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The ideal Bass amp.

cnltb

cnltb

May 28, 2005
18,748
5,900
#1
A simple question I hope.
And...NO I am not a manufacturer :).
And.YES, I did forget the "L" in ideal and do not know how to correct that :-).
Sorry!
here goes...

What would constitute your ideal and perfect bass amp.
Would it be tube or solid state or hybrid.
How much gain would you like ?(in case you want to use the pre amp to run another power amp or recording gear)
EQ? if yes, what kind and how big and what frequency bands.
DI out? If yes, pre or post eq or both, transformer isolated? If yes, what kind?
Effect loop?
Various input imedance settings foruse with piezo as well as magnetic pickups?
What ins and outs would it have?
What wattage, ohmage, weight, size would your ideal bass amp have?
What would it look like?
Be as detailed as you wish to and can be.
 
#4
Everyone has different tone goals and needs, so pretty hard to answer the question.

The only general statement I guess I could make is that there is very little need for an amp to be over 10 pounds these days IF you don't need an all tube power section for your tone.

400-500 watts at 8ohms would allow a head to be used with virtually any cab, so that would be a nice overall spec (i.e., the ability to power a large 8ohm cab to its full volume).

Hybrid is a complicated topic. I have no use for most of the 'throw a 12ax7 in a pre and call it 'tubey'. So, I say either do it (like Mesa or the new Genz Streamliner), or just stay all solid state.

EQ... hard to not like two bands of semi-parametric mids, which allows you to simultaneously bump up the low mids (which some cabs need) and or smoother the upper mids (which some playing styles require).

IMO, the closest amp (for a clean, articulate tone goal) I've experienced to 'perfect' is the Markbass F500, regarding size, weight, features, and tone. A bit more power at 8ohms, and that would be that!:bassist:
 
#6
Im all aout options. i HATE being limited by anything. so for me off the top of my head a few things i really like/need are

lite weight
ability to go to 2ohm (if needed)
graphic, shelving and parametric Eq'ing
Compressor & maybe noise gate
a DI that allows pre & post Graphic EQ.
Hybrid (tube/solid state)
rackmountable
over 500watts at 4ohm (more at 2) it would be nice to have two mono block amps built in that are control independent of each other. (could use one as a monitor for the drummer if need be at a low or higher volume.)
 
#7
Hmmm....

-All tube for certain.
-Hand soldered, no printed circuit boards, high quality components.
-350 to 450 clean RMS watts
-5 band EQ if possible
-Hiwatt CP103 type pre-amp circuit with four channels that can be linked (except with 5-band EQ instead of 2-band) like the amps used by John Entwistle and Pete Townshend.
-Optional slave input jack
-Either no effects loop at all or maybe a good buffered parallel effects loop after the phase inverter
-Tuner out
-It better be heavy as hell with transformers big enough to push the all tube power section
-Taps for 2Ω, 4Ω, & 8Ω
-Speakon outputs
-Fuse indicator lamps on front and back
-Chrome plated steel head box
-Fans on both ends
-Foot switchable pre-amp gain cut/boost.
 
#11
arkainzeye said:
Im all aout options. i HATE being limited by anything. so for me off the top of my head a few things i really like/need are

lite weight
ability to go to 2ohm (if needed)
graphic, shelving and parametric Eq'ing
Compressor & maybe noise gate
a DI that allows pre & post Graphic EQ.
Hybrid (tube/solid state)
rackmountable
over 500watts at 4ohm (more at 2) it would be nice to have two mono block amps built in that are control independent of each other. (could use one as a monitor for the drummer if need be at a low or higher volume.)
Click to expand...

For me it would be this..........
 
#13
The amp that always works in any situation, and doesn't have the same settings as the Star Ship Enterprise to run it. SWR SM400s has been loyal to me every since I owned it. 250 watts per side, 500 watts bridges, cooling fan, tube preamp, XLR outs, the best amp I have ever owned. I also like the GK 400RB from the 1980's.
 
#15
A clip light that means clip.
400 - 500 Watts into 4 Ohm.
Shelving low, shelving high and two or three parametric for eq
Switchable pre eq or post eq DI send
RELIABLE!!!!!
Rack mounted.
Less than 20 pounds even after being in a rack bag.
Manual switch for fan
Low noise preamp
Able to be repaired

I think this product might exist.
 
