Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[El_Charro]

Yeah a weird stereotype for sure all that considered lol

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Lol-Don’t forget about that time Norte Dame played Alabama for the National Championship a few years back…

I’m not much of a football (or sports fan at all anymore), but couldn’t resist making a dumb joke…;-)

Thanks! \m/

 

[El_Charro]

Hi Everybody,

Thanks everyone for weighing in…

I figured it was easier to respond to the group than individual posts, but thank you everyone for the information…

Good to know tube amps can work (or they sound more durable in actuality than from some stuff I’ve read)…

Still leaning towards an SS amp as I think the lighter weight is appealing to me and I don’t necessarily think I “need” a tube amp sound especially since I plan on eventually using a $hit ton of distortion…

Curious now if I will lean more towards the Ampeg 800 I was referring to above vs the 1000W hybrid I had been eyeing…

I learned a lot from the posts above, but good to know that the amp I was originally looking at wasn’t a pure SS bc I was under the impression that it was…

I now want like 3 amp heads so I’m gonna have to sort that out…

Thanks! \m/

 

[Flamingo21]

Obligatory rig pic: [other peavey not in the pic, but identical]

I like what you've done with the Rigs of Doom banner.

And I strained to read what's on the Quilter. Loud amps save lives?

 

[Novarocker]

I'm nowhere close to an expert, but I've never heard of steady state, maybe it's a nickname for solid state? Or like what @ConfoundedBridg I think said, possibly a state the amp can attain.

I've had tube amps be real reliable, even when pushing them so hard and gigging regularly. I've heard the issues too, though. I think it's the cost of maintenance when it does occur that'll be a factor. Kinda like comparing a BMW to a Toyota. Both reliable, Toyota may be slightly more so, but repairs for the BMW will likely be more expensive. This is just speaking in stereotypes, no specific preference personally.

I totally agree with @br1qbat and a lot of the others, there's great amps of every technology type. Weight for sure can be a factor, though Mesa and Traynor both have 200+ watt tube amps that weigh in at or less than a lot of AB "lead sleds." I think in the 40-50lbs range.

If you're open to the price point you mentioned, check out the Mesa TT 800. Supposedly very tube like more vintage voiced on one channel with power amp distortion emulation (on both channels), and a very clean more modern voiced 2nd channel. Mesa is reliable, but more than anything, seems to go out of their way to service their customers.

There's a lot of great amps within that cost range too. Most already mentioned. Ashdown ABM Evo series would be another I'd toss in the ring. 500w would likely be plenty, unless you want immense clean headroom. Sounds like you're in the right direction as a whole though.

 

[Novarocker]

Oh and as far as reliability and repair costs of hybrid amps, don't worry. Preamp tubes get little abuse, you can find good replacements for $15 - 25, and replacing them yourself is easy as a changing a lightbulb.

If it says anything, I bought my Ashdown used 8 years ago and it's still using the factory tube.

 

[scabpicker]

If it says anything, I bought my Ashdown used 8 years ago and it's still using the factory tube.

Heh, I bought my Silvertone 1484 sometime around 1990, it's pots are dated 1965. It still has the Silvertone branded RCA preamp and power tubes. So I assume they're around 56 years old, and know they're at least 30. Tube amps can be very reliable, and even power amp tubes can last for decades.

 

[Novarocker]

Heh, I bought my Silvertone 1484 sometime around 1990, it's pots are dated 1965. It still has the Silvertone branded RCA preamp and power tubes. So I assume they're around 56 years old, and know they're at least 30. Tube amps can be very reliable, and even power amp tubes can last for decades.

For sure, I think a lot has to do with the design of the amp and tubes.

 

[scabpicker]

For sure, I think a lot has to do with the design of the amp and tubes.

True, that amp doesn't push the tubes too hard, partly because it has 60W or so of power tubes and only 35-45W of transformers to drive them. It was originally sold as a bass amp, but I don't think I've ever plugged a bass into it. Makes a great guitar amp, though.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Saw King Buffalo last night in Denver. First show I've seen in about 18 months. Pretty solid start to the tour. Dan was also playing a Tribe bass (humbucker at the bridge and split/P at the neck). Had never heard of the brand, but it looked like an aerodyne with a humbucker. Anyway, they sounded good - and I can't imagine how weird it is for them these first few shows after all that time off.

 

[Flamingo21]

I'm convinced a Steady State amp only means someone misremembered the term Solid State.

 

[bassboysam]

 

[rutrho]

I'm a big fan of SS amps for bass.... i have a small sample size, but I generally like em vs trying to lug around something even heavier... The cabs are already bad enough, lol.

I have tube guitar amp that I adore though, but i just play at living room volumes really.

 

[themarshall]

I’m not gonna lie, toobz are cool and so is a big ol’ ss rig, but I use my little gk mb112 combo whenever I can. I’ll turn in my doom card and fuzz pedal first thing Monday morning.



wait…
Wait.
No, no, I will not. If’n I ever play another rock gig, I’m bringing the big rig aka “the spleen launcher”. My fury will be great, my vengeance - terrible.

 

[Novarocker]

For random and small gigs, practice, and classic jams with family, the small rigs are great. So nice not to have to haul the weight.

There is something special about cranking the Iron and pushing that kinda air through big cabs with tubes.

I'm genuinely curious how the latest Mesa stuff feels at that volume. Would be nice to have a great alternative and light, but just as good backup.

 

[br1qbat]

Looking forward to launching obscene volume in the new practice space. Signing the lease tomorrow.

Regardless of the technology bringing the watts to the speakers, there is no substitute for the joy a stupid number of speakers can bring you.

 

[Kaa]

You filthy hippies need to get some IEMs to DI to the FOH. There. I said it.

 

[220_Hz]

Looking forward to launching obscene volume in the new practice space. Signing the lease tomorrow.

Regardless of the technology bringing the watts to the speakers, there is no substitute for the joy a stupid number of speakers can bring you.

Watts + speakers = good time in most every case

 

[br1qbat]

You filthy hippies need to get some IEMs to DI to the FOH. There. I said it.

Sorry, did you say something old man? I can't hear you over the glorious soundwaves cascading from my ridiculously overpowered and oversized rig.

 

[scabpicker]

You filthy hippies need to get some IEMs to DI to the FOH. There. I said it.

(Brushes his skullet back over his shoulder while rolling a joint)

In-ear? If that 2x15 gets any closer to my ears, I'm gonna go deaf.

 

[lucas303]

You filthy hippies need to get some IEMs to DI to the FOH. There. I said it.

And with these words a great chasm split the Stoner/Doom thread in two, and there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.