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Modern amps just don’t seem to deliver the power in the same way - I’ve got a little Promethean which is rated at 500W, and although nice-sounding and very light - the whole combo with a 10” speaker weighs less than the Bassman head - even through the big cab it’s *not as loud*.
Just how? Even though I understand some of the reasons and I was expecting the old Fender to do very well considering the almost laughably low power rating, I was still shocked by the result - this is real-world experience which just doesn’t seem to agree with the theory at all. It’s not just rose-tinted specs for me with a new toy either, the whole band were full of praise for it.
I might actually want to start carrying it to rehearsals… having slightly rolled my eyes at the guitarist for doing that for years when there are perfectly usable amps there already .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Deluxe-Adjustable-Equipment-Trolley-by-Gear4music/1I8W
As for "when am I ready?" You'll never be ready. It works in reverse, you become ready by doing it. - pmbomb
I’m thinking of getting a shoulder bag for it, in fact - I think it will fit in a typical large sports bag. That would save buying a new cover for it - the original is a bit fragile (and valuable).
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
It would be perfectly possible to replicate it in a lightweight miniature head, Tonemaster-style, but you'd need a thousand little mincy modern Watts.
My trading feedback: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/210335/yorkie
I'm still shocked at the difference, to be honest - I'm all for modern technology, light weight and efficiency, and had thought valve (bass especially) amps were becoming a bit of a dinosaur... but the difference in performance is huge. I admit that if I needed a strictly clean bass sound then it would be a bit different - but I don't, for this band.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
The other is a Laney VH100R which is putting out substantially more if the overworked fan in my Torpedo load is anything to go by, and it's doing it on a very tired set of EL34s.
So here's my rule of thumb. If the you can plonk the chassis upside down on your workbench without removing the power valves then it's a winner.
I admit my electronics background is low-voltage logic stuff and I'm only now getting to grips with valves .
"Yeah this tiny £50 box that draws 2A from a 12VDC supply is deffo capable of putting out more power than Motorhead's entire backline."
This is why I think the idea that valve amps are ‘inefficient’ and Class D solid-state ones ‘efficient’ is not as straightforward as it first appears - yes, a valve amp can often draw four or five times the power of its rated output (ie 20-25% efficient, in electrical terms) and a Class D/SMPS solid-state amp can be as high as 80-90% efficient… but if you need ten times as much rated power from the Class D to produce the same real-world *volume*, which is actually more efficient?
It does also depend on the proportion of usage time the amp is producing power, too - the idle power of a valve amp is quite high, whereas that of a Class D/SMPS is very low… so there isn’t a simple answer. If you’re looking at the amount of power consumed during a typical gig set, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s pretty close to the same.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
If my marriage goes tits I know where to start at least.
But as long as valves, capacitors and resistors can be obtained then a hand-wired Fender amp will always be serviceable.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein