Quilly

From all the 'classes' of amps I've used what works best for me is a valve preamp with a traditional AB solid state back end. You get the warmth from the valves and that clean power from the power section, and because preamp valves don't wear out quickly you don't have all that amp servicing/biasing malarkey.

One of the nicest amps i ever used for bass was a Carlsbro 50top 50w guitar amp . I’m so sorry I sold that but it was a big of a heavy lump. Seemed plenty loud to me.

This old chestnut, not all SS amps are created equally for instance I’ve had a few wimpy class D heads but then I had a beast of an old school trace head that really put the flap into trouser flapping , that being said my valve 30w little bastard valve head really packs a punch . I had a 100w Ashdown valve head but never really got to open her up fully

A 100W valve head through a good 4*10 is hella loud, dont worry.

I think its impossible to have just one bass, something to do the laws of thermodynamics or Newton or something. Anyway, why would you want such pain in your life ?

Just picked one up on a local adverts website for a great price and I must say I'm very impressed at how loud this thing gets and how good the sound is out of it. My main gigging amps are an Ashdown Spyder 550 and a 'portable' Ashdown little bastard, I also possessed an Ashdown CTM100 until about 2 weeks ago but moved it on as it was gathering cobwebs. Needless to say my current steed of amps weren't exactly lightweight and I was looking for something handy for playing in small living rooms and tight corners in cafes. I still think I prefer the sound from the Ashdowns and my Spyder will remain my main amp, but the Elf will definitely come in very handy. My only tiny gripe if the fan noise, again not the loudest I've heard (looking at you 1st gen Orange Terror Bass! ) but its definitely 'there' at low volumes. For a budget Class-D micro amp though it's very very impressive and small things like that are just something you have to get over.

I think flats go best with small acoustic type bands, to me they sound a bit like a double bass crossed with a fretless (without all the hassle). I use my flats with the acoustic band and jazz band I sometime play with. I've had loads of compliments from those guys on the deep warm sound from them. They don't much sustain or 'zing' so when I'm playing with the rook band I use my basses string with rounds, I wouldn't dream of using flats for that type of music.

I had Chrome XL flats on my P bass and I thought they sounded and felt great, especially for small acoustic type bands. I felt they were getting old so I ordered those La Bella 760 heavy gauge flats (the ones Jamerson used 'apparently') anyway I'll be taking these off again. They have an unbelievable deep tone and depth to them. They sound great but... The tension on them is a bit too much for me, I had to do some serious adjustments on my truss rod and bridge to counteract the impact they had on my bass. Not crazy about the feel of that 110 E string either, its comparable to a low B on a 5 string bass. I just don't feel like my playing is as fluid on them. Maybe I needed to give them a chance but I typically use 40-100s or 45 - 105s. I ordered the labella low tensions 40-100s .

As the Orange is voiced to have a "vintagey tubey" sound I'd recommend one of the barefaced "XXX10" cabs. I have the two10 and it sounds great if you're into that old school sound (which I am) and plenty loud.

Doubly out - TE Elf

After I changed the pickup on my sandberg I find the treble control is just too much after about 6/7!, it’s like it’s fizzles out and distorts. Bass control works fine tho.

It was “fine” before but a little bit sterile sounding . Now it’s an aggressive beast ! Loads of mid range attack and not scooped at all (which I’m really happy about) very jean-jacques ! ive a precision bass also and I wouldn’t compare it to that either . It’s like a souped up p bass .

Swapped out the stock ‘big pole’ sandberg pickup for a Lollar PB 90. A good upgrade IMO.

Just ordered a replacement Lollar PBass /90 pickup for my 12yr old Sandy California. Watch this space.

I hear great things about JFet transistors being 'very close' to valves and in use by Orange to make some great solid state guitar amps. Are these in use in the bass world ?

The HB100 is a tidy enough valve head, also check Pure tone amps. https://www.facebook.com/PureToneAmps

I remember genz Benz brought out the focus series of budget conscious bass cabs and they were both great sounding, light and ridiculously cheap. Yes occasionally you can get great bargains.

My one just died one day, piece of garbage

So, no Russian valves anymore 🤔, will this impact the world of tube sound ?

My first bass amp was a torque 50W combo, I think it was terrible as well

and this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC3KCQbAf70

This is a great tune to practice with IMO

Not a "terrible" amp but the Ampeg Protaflex PF350 was a wimp.