Re: valve combos....any advice?

[surfguy13]

Hi Guys

First off I need to say I'm a guitarist that plays bass so my experiences with bass amplification are strictly limited. However, I've been using valve guitar amps, mostly 50s/60s, for the last 40+ years.

I don't play bass 'out' so there is no need for me to have anything other than a fairly low power set up and my current bass combo is an Ampeg B3 which I've had for years. It's a really nice sounding combo and I have no complaints. Previously I had an old WEM Dominator MK1 which was nice but a bit rattly when you started shifting some air!

So, as I'm used to valve amps and currently have a solid state bass combo I was wondering whether there were any valve bass combos out there or whether they are all solid state? I'm not completely sure that a valve combo is going to give me a hugely different sound but as I want quality rather than quantity (in terms of pure watts) I thought maybe a valve set up might just have the edge. I used a Selmer Treble and Bass for years for guitar and maybe something like that might be an option?

If there aren't any decent combos out there are there any decent low output heads I could consider as I [i]could [/i]use the Ampeg B3 as a speaker cab and run a head through it?

Any advice would be warmly welcomed!

Edited October 27, 2014 by surfguy13

[Beer of the Bass]

There are not many valve bass combos around nowadays. I think this is because open backed cabinets are are the easiest to design a valve combo around but they don't work so well for bass.
As far as modern low powered valve heads go Ashdown have a few, otherwise it's a case of looking for an older amp.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Beer of the Bass

[surfguy13]

[quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1414406479' post='2588898']
There are not many valve bass combos around nowadays. I think this is because open backed cabinets are are the easiest to design a valve combo around but they don't work so well for bass.
As far as modern low powered valve heads go Ashdown have a few, otherwise it's a case of looking for an older amp.
[/quote]

Appreciate that. You have confirmed what I suspected but I didn't realise the lack of valve combos was due to the fact that open cabs work better.....makes perfect sense though.

I'll have a look at Ashdown and also maybe have a look around for an old T&B or something similar.

[LukeFRC]

Check out mr foxen - ampstack on facebook...

[Kiwi]

Most of the manufacturers that I can think of who have offered valve amps in their product line up, have tended to offer heads rather than cabs. Ashdown is an exception as has already mentioned but the following may also be worth considering:

Mesa Boogie Buster 200 tiltback combo (they are extremely heavy though)
Trace Elliot Twin
Trace Elliot V4 (arguably one of the rarest valve bass amps in existence)
Behringer Bugera line
Ashdown 220

Matamp is also worth considering if you are inclined to have something custom made and can afford it.

[spaners]

I built my own, well a head. Single 12AX7 pree and a single 6550 in single ended class A. I have an Ashdown CTM15 too but thats been sat in its box since I built my own. Hook it up to a 1x12 Ashdown VS cab and it sound's great .

[Dad3353]

An old-school valve amp is heavy. An old-school bass cab is heavy. An old-school valve combo is very, very heavy. Not measured in lbs or kilo; think moons or even small planets. [size=4] [/size]

[xgsjx]

You could get any decent combo that you like & add a sansamp or similar.

[scalpy]

The guitarist in our band just picked up, well became the owner of, picking up is nigh on impossible a 70s fender bassman 10. Glorious thing, first vintage amp I've tried that actually sounded good and it cost him less than a markbass combo secondhand.

[LukeFRC]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1414429468' post='2589194']
An old-school valve amp is heavy. An old-school bass cab is heavy. An old-school valve combo is very, very heavy. Not measured in lbs or kilo; think moons or even small planets.
[/quote] time and gravity bend around them so I hear

[surfguy13]

Thanks guys, some really useful info there! Great to have a list of models as i was really struggling to find any combos t all.
Weight isn't an issue for me as i'm not taking it out, it's purely for use at home. My ampeg B3 weighs a ton and when i do take it out i have got a full flight oherwise it'd be backbreaker.
The idea of making a head sounds wonderful but sadly i just don't have the know how.
Xgsjf mentioned adding a sansamp.....is that adding it to a valve combo or using it with a solid state unit? Be interested to have more details.
Yeah, the old silverface amps are not half bad and the suggestion of a bassman sounds like an idea. I've always thought of hemas guitar amps bizarrely and never even considered ne for bass!

[VTypeV4]

Hi Guy, hope you're well.. Your old Celestion G15C still lives too.

My Trace Twin Valve Combo has all of the described above. It sounds stunning and will knock a hole in a wall volume wise but it does weigh 8000 tonnes and as such is a pain to move. I almost took it to rehearsal earlier but used the manky old Peavey thats already there instead. It's my go-to amp for when it counts..

[surfguy13]

[quote name='VTypeV4' timestamp='1414460409' post='2589561']
Hi Guy, hope you're well.. Your old Celestion G15C still lives too.

My Trace Twin Valve Combo has all of the described above. It sounds stunning and will knock a hole in a wall volume wise but it does weigh 8000 tonnes and as such is a pain to move. I almost took it to rehearsal earlier but used the manky old Peavey thats already there instead. It's my go-to amp for when it counts..
[/quote]

I'm REALLY pleased to hear that the old G15C is still going strong!!!! They made them to last in the early 70s!

Really great to know that your Trace Twin is so good.....I really don't mind if it's massively heavy as I won't be moving it much once it's here! I shall go forth and see if I can see any for sale out there. Thanks for getting in touch!