Sean

Sorry, I've been off line for a few days. Yes, it's MJW that is making the amp. The transformer is currently being custom made (in the UK) and I'm hoping to have it by August or September. I'll be popping up to MJW a couple of times during the build to try it out through a cab at various stages to tweak the voicing. I'm currently thinking that Sea Foam Green tolex is the way forward but haven't decided on a colour scheme yet. Any views?

[quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1395830797' post='2406737'] We'll after a couple of Gigs the BT2 has been sent back. I've used quite a few different high end cabs with my rock band but this one got a unanimous thumbs down from everyone, mainly due to it being difficult to hear on stage and certain notes seeming to disappear on me. The projection however was almost too good, loud as hell out front, so much so I had nothing through the PA, a fellow Bass Chatter I know also had the same experience with this cab. I've now done what I should have done in the first place and bought a Berg. [/quote] Interesting. What amp were you using? I've got one of these on the way and I'm quite old school about sound so I'm keen to understand what's going on.

So, we recorded today and what we did was to put a mic on each speaker of the Matamp 2x12 and also run a line out of the DI. It sounds really hefty and you can easily hear that it's a big valve amp but the power section isn't as hot as I'd have liked. The problem was that the Boogie is so powerful that at anything past 7 through the cab it was interfering with the fabric of the building and causing all sorts of sympathetic vibrations. I used my Valenti with flats on one song and my 2024 with half-wounds on the other two. I'll post the recordings when they come back from mixing and mastering.

Don't sell it. If you do you could always get a replica custom made by a company like MJW. Modern stuff can be fantastic if you look at the right kit; there are a few all valve heads on the market now that are as good as but different from the vintage gear.

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1395214214' post='2399726'] Sounds good to me. But .... I'd recommend considering power-scaling instead of the switchable power amp outputs. 50W really still is VERY loud, and if you are wanting it to double as a home/recording amp too then power-scaling really is the dogs-b0ll0cks. Martin is also an expert installer of power-scaling so it's a double win situation ! Years ago I had a JTM45 clone built by martin with the power-scaling. It really worked very, very well. I don't know about how it would go with KT88's though. Obviously Martin can advise you there. As for the pre-amp voicings well that can neither be good nor bad, that's just personal choice. For me, I'd rather focus on one high quality clean channel and then use pedals for my grit. In my experience working with an expert pedal builder (like COG effects) will be able to fine-tune your dirt requirements much more accurately than a tube-based pre-amp will. But if you're committed to an "all tube" dirt/pre-amp/power amp setup then good for you. [/quote] We chatted through the power scaling and for my needs and because of the specs we decided to go for the switching. As for the filthy channel, that's really because I love the grit from valves and also prefer to have it built in and not part of outboard effects but this way I can also employ something like COG effects through the clean channel when I want to.

Evening all, I've realised that my dream amp doesn't exist so I've decided to do something about that and change everything. I want a 200 watt 4xKT88 monster but with some custom features. It's the custom features that will really differentiate this amp from anything else out there. I want a proper Brit Bass Monster but I also want a small(ish) recording amp that is all-valve and on top of that I want a 100 watt all-valve amp for churning out the power-filth at smaller gigs. Anyway, here's the spec that I'm kicking around with the builder at the moment and I'd be keen to get some reaction to it: Custom transformer/choke set 4 x KT88 output valves Approx 4 off ECC83/81 preamp valves ECC83 and ECC82 phase inverter and booster Switchable to 100W and 50W - yes, really! 2 channels, foot-switchable Channel 1 - cleaner channel with Baxendale/James tone stack – clean to slight grit Channel 2 - dirtier channel with Fender tone stack – slight grit to dirt Exact channel control config to be finalised, but: Gain, volume, voice and T/M/B for each channel Global master vol and presence DI output with variable level, via XLR pin-outs and exact level TBC DI raw post output transformer signal SDM zero loss effects loop with bypass switch – pedal level Speaker outputs 1x4 ohm and 1x8 ohm Speakon only 240V only, mains and HT fuses on rear panel Custom built chassis 18mm birch ply cabinet Overall dimensions TBC, but approx 20" wide to match cabinet Cosmetics TBC but standard MJW appearance Metal side handles Grills in rear and top of amp Large rubber feet That's the start and the deposit is paid...

[quote name='Mikey R' timestamp='1395084183' post='2398504'] I doubt you would tell much difference between 15 and 20 watts, its only a 1.25dB increase in output. It might make a small difference at breakup levels, but if youre playing clean you really wont notice. [/quote] I've never had the need to play clean. I've read that the 2061x packs a big punch. Is that 1.25 dB based on through the same cab? How do you calculate that?

