Thunderbird Club

[theFixer]

Amps and what they do, and what impresses us about them is all such subjective stuff. Go with what makes you feel at home.

 

[GonePlaid]

It doesn't matter if an audience can differentiate between tube and solid state. In fact... it has nothing to do with the audience at all. It has everything to do with each of us as players. When the luxury is available... it's nice to be able to shop with our ears alone. Over here in the real world, we have to listen with our wallets as well. Either way... when shopping for an amp... ya typically like to find one that sounds pleasing to your ears... right? Well... if there were a variety of tube AND solid state amps available in my price range... I'd try both, but knowing myself as I do... I'm confident I'd be coming home with a box of tubes. Not because tubes are "better"... but because I generally prefer the tone and character of a tube amp. I don't give a damn if people know it's a tube amp... I just want it to sound like one! Odds are pretty good that, if it sounds good to you, it'll sound good to them. All that being said... there are a lot of really great solid state amps out there! Do they sound like tube amps? No. Does that mean they're not good amps? No. It only means they don't sound like tube amps. Hell... IMO... there's no better time to not be able to afford a good tube amp, than right now

If all things were equal I know what I think I'd like. I loved the sound of my first Real amp-as I remember it. And I could get one for about $2.5K. And, because my hearing ain't what it used to be, I'd probly be disappointed and wanna go "tinkering", thus devaluing the amp. (pic of one like my first amp) Edit: I've mentioned going to "Chicago" concerts. I like to see what amps the band(s)is using. Answer? none-all wireless direct

 

[theFixer]

If all things were equal I know what I think I'd like. I loved the sound of my first Real amp-as I remember it. And I could get one for about $2.5K. And, because my hearing ain't what it used to be, I'd probly be disappointed and wanna go "tinkering", thus devaluing the amp. View attachment 3099343 (pic of one like my first amp)

Ya wanna tinker? You can buy stacks of old Peavys on CraigsList for the change you dig out from under your driver's seat. Buy the Vintage Fender & leave it the hell alone!!!

 

[GonePlaid]

Ya wanna tinker? You can buy stacks of old Peavys on CraigsList for the change you dig out from under your driver's seat. Buy the Vintage Fender & leave it the hell alone!!!

I had 2 of the "blonde" ones. Sold them in 85(?). Bought a black one a few years ago. Didn't like it-didn't know at that time about the different circuitry. IF I got another blonde w/ the 6GB6 innards, damn right I'd leave it the hell alone!

 

[Nocturnal]

Well, I can certainly see your point. This amp has got to be a small club sound man’s nightmare. However, I tried to clarify his position by asking him, “What, the Hartke was louder? Better tone? What?”

And his response was, and I quote, “Yeah, all that. It was the loudest bass amp I’ve ever heard. That little 4x10 would kill that big amp of yours.”

My drummer, who is a pro sound engineer and all around musician caught him not looking and shook his head while mouthing B U L L S H IT

I understand personal preference and taste, but this cat was major hard to read.


My main question is, what amp do YOU play, and why?

I don’t wanna really open the can of tube vs SS. Even tho I hinted upon it, I want real answers without the devolution into GP stuff.

Never been a Hartke fan. Just not my sound. The newer Hydrive cabs (I think that's the name) sounded much better than the all aluminum TO MY EARS. I have known people that love the all aluminum speakers and I have no problem with that. But I don't think Hartke makes ANY amp that will be louder than an SVT Classic. Even if you don't like SVT's, and some people don't, it's hard to argue with the sheer force that comes from a large, loud tube amp. i have an SVT 3Pro, an old MTI era SVT, and a Genz Benz STM900 Streamliner. The Genz is louder than Hell, but the SVT FEELS much more powerful. I like all three for different reasons. When I start playing out again I will more than likely use my 3Pro becasue I really like the sound and it isn't overpowering with volume. The Genz would be my second choice because its light and would fit on smaller stages.

I guess this is the long way of saying that a sound man isn't going to tell me what gear to play just because it makes his job easier. Make yourself happy with your sound. If the SVT isn't right for you I'm sure you would be able to trade/sell it for something that fits better.

