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Ok, BIG AMP lovers, which one would you choose...

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by pbass6811, Jul 16, 2017.


Tags:

Which BIG amp

  1. Ampeg SVT(any variation)

    106 vote(s)
    41.9%

  2. Mesa Strategy Eight:88

    28 vote(s)
    11.1%

  3. Mesa Prodigy Four:88

    9 vote(s)
    3.6%

  4. Aguilar DB751

    21 vote(s)
    8.3%

  5. Fender Super Bassman

    37 vote(s)
    14.6%

  6. Orange AD200B

    15 vote(s)
    5.9%

  7. Ashdown CTM-300

    9 vote(s)
    3.6%

  8. A boutique builder(Reeves, Verellen, Electric, etc)

    28 vote(s)
    11.1%
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  1. Jul 16, 2017 #1
    pbass6811

    pbass6811 Supporting Member

    Nov 10, 2008
    Indy, IN
    ...and why?

    I'm not planning on stepping away from my ab fab, 6.3lb Mesa D800+, but a conversation with another bassist that I respect, admire, and trust got me wondering if the consensus really is all tube, all the time or "as long as there's a tube in there somewhere, I'm good"? He really likes my tone, but the fact that it's coming from an amp that weighs less than some basses completely baffles him...

    As we were talking about gear, I told him there were just a few of the ginormous heads left, so he asked me which one I thought was THE one? I tried to come up with pros and cons for each and it came out pretty even for all of them, so I said I'd ask you guys.

    If you had someone to schlep your gear(or you don't mind doing it yourself), which amp would you choose? Why?

    -Ampeg SVT(any of it's variations-CL/VR/??)
    -Mesa Strategy 8:88
    -Mesa Prodigy 4:88
    -Aguilar DB751
    -Fender Super Bassman
    -Orange ADB-200
    -Ashdown CTM-300

    I know there's a bunch of boutique amps that I'm missing(Reeves, Electric Amps, Verellen, etc), so if you wanna throw those in there, that's cool. I have no idea if he wants a new amp, all I know is that I gotta cart my own crap, so a big amp isn't high on my list of things to do, but I like having the info...thanks!
     
  5. Jul 17, 2017 #2
    Stumbo

    Stumbo Wherever you go, there you are.

    Feb 11, 2008
    So. Cal.
    Fender Super Bsssman

    •300 watts
    •Tube preamp and power amp
    •Rear-panel Fender Automatic Bias system
    •Rear-panel impedance switch (2, 4 and 8 ohms)
    •XLR line out with ground lift, level control and pre/post EQ switch
    •Master volume control with push/pull mute
    •Effects loop
    •Get ripped from lifting
     
    rickbass1, NoNoise, RaggaDruida and 16 others like this.
  10. Jul 17, 2017 #3
    Plastalmonus

    Plastalmonus

    Apr 22, 2017
    Melbourne, Australia
    I voted Orange AD200B as I own one and it is hands down an awesome piece of kit.

    However I still hold out that one day I will own an Ampeg SVT-CL and Heritage 8x10. Being that cost is prohibitive here in Aus, it may be awhile until that dream is realised. Probably at the same time I magically afford a Wal :p
     
    Wisebass and pbass6811 like this.
  14. Jul 17, 2017 #4
    Raulplaysbass

    Raulplaysbass

    Jun 3, 2017
    Azusa, Ca
    SVT

    Mini and micros are great! I own a few w/ and without pre-amp tubes and regularly gig w/ a D-800+. But to my ears, none can compare to an ALL TUBE Ampeg SVT! I own a SVTII (non-pro) and it blows away all of my Mini's. The D-800+ is IMHO at the top of the heap for the Mini's, but 300 Tube Watts still rule the roost!
     
    Mastermold, spaz21387, dreamadream99 and 1 other person like this.
  18. Jul 17, 2017 #5
    High Camp

    High Camp

    Oct 3, 2013
    Netherlands
    Because I love Ampeg I voted SVT, it's just that simple.
     
    tmw, jazzbass_5, Mantis Tobaggan and 1 other person like this.
  22. Jul 17, 2017 #6
    Wisebass

    Wisebass

    Jan 12, 2017
    Lost in Space
    Hi pbass6811 :)
    I vote for Ampeg because it' s loud enough :bassist:

    greetings

    Wise(b)ass
     
    tmw, Mantis Tobaggan, J-Bassomatic and 1 other person like this.
  26. Jul 17, 2017 #7
    lomo

    lomo passionate hack Supporting Member

    Apr 15, 2006
    Montreal
    ....the above is essentially a tacit, honest admission of bias.....his eyes don't want to allow his brain to accept what his ears are telling it. If he closed his eyes and judged only with his ears, he'd simply approve of your tone :)
     
