Solid state/class d vs tube amps

[specialca]

ok guys. As generic of a topic as this is I have a big dilemma.

If you check my sig, you will see that I am a (proud) owner of Aguilar amps.

They sound great and all but yesterday I tried to hook up a fender bassman tube clone.

Wow! I couldn't believe the sound I was getting. Barefaced big twin 2 has a renown of being a cab that is able to pump monstrous lows, that are sometimes even hard to control. But with the clone, every low note has a clear and round, veery warm low end that doesn't extend over the limits. What surprised me even more is that every note I played, even on higher registers is still meaty and has a great low mid presence and just keeps on going and seamlessly blends with the low notes with zero volume difference.

My aguilar amps work great as well but there was an obvious and immediate difference in the sound the moment I plugged in.

I immediately felt groovier and a better bass player.

Should I go after an all tube amp? I never played a solidstate with a similar warmth and meat to the sound and I am starting to think I never will.

The bassman clone was 40w and I couldn't believe how loud it actually was.

The size of these amps is bugging me though.

I highly recommend the Ampeg SVT Classic with the 8x10 cabinet. The head is all tube and it has a warm, clear, crisp and clean sound along with great power. This amp will shine on stage and in the studio!

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I highly recommend the Ampeg SVT Classic with the 8x10 cabinet. The head is all tube and it has a warm, clear, crisp and clean sound along with great power. This amp will shine on stage and in the studio! View attachment 2780743 View attachment 2780743

I would suggest several, one for each place you play, to avoid having to move one.

 

[JimmyM]

I set my HPF to 20kHz and everyone said my bass sound was much improved.

I set mine to considerably higher to resemble the sound coming from an SVT 810e. But I consider that an improvement, too

 

[Passinwind]

I set mine to considerably higher to resemble the sound coming from an SVT 810e. But I consider that an improvement, too

Higher than 20k? That's what the mute button is for...

 

[BadExample]

Higher than 20k? That's what the mute button is for...View attachment 2780935

I only play for bats and cats. 20K is fine...

 

[Passinwind]

I only play for bats and cats. 20K is fine...

I engage the mute button and many people think it's an improvement.

 

[JimmyM]

Higher than 20k? That's what the mute button is for...View attachment 2780935

I just woke up...didn't see the K. DOOOOOOH!!

 

[gjb1956]

All this is fun reading, and all too familiar. Nobody wants to move big gear, but everybody wants to play through it (unless they haven't done it before...). I have used all kinds of SS and tube amps over the years, and found good versions of both. I never had an unreliable amp of either kind, or ever changed any tubes that I can recall, and I was working up to 7 nights a week for several years at the time. Had more that one tube amp fall on the truck floor, and still never failed. Well-built and well-designed amps are like that.

Today I play less frequently, but after trying everything I could to lessen the weight I carry, including going to Neodymium speakers, I finally gave up and decided I was going to play through what I wanted to, practicality be damned. I now have three SVTs sitting in my living room, along with a V4-B. (Long story on the SVTs, but two are going away...) I can get close with SS and Hybrid, but I want the real thing. Not everyone loves the same sounds I do, but for me the Ampegs give me what I want. Backaches included at no additional cost.

 

[JimmyM]

All this is fun reading, and all too familiar. Nobody wants to move big gear, but everybody wants to play through it (unless they haven't done it before...). I have used all kinds of SS and tube amps over the years, and found good versions of both. I never had an unreliable amp of either kind, or ever changed any tubes that I can recall, and I was working up to 7 nights a week for several years at the time. Had more that one tube amp fall on the truck floor, and still never failed. Well-built and well-designed amps are like that.

Today I play less frequently, but after trying everything I could to lessen the weight I carry, including going to Neodymium speakers, I finally gave up and decided I was going to play through what I wanted to, practicality be damned. I now have three SVTs sitting in my living room, along with a V4-B. (Long story on the SVTs, but two are going away...) I can get close with SS and Hybrid, but I want the real thing. Not everyone loves the same sounds I do, but for me the Ampegs give me what I want. Backaches included at no additional cost.

I often wonder if the bass players on here who offer up their opinions like, "I don't respect bass players who use large rigs when they should be using IEM's and have a silent stage" realize that we really don't care if they respect us or not. I'll be perfectly happy to show them where the exit door is located.

