Chienmortbb

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1461619104' post='3036253'] Most of the first generation SS amps used the 2N3055 transistors as output devices. These were cheap and handled quite a lot of power but were limited to 70volts and only developed just over 60W into 8ohms. Like all bipolar output transistors they were liable to breaking down very quickly when hot and many did. Protection circuits were developed but many of these sounded awful or even shut the amp down when triggered. A lot of the early amps also oscillated at high frequencies which didn't help either. A lot of early class AB designs also suffered from a lot of artefacts (distortion) at the point where the output transistors crossed over. More consistent component manufacture and the adoption of split rail power supplies helped. When the HH amps came along they used the superior 2N3773 which ran at 100V and better protection circuitry was developed. The price of components also fell rapidly and for bass and PA a load of output transistors were run in parallel increasing the power handling. Is that geeky enough? [/quote]Phil the first solid state amps like the Vox T60 were not even using 2N3055 transistors. Of course the real boost in power came with MOSFET. They could be paralleled up to get more current as in the latter HH professional power amps, Trace, Ashdown and Ampeg among others used this technique.

There are two companies called Alpha, Taiwan Alpha, the original and The US/Korean company. The best posts to use are Cermet but they cost a lot. The second best is conductive plastic. The last more than twice as long as the carbon pots fitted to most guitars. I use Omegs in all my guitars although the metal backed ones are hard to get. The green ECO ones are great. No you cannot solder to plastic but if it ain't metal it won't act like an aerial.

`i have had a Washburn D10SCE for years and its great. A recent upgrade includes a fishman preamp. Sells for just over £200.

UK Made in Derbyshire, Has anyone tried them? http://www.newtonestrings.com/products/#category=bass

[quote name='alexclaber' timestamp='1461361734' post='3034128'] It isn't, it's down to current delivery. A powerful SMPS will far outperform a less potent transformer+smoothing caps supply. Big bass notes need high current and sustained high voltage without sag for much longer than most Class D modules are designed for. [/quote]Not quite true Alex. Most class D amplifiers are designed for high power in a compact footprint. However adding more heatsinking or fans allows you to achieve the full performance. Take for example the TH500. On its own, the ICEPower module used by Aguilar, rated at 500W, would probably only achieve 25% of that. However Aguilar add two fans and this allows the module to give everything. For home use the heat management is fine. For professional use you need more heat management. Once heat management is correct then the limiting factor is the power supply. So if you see a 1000W amp in a box the size of a small box of chocolates, walk away. If you have an old SVT, you can't walk away.

[quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1461521381' post='3035378'] Without wishing to appear pedantic, doesn't the current comes from the mains supply via the transformer? [/quote]Only if an amp has a transformer in the power supply. Most switch mode power supplies don't use transformers at all.

Sad that this has turned into another Valves are great, SS is bad thread. One thing about the aesthetics of Ampeg. I came to bass late in life but even as a guitard in a former life I always thought Ampeg amps looked cheap and nasty. Look at an SVT against a Marshall or Sound City head. No wonder most wanted to be guitard.

[quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' timestamp='1461527227' post='3035471'] The first SS amps were quite horrid, especially where noise is concerned. [/quote]Our Guitarist in the late 60s decided a Vox T60 would be netter than an AC30. It was basically one channel of a (not very good) HiFi amp. Noisy as hell and no real power. It and its ilk are probably why SS amos have a bad name to this day. On the other hand, the HH 100W amps that came a few years later were awesome (although still a little noisy) Still got two of their 100W bass amps.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1461358785' post='3034104'] I'm not sure the component/spec of top quality PA gear is the same ball park as bass amps. [/quote]If we ignore valve heads, the power stages of bass and PA amps are no different. If you include well designed valve amps the same this applies.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1459453891' post='3016852'] I don't want to derail the thread but I honestly don't think anyone would dip into a 46 page thread for reference; anyone interested would participate, surely - thus bumping the thread and creating more discussion, plus bookmarking it in their content? Not trying to be awkward but that's the way it works [/quote]This should be a sub forum off effects in the same way Lefties is off Basd Guitars. Then you can have different effects without own posts Instead of having to search through thousands of posts,

The half rounds were he best string I have ever used. I just bought a packman rounds of my old Peavey bass and was suspicious that they were only £11. Still have the union jack on so maybe some of the last strings from Treorchy.

I just rang Picato to ask a technical question about their strings. I got through to Strings and Things and was told that the Picsto factory in Treotchy is now closed and Picato Strings are being sourced from elsewhere!

Has anyone got the dimensions of these pups.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1460906510' post='3029671'] I have two 12" Alto TS112s, best bang for the buck. Recommend them. [/quote]Those are the ones.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1460636543' post='3027442'] That sub thingy on Ashdowns really can fudge up the sound. If it`s not off already, switch it off and go for regular bass for the lows. As others have said though, it could be the cabs, a switch of un-matched speaker cones to the cabinets themselves is also unlikely to help. [/quote]The sub thingy on any amp or effect will try to make a speaker do what it does no want to do. That is why good amps had e High Pass Filters and lots of Thumpinators, FDecks etc are sold.

Thanks Jon. Are we talking old Shure, Sennheiser, Trantec etc rather than the cheap new ones n EBay?