    SLO Surfer and pbass6811 like this.
  31. Jul 17, 2017 #8
    vdub75

    vdub75

    Feb 15, 2013
    Celle/Germany
    i tried mesa, i tried Fender, i tried orange... always get back to ampeg. so svt.
     
    jazzbass_5, Mantis Tobaggan, J-Bassomatic and 1 other person like this.
  35. Jul 17, 2017 #9
    bobyoung53

    bobyoung53 Supporting Member

    Aug 29, 2004
    Millbury Ma.
    I tried a Quilter Bass Block yesterday at a jam and it did sound good but ummm.... Ampeg SVT.
     
    ezra1 likes this.
  39. Jul 17, 2017 #10
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    SVT, hands down.

    I have had them all as provided backline gear. There were Fender, Mesa 400+, etc. There is something special about the SVT.

    That being said, having, and loving, an Ashdown LB30, I really want to try the Ashdown. That thing should be scary good.
     
    tmw, Mantis Tobaggan and ezra1 like this.
  43. Jul 17, 2017 #11
    Old Garage-Bander

    Old Garage-Bander

    Jan 31, 2015
    West Council Bluffs, NE
    "Get ripped..." :roflmao:
     
    Mantis Tobaggan and Stumbo like this.
  47. Jul 17, 2017 #12
    themarshall

    themarshall

    Jun 26, 2008
    cochrane wi
    Not on the list but worth mentioning as big amps, Traynor still makes the YBA 200 & 300 tube amps. Love my old YBA4.
     
    ThrewSilver, El Apestoso, Coughdrops and 4 others like this.
  51. Jul 17, 2017 #13
    foal30

    foal30

    Dec 3, 2007
    New Zealand
    I bought an Ashdown CTM-300, it is an amazing piece of kit. I really like the Orange ABD-200.

    I haven't tried the Aguilar or Fender.
     
    ezra1 likes this.
  55. Jul 17, 2017 #14
    ShaneF

    ShaneF Supporting Member

    Oct 15, 2015
    York, PA
    I've owned about everything on that list (except Reeves... would love one of those) and my 1989 SVT II Non Pro reigns king for me.
     
    bobyoung53 and Raulplaysbass like this.
  59. Jul 17, 2017 #15
    Geri O

    Geri O

    Sep 6, 2013
    Florence, MS
    Definitely prefer the SVT 810, but lately, I've been provided a few different 610 and 810 rigs and I felt like that for the most part, I got what I needed from the big rigs, either to cover me with no monitor or the "feel" with IEMs.

    None of those amps sucked, but I'm always most happy with an SVT.

    And I'm REALLY happy when I don't have to move mine!...:D:

    EDIT: Gotta say, I'm curious about those late model Fender Super Bassman 810 rigs. They are trickling through more and more lately, but I have yet to be provided one.
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2017
    bobyoung53 likes this.
  64. Jul 17, 2017 #16
    Kustom_Thunder

    Kustom_Thunder

    Oct 5, 2012
    North West Indiana
    I love my orange ad200b best tone I've ever had. It makes all of my basses sound uniquely like themselves I don't really know how to describe it it's just amazing
     
    foal30 likes this.
  68. Jul 17, 2017 #17
    ezra1

    ezra1

    Jun 7, 2009
    Behind the Pine Curtain
    I vote SVT
    After that.... Ashdown
     
    bassestkkm and bobyoung53 like this.
  72. Jul 17, 2017 #18
    JGbassman

    JGbassman

    May 31, 2011
    Iowa
    I love my SVT, and make no bones about it. I can quickly dial in a great sound and they are bulletproof.

    On another note, I'd love to try a fender Bassman, as I've heard some good stuff about them, and I like the fact you can run a 2,4, or 8 ohm load on it. That would open the doors for versatility and allow me to use more cabs
     
    Mantis Tobaggan, Crowd crusher and bobyoung53 like this.
  76. Jul 17, 2017 #19
    lfmn16

    lfmn16 Supporting Member

    Sep 21, 2011
    charles town, wv
    I injured my arm last year and it's been slow healing completely so I shelved my SVT AV for a PF-800. The micros can sound good, but to me tubes sound better. SVT AV or Hetitage or vintage will always be my preference.

    I think people miss the distinction. When their feet are held to the fire not many will claim that the micros sound the same as tube.
     
    Rabidhamster, bobyoung53 and PhilippH like this.
  80. Jul 17, 2017 #20
    The_Janitor

    The_Janitor

    Jun 30, 2012
    Madison, Wi
    I own and SVT-2PRO and an Ashdown CTM-300. Both are absolutely killer amps. That being said, the Ashdown does sub-low end better than the SVT.
     
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