Benjamin Strange
Commercial User
- Dec 25, 2002
- 9,737
- 310
- 49
- Disclosures
- Owner / Tech: Strange Guitarworks
Just to try to keep the flow of disinformation in check: the Bass 400+ is 500 PEAK watts, but normal operating ratings are around 300 watts. Which is still plenty loud.
Honestly, trying to talk loudness when comparing these two amps is not a good way to go. They're both crazy loud. The important issue here is headroom, and feel. The Ampeg will have a superior headroom factor, as it's got more wattage - you don't want your SS power amp clipping - it gets ugly. SS generally responds faster to transients, and will reveal more of the true sound of your bass and the preamp. A tube power amp will reach it's peak headroom sooner than a higher rated SS amp will, and it will distort, but when a good tube amp does that, it sounds GOOD. There's nothing like a good tube amp cranked (SVT, 400+, Trace Valve-whatever-it's-called). True, the tube amp will generally not be as fast as the higher powered SS amp, and will color the sound of your bass and pre somewhat, but the reason people buy these things is because they want it to do that. Typically rock guys really dig tubes. I have quite a few amps (several tube, some SS), and I prefer the tube amps for most applications. There's just something magical about the way a good tube amp can make the strings feel under your hands, and imparts a musical warmth to your tone.
I say do alot of trying before you buy - Ampeg makes a fine all-tube bass amp as well (SVT), and Mesa makes some pretty good SS amps (Big Block 750).
And don't worry about "35%" louder, or whatever spec somebody throws at you. You generally need 10 times the power to give the percieved effect of "twice as loud". Use your ears, and buy for tone, not volume.
Honestly, trying to talk loudness when comparing these two amps is not a good way to go. They're both crazy loud. The important issue here is headroom, and feel. The Ampeg will have a superior headroom factor, as it's got more wattage - you don't want your SS power amp clipping - it gets ugly. SS generally responds faster to transients, and will reveal more of the true sound of your bass and the preamp. A tube power amp will reach it's peak headroom sooner than a higher rated SS amp will, and it will distort, but when a good tube amp does that, it sounds GOOD. There's nothing like a good tube amp cranked (SVT, 400+, Trace Valve-whatever-it's-called). True, the tube amp will generally not be as fast as the higher powered SS amp, and will color the sound of your bass and pre somewhat, but the reason people buy these things is because they want it to do that. Typically rock guys really dig tubes. I have quite a few amps (several tube, some SS), and I prefer the tube amps for most applications. There's just something magical about the way a good tube amp can make the strings feel under your hands, and imparts a musical warmth to your tone.
I say do alot of trying before you buy - Ampeg makes a fine all-tube bass amp as well (SVT), and Mesa makes some pretty good SS amps (Big Block 750).
And don't worry about "35%" louder, or whatever spec somebody throws at you. You generally need 10 times the power to give the percieved effect of "twice as loud". Use your ears, and buy for tone, not volume.
