Roger2611 Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Hi, I have been offered a rather nice Hiwatt 100watt valve Hi Gain guitar amp head, obviously I would have to keep the gain under control but other than that is there any reason this wouldn't make for a cracking valve bass amp? Cheers Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Customarily detailed SOS review [url="http://www.soundonsound.com/pm/nov07/articles/hiwatthigain.htm"]here[/url]. In ref to channel 1 (Clean) the review says: "Volume can go brutally loud and still stay dirt-free all the way to maximum, although an overall inherent hard-ish edge is apparent, rather than the slightly compressed, ringing zing characteristic of more costly Hiwatts." So I imagine that - paired with a suitable cab - it should do service. If even the clean channel is too spiky you could always spend a tenner subbing out a 12AX7 for a lower rated pre-amp valve and see how it sounds. FWIW I gigged a Marshall 50w non-master through a 2x12 for a while and it sounded fine, though not exactly sproingy modern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 I used to use a Selmer valve PA head as a practice amp for a while. Sounded fine but not much low end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 I used a little peavey all valve guitar head for a while. As mentions above, it was fine at low volume but ran out of steam very quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 (edited) In the 70's I played a Marshall Super Lead 100 for a few years. I bought it from the Marshall shop and after trying a few amps I chose it over the bass version. I thought it sounded livelier and punchier. Edited December 1, 2013 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Where's Mr. Foxen? He'll know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1385914834' post='2293550'] Hi, I have been offered a rather nice Hiwatt 100watt valve Hi Gain guitar amp head, obviously I would have to keep the gain under control but other than that is there any reason this wouldn't make for a cracking valve bass amp? Cheers Rog [/quote] Worked well enough for JJ Burnell, although he used a 50w. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 I toured with a band whose bassist used a Marshall Guitar head and guitar cab and his sound was amazing. For deep scooped bass tones I wouldn`t recommend it but for punchy rock-type in your face tones guitar stuff sounds ok - to me - for bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pentode Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 I used to use an Ampeg V4 guitar head. Brutal and thunderous I tells yer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 AFAIK, a guitar head should be fine, just remember to use a bass cab/speaker (unless you want to blow the guitar speakers that is). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Works fine for Rob Wright of NoMeansNo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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