 

[pigpen1]

I often wonder if the bass players on here who offer up their opinions like, "I don't respect bass players who use large rigs when they should be using IEM's and have a silent stage" realize that we really don't care if they respect us or not. I'll be perfectly happy to show them where the exit door is located.

Why does anyone tell anyone else, who likes their own gear, and pays/gets it for themselves what they should or shouldn't be playing?

 

[pigpen1]

I often wonder if the bass players on here who offer up their opinions like, "I don't respect bass players who use large rigs when they should be using IEM's and have a silent stage" realize that we really don't care if they respect us or not. I'll be perfectly happy to show them where the exit door is located.

I kinda wanna say too, that a lot of people, don't mind carry stuff. A healthy adult should be able to lift a tube head with no issues. No, if you don't want to, I get that, but it doesn't require a superhuman level of strength. Same with cabs. they are just more bulky and awkward than anything.

 

[Passinwind]

I often wonder if the bass players on here who offer up their opinions like, "I don't respect bass players who use large rigs when they should be using IEM's and have a silent stage" realize that we really don't care if they respect us or not. I'll be perfectly happy to show them where the exit door is located.

Amen. And the corollary: why do people tell us what "everyone" wants, when it's just mostly what they want.

 

[JimmyM]

Why does anyone tell anyone else, who likes their own gear, and pays/gets it for themselves what they should or shouldn't be playing?

Because bass players can be a very insecure lot who seek acceptance through gear, and if you tell them you don't want to do things the way they do it, they think of it as you telling them that you don't like them personally.

 

[pigpen1]

Because bass players can be a very insecure lot who seek acceptance through gear, and if you tell them you don't want to do things the way they do it, they think of it as you telling them that you don't like them personally.

Sadly this is true outside of the bass world as well.

 

[stefancaunter]

I highly recommend the Ampeg SVT Classic with the 8x10 cabinet. The head is all tube and it has a warm, clear, crisp and clean sound along with great power. This amp will shine on stage and in the studio! View attachment 2780743 View attachment 2780743

I shall have to Thoroughly Investigate this Wonderful Thing. It is difficult to compare exactly from the photographs, but it seems to Closely Resemble my Household Refrigeration Appliance.

 

[Korladis]

I often wonder if the bass players on here who offer up their opinions like, "I don't respect bass players who use large rigs when they should be using IEM's and have a silent stage" realize that we really don't care if they respect us or not. I'll be perfectly happy to show them where the exit door is located.

It's not as if they're going to my gigs anyway.

 

[Deak]

Because bass players can be a very insecure lot who seek acceptance through gear, and if you tell them you don't want to do things the way they do it, they think of it as you telling them that you don't like them personally.

Or by condescension, don't measure up. AKA "You're not one of the cool kids". Screw that.

 

[NecroticImbecil]

Why does anyone tell anyone else, who likes their own gear, and pays/gets it for themselves what they should or shouldn't be playing?

But..isn't this sort of thing one of the two purposes of Teh Internets?

 

[mesaplayer83]

Why does anyone tell anyone else, who likes their own gear, and pays/gets it for themselves what they should or shouldn't be playing?

Agreed - I could never understand why *some* TBers concern themselves with the gear choices of others...

 

[Sparkl]

Because bass players can be a very insecure lot who seek acceptance through gear, and if you tell them you don't want to do things the way they do it, they think of it as you telling them that you don't like them personally.

This is so true man. I basically sold my SWR Goliath Sr 610 just because people I gig with expressed their opinions on the bulkiness of the rig way too often and basically subconsciously made me sell it and look for lighter and smaller stuff.

Edit: Also, no one will willingly help you carry it so it almost always ends up feeling as if people are doing you a big favour just helping you carry the damn thing to the car and that you should be happy you don't get replaced because you take up too much space in the van. But then again, every drummer loves when I help him carry his hardware bag :/

I also hate when you come to a gig and the main guy comes to you and tells you how you are the first guy in 50 years of the clubs existence to bring such a huge amp and cab. Like *** man, it really ain't your problem now is it? Should I come with a radio and a car speaker next time?

(and this literally happened when I brought my EBS Fafner and Barefaced Big Twin 2. Imagine the looks when I bring the SVT CL and 810 lol)