Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Enough Tubes. Let's Talk Solid State! Name Your Favorites and Why?
- Thread starter Neon Blues
- Start date
I've been a solid state guy since I started playing in 1986. In my 29 years of foolish and costly experimentation, I've owned just about every make and model of every SS amp out there.
My top 3 all time favorites have been:
3. GK 1001 RB-II; this was my first step up to a seriously high powered amp and boy did this baby deliver! Killer dynamics, wicked punch and volume galore. I still wonder from time to time why I ever moved on from it. It did have that "GK signature tone" but it was a great amp. Not really a "mini" amp either but it was plenty easy to get around.
2. Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2; small, clean, plenty loud and incredibly easy to dial in a great tone. The tube front end added a little "something" but I always loved it for its easy of use, portability and reliability. It really is a shame that GB was assimilated.
1. Tecamp Puma 900; after a lot of research and talking to other TBers, I bought this blind about 6 months ago and I'm so happy that I did. This amp combines all the best attributes of the amps I have owned in the past in one teeny, tiny powerhouse. It is hard to describe but it has taken away the consideration of my amplifier from my signal chain, if that makes sense. I call it my "invisible amp". I set it on top of my cabs, plug it in, turn it on and forget about it. It sounds absolutely fantastic, is painfully loud and I simply never have to think about it... ever. I have everything set at noon with the exception of the low midrange that I set at about 1 o'clock and I roll the Taste knob towards "Dry" ever so slightly. Every time I play, wherever I play, regardless of which instrument or effects I'm using it simply sounds superb and I have yet to adjust anything while playing in any situation other than the volume knob. All this in a 3 lb package that fits in just about anything (gig bag, back pack, wife's purse) has been really fantastic.
Just my opinions and experience, of course.
My top 3 all time favorites have been:
3. GK 1001 RB-II; this was my first step up to a seriously high powered amp and boy did this baby deliver! Killer dynamics, wicked punch and volume galore. I still wonder from time to time why I ever moved on from it. It did have that "GK signature tone" but it was a great amp. Not really a "mini" amp either but it was plenty easy to get around.
2. Genz Benz Shuttle 9.2; small, clean, plenty loud and incredibly easy to dial in a great tone. The tube front end added a little "something" but I always loved it for its easy of use, portability and reliability. It really is a shame that GB was assimilated.
1. Tecamp Puma 900; after a lot of research and talking to other TBers, I bought this blind about 6 months ago and I'm so happy that I did. This amp combines all the best attributes of the amps I have owned in the past in one teeny, tiny powerhouse. It is hard to describe but it has taken away the consideration of my amplifier from my signal chain, if that makes sense. I call it my "invisible amp". I set it on top of my cabs, plug it in, turn it on and forget about it. It sounds absolutely fantastic, is painfully loud and I simply never have to think about it... ever. I have everything set at noon with the exception of the low midrange that I set at about 1 o'clock and I roll the Taste knob towards "Dry" ever so slightly. Every time I play, wherever I play, regardless of which instrument or effects I'm using it simply sounds superb and I have yet to adjust anything while playing in any situation other than the volume knob. All this in a 3 lb package that fits in just about anything (gig bag, back pack, wife's purse) has been really fantastic.
Just my opinions and experience, of course.
If I ever go SS again, it would be a vintage Acoustic, 220 or 360..I do have a cheap Promethean clone as a backup amp, but that will never be a primary amp.
If nobody has said it yet, either the Traynor SB200H or the 500H.....tons of power, great tones, light weight, built like tanks with Traynor rep, Made in Canada, a few more features than the GK's and better priced.....ye cain't go wrong IMHO
GMT 300B - Predecessor to the GK 400B, 400RB and 800RB. Never been happier with my sound.
Last edited:
Shocked this hadn't gotten more praise sooner in the thread.
