Exactly! And combine this with "lots of bands travel to shows together in vans or multiple cars, instead of going on their own or taking public transportation." If you're already wrangling 4-5 people into an E350, an extra 80 pounds of bass head won't even be noticeable.
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have the D's toppled the SVT's?
- Thread starter MJ_Sotti
- Start date
Yup. And even within the bands playing bars or small/medium clubs (not to mention underground venues or rental halls), you could go to a dozen shows and not see any micro heads beyond maybe a Bass Terror or two. I'm thinking maybe you're talking about bands that are playing covers or residencies?
Yeah, I'm talking about the types of bands that most of the people on this forum are in (i.e. not professional touring acts). I think some people on here might forget that just because a class D micro works great for them, in their cover band or popular local band (which is cool btw), it doesn't mean that the thousands of professional bassists out there are using them on big stages - they generally aren't. If you had your pick of whatever you'd like to use... and especially if you have roadies to haul it around for you, then you're probably going to want a big tube rig because you can. I agree with the OP that class Ds are replacing tubes for a lot of non-pro and semi-pro bassists playing regualr clubs though, but I think big tube amps will still be widely used for a long time too. Like you said, even a lot of bands playing small clubs still like their tube heads because the tone they get from them is worth the hassle.
I'm not even talking about bands with lots of roadies. Lots of bands aren't playing arenas, but do tour to small clubs. They generally use fairly old fashioned gear, from what I've seen. Part is availability on the used market, part is sound, and part is ease of repair, in all probability.
Technology keeps advancing, just like these smartphones that can do more, and faster than a desktop pc could do 5 years ago
I can't figure how my micro amp uses 23 watts and puts out supposedly 400 watts at 8 ohms and stays cool.
Geddy Lee doesn't even use on-stage amplification any longer... he uses a DI and in-ears and calls it good. Just because something has been the way it is doesn't mean it needs to stay that way. Tubes are cool, and if you want to haul your SVT (or other tube amp) then more power to you. Plenty of pros are now using other amps, because they don't have to be confined to tube amps, in most cases tube pre's are sufficient.
This is like the old vinyl vs. CD or MP3 argument. Sure, back in the day, CDs were colder than vinyl, and MP3 even more so. However, as the tech grew, most folks settled on FLAC (aka "lossless") as having the superior fidelity yet enough of the warmth of vinyl. When SS amps first came out it was much the same, but the tech has grown, tube pres are more prevalent, and the tone shaping you can do is to the point where most people would have a hard time discerning the difference.
Kind of funny that it's the much older and the younger folks who are "get off my lawn" and the middle-aged guys defending the new tech. Maybe too many years playing in front of tubes wrecked my hearing, but the difference isn't discernible enough to me to warrant the extra weight. As I said before, YMMV.
I disagree, i see way more people going out buying D amps and selling them 6 months later. Look at the classified section here. On the first page alone there are 7 class d heads for sale (as opposed to the 4 lead sleds and 4 all tube monsters)
However he does use Orange AD200s going into a cab simulator, but you were saying?
I don't see the abundance of class d's on the used market as anything other than the fickle taste of users and the huge amount of choices available. I'm willing to bet the class d's being sold are being replaced with other class d's for the most part.
I have tried SVTs. But I've been a SS guy forever. I even chose the SS GK MB800 over the fusion. I think SS has fewer breakdown issues over tubes. And my MB800 gets as gritty as any tube amp. Especially through my 410 cabs(2 of em). People will cling to tubes, but I don't need them.
Geddy is totally an exception though. This past summer I saw probably about 30 big acts at festivals, etc.. I noticed that SVTs and 8x10s still dominate the big stages, from soul bands to punk bands and everything in-between. In fact I always look at every bassist's gear at every show I go to, and I don't recall seeing a single class D on any big stage.. I don't think ever. I've seen big hybrid solid state rigs like SVT 7 Pros (or whatever they are), but no class Ds. Not saying that no pros use ever them, but the ones who may are definitely the exception.
I have no problem with either type of amp and I use both a lot. My bands are lucky enough to play a few big stages here and there, and I always request an SVT/8x10 as backline when I can. But my bands also play 100 person clubs a lot and if I have PA support, I'll almost always take my PF-350. If I'm playing a big club or outdoor stage, I'll usually take my V4B and crank it.
It's also way easier to buy and sell them outside your immediate area, since you're not paying a big UPS tax + rolling the dice on shipping damage with each transaction.
True, those amps do loud and clean brilliantly well, yes. Especially into the right cabinet.
I normally use a 370. Lighter than a SVT but still large old school. I recently got a GK MB800 for practice and backup in case stage amp went down.
Though I am impressed with the volume and tone at lower volumes - it seems compression starts once I "Dig Into" the notes with expression. The 370 does not do that. Point put - the 370 sounds better. But - other than me I am not sure how many people will notice.
I always use the 370 live - except this Friday when I play a gig with 8 other bands. Two stages and we all hop on and off for 30 minutes. Load into and out of the club from a main street. They supply the cab and I supply the head. The GK gets the nod for this one. I guess this is the exception that makes it a rule
Though I am impressed with the volume and tone at lower volumes - it seems compression starts once I "Dig Into" the notes with expression. The 370 does not do that. Point put - the 370 sounds better. But - other than me I am not sure how many people will notice.
I always use the 370 live - except this Friday when I play a gig with 8 other bands. Two stages and we all hop on and off for 30 minutes. Load into and out of the club from a main street. They supply the cab and I supply the head. The GK gets the nod for this one. I guess this is the exception that makes it a rule
I think with tube heads, because of that and other factors already mentioned, people tend to commit to one for longer, and if they do flip it, they do it locally.
Girlfriend first or......you have to have room to bring home a honeyI love my tubes but I hate the fact that I have to choose the vehicle I want to drive based on the fact that my SVT can fit in it...lol Current rig is a Subaru Forester. I can fit the 810, head and two Basses in it plus a big gig bag. But...no room for my girlfriendInvalid Link Removed
!Sound is the priority when I select not how many of a brand I see on stage. Roadhouse gig calls for my P and SVT. Sounds best around second or third set where the whole place is warm. Also wearing bowling shirt.
Next day next to Steinway Grand and tasteful drummer on a small Gretsch kit. That SVT & fridge would be inappropriate even if I had roadies. Not because of size but sound. Same drummer has a different kit for other genres.
Next day next to Steinway Grand and tasteful drummer on a small Gretsch kit. That SVT & fridge would be inappropriate even if I had roadies. Not because of size but sound. Same drummer has a different kit for other genres.
You're right about this kind of "gigging musician". This kind of touring guy doesn't necessarily have a ton of money to throw at new gear....find what works, pay for it and stick with it. And when you're already loading a full band in including bigass bass cab every day the advantages of a class D head are minimal.
But then there's the whole other segment of "gigging musician" you're ignoring who are working sideman jobs around town taking cabs, parking and walking, doing an afternoon rehearsal and an evening gig. Class D amps are actually a pretty big deal to this significant segment of the population of "gigging musicians".
I appreciate your perspective but it doesn't represent the whole pie.
That is quite likely due to these backlines being supplied by rental companies that already have them in stock to use. Those companies aren't going to rush (no pun intended) out and buy the latest amps on the market to replace what they have in inventory until they absolutely have to. They are in business to make money, not provide the newest technology. But, I believe these rental companies will start buying these great micro amps (no bias here) when their current, older stock starts getting too expensive to maintain and/or they get to the point of being beyond repair.
