Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[CL400Peavey]

Hello everybody !

Longtime stalking this thread, first time posting and it is to use your knowledge and advice.

I am the owner of a nice Ampeg SVT CL x Matamp 610 stack. I really do love the sound I get from it. Only problem : despite being very careful with the amp, I play it quite a lot and it has gone to the tech 2 times in two years. Each time involving a poweramp tube change. The CL is once again giving me trouble lately, again.

These regular visits to the tech are really annoying me know (and my wallet). So I have been thinking about keeping it for the "BIG"gigs and recordings sessions, and buy another less powerful/high-end but more reliable amp for the rehearsal and "small"gigs.

What are your suggestions ?

(Tubes aren't mandatory as long as the tone is right and I need an amp that can be powerful enough for competing with my butcher drummer and my deaf-guitarist)

Thanks a bunch !

What is your budget?

Also, are you running your 610 on the 4 Ohm tap? I bet a dollar that the cab is actually a 5.3 Ohm cab. So if you are playing it a lot, it doesnt surprise me that you're going through tubes.

 

[CassiusRegular]

What is your budget?

I would like to keep the budget around $500 (maybe more for a top bargain), nothing against second-hand stuff tho !

Also, are you running your 610 on the 4 Ohm tap? I bet a dollar that the cab is actually a 5.3 Ohm cab. So if you are playing it a lot, it doesnt surprise me that you're going through tubes.

Concerning the cab, yeah I am running it on 4 Ohm and it supposed to be a 4 Ohm [or at least is what the dude selling me the cab told me back then!]. Anyway to check this out by the way ?

 

[gfen]

My "to do" list for today includes shopping for a new strap...now I know where to start looking, thanks!

I was given a Souldier strap, which is seatbelt material and not leather. 3" wide, you can get 'em extra long for a few bucks more, and they have a crap ton of different options like fabric colour, end colour, and lots of different fabric, so you can really make it your own if you want. I'm quite pleased with it.

I want to record a demo of my Dunwich pedal, but my cell phone is my only camera and I'm not sure that the audio quality would be good enough for it to be worth it.

Skip the camera and go right to soundcloud or something and just make an audio recording. Or, option 2, just record sound that way and layer it over a still image and add whatever talky bits you need to do if you want to stick it up on youtube.

 

[Korladis]

Hello everybody !

Longtime stalking this thread, first time posting and it is to use your knowledge and advice.

I am the owner of a nice Ampeg SVT CL x Matamp 610 stack. I really do love the sound I get from it. Only problem : despite being very careful with the amp, I play it quite a lot and it has gone to the tech 2 times in two years. Each time involving a poweramp tube change. The CL is once again giving me trouble lately, again.

These regular visits to the tech are really annoying me know (and my wallet). So I have been thinking about keeping it for the "BIG"gigs and recordings sessions, and buy another less powerful/high-end but more reliable amp for the rehearsal and "small"gigs.

What are your suggestions ?

(Tubes aren't mandatory as long as the tone is right and I need an amp that can be powerful enough for competing with my butcher drummer and my deaf-guitarist)

Thanks a bunch !

What kind of tubes are you using? I use Sovteks and have only had to take my Mesa D-180 to the tech twice during the 6-7 years I've owned it (once only due to tour damage).

I was given a Souldier strap, which is seatbelt material and not leather. 3" wide, you can get 'em extra long for a few bucks more, and they have a crap ton of different options like fabric colour, end colour, and lots of different fabric, so you can really make it your own if you want. I'm quite pleased with it.



Skip the camera and go right to soundcloud or something and just make an audio recording. Or, option 2, just record sound that way and layer it over a still image and add whatever talky bits you need to do if you want to stick it up on youtube.

Probably the best idea.

But setting up my computer and mic and interface is such a paaaaaiiin.

 

[CL400Peavey]

I would like to keep the budget around $500 (maybe more for a top bargain), nothing against second-hand stuff tho !



Concerning the cab, yeah I am running it on 4 Ohm and it supposed to be a 4 Ohm [or at least is what the dude selling me the cab told me back then!]. Anyway to check this out by the way ?

What kind of speakers does it have in it?

 

[kleinenenten]

Got a Proton today. Pretty fantastic filter. Can't decide if I like it or my MXR BEF more. Was hoping it would be a blow out, but they both have some great features. The BEF is more of an "a" sound and the Proton is more "o" if that makes sense.

