POLL--Thread Idea: (Ginormous Tube Amps)

[Wasnex]

Okay my idea is to start a companion thread to Low-Wattage Tubesters Official Club | TalkBass.com at the opposite end of the power spectrum.

Before starting I thought I would publish a poll.

My idea is a thread to discuss and showcase tube bass amps with an extraordinary amount of power, rather than ubiquitous tube heads rated for 300W or less. Initially I thought to require power ratings of 400W or more, but this will miss some 350W amps, which also tend to be rare.

Please select one response for questions 1. and 2.

3. The mandatory optional carrot response is included for those who care.

4. I am not particularly interested in running a club and passing out numbers, but you can tell me what you think.

The poll is set to run for 14 days from 10/15/23.

 

[tadawson]

Yes, and there is no such thing as "tube watts" A watt is a watt, no matter the source . . . .
Having said that, 400 watts or more, please!

 

[Wasnex]

A watt is a watt, no matter the source

Agree 100%.

 

[Snert]

I'm not even remotely interested in humping a heavy tube amp between the living toom and my music room, which is all of 19m on the same level.

If you need some sort of distortion, use a modeller and class D, no one else is ever going to be able to tell the difference in a set vs a heavy tube amp.

 

[Marko 1]

I voted No, as I'm not interested in anything with tubes in it,

then voted 400 tube watts or more since that's what I would want, as in gobs of clean power.

Not sure if that's okay.

 

[shoot-r]

I gig a hybrid amp (GK MB Fusion 800) because my ears really enjoy the way tubes seem to round-off the highs and mids and give a 3-D feel to the low-end.
But I also like a no sag, lots of head room, clean, clear, fast sound that only by having alot of watts behind the note can give.

Over the years I've tried the 100 to 300 watt all tube heads and they just didn't work for me, maybe a all tube, 400+ watt head might.

 

[Wasnex]

I voted No, as I'm not interested in anything with tubes in it,

then voted 400 tube watts or more since that's what I would want, as in gobs of clean power.

Not sure if that's okay.

It's absolutely okay.

 

[Wasnex]

I'm not even remotely interested in humping a heavy tube amp between the living toom and my music room, which is all of 19m on the same level.

If you need some sort of distortion, use a modeller and class D, no one else is ever going to be able to tell the difference in a set vs a heavy tube amp.

I can't argue with any of this, and yet I still have a basement full of tube amps. About 1/5 of my collection has solid state output sections.

 

[Wasnex]

I gig a hybrid amp (GK MB Fusion 800) because my ears really enjoy the way tubes seem to round-off the highs and mids and give a 3-D feel to the low-end.
But I also like a no sag, lots of head room, clean, clear, fast sound that only by having alot of watts behind the note can give.

Over the years I've tried the 100 to 300 watt all tube heads and they just didn't work for me, maybe a all tube, 400+ watt head might.

Hope springs eternal.

I am sure I have something in my collection you would enjoy. Whether it would maintain the desired character at the volume you require is another matter.

 

[Aussie Player]

When you have a 400watt tube bass amp coasting on stage, watch the bass players come around to hear it. It is everything they ever dreamed of and wasted money on trying to emulate.

 

[Jim C]

I'm interested but will become frustrated as I won't want to make that big of a financial investment for something I'd hardly use.
I really like the sound of a clean, well behaved, SVT head with a ported cabinet.

 

[rufus.K]

I do own tube amps. Have modified, built, and repaired a few more.
I never play thru them.
For some reason, i still do love them.
The DB750/751 is a very compelling machine to me.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I totally have big tube rig nostalgia even though I've never owned a big tube rig. I've played through a couple though, and loved them. I also love the idea of owning a '70s muscle car but will likely never buy one - although I have driven a couple. I drive a Honda, get my tubeyness from a GK preamp, and my volume from powered cabs. But I do very much love the idea of this club/thread.

 

[GreyBeard]

I've been playing bass since 1968 and I have owned 3 tube amps and several SS amps. The one big power amp was a Eden VT300B that was made by Koch in Germany. I loved the way it sounded but it was just too heavy and expensive to schlep around n the red neck bars I was playing at the time. I ended up selling it. Today I'm a confirmed Class D user.

 

[jnewmark]

No interest for me, although I usually get the SVT/Fridge or Aguilar DB751/Fridge for backline at outdoor shows. Sounds good, but the thought of lugging one around is a definite deal breaker. Of course, if I had roadies to haul, set up, tear down, etc., I might be interested, but, I only do a few shows where that is provided, as opposed to doing mostly small rooms where a 115 usually gets the job done with a Class D head.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

I love playing through my VBA400 and Berg NV6x10 and I will keep dong that, until either I break my back or my hand cart breaks!
Fishheadjoe

 

[JimChjones]

Is there a point to having a massive tube amp? If I understand things correctly you're not going to get output tubes bigger than a 6550. So for 600w what's the difference between having one amp with say 12 output tubes, and 3 amps with 4 tubes each?

 

[Marko 1]

I'd follow the thread just for the pron of it if there were lots of pics and gig pics...

but I suspect it would sink away as so few people have and use them anymore.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Here yah go!
Fishheadjoe

 

[KevInDaBassment]

While I acknowledge the utility and sonic capabilities of modern hybrid and/or class D SMPS amp heads....ginormous tube amps are still cool and I would love to own one someday

Also, a backbrace made of tempered steel or some kinda power armor from Fallout 4 to carry it around.

(a forklift will also do)