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Double Bass Tubes. A surprise ending.

LarryR

LarryR

Feb 2, 2003
1,844
59
Los Angeles
#1
So I'm sitting around playing my P Bass to Wes' "Willow Weep for Me" and I thought, what will my Upright sound like through my Ampeg early 70's B25B to my Fitzmaurice Omni 10.5 (thank you Mike Childree). I'd always read that tube heads are too difficult to deal with on URB. I instinctively plugged into Ch1 Bright jack, turned up the volume and nothing. This head is so sensitive I can never turn up a slab past 4. Maybe I have a bad jack? I turned the volume almost to max. Nice sound. Within a few seconds I found that sound in my head! Old skool Ray Brown phat, tight focussed low end! NO Rumble! I can get hi-end sheen (and a little string noise) without it sounding too thin or scratch. The bass rocker switch goes between a super tight low end or mid-punch. Both settings are useable: fat low or more modern tone. I think a Jazz purist would dig this tone! I never thought that was possible.

I tried the Ampeg with my Bag End S15D. Much more low end, but, easy to get a good tone.
I tried my Bergantino. Sweet! Raised the Bergie off the ground, totally together sound.
Each cab I could easily coax useable tone and volume.

The only drawback is the weight of the head. But, for anyone who thinks their old vintage rock gear can't give you a "natural sound", think again.
As much as I liked my AI Focus, AND my Walter Woods, they don't sound like my Ampeg.

What a pleasant surprise indeed.

Thanks for listening.
 
#3
Ric,
I have an MI. And my first impressions of it were as close to tube sounding as any transistor / digital head I've tried; that it seemed to have more harmonic content to it. So, I agree wth you. But, today I really was taken aback by those tubes driving my 40's American Standard with a Realist.
 
#4
I'm with you. I've been using SWR heads - the SM900 and an old Baby Blue. Both tube amps (tube pre-amps anyway). I've tried non-tube amps and I just don't like them as much.

I'd like to get something smaller & lighter than the SM900 but more powerful than the Baby Blue. I've been considering a WW, but I just don't know if I can live without tubes.

Right now I run a Dtar Solstice into the Baby Blue for most gigs. I see that Markbass has a little tube amp that almost fits the bill. I wish it had a dual input (including an XLR with phantom power) like the Focus - then I would not have to mess with hooking up the Solstice.
 
#5
larry said:
I'd like to get something smaller & lighter than the SM900 but more powerful than the Baby Blue.
Click to expand...

Larry, try to find an old Studio 220 or SM400/500. Same preamp as the SM900. You'll find some over on the slab side on a pretty regular basis. I really love how well the deceptively simple one-knob limiter functions in these. The Bass 350 is a good amp too but is missing the adjustable limiter and doesn't seem to be as "open" sounding as the others.
 
#6
I ordered my first DB this afternoon, and was looking here for wisdom on pickup/amp combinations. I play my electric bass gigs with a Mesa 400+.(all tube)
Maybe I won't have to buy a new rig?
That would be especially nice for the gigs where I'll be doubling.
So what pickup do you like, and will I need a preamp?
 
#7
As they say "Welcome to the dark side."

Here is a good place to start your pickup, preamp, and amp quest.

Browsing the profiles of people who post in this forum frequently will give you a good idea of what kind of gear people are using too.

And you can hear what some pickups sound like [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. But be forewarned ... many of these pickups can sound VERY different from one DB to the next.

But this is certainly a great place to pose questions and gather information.

Enjoy.
 
#12
LarryR said:
Ric,
I have an MI. And my first impressions of it were as close to tube sounding as any transistor / digital head I've tried; that it seemed to have more harmonic content to it. So, I agree wth you. But, today I really was taken aback by those tubes driving my 40's American Standard with a Realist.
Click to expand...

Larry,
You have a very good point. That's exactly why I've never sold my B-15N. I've always considered paring my Ampeg with my EA cabinets, but the Woods are close enough for me to be comfortable with, and they are much easier to carry to the gig. What would probably be ideal is a Woods with a tube in the preamp.

Ric
 
#13
Ric,
A friend of mine uses his B-15N for URB, primarily for recording. My head is similar in tone and twice the watts and yet I have the volume and bass controls pegged - up full! No feedback, but, I'm not sure it's enough volume for a gig as I haven't taken this setup out yet.

Larry,
I don't think you'd be dissappointed with a Woods head. Again, when I got mine and plugged in, my first thought was, man, that sounds like tubes. Something about handmade, matched components, ....... i dunno, there's a magic in it unlike any amp I've tried. If you can get one at a reasonable price, it should hold its value. I bought an older 90's model (stereo) for around $ 1500.00. And yes, I wish it had an XLR in w/phantom to drive my MIC. I miss that feature with the AI Focus.
 
#14
mburd said:
Larry, try to find an old Studio 220 or SM400/500. Same preamp as the SM900. You'll find some over on the slab side on a pretty regular basis. I really love how well the deceptively simple one-knob limiter functions in these. The Bass 350 is a good amp too but is missing the adjustable limiter and doesn't seem to be as "open" sounding as the others.
Click to expand...

Found an old 400 on Craigslist here for 200 bucks that's wonderful. Paired it with my SWR Bigfoot(2x12) - runs great FLAT with my upright and electric through the Solstice and has plenty of power. I've used rental rigs w/ the newer 900 and a 410 and have to boost the lows & cut highs a significant bit.

Ike
 
#15
the early SWR amps ran quite hot; especially the non fan-cooled units. A visit to a competent tech to inspect the power supply components for heat fatigue is well justified. Typically a few re-solders and maybe filter cap replacement is all they need. Then you're good for the future.. as we know it..
 
#16
LarryR said:
Ric,
A friend of mine uses his B-15N for URB, primarily for recording. My head is similar in tone and twice the watts and yet I have the volume and bass controls pegged - up full! No feedback, but, I'm not sure it's enough volume for a gig as I haven't taken this setup out yet.
Click to expand...

Larry,
That's what I've heard fro others as well. The B-18 head works great because it has a little more power. Unless the venue is pretty small, or the amp is miked the old B15's are working hard to fill a room at todays volumes.

Ric
 
#17
Larry R
Many solid state amps come close to sounding like tube amps, but for most enthusiasts close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. I recently switched over to a 74 magnavox SVT from GK and I'm quite happy with the difference.

I've been using my acoustic and electric basses through it and have had nothing but positive remarks about the change in my tone, particularly in the added clarity and presence it brings out of the acoustic. The SVT also brings out differences in the way you attack the string and provides enough power so that no drummer will drown you out.

For the record, the Walter Woods sounds great and does come very close to the tube sound. Plus, it's a LOT lighter than an SVT.

Still, I'll be bringing my SVT to every gig (that is of course until I throw my back out!)

cheers.
 

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