[quote name='HotelEcho' timestamp='1394786052' post='2395147'] I'm going to go the other way and say that the reason I'd want to buy and carry a valve amp has sod all to do with clean headroom! (that's what GKs and SWRs are for... ) It's all about the breakup and grit. Something simple with a tube drive circuit in a "plug and play" type front panel setup along the lines of an SVT-CL with lower power and plenty of midrange heft sounds marvellous. [/quote] This reads like the script of a valve amp 0845 phone chat line. Absolute glorious filth. :-D

So what are the alternatives out there to the LB30? There's the Marshall Treble and Bass 2061x which is 20w but I'm unaware of anything else in the sub 50w all tube bass amp category. I know Ashdown do a 15w one but that really is a bit small. Is it time to commission someone like Matamp or MJW to make one?

[quote name='Jestermab' timestamp='1387244491' post='2309888'] [*]Buy 4x matched Cryo Electro Harmonix EL84 output valves (15% bigger vacuum tubes) and replace the wooly sounding smaller JJ Tesla valves - Which IMHO are better in AC30's! (Watford valves provides the cryo EH tubes for £75) [*]Buy a phillips ECC82 (12AU7) valve approx £45 and replace this in the ECC82 slot (the other two ECC83 work fine) This give more definition in the played note and allows the amp to be driven HARD [/quote] Does this give you more headroom? More power?

[quote name='malcolm.mcintyre' timestamp='1394962479' post='2397036'] Have just used my Barefaced Big Twin 2 for the first time at a gig, with my Aguilar DB751. Large hall, very large high lively wooden stage. The cab has had about 6 hours run in at rehearsal studio volume. My first impression is that the cab is very responsive to any changes to the tone controls of either amp or bass, tonal changes which were previously masked or limited by my previous cabs. This was great fun for me, but generated a few complaints from the rest of the band that the bass was dominating the sound. One said that he thought a large ship was signalling its docking at one point. So, huge sound from one smallish cab, with great resolution, but need to watch the new bass extension. I think I'll try the cab on a small riser next time we play a large lively stage. [/quote] Try one of these http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_gramma/sound_isolation_gramma.asp

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/ashdown-little-bastard-lb30-bass-amp/1049775471

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1394876617' post='2396147'] Here's the link - [url="http://wewillrockyou.pl/download/queen-multitracks/"]http://wewillrockyou.pl/download/queen-multitracks/[/url] Some very intersting stuff there. [/quote] I'll have a look at those when I get home. What file format and what do you need to play them?

Welcome to basschat! I had the pleasure of meeting you at Bass Day 2009 (I think it was '09), was a joy to hear and watch you play :-)

It's getting close. Next week...

I'm going to take my Matamp 212 with me and mic that to see what the difference is. It's loaded with a pair of Eminence Delta Pro 12A drivers.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1394663919' post='2393933'] I've reviewed the Nexus tube in iGuitarMag.com it's made in britain and actually sounds fab through Laney's 'big cabs'. Can't remember what issue it was, but despite weighing a ton, the rig delivered. Oh and as for the controls, they're actually dead simple to understand [/quote] Nice review, Dan. It sounds nice and gritty on the video but obviously that's not doing it justice. There's no way to post a link to the review but it's worth going to the site and doing a search, it's pretty comprehensive.

Interesting discussion with Alex C the other night about recording my 400+ and he covered a couple of points that I'd not thought of. With many of the BF cabs they're completely transparent and don't colour the sound so micing the cab won't be dissimilar from DI-ing.

[quote name='thebuckets' timestamp='1394734707' post='2394630'] Does this mean I can get a 1024 play the dog and duck and pretend ive got a 2.5k bass? ;-) Seriously im tempted by the 1024/5 Im a p bass fan but like the build quality of the likes of sandberg How close do these come? [/quote] Close to the 2024 or close to Sandberg? If you can pick up a 1024/x for £500-600, you'll struggle to find better for the money. Even Jap fenders can't match the heft that these pickups give, they are mythical beasts.

[quote name='thebuckets' timestamp='1394737171' post='2394663'] Also is the difference between the 1024 and the 1024x purely cosmetic? [/quote] Yes, just the bolt-on bits.

There's some amazing all-valve monsters in the for sale forum at the moment. I'm gagging for a GT200...

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1394672357' post='2393997'] I managed to get my CTM300 for £600, no issues with the amp at all! It's just a case of looking and finding the right thing! [/quote] Bargain!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1394534559' post='2392268'] Not played a VBA but seem to remember it has some fans on this forum. I could just have dreamt it, of course. [/quote] As awesome as they are they lack the full handwired magic of something like a Matamp.

I posted yesterday about having regretted not buying a VBA in the past. Proper juggernaut of an amp that one.