Do you play Bass through a solid state or valve?

[FuzzFacetious]

I have read a lot of STRONG opinions about how much valve amps rock and solid state amps suck on guitar forums, although I use a solid state for both and I like them, and if anyone thinks my amps suck, that's their problem

When it comes to bass players in general, is there a consensus among those who can afford top end/upper-middle tier gear, about all bass amps worthy of recognition being valve amps, or is it more of a personal preference thing, rather than a consensus?

Is your main amp tube or SS?

 

[hondo4life]

SS. I don't want tubes, and tubes don't want me.

 

[Linnin]

Class D Solid State for me. My heavy valvestate days are over.

 

[sloppy_phil]

I have, and use, both. Mostly using a hybrid tube amp for gigs, and the big old tubes for the studio

 

[Roland GR 88]

Depends on the expectations you have. SS rules for portability and clean tones while tubes have that dirt and compressed sag that some love.
When I gigged steadily out of an old pickup truck a Peavey was the wise choice. Now that I don't get out of the studio much a 40w Traynor is what I use.

 

[lz4005]

There is no consensus. Never will be.

Personally I love the tone of a good tube amp but they're too big, heavy and fragile for me to gig with.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Exactly.

 

[shawshank72]

Class D Solid State for me. My heavy valvestate days are over.

Same here.
Only reason I don't use a Traynor YBA300 for tube is I can't afford it.

 

[deeptubes]

I have both. Admittedly, since acquiring a tube head about 6 months ago, I've only powered up my beloved ss to do an A/B.

 

[Mike A]

All SS here. No desire for tubes after 15 years of playing SS.

 

[Linnin]

Same here.
Only reason I don't use a Traynor YBA300 for tube is I can't afford it.

Affordability is all important.

 

[Kevin1960]

I have read a lot of STRONG opinions about how much valve amps rock and solid state amps suck on guitar forums, although I use a solid state for both and I like them, and if anyone thinks my amps suck, that's their problem

When it comes to bass players in general, is there a consensus among those who can afford top end/upper-middle tier gear, about all bass amps worthy of recognition being valve amps, or is it more of a personal preference thing, rather than a consensus?

Is your main amp tube or SS?

My practice amp is Solid State, but I add a ART Mic MP tube preamp to it and I think tone wise it does very well (Warm Sound). Power wise I don't think it really matters. I use a Ampeg SVP preamp plugged into a Carvin SS power amp. for larger applications (venues). In the higher power region you will find that SS is more reliable in the power sections. No sags or lags in the power line caused by AC power starved tubes results in less fluctuations at the output stage. Simple translation: I think some players like using the kind of distortion that power tubes provide (Mainly Guitarists) but at a certain point they tend to saturate the signal which is not what a bass player really desires(Clean Sound). What most players I know do, is create your own unique tone with what ever small scale tube or SS setup, then work on exporting it to PA, computer, or mixer. This is only based on my own general observation though.

 

[spiritbass]

I completely agree that there will never be a consensus. I played SS and hybrids for years but have recently gone all-tube. I can afford them and don't have to move them. I leave one in the sanctuary at church and one at home. Yes, I do like 'clean' tone and they deliver.

 

[btmpancake]

We shall see if the modern class ''d'' amps holds up after 20+yrs of usage, right now its solid state.

 

[Linnin]

We shall see if the modern class ''d'' amps holds up after 20+yrs of usage, right now its solid state.

D Class are solid state, and they should hold very well as they produce very little heat, but they do have to be designed & built properly for longevity. Heat kills electronics. That's one reason tube amps need so much expensive maintenance.

Admittedly some brands only want your money in their pockets and don't give a dam pig about you after that.

 

[pcake]

i currently own solid state amps, have owned hybrids, as well. a couple of my all-time favorite amps are hybrids, actually. and i have nothing against tube amps, but i'm 5'3 " and heading toward 60, and have no desire to move them.

 

[Kevin1960]

We shall see if the modern class ''d'' amps holds up after 20+yrs of usage, right now its solid state.

Rather, SS will it last as long as tubes? 100+ years and counting. Technology brought SS to replace tubes because it was cheaper to build transistors than tubes, not because it was "better" than tubes. Digital is here now to replace solid state not because it is better but because it is more convenient and cheaper to build. Design criteria dictates more of a push toward cheaper build designs to extract more profit. The bottom line unfortunately determines if a technology will be pushed into production from the large corporate producers. This is why smart people know this, and keep the smaller boutique builders in business because they desire QUALITY.

 

[Stranger Danger]

yes

 

[Volunteerk9]

Hybrid...I can carry it with two fingers.

 

[SuperTbass]

I've always preferred the sound of solid state for bass. But then, I just really don't like compression all that much so that's probably why. I reeeeally want to like tubes (and I do love tubes for guitar), but just haven't heard the right one for me. Given the extra weight and cost, I'm fairly happy about that. Unfortunately, my taste for expensive pedals cancels out those savings.