 

[GonePlaid]

Never been a Hartke fan. Just not my sound. The newer Hydrive cabs (I think that's the name) sounded much better than the all aluminum TO MY EARS. I have known people that love the all aluminum speakers and I have no problem with that. But I don't think Hartke makes ANY amp that will be louder than an SVT Classic. Even if you don't like SVT's, and some people don't, it's hard to argue with the sheer force that comes from a large, loud tube amp. i have an SVT 3Pro, an old MTI era SVT, and a Genz Benz STM900 Streamliner. The Genz is louder than Hell, but the SVT FEELS much more powerful. I like all three for different reasons. When I start playing out again I will more than likely use my 3Pro becasue I really like the sound and it isn't overpowering with volume. The Genz would be my second choice because its light and would fit on smaller stages.

I guess this is the long way of saying that a sound man isn't going to tell me what gear to play just because it makes his job easier. Make yourself happy with your sound. If the SVT isn't right for you I'm sure you would be able to trade/sell it for something that fits better.

I had an opportunity to play my NR through another guy's 70s SVT w/ 2 810 bottoms in a place where it could be loud. I could feel the air moving my bell-bottom pants legs. I think that experience made me wanna get one. I guess it was my first case of GAS.

 

[Gaolee]

So, I’ve gotta ask everyone a question. You guys are all very cordial, but also honest and subjective. Since I started playing bass in 1998, I have always played solid state and hybrid style amps. I’ve been pretty happy with the tone that I’ve gotten over the years, but I’d always wanted a true SVT rig. About a year ago I picked up an SVT 810AV cab and an SVT-4PRO head. It’s sounded really good, and super loud. A lot warmer than the rig I had before. But, an opportunity cake up, and I traded the 4PRO for a nearly brand new SVT CL. I’m sure you’ve all seen my bragging post.

My question is, what amp does everyone play? And why? Do you prefer tube or SS or Hybrid? Why?

I literally brought the Classic home Friday night and gigged it Saturday night. I didn’t have much time to fool with it. All of the overtones and harmonics kinda screwed with me during the show. It sounded soooo much different than anything else I’ve ever played, including the 4PRO. SUPER DUPER loud. During the first set I tweaked a little bit, and just as soon as I got it singing, the front of house guy was like “Dude, I’m chasing your gain all over the place, and you’re freaking ROMPING!!” I tried to apologize, saying that I literally just got the amp. He said, “Well, if you keep going up and down, I’m just gonna take you out of the mix.”

Then came the kicker. He says, “You gotta get a new cab or amp or something. I had a guy here last weekend with a Hartke 4x10 that sounded sooo good, and would totally kill your amp.” At first, I didn’t understand. Like he literally said I was too loud, then he said a Hartke rig would kill my SVT. I shook hands and chummed up with the between set groupies(guys and girls, I’m not being egotistical. Y’all gigging musicians know what’s up), and when I went back on stage, I took the gain up from 1.5 to 2.5. I had the master volume maxed out per what I’ve read some users do to emulate old SVT’s. It was absolutely KILLING loud. Major air moving. I tried to come back down a bit, but the amp lost all that singing responsiveness. It’s like there was no in between. Either I turned up just a smidge and it was so alive, or down a you’ve and lost all its balls.

I’d really like to hear what the club has to say about this issue. I’ve had tube guitar amps for years, but never a full blown tube bass rig.

Flame on. View attachment 3099167

I like five watt tube amps for guitar. It distorts, it compresses, and you can make it do all kinds of things that are lots of fun to do. For bass, it's solid state all the way. Granted, there's solid state, and then there's solid state. I'm willing to do the heavy lifts every so often when it calls for it and play through an Acoustic 360. It makes an Ampeg sound like it has a stuffy nose. The sound that comes out of an Acoustic 360 is a big, juicy, purple mango, and the sound that comes out of an Ampeg is dried out and crinkly medium brown, like a pile of dead leaves by comparison. Either one will make your ears bleed, but I like the lack of wheeziness, lack of distortion, and roundness that comes out of an Acoustic stack. Plus, you don't have to blow down the back wall to rumble innards and sound good.

Kinda long, but you get the idea:

 

[Engle]

So, I’ve gotta ask everyone a question. You guys are all very cordial, but also honest and subjective. Since I started playing bass in 1998, I have always played solid state and hybrid style amps. I’ve been pretty happy with the tone that I’ve gotten over the years, but I’d always wanted a true SVT rig. About a year ago I picked up an SVT 810AV cab and an SVT-4PRO head. It’s sounded really good, and super loud. A lot warmer than the rig I had before. But, an opportunity cake up, and I traded the 4PRO for a nearly brand new SVT CL. I’m sure you’ve all seen my bragging post.

