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Which amp is best for...


andydye
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So, I now have a lovely p-bass (2005 mim 50's p) that sounds superb with it's Labella Jamerson flats, it's just lacking a bit of that valve warmth to bring out it's vintage character to the full...something a bit like an old ampeg b-15 (I'd imagine)...

So, I could find a valvey preamp pedal to do that for me...suggestions please?
or
I could find a small all valve amp that would do that for me too and would look cool in the process!
Something that could be gigged (on stage monitor) and mic'd with pa support
Something that can run at 8 or 4 ohms as I have 2 cab options
Something that (most importantly) will pair up perfectly with the vintage vibes of the 50's p I have!
(I may consider getting a 1x15 cab to pair with it for completion of 'the sound' in the future)

I know that the pedal would most likely be a cheaper option and may provide a short term soution but I'd also like to save up for an all valve head that does the job perfectly...

so suggestions please for:
valvey preamp pedal
or
all valve giggable head

thankyou bc

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[quote name='davehux' timestamp='1380018097' post='2219485']
Ashdown LB30 for the full valve retro look with PA support, or the Orange TB500 for valve pre and retro looks plus the ability to demolish small villages without PA support.
Had/got both and love the full fat sound
[/quote]

The Ashdown looks awesome and may be just the thing!



I hadn't thought of that one! Cheers matey!

How available are they as just the head, they're only listed as 'the combo' on the ashdown website?? Is it the same as the LB30 head? Is that the same as the newer CTM30?

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The CTM30 has 1 x ECC83 and 1 x ECC82, whereas the LB30 has/had 2 x ECC83 and 1 x ECC82. The both have the 4 x EL84 power valves.

Many LB30 owners (including me) found that it broke up too soon with the ECC83's, and by swapping them for 81's, you got about 25% more volume before the grind kicked in. There are a few threads on here about it.

The TB500 will run to stupid o'clock on the volume dial with as much or little gain as you want to give it.

Pricewise on here, there's not much difference £350-£400 depending on if the LB is one of the original 50 UK ones, or a Chinese built model

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[quote name='davehux' timestamp='1380019724' post='2219515']
The CTM30 has 1 x ECC83 and 1 x ECC82, whereas the LB30 has/had 2 x ECC83 and 1 x ECC82. The both have the 4 x EL84 power valves.

Many LB30 owners (including me) found that it broke up too soon with the ECC83's, and by swapping them for 81's, you got about 25% more volume before the grind kicked in. There are a few threads on here about it.

The TB500 will run to stupid o'clock on the volume dial with as much or little gain as you want to give it.

Pricewise on here, there's not much difference £350-£400 depending on if the LB is one of the original 50 UK ones, or a Chinese built model
[/quote]

So the valve combinations are very similar but subtly different, presumably the sound is slightly different too...s/h is going to be king of course so keeping my eyes open for an LB30 will be probably be the thing!

The kind of sound I'm after will have a slight break to it but that'd be running at reasonable volume, I'd not want it to go into full grittyness, just that slight breaky warmness!

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[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1380019670' post='2219513']
I used to have Aguilar head and cab(no tweeter).
Awesome warm sound. Would've recommended that .
[/quote]

Interesting, I've heard much good about aggie heads, which one was it matey?

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[url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/"][quote name='andydye' timestamp='1380018766' post='2219503']
The Ashdown looks awesome and may be just the thing!



I hadn't thought of that one! Cheers matey!

How available are they as just the head, they're only listed as 'the combo' on the ashdown website?? Is it the same as the LB30 head? Is that the same as the newer CTM30?
[/quote][/url]
[url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/"] [/url]
[url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/"] [/url]

[url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/"] [/url]
[color=#000000]The photo you posted is of the DP-200 Drophead Combo and you can get those head seperately easily enough. But you wouldn't want to get that and the LB mixed up. I believe the price difference between the heads is about £1000! ;) [/color]



[color=#000000]Here's the link to the LB on the Ashdown Website.[/color]
[color=#000000][url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/"]http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/[/url][/color]


[color=#000000]Paul[/color]

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[quote name='paulpirie8' timestamp='1380021547' post='2219564']
[color=#000000]The photo you posted is of the DP-200 Drophead Combo and you can get those head seperately easily enough. But you wouldn't want to get that and the LB mixed up. I believe the price difference between the heads is about £1000! ;) [/color]
[color=#000000]Here's the link to the LB on the Ashdown Website.[/color]
[color=#000000][url="http://ashdownmusic.com/products/1/Bass-Amplification/1/Valve/11/Little-Bastard-/"]http://ashdownmusic....ittle-Bastard-/[/url][/color]
[color=#000000]Paul[/color]
[/quote]

doh! I didn't think it looked right but that was what came up from the search on the ashdown website...the LB30 head was more what I had in mind anyway ;)

Edited by andydye
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A cheaper / short-term option is a pedal, like one of DHA's - for example [url="http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/page26.html"]this[/url]. I find that you have to take care to set it up right, but it can fatten and warm up the sound very well. Let me know if you're interested in borrowing mine to try (I don't use it much at the moment, although I've got no desire to get rid, and can get it to Sheffield easily enough for you to try out). Martin

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[quote name='Kirky' timestamp='1380023222' post='2219601']
A cheaper / short-term option is a pedal, like one of DHA's - for example [url="http://www.davehallamps.co.uk/page26.html"]this[/url]. I find that you have to take care to set it up right, but it can fatten and warm up the sound very well. Let me know if you're interested in borrowing mine to try (I don't use it much at the moment, although I've got no desire to get rid, and can get it to Sheffield easily enough for you to try out). Martin
[/quote]

oo that would be very kind and most helpful matey! I'll pm you to work out the 'how'...

have you tried the the vt1 or vt1-eq and which would you recommend?

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