Finally played an all-tube amp!

[Chickenwheels]

Owned many tube heads and still have a 68 Showman. I think I like the Fender tone more than the Ampeg, but I had a V4 that was incredible so I hate to make that comparison. But man the Showman sounds fantastic. 85 watts, pretty light at I think 35 or so lbs.

It can run out of gas with my single JBL k140 cab, so I picked up an 8 ohm DB 410 this weekend and will use it on a outdoor gig this weekend. I also have a TH700 coming tomorrow, but I think the Showman will win in the tone department. We will see! Plus the Aguilar DB 410 should put out plenty of tube tone to where I can run the Showman at 4-5 on the dial. If not, I’ll roll with the TH.

Point of story...get a Showman, Dual Showman, or Bassman 100/135. They typically go in the 600-800 range. I loaded my Showman with NOS Sylvania 6L6’s, so mine has more $$ in it. But the tone with my series wound Jazz with flats...

A silver faced 100 through a pair of EVM15s is delicious.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

When I run sound I prefer to ring out the PA and dip problematic frequencies. This frequently makes a very noticeable improvement on the sound.

Your device may do something similar. My guess is it senses the acoustic field with a mic and then uses some sort of algorithm to program itself.

Yes. But it's so complex I don't at all understand it!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

the traynor stuff is good. Ask if they are selling any rental gear. My 1x15 and h&k were both originally rentals but in like new shape. Also… i still need an excuse to get a yba300.
View attachment 4434898 View attachment 4434900

My Traynor was from 1972, peak prog rock year. I hasten to add, I did NOT buy it new!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Owned many tube heads and still have a 68 Showman. I think I like the Fender tone more than the Ampeg, but I had a V4 that was incredible so I hate to make that comparison. But man the Showman sounds fantastic. 85 watts, pretty light at I think 35 or so lbs.

It can run out of gas with my single JBL k140 cab, so I picked up an 8 ohm DB 410 this weekend and will use it on a outdoor gig this weekend. I also have a TH700 coming tomorrow, but I think the Showman will win in the tone department. We will see! Plus the Aguilar DB 410 should put out plenty of tube tone to where I can run the Showman at 4-5 on the dial. If not, I’ll roll with the TH.

Point of story...get a Showman, Dual Showman, or Bassman 100/135. They typically go in the 600-800 range. I loaded my Showman with NOS Sylvania 6L6’s, so mine has more $$ in it. But the tone with my series wound Jazz with flats...

I nearly got a Bassman 135 for chump change, but wasn't sure it would be different enough from the old Traynor my back already hated!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I had a 1965 Fender Dual Showman with 2x15 Lansings. I loved the sound from small clubs to large - smooth and clean. I didn't really like distortion and never pushed it, but it always seemed to have sufficient volume. It fell out of the van when someone forgot to lock the door. I tightened up the tubes and it was good to go. My 2 year stint in the army forced me into a situation where I couldn't keep it.

I now have a GK400rb with a 410 - good but not as good. Since I don't gig anymore, I really don't want to go chasing tone. I bought a tube front end and it helps, but not enough.

My question is - if I won the lottery - old and tube or Bergantino?

Lottery win? Both!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Plus, your correction only applies to the location of the measurement mic.

Very true. I did write a long reply, but I will create a new thread rather than derail this one.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

When I run sound I prefer to ring out the PA and dip problematic frequencies. This frequently makes a very noticeable improvement on the sound.

Your device may do something similar. My guess is it senses the acoustic field with a mic and then uses some sort of algorithm to program itself.

Yes, in theory that is exactly what it does. But it's too complicated for me that I've tried to use it a couple of times in a practice hall to get a feel for it and given up! I probably need to book a hall for a day for the sole purpose of getting to grips with the software and process.

 

[Old Fart]

I just saw this thread and do not have time to read it at the moment, but I will offer the following:

One of the most curious things, to me, is that some musicians do not hear the difference. To me, the difference is like night and day.

