for a while! If U do go 4 it & win- let us know, I can give U a few hints on the couriering side o' things! PM me if interested!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...m=170241105581&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007
is this the one.... If so - it's ended- U CAN often contact the seller & they'lll either list it again for U, or sell it to U privately!
The ASHTON AFAIK is virtually the same amp as the EDEN all tube amp & whats for sale from European dealers as "FAME" BV300.... obviously a Chinese made 300w KT88 valve amp, simply badged by different makers.... Even the Mark Bass tube amp looks strikingly similar ;-) but w/ some very handy 'improvemants'.
I've heard the Ashton BV300 in a shop-at a quiet volume- & it sounded OK-hard to tellat that volume-in a store!!! I DO know that when I got my Brand NEW Ampeg V4BH(all tube 100w-4x6L6GC) I wasn't that impressed w/ it. I mean it sounded good,but not THAT good. Then when I got it to the gig & fired it up w/ the band Hooooly Doooooly!!!!!?!?!?!!?!?!!!!!!!!!! Sounds SO sweet!!! Just what I was after! Sits in the mix of a band so sweetly!! More so than my Fender 300PRO(all tube 6x6550's) What THIS has to do w/ the Ashton- I dunno-sorry! Maybe just that-it's hard to tell without actually trying 'em out w/ a bunch of muso's plugged in & jamming!!!!
If it were me- I'd find out just what condition the WASP is in??? Coz if U do spend Say $550 which'd take it up to approx what the Ashton is new(sure w/ a 3yr warranty)- then U KNOW exactly what U got. U KNOW that it's lasted 30 yrs-so lasting another 30 is VERY likey, they're all HAND-WIRED & has 'vintage componants-rather than Cheapo Chinese "state of the art" Ha ha- ones! Then, IF the wasp checks out OK I'd buy that!
As I said -PM me if U wanna discuss the ways to go about getting an all valve amp abou the country-SAFELY!
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI...m=170241105581&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=007
is this the one.... If so - it's ended- U CAN often contact the seller & they'lll either list it again for U, or sell it to U privately!
The ASHTON AFAIK is virtually the same amp as the EDEN all tube amp & whats for sale from European dealers as "FAME" BV300.... obviously a Chinese made 300w KT88 valve amp, simply badged by different makers.... Even the Mark Bass tube amp looks strikingly similar ;-) but w/ some very handy 'improvemants'.
I've heard the Ashton BV300 in a shop-at a quiet volume- & it sounded OK-hard to tellat that volume-in a store!!! I DO know that when I got my Brand NEW Ampeg V4BH(all tube 100w-4x6L6GC) I wasn't that impressed w/ it. I mean it sounded good,but not THAT good. Then when I got it to the gig & fired it up w/ the band Hooooly Doooooly!!!!!?!?!?!!?!?!!!!!!!!!! Sounds SO sweet!!! Just what I was after! Sits in the mix of a band so sweetly!! More so than my Fender 300PRO(all tube 6x6550's) What THIS has to do w/ the Ashton- I dunno-sorry! Maybe just that-it's hard to tell without actually trying 'em out w/ a bunch of muso's plugged in & jamming!!!!
If it were me- I'd find out just what condition the WASP is in??? Coz if U do spend Say $550 which'd take it up to approx what the Ashton is new(sure w/ a 3yr warranty)- then U KNOW exactly what U got. U KNOW that it's lasted 30 yrs-so lasting another 30 is VERY likey, they're all HAND-WIRED & has 'vintage componants-rather than Cheapo Chinese "state of the art" Ha ha- ones! Then, IF the wasp checks out OK I'd buy that!
As I said -PM me if U wanna discuss the ways to go about getting an all valve amp abou the country-SAFELY!
- May 9, 2008
- 4,081
- 1,236
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Springvale Studios
I understand from my old Kiwi mate that the transformers in the Wasp are top, top quality and there is no reason why the amp isnt everything a
Hiwatt is.
Just get a good amp tech to sort it out for you, its an all hand wired blank canvass to me mate so a good amp tech will be able to put it back stock and bias it with good caps or change the tone stack a bit if you like.
Don't know anything about the Ashton but Real KT 88'S with huge transformers with very thin laminations like the wasp can be very attractive sonically.
Righto- I've made him an offer. A bit late at night her but heres hoping for a result for tomorow. I'lll let you know how it goes.
there should be no difference in the power amp. a good amplifier simply amplifies what goes into it. the preamp on the other hand, may be more tailored to guitar. (distortion/hi gain ect.) . i play my bass thru a mcintosh mc 275 at home (home stereo amp) and i also play music thru an svt amp into home stereo speakers. everything sounds as it should. other wise the amp is of poor sonic quality. its hard to tell before you get it home. johnny a/staind
Ooh Yeah! I just bought it from the bloke. I pick it up tomorrow at 10.00am in Wollongong which is only 2 hrs drive N of here. Cant wait. Now all I have to do is convince my guitarist to come along for the 4 hr drive. Feller whom I bought if from is currently playing in a Robbie Williams cover band. Not sure what to make of that!