Acoustic 330 head. Unbelievable control and volume. twin channels, overdrive, reverb graphic EQ. Will not work with all cabinets out there.. it doesn't like low efficiency new cabs. Plug it into a couple of old boxes and stand back... FAR. It can combine channels and be used as a 'brain' for other amps. MISSION CONTROL!
My Tubeworks Rt-3300r is a great sounding amp. I use it on bass for rehearsal and sometimes for keys if there happens to be a keyboardist in need while we're jamming.
...I know that it's Mosfet with a tube pre but even when bypassing the tube section completely it growls and really sings.
...I know that it's Mosfet with a tube pre but even when bypassing the tube section completely it growls and really sings.
For solid state...GK 700RB II.
I love mine, it sounds like...precise anger.
I love mine, it sounds like...precise anger.
GK 800rb
bought one used 25 years ago. been around the country and still killing it
bought one used 25 years ago. been around the country and still killing it
MoMark 500 & MB LMIII: reliable performers, relatively neutral
GK800RB: my favorite from the early 1990's; I tried the 1001RB-II at a recent clinic and was even more impressed
Alembic pre's into Carvin DCM power amps was my late 90's rig
Want to try:
Demeter HBP1-800D
Aguilar DB751 + TH500
Trickfish Bullkead 1k
Bergantino B-amp
So many great choices out there- I love hybrids and all tube designs, too. All good.
GK800RB: my favorite from the early 1990's; I tried the 1001RB-II at a recent clinic and was even more impressed
Alembic pre's into Carvin DCM power amps was my late 90's rig
Want to try:
Demeter HBP1-800D
Aguilar DB751 + TH500
Trickfish Bullkead 1k
Bergantino B-amp
So many great choices out there- I love hybrids and all tube designs, too. All good.
I have used SVT and other tube amps for years but have since settled on 2 solid-state brands.
Traynor and TC Electronic.
I've tried other SS brands like GK, GenzBenz, even Aquilar. But I always go back to Traynor. TC is fairly new to me though. Haven't quite decided on it yet for the long term.
Traynor - I've owned every one of the DB series (800H, 400T, 300T) and their cabinets are built like tanks and handle bass like no other.
I use a TC Electronics BH800 with 2 Traynor DNBX12's most recently. Great amp.
Traynor and TC Electronic.
I've tried other SS brands like GK, GenzBenz, even Aquilar. But I always go back to Traynor. TC is fairly new to me though. Haven't quite decided on it yet for the long term.
Traynor - I've owned every one of the DB series (800H, 400T, 300T) and their cabinets are built like tanks and handle bass like no other.
I use a TC Electronics BH800 with 2 Traynor DNBX12's most recently. Great amp.
Last edited:
I favor the GK MB800 and Glockenklang Blue Soul. Maybe the best SS amp I ever owned is the Glockenklang Heart-Rock, but it's too heavy so I shifted to the Blue Soul which is similar in tone but one-fourth the weight. I go for the modern clean, "uncolored" tone. I don't want to have to do too much knob tweaking to get to my sound.
okcrum
in your chest
My Acoustic 370/301 was pretty good.
The SWRs I've used have been great sounding but under-engineered thermally.
I've used the bigger Line 6 and Peaveys, they are OK.
The Eden WT405 and WT800 are the best I've used.
We're talking SS, like lead sled, right? It seemed like it for the first page.
The SWRs I've used have been great sounding but under-engineered thermally.
I've used the bigger Line 6 and Peaveys, they are OK.
The Eden WT405 and WT800 are the best I've used.
We're talking SS, like lead sled, right? It seemed like it for the first page.
Love GK. That is where I started and that is where I will end. A couple of years ago I went rig shopping with an unlimited budged. I ended up with an MB210 and matching extension cabinet. It sounds great, super loud, light weight, and a really flexible configuration that gives me options. I love it and could not be happier.
I'm pretty much a solid state guy since the 1970's. First solid state amp I used and liked was a Standel. That was the end of tubes for the most part for me. I like the feel of good solid state, and the low maintenance and reduced worries in dealing with gigging in winter in Wisconsin.