#16
I feel the same about most of what has been posted. I am a tube guy who also has solid state amps. I really prefer tubes.

I require lots of head room. Not sure on actual Db's, but it needs to good and loud at 5 on the volume. Basically 200-400W tube, and 600-1000W solid state.
I like the ability to go 2-4-8 ohm.
I usually do not care for built in compressors, but my mind is changing on that now.
At least a 10 band graphic EQ with notch filtering and boost switches, but also with separate additional high & low parametic controls.
A tuner in with tuner mode switch.
Padded input ability and balanced XLR & 1\4" direct out, both pre & post.
Effects loop is nice, but not much use for me right now.
Dual channel preamp with seperate gain controls on both channels for blending some overdrive in.

Oh yeah, my Fender Bassman 300 Pro has all of this. :D
 
#17
Pedal Form Factor (input on the right, knobs on the top, outputs and power cord connection on the left)
Switch Selectable 4ohm, 8ohm output.
4 band EQ [low, Lmid, Hmid, high]
Direct out, pre-post switch, ground lift switch.
Able to run as a DI without a speaker load attached (solid state)
1/8" line in, 1/4" line out (phones) with output mute selector switch (so the amp doesn't have to be muted when phones are plugged in) Can also use as a mixer send.
Master mute footswitch with LED indicator.
Available in 200W or 500W versions.
Under 2lbs.

Code: 
            |-------------------------|
Power In  =>|  o   o   o   o   EQ     |
            |  L  LMD HMD  H [PRE/PST]|<= 1/8 AUX IN
   DI out <=|-------------------------|
            |  o       o       o      |
Speakon/    | VOL    GAIN     PWR     |<= Input
 1/4" out <=|                         |
            |                         |
4/8ohm sw =>|                         |
            |                         |
1/4 phones<=|              oLED       |
            |            O            |
out muteSW=>|          MUTE           |
            |-------------------------|

(Ground Lift Switch near DI out)

I'm sure I'm missing something useful, but put this in your pedalboard and carry a cab with you!

Kind of like the 22 caliber/ 44 magnum but with more features.
 
#18
thatonedude02 said:
Pedal Form Factor (input on the right, knobs on the top, outputs and power cord connection on the left)
Switch Selectable 4ohm, 8ohm output.
4 band EQ [low, Lmid, Hmid, high]
Direct out, pre-post switch, ground lift switch.
Able to run as a DI without a speaker load attached (solid state)
1/8" line in, 1/4" line out (phones) with output mute selector switch (so the amp doesn't have to be muted when phones are plugged in) Can also use as a mixer send.
Master mute footswitch with LED indicator.
Available in 200W or 500W versions.
Under 2lbs.

Code: 
            |-------------------------|
Power In  =>|  o   o   o   o   EQ     |
            |  L  LMD HMD  H [PRE/PST]|<= 1/8 AUX IN
   DI out <=|-------------------------|
            |  o       o       o      |
Speakon/    | VOL    GAIN     PWR     |<= Input
 1/4" out <=|                         |
            |                         |
4/8ohm sw =>|                         |
            |                         |
1/4 phones<=|              oLED       |
            |            O            |
out muteSW=>|          MUTE           |
            |-------------------------|

(Ground Lift Switch near DI out)

I'm sure I'm missing something useful, but put this in your pedalboard and carry a cab with you!

Kind of like the 22 caliber/ 44 magnum but with more features.
Click to expand...

Cool idea - has anyone done a floor unit bass amp before?
 
#19
I built it in my preamp. All tube (six stages) being fed high voltage with plenty of useable grind on tap, straight forward EQ voiced for rock with dual inductor driven midranges, Jensen DI with ground lift and pre/post switches, pre-EQ out with volume control, high-quality parts and construction. Pair it with whatever poweramp fits the bill.
 
#20
KJung said:
...The only general statement I guess I could make is that there is very little need for an amp to be over 10 pounds these days IF you don't need an all tube power section for your tone...
Click to expand...

Only if this is a big priority for you as a user. Honestly, the micro form factor has no appeal to me at all, but I do agree that it can be a big plus for some users. So far, the Walkabout is the only "micro" amp I really like. My personal preferences are much more in line with what Ampeg, Mesa, Hartke and the full size Gk's are doing.
 

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