Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 This is going to be taken as a newb question, and really it should be. I'm just trying to clear out the rubble in my head so I'm throwing this on the table. I have a Peavey MK-III, refurbished and rocking like you read about. I'm running it into SWR cabs, a G-II and a Bag End-loaded Big Ben. I used to have, and am now looking at a Fender Bassman Pro 300 (Sunn 300T). If I want the 300 I have to sell the Peavey, and another head, and fill in the balance with $. The seller seems willing to deal with what I've got to do. My question is, what should I do? Newb-City! Right?? I love the sound I'm getting from the Peavey, even though it does get a little mushy down low- not entirely super-tight. But it's definitely an old-school punch-you-in-the-face tone, which I like. But, I remember the 300T I used to have, and that was pretty danged stellar, and I've had tubes before (V4-B, SVT, Sunn 300T), and honestly, that's where it's at. That's where my sound lived, and I miss it. So I'm just looking for some perspective from someone who's got experience with this stuff, and who's coming from outside my head here. Thanks for your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 I can only offer you this. I have moved from Bass 400 to Bass 400+ (both all valve) to M-Pulse 600 (valve/mos-fet) through to TT800 (valve/digital) without losing my core sound (to my ears). Do not fear the change. Of course, I have kept it 'in the family' so there's common dna, but I have proved (to myself) that you won't lose any of the punch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) Maybe I should add that all of these have been played through a 2x15 configuration set up. Edited December 29, 2021 by Steve Browning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdw Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) I'm a fan of valve heads and have a couple of them. I sometimes gig with them but usually take a solid state class ab head instead. I prefer the valve sound but not usually by enough to compensate for the weight, fragility and hassle. If I had to gave one head it would be a good solid state one. Of course I'd want to keep both if I were you. Edited December 29, 2021 by Tdw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 21 minutes ago, Tdw said: I'm a fan of valve heads and have a couple of them. I sometimes gig with them but usually take a solid state class ab head instead. I prefer the valve sound but not usually by enough to compensate for the weight, fragility and hassle. If I had to gave one head it would be a good solid state one. Of course I'd want to keep both if I were you. I'll still have the SWR Bass 350 (red face) to go with the SWR cabs, so there's that. I agree that a SS head is a good working amp, but I'm all about inspiration at this point... Edited December 29, 2021 by Count Bassie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 28 minutes ago, Steve Browning said: I can only offer you this. I have moved from Bass 400 to Bass 400+ (both all valve) to M-Pulse 600 (valve/mos-fet) through to TT800 (valve/digital) without losing my core sound (to my ears). Do not fear the change. Of course, I have kept it 'in the family' so there's common dna, but I have proved (to myself) that you won't lose any of the punch. I have always said that the only person who really cares what you play through is you, lol... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 28 minutes ago, Count Bassie said: I have always said that the only person who really cares what you play through is you, lol... I had hoped I was just giving you some of the perspective you asked for. Did I miss something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Steve Browning said: I had hoped I was just giving you some of the perspective you asked for. Did I miss something? No! I wasn't trying to come off as snarky, I could have been more clear in saying that my particular quest is more personal in nature- I'm trying to re-up some inspiration, in part to take a shot at doing right by some old mistakes. No, in earnest I appreciate your contribution, thank you. Edited December 29, 2021 by Count Bassie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 No problem. Appreciate the clarification. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Do you remember why you sold all those tube amps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 22 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: Do you remember why you sold all those tube amps? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 24 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: Do you remember why you sold all those tube amps? Yes. Because I was younger, and dumber. (Even my scrawny derrière could carry them around fine...) Edited December 29, 2021 by Count Bassie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 12 minutes ago, Count Bassie said: Yes. Because I was younger, and dumber. (Even my scrawny derrière could carry them around fine...) Not reasons. 'Fancied a change' is a reason. Likewise 'got offered a real bargain', 'had too much stuff', 'had to make rent' etc, and/or combinations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: Not reasons. 