Just got it home and have spent all of 5 mins with it thus far. This thing is LOUD! My trousers are still flapping. It is rated at 200 watts but it I've not heard anything like this before. This thing could have the wood tone wise on my mates SVT even! For the $650 I paid, I am one simling dude today.
ahh, lucky man
i was the one who bought the other one. i currently have 2 (mine are the 6550 variety, both 200w). one isw the xl, which is for guitar, and the more recently aquired is a vbl (vocal, bass, lead) believe the 6550 variety are more recent than the kt88. both sound great.
i tried to start a holden/wasp club a while ago, but noone joined. maybe ill resurect the thread so we can make it into an actual thread if your interested.
post some pics and details
edit: vin posted a link to the club. join and add some photos and details. if you have any issues with it i can probably help a bit, ive modded the first one a bit (changed caps) to sound bassier, and know my way around them fairly well.
i was the one who bought the other one. i currently have 2 (mine are the 6550 variety, both 200w). one isw the xl, which is for guitar, and the more recently aquired is a vbl (vocal, bass, lead) believe the 6550 variety are more recent than the kt88. both sound great.
i tried to start a holden/wasp club a while ago, but noone joined. maybe ill resurect the thread so we can make it into an actual thread if your interested.
post some pics and details
edit: vin posted a link to the club. join and add some photos and details. if you have any issues with it i can probably help a bit, ive modded the first one a bit (changed caps) to sound bassier, and know my way around them fairly well.
Just give it a good clean out with some Led Zeppelin and it should be fine.
Congrats dude- I'm a bit jealous.
Oh yes- I've been playing Ramble On and Whole Lotta love. Sweet tones indeed!
Black Labb- can you please tell more about the VBL? I know it was owned by Rick Lim of Lush and I sort of kneo te dude at Wollongong whom had it prior to yourself. Also, I'm not sure exactly what model mine is so I'll post some pics and would appreciate any helo in ID'ing her. I absolutely love this thing- talk about flapping trousers! I can't run the vol past 3 as I need to protect my hearing!
the vbl has 2 channels, 1st with a 2 band equalisation, and the second has a 3 band. theres also a presense control, and volume controls for each channel. i havent checked out the design of the preamp, but the power amp seems quite similar. the vbl seems to have 2 extra diodes, suggesting a different power supply (unless the xl is just missing 2, which is pretty doubtful). the vbl's preamp is prettymuch silent (xl has a tiny bit of hum to it). they both have 4 6550's and 4 12ax7's. they both have post pi gain stages, but deffinately different preamps. i have a feeling that the vbl has a different tone stack to the xl, but i havent had a look at it. the vbl doesnt seem to have as much mids in the sound, so its a bit less growly (but thats probably because i quite like using the 1st channel on the xl because it has a fair bit of growl due to the 820ohm cathode resistor on the first gain stage). the vbl seems to have a bigger low end though.
i plan on mapping out the circuit (i've done it for the xl, but need to redraw it to look neater).
i havent played the vbl too much as the drummer has been busy saving up to go overseas (6-7 working day weeks), and is now in la for another week (3 total). the bass ive been playing is a homemade one with its neck pickup missing (havent finished it yet) so there isnt a huge low end. when playing it with a p bass the grillcloth (shadecloth on my homemade 1x15) was vibrating alot (probably had a travel of 6-8cm). deffinately has plenty of low end.
join the club >> http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442508&highlight=WASP
edit: is there not any letters next to the holden/wasp writing on the control panel ? i believe that the kt88 amps were an earlier model than the 6550's. my vbl is from '78, and the xl is from '74 from memory.
i plan on mapping out the circuit (i've done it for the xl, but need to redraw it to look neater).
i havent played the vbl too much as the drummer has been busy saving up to go overseas (6-7 working day weeks), and is now in la for another week (3 total). the bass ive been playing is a homemade one with its neck pickup missing (havent finished it yet) so there isnt a huge low end. when playing it with a p bass the grillcloth (shadecloth on my homemade 1x15) was vibrating alot (probably had a travel of 6-8cm). deffinately has plenty of low end.
join the club >> http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=442508&highlight=WASP
edit: is there not any letters next to the holden/wasp writing on the control panel ? i believe that the kt88 amps were an earlier model than the 6550's. my vbl is from '78, and the xl is from '74 from memory.