My question is, what amp does everyone play? And why? Do you prefer tube or SS or Hybrid? Why?

I’d really like to hear what the club has to say about this issue. I’ve had tube guitar amps for years, but never a full blown tube bass rig.

Flame on. View attachment 3099167

I run a PF-50T or a PF-350 through a couple of 210AVs - depends on the gig.

They both sound good to me. The tubes are a little nicer, especially if I’m digging in and overdriving the preamp, but the 350 fits in my bag, so it’s one less trip.

The 350 is also less prone to feedback with my upright.

 

[Christine]

I'm afraid my lack of knowledge of amps is outstanding, actually it's an area in which I totally excel

I have a Fender Rumble 200 combo, it's loud enough for small to medium rooms and small enough for tiny stages or corners, best of all it is super lightweight. It isn't big enough for a large room with the noisy crowds we play to. My amp from my youth was a Marshall superbass, 100watts and maybe it's just me but it seemed to be a lot louder than the Rumble from memory?

 

[dukeorock]

@dukeorock also has a Cataldo.
Not to mention @godofthunder59.

Yep, Cataldo basses are the real deal!

 

[Christine]

View attachment 3099226

I haven't seen the black one before, I almost have it's twin

I copied this one, actually another picture of it but this bass

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

So, I’ve gotta ask everyone a question. You guys are all very cordial, but also honest and subjective. Since I started playing bass in 1998, I have always played solid state and hybrid style amps. I’ve been pretty happy with the tone that I’ve gotten over the years, but I’d always wanted a true SVT rig. About a year ago I picked up an SVT 810AV cab and an SVT-4PRO head. It’s sounded really good, and super loud. A lot warmer than the rig I had before. But, an opportunity cake up, and I traded the 4PRO for a nearly brand new SVT CL. I’m sure you’ve all seen my bragging post.

My question is, what amp does everyone play? And why? Do you prefer tube or SS or Hybrid? Why?

I literally brought the Classic home Friday night and gigged it Saturday night. I didn’t have much time to fool with it. All of the overtones and harmonics kinda screwed with me during the show. It sounded soooo much different than anything else I’ve ever played, including the 4PRO. SUPER DUPER loud. During the first set I tweaked a little bit, and just as soon as I got it singing, the front of house guy was like “Dude, I’m chasing your gain all over the place, and you’re freaking ROMPING!!” I tried to apologize, saying that I literally just got the amp. He said, “Well, if you keep going up and down, I’m just gonna take you out of the mix.”

Then came the kicker. He says, “You gotta get a new cab or amp or something. I had a guy here last weekend with a Hartke 4x10 that sounded sooo good, and would totally kill your amp.” At first, I didn’t understand. Like he literally said I was too loud, then he said a Hartke rig would kill my SVT. I shook hands and chummed up with the between set groupies(guys and girls, I’m not being egotistical. Y’all gigging musicians know what’s up), and when I went back on stage, I took the gain up from 1.5 to 2.5. I had the master volume maxed out per what I’ve read some users do to emulate old SVT’s. It was absolutely KILLING loud. Major air moving. I tried to come back down a bit, but the amp lost all that singing responsiveness. It’s like there was no in between. Either I turned up just a smidge and it was so alive, or down a you’ve and lost all its balls.

I’d really like to hear what the club has to say about this issue. I’ve had tube guitar amps for years, but never a full blown tube bass rig.

Flame on. View attachment 3099167

Did you get the CL brand new? Something doesn't sound right..
The EQ settings would have to be drastic to shelve signal content to the point that a small increment or decrement in volume would alter it's tonal character in such a pronounced way..

 

[Kriegs]

If all things were equal I know what I think I'd like. I loved the sound of my first Real amp-as I remember it. And I could get one for about $2.5K. And, because my hearing ain't what it used to be, I'd probly be disappointed and wanna go "tinkering", thus devaluing the amp. View attachment 3099343 (pic of one like my first amp) Edit: I've mentioned going to "Chicago" concerts. I like to see what amps the band(s)is using. Answer? none-all wireless direct

This has been at my local GC for a couple of months only because they won't sell me just the head w/o the cabinet. If I'm going to lose a GAS item to someone, it should be a TBer

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It's a lot less than 2.5k! I've played it and can tell you that it sounds sweet with both bass and guitar!

