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modern tube amps ??!!

#21
koobie said:
Tone is the only reason to buy a tube amp. Seriously.
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+1

Otherwise, why would someone screw around with all that added weight with those huge heavy back killing transformers, etc??

Myself, I have a tube pre, and a tube power amp. My plan when my new fEarful 15/6 cabs are finished is to bi-amp, but then add an ss power amp for the woofers only.
 
#22
Coolhand or someone else... Could you explain your idea above a bit more. It's an interesting notion, but I can't quite wrap my head around it. There is a way to power the woofers separate from the horn? Also, which tube pre and power amp do you use or recommend?
 
#23
I am disappointed in many modern tube amps because they include too many extra features. I really think graphic EQ is kind of pointless on a tube amp. I do not use the graphic on my Mesa Bass 400! I also fail to see the purpose of having a compressor on a tube bass head unless it is an optical tube compressor, which for cost reasons, it most certainly isn't.

To be fair, most all tube heads have fairly subtle eq. Some have eq that will only cut or boost, like the mid eq on most fender tone stack derived boxes like Mesa. Or the ultra-hi/ultra-lo switches you see on old Traynors and Ampegs.
 
#24
You need an active crossover unit, or a pre-amp with one built in. This splits the signal into two channels, it is user selectable. IE, you can dial it at 700hz, so the low channel goes to the amp that will power the woofer, the other one to the amp that powers the mid/high. The design of the cab determines at what Hz you set the crossover to.

So you also need either a stereo power amp or two single channel power amps. Also, the signal sent to the mid/high needs much less power as well.

Your cabs also need to support bi-amping, as those caps and coils in your cab will no longer be needed. (That is referred to as a passive crossover.) A cab that supports bi-amping will either have a switch, separate connectors, or jumpers.
 
#25
Okay, so I use my old Peavey Mega Bass for this. I have 2 Bag End 12" cabinets. The MegaBass has an active and adjustable crossover. I use one of the cabinets for the frequencies above the crossover and that is where I put any effects I use. The cabinet below the crossover is clean. I think most effects sound muddy when used in full range mode.
So, will your new fEarful 15/6 have the ability to send two channels into that one cabinet?
 
#29
Calaverasgrande said:
I am disappointed in many modern tube amps because they include too many extra features. I really think graphic EQ is kind of pointless on a tube amp. I do not use the graphic on my Mesa Bass 400! I also fail to see the purpose of having a compressor on a tube bass head unless it is an optical tube compressor, which for cost reasons, it most certainly isn't.

To be fair, most all tube heads have fairly subtle eq. Some have eq that will only cut or boost, like the mid eq on most fender tone stack derived boxes like Mesa. Or the ultra-hi/ultra-lo switches you see on old Traynors and Ampegs.
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This.

I had a realization with my 2-pro at my last practice... I was trying to EQ in a "fat tube" tone by using my eyes and turning the knobs to where I naturally assumed they should be, and was getting frustrated not being able to find it. I eventually turned everything to 12 o'clock and shut off the graphic EQ and worked back from there, using my ears and ignoring the position of the knobs, and guess what... there it was! The flatter I EQ'd everything, the better it sounded.
 
#30
N.F.A. said:
Who is making you one like that? I have been considering getting a fEarful built, but haven't actually commissioned one yet. Your configuration sounds very interesting to me. PM me if you want.
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I am. It's actually an easier build as no crossover components need to be purchased and soldered together. There are some bi-amp links in the fEarful pages. Some of those guys installed the crossover in the cab, and then installed a multi-poled switch to disconnect it when bi-amped.

SR guys have been doing bi and tri-amping for decades. Back in the '70's, Infinity and others even made hi-fi speakers with rear jumpers for those who were into bi-amping.

If I find it to be too cumbersome to deal with in the future, I can always install a crossover in the cabs at that time.
 
#32
Coolhandjjl said:
+1 on EQ'ing by your ears.

A sealed cab may need all that excessive low end that a tube amp puts out, like the Fender Bassman's. A ported cab OTOH, may need all the bass rolled down to damn near -11 with same amp.
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Problem with ported cabs is the suitable drivers have impedance funnyness in the low bit, drivers for sealed cabs are smoother. Valve amps react differently to changing impedance with low frequencies than SS amps, so you end up with strange effects if the cabinets do not agree with your output transformer.
 
#36
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This is a cool amp, it has 2 channels, a parametric EQ on each channel and a boost on the footswitch.
Its 100 watts and not quite loud enough for my heavy hitting drummer and marshall 4x12 guitard.
 
#38
#40
Upon receiving my SVT-II non-pro, I plugged it in with everything flat and no graphic EQ, and it was almost perfect.

It sounds great as is, and Ultra-Hi & Ultra-Lo are great for scooping. I mess with the EQ sometimes here and there, but I never stray too far from noon.
 

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