Light, Class D combo amps with vintage tone?

[Madcity Fats]

Another vote for Quilter.

 

[Steadfast]

The rumble can be unmuddied. Easily.

 

[Bassquest]

The rumble can be unmuddied. Easily.

How? By bringing the low mid to 10:00 as aforementioned? Any other settings you can suggest? Hurry, as I've placed my Rumble 100 V3 up for local sale. I use a regular P bass with
roundwounds. Thanks.

 

[BassNugget]

What tube sound? Many SWR amps have preamp tubes…

Beat me to it. Both my SWR amps had tube preamps.

 

[jeff7bass]

Are we still talking about lightweight Class D combos?

 

[BassNugget]

My Rumble 500C is muddy with all the tones at 12:00. Mine cleans with the low mid at 10:00

This is true. 1200 or noon settings on a Rumble is not "flat". It is pretty vintage-ey, which may not do well in some rooms. For the Rumble 100 (for example), I start at 10,2,2,10 in O'clock settings as my preferred "flat" with the Stingray. (Edit - I always start with the Stingray at center detent so, 50% on bass mid and treble).

 

[BassNugget]

A tube pedal may also be an option for you OP. That way you can have your cake and eat it too. You will have your lightweight, class D amp with a perfectly clean tone (maybe for later) and you can mellow it up with tube pedal. Your tastes may change also. I'll tell you that the tone I would prefer to hear in my practice sessions is NOT the tone I can use onstage and cut through a heavy band. It is what has led me to purchase the gear I have used over the years (and buying gear that sound guys are familiar with).

 

[moon-bass]

Not the OP, but this thread got me thinking, and you are probably one of the best people I can ask: can you recommend anything on the lighter end of the spectrum that can perform similarly to a 400+? I use a 400+ as my live rig and will be getting back to it with my old band here soon, but would like to at least have the option to leave the boat anchor at home.


joe

I've been looking for a 400+ option as well. I have one, and it's the best amp I've ever played thru, bar none. But, it stays home. I bought a TT800 for the same purpose as you did, and it's fantastic, does a great job on the 400+ and even had another mosern channel. I am very happy with mine.

Also, the Helix emulation is top notch.
Other options are pedals. Something with the Fender tone stack will get you in the ballpark (not as close as the TT tho). I've owned a bunch and I can give you some feedback on a few of them.

Also, @Sensei Tim at Master Effects is building a Mesa 400+ preamp pedal. You can read about it here - Super 300 Owners Society

Hope that helps.

 

[moon-bass]

The Quilter has a very dynamic power section. Sounds great as a backbone for preamp pedals as well.

 

[SJan3]

People talking about preamp pedals. If you're going to do that, then the OP can get virtually any combo he fancies but his request was for the combo to provide vintage tone, not an external device.

 

[moon-bass]

People talking about preamp pedals. If you're going to do that, then the OP can get virtually any combo he fancies but his request was for the combo to provide vintage tone, not an external device.

I never thought that providing alternate methods of achieving the same goal would be frowned upon, especially from those of us who have already been thru the same thing as the OP.

 

[mmon77]

I never thought that providing alternate methods of achieving the same goal would be frowned upon, especially from those of us who have already been thru the same thing as the OP.

Not only that, but suggesting anything but what the OP was asking for is pretty much TalkBass S.O.P.

 

[Engineer_Josh]

My Rumble 500C is muddy with all the tones at 12:00. Mine cleans with the low mid at 10:00

similar experience, I run mine with the low cut to 9:00 and the distortion on with the drive at minimum. At those settings our drummer quits complaining, I can hear myself in the practice room, and it sounds pleasant to my ears.

OP has written off the Rumbles already which IMHO eliminates the most obvious choice to meet the rest of his stated criteria.

 

[Billy Bob Bass]

Try tweaking the settings on your Rumble 100 again and adjust the placement. It's a nice combo and I think it definitively has the 'vintage' tone.

 

[Nebadon2000]

You can make amps in the Rumble class sound acceptable with pedals, fiddling, and adjusting technique.

If you want 'more than acceptable' with minimal fiddling and superior build and tone capabilities I would suggest something like Genzler 350 MG-12T-V or [not a combo] Mesa WD800 and 210. Many quality manufactures have equipment designed for 'Vintage' tone.

 

[steelbed45]

How? By bringing the low mid to 10:00 as aforementioned? Any other settings you can suggest? Hurry, as I've placed my Rumble 100 V3 up for local sale. I use a regular P bass with
roundwounds. Thanks.

Fender Rumble Club

The combo really struggles with all settings at noon. It's muddy and fights to keep up volume-wise. I tried the settings in the link above with my 500c and it made a huge difference.

 

[marchone]

Also, I've already ruled out the Rumble line, it came across as muddy in my practice space. Built in distortion a plus.

The Broughton Flip Top pedal nails the Ampeg B-15n sound pretty well. Deep and pillowy. I have one.

And there’s the Broughton P15 Tube Preamp.

https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/P15

 

[Bassquest]

Fender Rumble Club

The combo really struggles with all settings at noon. It's muddy and fights to keep up volume-wise. I tried the settings in the link above with my 500c and it made a huge difference.

 

[Bassquest]

Thanks! I'll give it a try.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Also, I've already ruled out the Rumble line, it came across as muddy in my practice space. Built in distortion a plus.

Did you turn the knobs?