Low output tube amp? (Is there a mini DB751?)

[thombo]

I don't have any experience with it, but the discontinued DB659 preamp is similar to the DB751's predecessor, the DB750. If you could find one, you can pair it with a power amp of your choosing.

As the DB751 is a hybrid amp, I wonder if you've tried the TH350? I 100% acknowledge that you said tube, bit your are already comparing apples to oranges seeking a tube amp comparable to the DB series. Or if you are jonesing for tubes, a Tonehammer preamp pedal with a tube power amp might get you close to what you want.

Beyond that, I'd look for an amp that has a similar preamp to the DB751 with the power you want. A quick response copied from the Aggie site says it has a "passive tone stack with active midrange element. Bass: +12 / -12 @ 40Hz Midrange: +12 / -12 @ 750Hz Treble: +12 / -7 @ 4kHz said it has a passive tone stack with an active midrange element."

 

[themickster]

Hi,

Might be a silly question but every tube amp I see out there is a beast! Is there a tube amp that can deliver 751 type of sound but at lower volume?

tnx
Et

Why does it have to be tubes/valves? I believed what guitarists said about them being a must, until I listened to a blind test. Solid states can sound good at low volume. I sometimes rehearse with my band at home and have my 300 watter low enough to talk above.

 

[Brich]

I would imagine an svt varient to suit well

 

[sotua]

Ashdown LB30?

 

[InhumanResource]

Hi,

Might be a silly question but every tube amp I see out there is a beast! Is there a tube amp that can deliver 751 type of sound but at lower volume?

tnx
Et

I don’t know the 751 sound you are asking about, but the SWR Interstellar Overdrive tube preamp has a 5W powered output feature!

 

[Wasnex]

I have a DB359 & a DB750 and they have slightly different voicings, to my ears…

In my opinion the 359 is more modern sounding whereas the DB750 is more gritty sounding. The DB359 is pretty deep, I had to order a custom case for it. They weigh about the same and because the 359 is fairly deep it it is an carry if you don’t have a case w spring handles.

The preamps in both amps have lots of similarities, but they are not exactly the same, so this makes sense. The component values in the tone stacks appear identical in both amps. The component values in the tone stacks have a lot to do with the amps voicing, but there are other factors as well. Perhaps one ironic difference is the signal path in the DB750 has less solid-state stuff in it.

 

[njones89]

Going to just pass on some super totally useful information I received when I asked for technical info: take it to an amp tech.

 

[Wasnex]

Going to just pass on some super totally useful information I received when I asked for technical info: take it to an amp tech.

That's usually good advice, but the OPs title is a bit misleading .

 

[njones89]

That's usually good advice, but the OPs title is a bit misleading .

Once you buy the amp, make sure you take it to a tech. Just wanted to shoehorn that in there!

 

[conttador]

The preamps in both amps have lots of similarities, but they are not exactly the same, so this makes sense. The component values in the tone stacks appear identical in both amps. The component values in the tone stacks have a lot to do with the amps voicing, but there are other factors as well. Perhaps one ironic difference is the signal path in the DB750 has less solid-state stuff in it.

As I understand, the DB359 has in essence a DB659 for a preamp. I’m not sure what the DB750/DB751 preamp is based on but they are slightly different.

Trying to sound like a 750w behemoth on a fraction of that power is a tall order. As someone mentioned, you could try scouring for a 659 usually about $700-$800 (well worth it) and pair it with a power amp.

I’m fortunate enough to have been able to acquire all the DB tube gear (DB728, DB359, DB680 & DB659) and they are in a league of their own.

Happy hunting!

 

[conttador]

Once you buy the amp, make sure you take it to a tech. Just wanted to shoehorn that in there!

Specially if you buy used tube gear. If there are issues you’ll want catch before you blow a fuse, usually if you blow a fuse you’ll need to replace more than just the fuse.

 

[njones89]

Specially if you buy used tube gear. If there are issues you’ll want catch before you blow a fuse, usually if you blow a fuse you’ll need to replace more than just the fuse.

I agree with that, particularly if you get a vintage amp. I had to have mine recapped, and it feels good knowing the thing is grounded now. But also, I've noticed when I buy tube amps, they are never properly biased, so make sure that you check that stuff so the tubes don't prematurely wear.

 

[BOOG]

You also have :
40W - 6,5 kg the Jewel – Bass Amplifier
50W - 4,2 kg the Mini Tone – Bass Amplifier
??W - 4,5 kg the OMiKRON – Bass Amplifier
60W - 6,6Kg the Offset – Bass Amplifier

The business owner is a really nice person, if you discribe what you're after he can probably give you good advices, or even propose to build a custom model

THAT’S FUN!!!

 

[slap2much]

I know it’s not made for bass but at home I often plug my Bugera T5 Infinium head into a 12” Deltalite loaded cab. Gain down, volume up, EQ heavier on bass. Sounds “tubey” to me.

 

[labeledbass]

Arkham Sound 70W Amp

I have the Arkham Zephyr, which is basically the preamp section of that amp in a rack-mount package, love it.

And there's always the Ashdown Little Bastard / CTM-30. I have a CTM-30 and use it often for gigs where I don't need to fill a large room all by myself. I can turn it up to where it starts to get that sweet saturated tube sound.

I'm working with Micah right now on a super low wattage power section, in way of 1-5 watts, the head you mention is also available in a less expensive 40 watt model as well. I had an old little bastard as well, very fun, very passive, excellent DI out as well.

I think the lowest wattage amp I've had is Fryettes GP/DI, 1 watt, 4 valves and many options, great on 6 string and bass.

I currently use their PS2 50 watt tube power head/attenuator, very flexible and solid head.

There's also things like Hughes and Ketners BATT, SWR Interstellar Overdrive, and something I recently was fortunate to get, z Broughion audios Power Stage. These are all small very low wattage power amps that more or less emulate a larger power section. The Broughton is an actual pedal that can be anywhere on your board for instant power section saturation, you can also fade between pentode and triode, really fun.

Here's the inside and the little mini power tube & transformer

 

[rickdog]

I'm working with Micah right now on a super low wattage power section, in way of 1-5 watts....

I'd like to hear more about that. I bet that if you and/or @Arkham Sound posted something about that in the Low-Wattage Tubesters Official Club it would get a lot of interest. If I had a wish list for something in that category, it would include a speaker-emulating dummy load and a DI output derived from the output transformer. 1U rack mount (to pair with my Zephyr) would be a bonus.

I have an Interstellar Overdrive, and I've gotten some great results running it into a solid state power section and decent speaker. But something with an all-tube signal path and controls to tailor the gain structure to control where it saturates (preamp, phase inverter, power tubes) would be really nice.