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Tube vs Hybrid
- Thread starter Dgmtexas
- Start date
The real question is, how close is close enough?
I've owned a V4B and SVT at the same time and I couldn't get a hybrid with or without and out board pedal to sound close. This includes an SVT 3Pro and 7Pro.
I go for a more clean sound so if you want dirty, you can probably get closer.
I've owned a V4B and SVT at the same time and I couldn't get a hybrid with or without and out board pedal to sound close. This includes an SVT 3Pro and 7Pro.
I go for a more clean sound so if you want dirty, you can probably get closer.
I like to think I've given hybrid a pretty good shot, with Alembic & Ampeg tube preamps & Stewart & QSC power amps. I even A/B'd the hybrid rack vs a tube head on a gig, once.
My findings were: close, but no cigar. A good tube pre definitely adds something. But, so does a good tube power section IME.
I guess I'm doing a next-level kind of hybrid now. I use a 50W tube head for my stage amp with a post-power DI send. I'll run a bit of that through my own small PA and it sounds awesome to my ears. No complaints from any sound guys on larger shows yet.
My findings were: close, but no cigar. A good tube pre definitely adds something. But, so does a good tube power section IME.
I guess I'm doing a next-level kind of hybrid now. I use a 50W tube head for my stage amp with a post-power DI send. I'll run a bit of that through my own small PA and it sounds awesome to my ears. No complaints from any sound guys on larger shows yet.
I should also mention that I have 2 Ampeg tube pre-amps (SVP-CL & SVT-IIP) with a CA6 and they don't sound or "feel" like my SVT-CL.
Your title is asking about tube vs hybrid, but your rather confusing question seems to be what pedal can I use to get the Ampeg sound?
BDDI or VTDI. It's not perfect, but it's what I use to get close to an SVT thing when I can't use an SVT. I'll plug it into the FX return of a backline amp to make it sound more Ampeg-ish.
BDDI or VTDI. It's not perfect, but it's what I use to get close to an SVT thing when I can't use an SVT. I'll plug it into the FX return of a backline amp to make it sound more Ampeg-ish.
SVT is its own animal and you can make a fort out of sim pedals trying to equal that sound.
As far as tube amps in general, a tube preamp pedal can replicate a tube preamp section of an amp, often they are the same components wired to the trace of the amp they are referencing. But a tube preamp pedal can’t replicate the power section on full gas. That’s the magic that comes from the rig. This said, most of y’all are scared of turning up your amps anyway so a cabinet sim will get you closer to that buzz than a real amp only on 1.
To my preference I’m good with a Class D and a tube preamp of my liking for bass as it’s a reasonable compromise. It’s subjective, there is no best sound.
For my guitar playing I only use tube amps because that “hot sweat at the blossom point” is the sound of rock’n’roll. With bass amps in general trending toward clean and “transparent” for decades I don’t think there’s a standard tone. Play what makes you happy.
As far as tube amps in general, a tube preamp pedal can replicate a tube preamp section of an amp, often they are the same components wired to the trace of the amp they are referencing. But a tube preamp pedal can’t replicate the power section on full gas. That’s the magic that comes from the rig. This said, most of y’all are scared of turning up your amps anyway so a cabinet sim will get you closer to that buzz than a real amp only on 1.
To my preference I’m good with a Class D and a tube preamp of my liking for bass as it’s a reasonable compromise. It’s subjective, there is no best sound.
For my guitar playing I only use tube amps because that “hot sweat at the blossom point” is the sound of rock’n’roll. With bass amps in general trending toward clean and “transparent” for decades I don’t think there’s a standard tone. Play what makes you happy.
I use a Demeter tube preamp into a solid state power amp. I love how it sounds but it doesn’t sound or feel like an all tube head. But it’s a nice compromise, IMO.
IMO my Demeter has a fantastic clean sound, but it’s not the warmest sounding of tube preamps.
I have a Jack Read Purity tube preamp in reserve, and it has more of a tube warmth and feel. It still doesn’t cop the all tube head sound 100%, but I might just start using it again.
IMO my Demeter has a fantastic clean sound, but it’s not the warmest sounding of tube preamps.
I have a Jack Read Purity tube preamp in reserve, and it has more of a tube warmth and feel. It still doesn’t cop the all tube head sound 100%, but I might just start using it again.
I never thought the SVT was all that as the pre amp stage, SVT ll pro, is a bit clunky and agricultural for me.
However, when the power tubes kick in, you have something else and all you have to do is not screw up the pre.
The DB 751 is a better amp, imv.
So for me the whole point of using an SVT ll is the tube power stage.
However, when the power tubes kick in, you have something else and all you have to do is not screw up the pre.
The DB 751 is a better amp, imv.
So for me the whole point of using an SVT ll is the tube power stage.