One thing I did notice, however, is that it doesn't like guitars as much. Sounds great with every one of my basses and the dirt on my bass boards. Very picky and drops volume like crazy on my guitar stuff. Maybe it's the specific gear I use, but I did not expect that. Regardless, it was bought for bass, and I love my FX25B for guitar, so I'm still set.

Anyway, just rambling. Might make another bass board out of "left over" pedals and put the BEF on it. See what else I can do.

And for those of you in this crazy ice storm, stay safe!

 

[mpdd]

gonna go to the LA arboretum to see about doing a project there in the spring, then on to bakersfield to get the stone slabs/chips to cover the new steer skull, been so tired i'm just jamming along to some songs we used to play covers of, lacking the focus to try to write anything at this time

 

[Kaa]

I played my bass today for a little while. Just thought you should know.

 

[rxdiablo]

Hello everybody !

Longtime stalking this thread, first time posting and it is to use your knowledge and advice.

I am the owner of a nice Ampeg SVT CL x Matamp 610 stack. I really do love the sound I get from it. Only problem : despite being very careful with the amp, I play it quite a lot and it has gone to the tech 2 times in two years. Each time involving a poweramp tube change. The CL is once again giving me trouble lately, again.

These regular visits to the tech are really annoying me know (and my wallet). So I have been thinking about keeping it for the "BIG"gigs and recordings sessions, and buy another less powerful/high-end but more reliable amp for the rehearsal and "small"gigs.

What are your suggestions ?

(Tubes aren't mandatory as long as the tone is right and I need an amp that can be powerful enough for competing with my butcher drummer and my deaf-guitarist)

Thanks a bunch !

For under 500 I'm a big fan of the Sunn Beta Bass, if you're into a mid-heavy sound, or a Coliseum 300 if you want to aurally demolish a loud band with low end. But I'm a bit a Sunn worshipper.

For tubes in the 500 range, a Traynor YBA200 may fit the bill? Or a Peavey VB-2? Finding either for $500 may take some looking, but should be doable. Other lower priced tube heads I've had wouldn't keep up with a very loud band- though in my garage rock band I usually use a lower powered Sunn tube head (200S or a Sonaro.)

 

[Jolagh]

Concerning the cab, yeah I am running it on 4 Ohm and it supposed to be a 4 Ohm [or at least is what the dude selling me the cab told me back then!]. Anyway to check this out by the way ?

Take out your ohm meter, remove the input plate and then one lead to one wire of the inout and one lead to the other to see what ohm youre reading. I would do this before i bought anything new. If its weird resistance it could be throwing tubes.

Edit: and also make sure they check the tube bias. If all theyve been doing is slapping in new tubes it could be way off and blowing tubes as well. I dont know your tech, it should be standard procedure before installing new tubes regardless.

 

[Korladis]

Take out your ohm meter, remove the input plate and then one lead to one wire of the inout and one lead to the other to see what ohm youre reading. I would do this before i bought anything new. If its weird resistance it could be throwing tubes.

Edit: and also make sure they check the tube bias. If all theyve been doing is slapping in new tubes it could be way off and blowing tubes as well. I dont know your tech, it should be standard procedure before installing new tubes regardless.

You actually don't even need to remove the input plate. Put in a speaker cable, and measure from the tip and sleeve.

 

[Jolagh]

You actually don't even need to remove the input plate. Put in a speaker cable, and measure from the tip and sleeve.

Hadnt thought of that. I would do this instead.

 

[CassiusRegular]

What kind of tubes are you using?

I am using Tung-Sol's KT 120

What kind of speakers does it have in it?

I will have to check this out next rehearsal !

For under 500 I'm a big fan of the Sunn Beta Bass, if you're into a mid-heavy sound, or a Coliseum 300 if you want to aurally demolish a loud band with low end. But I'm a bit a Sunn worshipper.

For tubes in the 500 range, a Traynor YBA200 may fit the bill? Or a Peavey VB-2? Finding either for $500 may take some looking, but should be doable. Other lower priced tube heads I've had wouldn't keep up with a very loud band- though in my garage rock band I usually use a lower powered Sunn tube head (200S or a Sonaro.)

Funny you talk about the Coliseum 300, I'm currently talking with a potential seller of that model. Didn't know well the head but what I heard sounded nice. However, 300wtt on 2 ohm...I am fearing that I won't have much volume on tap.

