• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Only one thing to say

Will do- I was debating taking it to practice- but think I will take this and my GB Sl900 and A/b- This won't get that loud, but it will easily do my practice volume.
The thing I never realized about all tube until now- is the low end stays fairly clean, but you get the nice breakup on your D and G strings, and nice GROWL when you slide on any string.
 
Things wrong with OPs logic

Watts aren't directly a measure of volume
A watt is a watt no matter where it comes from, tube or transistor.

I'm amazed people can still be bothered to say this. Like, it's true, but you know, don't feed the trolls. Hence my helpful useless non sequitur.

Although to combat misinformation, I think the 'a watt is a watt' adage should come with a mention of how distortion and mid-range emphasis play a key role in why tube amps can appear louder than their transistor-based counterparts.
 
yea ive been finding that most people like the tone of tube amps better, and im in the same boat.

Ive also found that the whole wattage thing is a hub-bub. talking to amp builders, it has something to do with the amount of air the whole system can move. which means the drivers have a lot to do with how loud something can be perceived?

ive got a v4b, ~100watt tube head that is my favorite sounding head ive played through to date. now, we all now ampeg's are brutally heavy and usually just as reliable, but they will crap out from time to time. I was looking for a solid state back-up and actually ended up with a Kustom K200 from the late 60s. Big and cushy tuck & roll ridiculousness thats about the same shape as the ampeg, but weighs 1/3 as much and is 100watts.

its just as loud, and creates some GNARLY overdrive through the same cabinet. Never thought it possible. Ive got an Ashdown EVOII something or other that is '575 watts', and i have yet to find the right cabinet for it to produce the levels i think it should. its also pretty difficult to EQ...but i think im just an idiot as Ashdown makes some great stuff.

-Jeff
 
It seems like semantics to me.

Would anyone disagree if it was phrased a little differently, i.e.,
"Watt for Watt, tube amps tend to be louder than solid state"
and,
"When I say loudness I am talking about the human perception of the combination of Decibel Level and Psychoacoustic Effects. Tube amps can compress dynamics causing people to perceive greater loudness at the same decibel level as an uncompressed signal."
 
It seems like semantics to me.

Would anyone disagree if it was phrased a little differently, i.e.,
"Watt for Watt, tube amps tend to be louder than solid state"
and,
"When I say loudness I am talking about the human perception of the combination of Decibel Level and Psychoacoustic Effects. Tube amps can compress dynamics causing people to perceive greater loudness at the same decibel level as an uncompressed signal."

Because knowledge is power and the lifeblood of any artist or evolved human? Why are we here if not to learn more about sound, music and bass?

One is far more correct, and I consider it worth knowing. People who don't want to know will gloss over it, and that's fine, but no need to assume it.
 
Whatever the science is behind it, I don't really care- all I know is I am stoked playing with this little all-tube beast, and wanted to give feedback to anyone looking at it, as it is brand new. And give some reference in terms of "loudness" of this compared to other amps I have played which were solid state. So let me rephrase- this little bad-boy is easily as loud as my 200 watt solid state head that I played.