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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:26 pm
by rictified
Hey where you been Bear?
I resisted the urge to go on an SVT rant, well almost. bobampeg
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 6:24 pm
by gray
Interesting thread. I'm thinking more and more about just cutting to the chase and going all tube. I've been very disappointed with my current rig, but I just don't know what to pursue, and finding any to play is next to impossible around here.
I am confident that somewhere, somehow, I can get the tone I want at the volume I need so I won't have to stand right in front of my amp in order to not have to struggle to play, if that makes any sense.
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 7:09 pm
by gray
Okay, I just priced the Hiwatt. Wow. Mucho dinero.
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:24 pm
by soundmasterg
Yah, the Hiwatts have always been expensive, but they are cool amps. For me, the choice has been a vintage Ampeg SVT and/or a vintage Sunn tube bass amp, depending on the volume needs. If I'm recording, then I use the aforementioned amps and a DI and blend the two. You could try this approach live too....get yourself a good DI box and use a dual mono setup and tweak to taste. One line to the amp and the other to the DI and PA.
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:35 am
by gray
I used to have a Sunn Model T, which makes for either a bass or a guitar amp, and it was such a pain to find a cabinet for it, that I just sold it. Besides, it was only 150 watts max (really more like 120 with the tubes I had in it, JJ KT88s) and so wasn't nearly loud enough for what I need. However, it was a great-sounding amp, and as a guitar amp, it absolutely screamed, one of the best tones I've ever heard. It sounded fantastic through an old Bassman cab.
What I want to know is what makes the Hiwatt that much better than the Marshall VBA 400?
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:13 am
by geddeeee
IMHO opinion, the Hiwatt just seems more alive. The VBA is a good amp, but I think the Hiwatt just edges in front.
The only way for you to decide is to try both of them with YOUR bass, if you can. You'll know which one is right for you.
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:22 am
by jnbass
If ya like quiet
lil louder
or revoiced
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:11 pm
by soundmasterg
I like the quiet one myself.....those are killer amps, but too small to gig with unless you just use it for stage volume and mic through the PA.
The Sunn's don't have enough volume to gig with on bigger gigs unless you are using a couple of the original 215 JBL equipped cabinets that they came with, and then they're pretty loud, but that is too much to carry around. A Sunn 200S bass amp on 5 with the Sunn 2x15 JBL D140 cabinet will keep up at a blues jam with a couple Deluxe Reverbs that are up around 7-8, and it has plenty of punch and just enough dirtiness to color things, yet still being clean.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:53 am
by gothbin
what means YMMV?
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:07 am
by lowendbob
There are not many fans of the Traynor YBA 200 here, but I have had one going on 3 years now and I love it. Plenty loud, and swapping the Sovtek 12AX7's for some other preamp tubes cuts the gain on this amp, and sounds sweeter IMHO.
Can't wait to hear my new Mesa 2X10 through it
Use to have a 67 B15N portaflex, not loud enough, and too delicate to handle.
I would love to try the Mesa 400, or Fender Bassman Pro 300 series.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:31 am
by johnallg
Robin, YMMV means your mileage may vary. You may have a different experience.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 2:20 pm
by gray
I just looked up the Bassman 300 Pro, and I must say it looks mighty nice.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:17 pm
by jps
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:31 pm
by jingle_jangle
Does that thing REALLY weigh 90 pounds (for just a head)?
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 5:36 pm
by johnallg
Sweet sounding tube amps are all about the iron....