The YBA200 got a good little reputation here in Europe (warm, powerful, light), but is qui hard to find here in Europe...

Take out your ohm meter, remove the input plate and then one lead to one wire of the inout and one lead to the other to see what ohm youre reading. I would do this before i bought anything new. If its weird resistance it could be throwing tubes.
You actually don't even need to remove the input plate. Put in a speaker cable, and measure from the tip and sleeve.

Edit: and also make sure they check the tube bias. If all they've been doing is slapping in new tubes it could be way off and blowing tubes as well. I dont know your tech, it should be standard procedure before installing new tubes regardless.

Thanks, will do !

Here is a little recap how what happened latelly for the amp by the way, maybe some of you have already go threw this issue and might know what the problem is !

The SVT came from the tech 4 months ago with brand new tubes, BIAS just find, etc. Two month later we spend a full week making recordings for our album and the amp worked like a charm.
Next thing, first rehearsal after the recording : the amp light up but no sound going out from it. The light indicator on the front panel goes from green to red. Having a look at the bias (in the back of the head) I can see that the bias-light #2 is all good (green, not too sensitive when tweaking a bit the screw). Meanwhile, the bias-light #1 was green but very weak (almost not turning on), but a minimal tweaking of the screw would turn it full red...

I have not idea what this can mean, but I didn't even bother calling the tech as this third visit to workshop in 20 months really get me down...

 

[Korladis]

I am using Tung-Sol's KT 120



I will have to check this out next rehearsal !



Funny you talk about the Coliseum 300, I'm currently talking with a potential seller of that model. Didn't know well the head but what I heard sounded nice. However, 300wtt on 2 ohm...I am fearing that I won't have much volume on tap.

The YBA200 got a good little reputation here in Europe (warm, powerful, light), but is qui hard to find here in Europe...



Thanks, will do !

Here is a little recap how what happened latelly for the amp by the way, maybe some of you have already go threw this issue and might know what the problem is !

The SVT came from the tech 4 months ago with brand new tubes, BIAS just find, etc. Two month later we spend a full week making recordings for our album and the amp worked like a charm.
Next thing, first rehearsal after the recording : the amp light up but no sound going out from it. The light indicator on the front panel goes from green to red. Having a look at the bias (in the back of the head) I can see that the bias-light #2 is all good (green, not too sensitive when tweaking a bit the screw). Meanwhile, the bias-light #1 was green but very weak (almost not turning on), but a minimal tweaking of the screw would turn it full red...

I have not idea what this can mean, but I didn't even bother calling the tech as this third visit to workshop in 20 months really get me down...

I've heard that KT-120s aren't that reliable.

 

[Korladis]

I noticed something strange about my playing. I play with both fingers and a pick, but even when picking, I never palm mute on bass. I mean, I can... it's just that I've never at any point in my career chosen to do so.

 

[CassiusRegular]

I've heard that KT-120s aren't that reliable.

You remember why for exactly ? Both my previous and current tech really like them, I hope it is not because they expect me to come by the shop more often...haha

 

[CL400Peavey]

You remember why for exactly ? Both my previous and current tech really like them, I hope it is not because they expect me to come by the shop more often...haha

They just are not as robust as 6550's or KT88's from what I understand. Lots of voltage equals lots of heat, which is the enemy of electronic components.

 

[Korladis]

They just are not as robust as 6550's or KT88's from what I understand. Lots of voltage equals lots of heat, which is the enemy of electronic components.

Yeah, this.

I just use Sovteks because they're relatively cheap, and I know that I'm probably going to be running them into the ground. So far they've been pretty reliable.

 

[CassiusRegular]

Maybe simply changing the tube brand would make the head more reliable so.
Damn...and the Tung Sol are super expensive too, which with the recommendation of the tech made me think that would the mark of some "high level craftsmanship" you know...
What tubes brand/model would you recommend so, gentlemen ?

 

[Korladis]

Maybe simply changing the tube brand would make the head more reliable so.
Damn...and the Tung Sol are super expensive too, which with the recommendation of the tech made me think that would the mark of some "high level craftsmanship" you know...
What tubes brand/model would you recommend so, gentlemen ?

KT-120s are new and very high voltage. That can mean more power, but it also means they're going to be more prone to any irregularities in manufacture becoming problems, sooner.

I use Sovteks, personally.