What I mean by this is a full tube preamp and full tube power section. I will be upgrading my current set up soon to a better amp and cab to get more power and a bigger/better sound. A friend of mine plays through an Ampeg SVT-CL and I know that this is one of the best amps out there. But he pretty much told me that full tube amps are the only way to go. I know that I have to try them myself to see how they go with my sound but sometimes it's as if people think Ampeg is the only way to go and that amps that aren't full tube just plain suck. Maybe I just haven't owned one yet. What are your opinions?
Well, first off, kudos to you for using that last word, as all you will get are opinions...and there are plenty to be found on Talkbass! There is no right or wrong, just personal preference when it comes to this subject.
I presume you have already done searches and read the plethora of threads on tube amps versus SS.
Okay, here is
my opinion: I have been playing bass for 40 years, and I have tried so many different bass rigs that it borders on ridiculousness. And I have found that even though there is some real nice SS gear available to bassists, nothing provides the tone and the feel of an all tube amp.
And believe me, I tried.....I really tried......to find a lighter rig that would give me that tone and feel, but to no avail.
I wanted to find such a rig because I didn't want to have to schlep such heavy gear (all-tube amps are typically quite heavy).
But I finally came to the realization that I had to go with the weight if I really wanted that tone and feel.
Btw, don't get too hung up on the SVT-CL. I had that amp, and I also had the SVT-VR. IMO, the VR sounded waaaaay better than the CL.
I now have a '91 Ampeg SVT-II non-pro. It sounds just like the SVT-VR. Tone heaven. The SVT-II weighs a whopping 85 pounds (which I know would make Ken Jung cringe at the thought), but it's the choice I make for the tone and feel that that amp gives me. I play that amp through a Bergantino NV610 cab, and it is pure bliss. Absolute pure bliss.
And please note my comment about tone and feel. Lots of people just talk about tone. For me, there is also a certain "feel" that I get from an all-tube amp that I just don't get from a SS amp. Again, personal opinion.
Whatever you do, don't let anyone tell you what you should (or shouldn't) like. I suggest you try a bunch of different amp types, and go with the one that YOU like best!
Do whatever makes you happy! That's what I do!
That said, I've done and will continue to do gigs with SS equipment sometimes. The schlep is not always fun, and sometimes it's impossible with tube stuff, but when it's possible, I like using tube gear. I hate life for a few minutes during the schlep, but it doesn't last long.