'Fancied a change' is a reason. Likewise 'got offered a real bargain', 'had too much stuff', 'had to make rent' etc, and/or combinations. The SVT went because I was worried about the potential expense of tubes and maintenance. I was a new import to Rhode Island from Miami, where everyone wants to scalp you. I was living on my lousy paycheck and didn't want to be caught short. The Sun 300T went, years later, because it was a hard year and I had two young daughters who were going to need to have a Christmas... Here that means spending... I'm not sure either were great reasons. Edited December 29, 2021 by Count Bassie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 4 minutes ago, Count Bassie said: The SVT went because I was worried about the potential expense of tubes and maintenance. I was a new import to Rhode Island from Miami, where everyone wants to scalp you. I was living on my lousy paycheck and didn't want to be caught short. The Sun 300T went, years later, because it was a hard year and I had two young daughters who were going to need to have a Christmas... Here that means spending... I'm not sure either were great reasons. Sounds like decisions made by a grown up to me! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdw Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 4 hours ago, Count Bassie said: I'll still have the SWR Bass 350 (red face) to go with the SWR cabs, so there's that. I agree that a SS head is a good working amp, but I'm all about inspiration at this point... In that case valve's sound like a good move 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 20 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said: Sounds like decisions made by a grown up to me! Yeah, I suppose. But the loss of the SVT was felt, that direct-out was a thing of beauty going to tape. A little dash of ambition would've saved it. The 300T, well, I bought a stupefying pile of presents and paid a couple bills. That one went to a better cause. Edited December 29, 2021 by Count Bassie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 2 minutes ago, Tdw said: In that case valve's sound like a good move I love a little enabling! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 When I first turned on my first tube amp it felt like there was a sharp fanged wild animal lurking inside. On the other hand, you may remember JimmyM doing a poll on Talkbass. Gain matched tracks run through a VT pedal vs a RedDI. 3/4 picked correctly, which is abysmal considering 1/2 would pick correctly by random selection. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted December 30, 2021 Share Posted December 30, 2021 6 hours ago, Count Bassie said: But the loss of the SVT was felt How about an SVP Pro or SVT IIP they come up for a reasonable price now and again and you could use your setup as the power side 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 30, 2021 Author Share Posted December 30, 2021 (edited) 8 hours ago, Bunion said: How about an SVP Pro or SVT IIP they come up for a reasonable price now and again and you could use your setup as the power side Are you suggesting just getting a tube preamp instead of the Pro 300? Lol, I just re read my reply, and of course you are... And it's not a bad idea. I really don't have the bread to do this easily and a heavy tube pre is an interesting thought. Also a friend is offering me a Rickenbacker 4001s in super nice condition for almost the same $... I don't *need* any of this stuff... Edited December 30, 2021 by Count Bassie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted December 30, 2021 Author Share Posted December 30, 2021 (edited) 14 hours ago, Count Bassie said: Are you suggesting just getting a tube preamp instead of the Pro 300? Lol, I just re read my reply, and of course you are... And it's not a bad idea. I really don't have the bread to do this easily and a heavy tube pre is an interesting thought. And yet, the point is the tube power section, isn't it... KT-120s... 🥲 Edited December 30, 2021 by Count Bassie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassmanPaul Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 (edited) On 30/12/2021 at 00:08, Count Bassie said: Are you suggesting just getting a tube preamp instead of the Pro 300? It's the way I went. Two space 2KW capable Stereo Class D Power amp and I built a two channel tube pre-amp for it. In it's four space SKB road case I can lift it with just two fingers! The system sounds wonderful through a pair of Acme B2 2x10 three way cabinets. Edited January 2, 2022 by BassmanPaul 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 (edited) 13 hours ago, BassmanPaul said: It's the way I went. Two space 2KW capable Stereo Class D Power amp and I built a two channel tube pre-amp for it. In it's four space SKB road case I can lift it with just two fingers! The system sounds wonderful through a pair of Acme B2 2x10 three way cabinets. I got a Fender Bassman 300 Pro. 75 lbs, KT-120s, transformer mod, and (eventually) a *pair* of SWR Big Ben 18s. I'm gonna stay ripped and psyched into my 80s, lol... 🤣😁 That's super-cool that you made your own preamp though! My sense of humor sometimes wanders through barren places. Edited January 3, 2022 by Count Bassie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassie Posted January 4, 2022 Author Share Posted January 4, 2022 It's here. With lots of lows through the Big Ben it's almost arresting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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