 

[Unclejackrock]

Did you get the CL brand new? Something doesn't sound right..
The EQ settings would have to be drastic to shelve signal content to the point that a small increment or decrement in volume would alter it's tonal character in such a pronounced way..

I did not buy it brand new, but it’s 6 months old, same as brand new. I’ve read that a lot of people run them with the master volume dimed, and control volume with the gain. I ran it that way at the show Saturday. With that method, the gain control is super sensitive. Even turning the gain a millimeter has a drastic effect on tone and volume. It seems that there is a fine line between pushing the preamp tubes enough to make it sing, and not. When it was cooking, it was glorious!!

 

[PillO]

View attachment 3099342

You look younger than I thought...

 

[Count Bassie]

I did not buy it brand new, but it’s 6 months old, same as brand new. I’ve read that a lot of people run them with the master volume dimed, and control volume with the gain. I ran it that way at the show Saturday. With that method, the gain control is super sensitive. Even turning the gain a millimeter has a drastic effect on tone and volume. It seems that there is a fine line between pushing the preamp tubes enough to make it sing, and not. When it was cooking, it was glorious!!

At Plan 9s reunion/RI Hall of Fame show they had an SVT and 2x 810s as backline. Whoah. Playing through an amp like that is like riding a large animal... you have to own it, be in charge, or you can get disoriented with all that headswimming volume of harmonic potency.

 

[PillO]

If all things were equal I know what I think I'd like. I loved the sound of my first Real amp-as I remember it. And I could get one for about $2.5K. And, because my hearing ain't what it used to be, I'd probly be disappointed and wanna go "tinkering", thus devaluing the amp. View attachment 3099343 (pic of one like my first amp) Edit: I've mentioned going to "Chicago" concerts. I like to see what amps the band(s)is using. Answer? none-all wireless direct

I have noticed this too (at the big shows). The only guys with amps on stage are the ones with an endorsement. And when you look carefully, there are no heads, they are empty cabinets, and/or they are always on standby. Whereas in my misspent youth, I liked seeing a wall of Marshalls on the stage, I now like the clean stage. But more important, because all the sound is coming through front of house rather than from the stage, the sound at concerts is so much better.

 

[PillO]

This has been at my local GC for a couple of months only because they won't sell me just the head w/o the cabinet. If I'm going to lose a GAS item to someone, it should be a TBer

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

It's a lot less than 2.5k! I've played it and can tell you that it sounds sweet with both bass and guitar!

Not to state the obvious... Buy from GC, then sell the cabinet?

 

[Larry V]

I have noticed this too (at the big shows). The only guys with amps on stage are the ones with an endorsement. And when you look carefully, there are no heads, they are empty cabinets, and/or they are always on standby. Whereas in my misspent youth, I liked seeing a wall of Marshalls on the stage, I now like the clean stage. But more important, because all the sound is coming through front of house rather than from the stage, the sound at concerts is so much better.

Empty Marshall cabinets for the visual have been a thing for a long while. A lot easier to move around and stack.

 

[Unclejackrock]

At Plan 9s reunion/RI Hall of Fame show they had an SVT and 2x 810s as backline. Whoah. Playing through an amp like that is like riding a large animal... you have to own it, be in charge, or you can get disoriented with all that headswimming volume of harmonic potency.

Absolutely true. With the solid state stuff I’ve had (and they’ve sounded great), it seems that the fundamental is what and all I hear. Very predictable. The SVT CL had sooooo much more going on in the tone. The harmonics and overtones, and that tube grind would overwhelm me at times. Of course I’d owned the amp for exactly 24 hours when I gigged it, and I’d had about 30 minutes of experience with it at that point. Since Saturday I’ve fooled with it some more. I’ve found that it doesn’t need much bass EQ, maybe 1:00. I like position 3 and 5 on the frequency selector and running the mid EQ pretty high at 3:00. Treble about 2:00-3:00. Now I’m fooling with the gain/master. I really like the master dimed, but I’m trying to figure out how to get the tone I’m liking at a lower overall volume. That’s a dancing act for sure.