VTypeV4

I would occasionally use a '78 P-Bass (a 'real' one just for clarity) when I used to play in a ten-piece motown group. It didn't belong to me, it was owned by the manager of the group although I kept it good with new strings, a good setup etc. I didn't use it for every show, probably 1 in 4 or so as I've never been a P-Bass person but it 'fit' most of the music pretty well. It sounded great and played well although it's build quality wasn't outstanding. There was lots of vintage charm about it as it had a few knocks and marks plus having been used before the smoking ban, had a distinct yellowing of both the body and neck plus it had chromed pick-up and bridge covers - very retro cool. To echo some of the previous comments, it was good example although it wasn't a good instrument because it was a vintage, it was good because it used quality parts and was adequately put together. I do however believe some of the newer US and Japanese Fenders I've owned were much better built and finished despite not carrying the 'vintage charm' thing with them. My current '06 Squier VM Jazz is also an example of this - it's the best passive Jazz I've owned and I appreciate that 'best' is subjective however, I'd happily pitch it against far more pricey and/or vintage instruments. Some may argue it's not even a 'real' one! In a nut shell my take on it is that if it's old it may (notice I used 'may', not 'is') be cool but that doesn't strictly make it 'better' and certainly doesn't make it worth what some buyers and collectors ask for these instruments. Prices for pre-CBS Fenders are massive and even CBS era examples - such as the P-Bass I used to play - are worth a lot more than they were 10 - 15 years ago.

^ Nice!

Ha, yeah I like that too.

I wouldn't worry - if it didn't distort or shut down then I'd assume it was operating within design parameters.

I got a vintage Fender double fifteen to go with my Bassman 135.. Santa (and the Mrs) have been good to me this year too..

I know I've posted this pic elsewhere but it's equally at home here too so as I'm still super pumped about it, then here it is again.. Matching 135 grill by VTypeV4, on Flickr Bassman 135 and matching JBL loaded ported double-fifteen.. Fat!!

I've followed a few of the 'Elf' threads and it seems pretty much anyone that has tried one appears to be reasonably happy with it. I've not yet had chance myself so couldn't say but I'm very pleased that the Trace Elliot (in whatever guise) brand lives again and is doing something modern and a bit crazy. As mentioned elsewhere, I'm sure a 'mini SMX' would go down a storm also..

Matching 135 grill by VTypeV4, on Flickr It's now pretty much complete! Sounds as good as it looks too. Awesome!

Halfway 135 by VTypeV4, on Flickr Fender cab part way through a partial restoration - JBL D/K installed today. Tested and sound lovely!

Top fella! Purchased his old Fender 2x15 for a very reasonable cost. The cab was better than described and he was happy to oblige with the courier I organized. A true credit to this community - why aren't all ebay transactions like this!? Matt

On a slightly different topic, I did the job I always seem to wind up doing for Bullet Sound Co at The Victoria Hall on behalf on St Joseph's college.. St Jo 17 by VTypeV4, on Flickr St Jo 17 by VTypeV4, on Flickr Yamaha LS9, Lab Gruppen / Crown and Nexo boxes - a very different PA than we've used on previous years but reasonably equal in terms of power and quality. Personally, I still prefer the EAW boxes but that's just my preference. It's been a while since I used an LS9 but their lineage and relation to my beloved 02Rs made most navigating really straight forward although I would have rather spent a bit more time building a more personal template. The show was excellent and went without issue (as ever) and shows there maybe hope for the next generation of musicians yet.

Wow!

Valves the size of big coffee jars requiring kV of HT are really something quite magical - even the most hardcore 'lightweight / class D' stalwarts on the forum can surely appreciate the beauty of these thing however impractical they may be. I love the glow of my 6L6 and KT88 / 6550 amps!

Awesome!!

Personally I think it's the big Trace VTypes but I'm biased really! http://www.chambonino.com/construct.html And this is just nuts.. http://www.chambonino.com/construct/const9.html

The O/E Celestion (it'll be a C15T or a C15H) isn't that heavy anyways - they've only got a moderate sized magnet and a pressed frame as they're both likely to be based on the old K series from the '90s. Quite sweet sounding drivers in my opinion although they're surpassed with todays technology. I can't recommend a suitable driver as I've never crunched the numbers or needed to load something newer or lighter into an 1153 / EV 606 although give or take, if it's ok in a 606, it'll be ok in a 1153 / 715 / 7215 Trace box..

Best of luck with them! I've used the Tung Sol 6550s in a few different amps and they're a great tube so see no reason why the 7581s shouldn't be. Thanks for the compliment, the 135 is proper cool and as I've said elsewhere, it's one of the few bass amps I've owned that isn't a Trace Elliot.

Just as a follow up, I've had a few hours on the valves today albeit still not in anger although I do think the amp has less background noise.. I haven't got a lot of experience regarding 6L6 powered amplifiers as most that I've got / had have mainly been either EL34 or 6550 / KT88 based. This might make any meaningful comparisons a little tricky especially as the previous valves in the Fender were two different pairs - one were what I assume to be the original Fender branded Sylvania 'Made in the USA' valves. Might keep them as spares or might let them go as they're quite strong on the second hand market.

Will do, no worries..

Dropped some new valves into the Bassman 135 today - I opted for JJ 6L6 GC types as they seem to have a great reputation for reliability and character. There seems to be more variations on the 6L6 theme than most others including 5881, 7581, various re-issues, re-creations and all new designs! I haven't used JJ tubes for a while but had some of their EL34s which were much better than the Sovteks they replaced. New jj 6L6s 1217 by VTypeV4, on Flickr New jj 6L6s 1217 by VTypeV4, on Flickr New jj 6L6s 1217 by VTypeV4, on Flickr They've not yet been used in anger but I'm sure they'll be fine.

It's officially back in service now - gave it a bit of a shake down run last night after swapping all the cards and O/S chips back over and it seems to operating just fine. All of the save data and configurations haven't been lost either which I'm very thankful of as there's one job I was half way through when it let go. All good!

There's a review here.....

135 Wem boxes by VTypeV4, on Flickr Oldskool with my WEM boxes this evening. Sounded superb as the Goodmans speakers contained within were re-coned a few years back. Very smooth and warm sounding and all just about era appropriate except for the KHL 6er on the right! 135 rigger by VTypeV4, on Flickr Arty shot from work the other week. Bass 135 by VTypeV4, on Flickr Oldskool / New school with my SWR cabs - this setup really punches! Perfect combination of new and old together.

I've had a couple of valve failures over the years and the odd string (can't remember the last one - must be 15 years ago) although I've never had a 'sorry, that's it folks' moment.. Yet!

Very true mike - I missed a knackered one that went for £31 the other week. The kicker is it had two ADAT and a UNITY card that were apparently in good order..