That said, the WD-800 is a mighty fine amp. Gigging with this amp makes a great deal of sense. No, you will not likely get proper tubey results from overdriving it.

It sounds like a 100W all-tube head might be a lot of fun for the OP. *cough* V4B *cough*

 

[baxter_x]

To me, the difference is like night and day.

There is a difference but I wouldn't say night and day.
If you want some dirt go with tubes or use some sansamp devices.
If you want clean go with SS amps.
Tu me the main difference is that famous bloom you have with tube amps. With SS amps it more "direct", "quicker", which is something I like better

 

[Old Fart]

I want no dirt, and still prefer tube amps. I do want the "bloom" you speak of, however. And yes, SS amps are crisp and clear. And sometimes sterile, but not always. Today's SS amps are head and shoulders above those of yesteryear. Generally speaking.

 

[Dp1363]

V4b 212av

View attachment 4433993

I owned a V4B. Best sounding amp I ever played through hands down. But sadly it was just too underpowered for gigs. I ended up selling it.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I owned a V4B. Best sounding amp I ever played through hands down. But sadly it was just too underpowered for gigs. I ended up selling it.

DI out.

 

[Jefenator]

I miss my vintage V4-B sometimes. It felt tangibly less underpowered than my 50 watt tube heads
but not quite enough so to justify the weight. Like the Rhodes pianos and B-3 organs of the era, the tone is unmatched, but it really sucks to schlepp in for a bar gig!

 

[DJ Bebop]

I want no dirt, and still prefer tube amps. I do want the "bloom" you speak of, however. And yes, SS amps are crisp and clear. And sometimes sterile, but not always. Today's SS amps are head and shoulders above those of yesteryear. Generally speaking.

IMHO, tube sound and bloom in a ss format...

 

[baxter_x]

IMHO, tube sound and bloom in a ss format...
View attachment 4436711
View attachment 4436712

Yes, that was thinking about those when watching this thread.
And I'm after another class D amp to complete my ampeg svt 7.

 

[Old Fart]

I owned a V4B. Best sounding amp I ever played through hands down. But sadly it was just too underpowered for gigs. I ended up selling it.

Playing through an SVT might be a pleasant experience for you. In addition to having three times the power of a V4B, it also has better tone. In my humble opinion. Unfortunately, they weigh about the same as a car.

 

[Old Fart]

If/when I return to gigging, I am very likely to get a WD-800. For just the reasons stated above.

 

[DJ Bebop]

If/when I return to gigging, I am very likely to get a WD-800. For just the reasons stated above.

As you can see from my signature, I dig
That is the reason I did go with a WD
Is it the same? No. But to me, its a different direction that has enough of a tube thing that I like without the stuff that I don’t like

 

[Dp1363]

Playing through an SVT might be a pleasant experience for you. In addition to having three times the power of a V4B, it also has better tone. In my humble opinion. Unfortunately, they weigh about the same as a car.

I actually bought both at the same time tried them both and found IMHO that the V4B sounded way better than the SVT. I had a really good funk player play through them as well and agreed that the V4B tone was far superior. Shame they didn't release a 200+ watt version, I would have kept that.

The V4B weighs 40 pounds, much less than a SVT at around 80 pounds. It doesn't matter much anyway these days, as I now use a Broughton P15 tube preamp (which uses the Ampeg B15 tone stack) directly into the mixing board. The P15 lunch box design weighs in at 4 pounds.

 

[bobomatic]

I owned a V4B. Best sounding amp I ever played through hands down. But sadly it was just too underpowered for gigs. I ended up selling it.

You weren’t running enough cab. I don’t understand how people say a V4-B is underpowered. I run mine through a Barefaced Retro 610 and it can easily get too loud… in a Sludge/Doom Metal band. Granted, I don’t look for a clean sound at all, so that might be a factor… but by no means is that head underpowered with enough firepower underneath it.