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Tube preamp with a SS amp?

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by sirpug, Jan 14, 2009.

  1. Jan 14, 2009 #1
    sirpug

    sirpug

    May 8, 2008
    Everett Wa
    Sorry if this is somewhere else but I've been searching and I can't find anything. Link me if I missed it somewhere.

    I'm looking to try out some new preamps to get more of a modern growl sound. I'm using a Peavey CS800 for my amp. Currently I have the Peavey Bassist as my preamp and I'm looking at a Peavey Alpha tube preamp on Ebay. Will running a setup like this (tube pre to SS amp in general) give me any noticeable sound differences or am I just looking at a smoke and mirrors situation? There is nothing wrong with my Bassist, just looking into different sounds.

    PS, I don't have a whole lot of money to throw around so the CS800 will have to stay. I can only really upgrade the preamp if I find the right deal.
     
  2. Jan 14, 2009 #2
    bassninja7

    bassninja7 Guest

    Mar 1, 2008
    Napoleon, OH
    http://www.myspace.com/publicface
    tube...mmmm

    answer to your question: yes. more warmth:)
     
  3. Jan 14, 2009 #3
    uaudio

    uaudio

    Apr 11, 2008
    Arizona
    Like you said, your opinion. I've not been impressed with the Ampeg hybrids, but the Mesa one's I've played have great warmth and tone - Walkabout and BB750.
     
  4. Jan 14, 2009 #4
    John M. Cote

    John M. Cote

    Mar 21, 2000
    Western Connecticut
    My main rig has been a Peavey Max pre and a QSC PLX 2402 bridged into a Peavey 412 TVX. There is a noticeable tonal difference between the tube and ss stages in the preamp. I also own a Peavey T-Max head, which also has a tube and ss channel and again, the difference in tone is significant. Both the Max and T-Max channels can either be used on their own or blended. I think it's very worthwhile.

    YMMV but it works for me.
     
  5. Jan 14, 2009 #5
    JTE

    JTE Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 12, 2008
    Central Illinois, USA
    I love my Peavey T.B. Raxx preamp, using a QSC PLX-1202 to drive the speakers. It's warm, natural, and it's easy to get a great sound out of it. If it had a balanced DI I may never have found Edens.

    And the OP is talking about separate pre-amp/power amp combos, not hybrid amps like the SVT whatever or the Edens, SWR, etc. I don't know if the 12AX7 in the front end of my WT-400 really makes it sound better or not- that's immaterial. What's important is that it sounds the way I want it to - like Duke Ellington, Bach, Miles, Jamerson, Mavis Staples, it's just RIGHT.

    jte
     
  6. Jan 14, 2009 #6
    JTE

    JTE Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 12, 2008
    Central Illinois, USA
    BTW- what's an Alphabass pre? I recall the Alphabass amp, but it was an all tube amp- pre and power amp, not a pre-amp. It came out around the same time as the T. G. Raxx guitar pre, the T.B. Raxx bass pre, and a couple of tube POWER amps they made- mid to late '80s.

    jte
     
  7. Jan 14, 2009 #7
    Modern Growl

    Modern Growl

    Jun 7, 2005
    NY/NJ Metro Area
    Your looking for a Modern Growl sound, eh? Just follow my post's... :D
     
  8. Jan 14, 2009 #8
    bassman251

    bassman251 Guest

    Jan 30, 2007
    IMHO, I disagree. I know the SVT 3 pro uses 5 tubes, not one or two. I am surprised, while not the same as an all tube amp, it reacts very much like one. Plus it sounds a lot different then my all SS amp, but I like both.
     
  9. Jan 14, 2009 #9
    RickenBoogie

    RickenBoogie

    Jul 22, 2007
    Dallas, TX
    Although a SS power section doesn't have the "give" of an all tube power section, a tube preamp makes a significant difference in the overall tone. Warmer, for one, and also they add a "tubey" characteristic to the tone that you can't get any other way, imo.