shine182 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Interested in recommendations for reasonably priced secondhand valve bass heads. Previously owned the Ampeg and Soundcity 100/120 offerings and enjoyed them greatly, but looking to try something new. Thinking Selmer, Trace Twin, Fender Bassman, Ashdown CTM, Hiwatt, Marshall perhaps etc. I generally play pick, simple root note stuff through fender or musicman type basses. Like just a touch of drive to thicken things up, certainly not looking for loads of overdrive however. Reliability and modern features a bonus. Somthing to be heard in an indie band. Any views from those that have? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidder652003 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 (edited) Had a Selmer Treble n Bass 50, a few years ago, sounded great but broke up at (relatively) low volume. Better for guitar for sure. Now gone to Ampeg 300W monster. Always fancied the Marshall 400 VBA Handbox seem to tick a lot of boxes, but they 'aint cheap. For modern, The Laney Nexus Tube could be a real bargain second hand. Edited July 13, 2021 by skidder652003 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Use the search function on BC for Handbox WB100. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 6 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: Use the search function on BC for Handbox WB100. I think the one you are suggesting is shown as 'sold pending'. Good shout though 👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 1 minute ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: I think the one you are suggesting is shown as 'sold pending'. Good shout though 👍 It didn’t hang around long either 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Ashdown CTM100 if you can find one. Superb amp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 I have a quite lovely Burman Powerpak 100 with separate mixer that has yet to see any serious action... I wait with baited breath... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 Orange Tube amp Terror Bass perhaps ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted July 13, 2021 Share Posted July 13, 2021 9 minutes ago, BassAdder27 said: Orange Tube amp Terror Bass perhaps ? Terror Bass are valve preamp but class D power; not technically a valve bass head... or are there full valve 'Terror' heads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassAdder60 Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Or the Orange AD200B for full valve 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 Selmer treble and bass 100. Hiwatt or Mywatt Simms Watt AP 100 Marshall Superbass 100 The list goes on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine182 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 15 hours ago, skidder652003 said: Had a Selmer Treble n Bass 50, a few years ago, sounded great but broke up at (relatively) low volume. Better for guitar for sure. Now gone to Ampeg 300W monster. Always fancied the Marshall 400 VBA Handbox seem to tick a lot of boxes, but they 'aint cheap. For modern, The Laney Nexus Tube could be a real bargain second hand. Interesting to hear your thoughts on the Selmer. Prices seem ok but you've confirmed my fear regarding usable volume! Thanks for commenting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine182 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 15 hours ago, warwickhunt said: Use the search function on BC for Handbox WB100. Handbox is an interesting option I'd not heard of I'll certainly explore! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine182 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 14 hours ago, Bigwan said: I have a quite lovely Burman Powerpak 100 with separate mixer that has yet to see any serious action... I wait with baited breath... Did Burman ever do a dedicated bass amp head? I might be getting confused but didn't Burman share similarities with old Laney amps? Once recorded through a Laney VA50 amp into a sealed 15 and was hands down best bass sound I've ever got! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 14 hours ago, Merton said: Ashdown CTM100 if you can find one. Superb amp I have one I would sell but there is no way I am posting it, so I hadn't bothered putting an ad up! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine182 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 54 minutes ago, bertbass said: Selmer treble and bass 100. Hiwatt or Mywatt Simms Watt AP 100 Marshall Superbass 100 The list goes on. Any views on the above? Particularly interested in hearing about a superbass if you played one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine182 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 6 hours ago, BassAdder27 said: Or the Orange AD200B for full valve 👍 Prices seem surprisingly cheap at the moment. I imagine this to be a very clean and warm without much punch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shine182 Posted July 14, 2021 Author Share Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: I have one I would sell but there is no way I am posting it, so I hadn't bothered putting an ad up! How do you find it? I'm imagining alot of middle clack and more preamp overdrive than you could use at volume? Edited July 14, 2021 by shine182 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 14 minutes ago, shine182 said: How do you find it? I'm imagining alot of middle clack and more preamp overdrive than you could use at volume? Not my experience at all. I'd say for rock/indie you won't go far wrong. It depends on your cabs, of course, but I felt the sound was beautifully fat and thick, and at volume whilst it would tip over the edge it was controllable. Perhaps depends how loud your band is too but I was playing with a very hard hitting drummer with my CTM100 and it was lovely and creamy and thick. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 39 minutes ago, shine182 said: Any views on the above? Particularly interested in hearing about a superbass if you played one? I've got a Mywatt 200 and it's awesome. I use it with the bright and normal inputs bridged and it's like full fat butter after years of margarine. That's the only one I can vouch for and I'd highly recommend it if you can find one. I nearly sold mine a while back but just want to hear it in action again now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 The Handbox melts my heart. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, shine182 said: How do you find it? I'm imagining alot of middle clack and more preamp overdrive than you could use at volume? Depends, you have a high and low input. on the high input you can barely get the preamp to overdrive at all. In the low input you can, but in normal use it just basically makes the sound thicker. Obviously it is just 100 watts, so you can get the power amp to overdrive pretty easily. I love the sound, I just don't like the weight and TBH, I have got an ABM600 now which makes a lovely sound with a bit more volume. Edited July 14, 2021 by Woodinblack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 A 50W amp was not enough to play a gig with in 1968 let alone nowadays unless all you want is distortion.. The power for my amp comes from a 2000W Class D stereo power amp. The tube pre-amp I designed for it sounds Wonderfull! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 10 minutes ago, BassmanPaul said: A 50W amp was not enough to play a gig with in 1968 let alone nowadays unless all you want is distortion. Depends on the band, and anyway bass speakers/cabs these days are far more efficient than was the case 50 years ago. I've gigged 50w quite happily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted July 14, 2021 Share Posted July 14, 2021 (edited) I have gigged the CTM, but not clean. Which is why I don't really use it much - I save it for occasions with PA support, which is not that common for me. Edited July 14, 2021 by Woodinblack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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