Current favorite is Thunderfunk. I've been using a TFB-420 since 2009. In the micro category, the Gallien Krueger stuff is surprisingly good. I have a first generation MB 500 that gets regular use (and is my backup) that I am completely happy with.
Current favorite is Thunderfunk. I've been using a TFB-420 since 2009. In the micro category, the Gallien Krueger stuff is surprisingly good. I have a first generation MB 500 that gets regular use (and is my backup) that I am completely happy with.
Ill go with my go to if its not my Electric, the GK 1001rb II. Love that amp. Id still like to get an 800 too. I was thinking about selling the 1001 when I got the Electric. But it was worth a lot more to me than what I could get for it used. Plus, its a great backup. I also love my Ampeg B50R. Its just not loud enough for most gigs. Great for at home practice and fiddling.
Trace Elliot AH500X - 2 x 250 in 8 dual mono SS design.
POWER. Unrestrained POWER.
Into my Trace 1048 4 x 10, 4052 4 x 5 and 1528 2 x 15, the input never goes above 4 and the output never goes above 2. Ever.
LOW END.
Ask Smeet. According to him (and I bought this gem from him back in 2011), side by side the Trace AH500X kicked out MORE low end than his much higher-end, gorgeous Aguilar DB750. Low B on my 6 string is effortless. At 65 pounds, the amp is heavy - but when you have iron transformers big enough to get THIS much easy LOW end, LOW end that is completely without any compromise; low end that on two different occasions knocked the shelves off the walls in the practice room next to ours to the point they bolted them to the wall and don't put anything heavy on them. That sort of easy, massive, heavy low end, all at 4 on the input and never above 2 on the output.
I can use the Mark V preamp's 11 band graphic eq to dial in any tone I want, and the dual mono amp design gives me a lot of flexibility as to where I want to point that power. I bypass all of the presets, using my guitar's 3 band preamp and the graphic eq to dial in the tone. And it's just killer. Last week after practice we were sitting in the practice room of my amp's poor victims (good friends of ours, actually, and great sports about it) and their new drummer was there. He commented that he really loved my tone, that it was aggressive, punchy and had tons of low end. He asked, "So they tell me it's a Trace rig?" I smiled and said, "Thanks for the compliment. Yeah, it's a Trace rig. I'm pretty happy with the tone."
I call it (SS) tone heaven.
Link Removed
POWER. Unrestrained POWER.
Into my Trace 1048 4 x 10, 4052 4 x 5 and 1528 2 x 15, the input never goes above 4 and the output never goes above 2. Ever.
LOW END.
Ask Smeet. According to him (and I bought this gem from him back in 2011), side by side the Trace AH500X kicked out MORE low end than his much higher-end, gorgeous Aguilar DB750. Low B on my 6 string is effortless. At 65 pounds, the amp is heavy - but when you have iron transformers big enough to get THIS much easy LOW end, LOW end that is completely without any compromise; low end that on two different occasions knocked the shelves off the walls in the practice room next to ours to the point they bolted them to the wall and don't put anything heavy on them. That sort of easy, massive, heavy low end, all at 4 on the input and never above 2 on the output.
I can use the Mark V preamp's 11 band graphic eq to dial in any tone I want, and the dual mono amp design gives me a lot of flexibility as to where I want to point that power. I bypass all of the presets, using my guitar's 3 band preamp and the graphic eq to dial in the tone. And it's just killer. Last week after practice we were sitting in the practice room of my amp's poor victims (good friends of ours, actually, and great sports about it) and their new drummer was there. He commented that he really loved my tone, that it was aggressive, punchy and had tons of low end. He asked, "So they tell me it's a Trace rig?" I smiled and said, "Thanks for the compliment. Yeah, it's a Trace rig. I'm pretty happy with the tone."
I call it (SS) tone heaven.
Link Removed
Last edited:
