Author Topic: Custom bass head question  (Read 4418 times)

drbassman

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Custom bass head question
« on: June 13, 2014, 06:41:00 AM »
If you could have any vintage bass amp head recreated by a custom amp builder, which one would it be?  Why?  I know it may be impossible to exactly replicate anything from the past, but I'm curious to see what you guys would like if you were to go this route.
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gearHed289

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2014, 07:24:31 AM »
Hmm... I've never pondered this, but right off the top of my head, I would love a vintage SVT, but the second channel would be a Marshall.  :vader: And there would be a channel switching footswitch of course.

georgestrings

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2014, 10:11:50 AM »
One of the old Hi-Watts wouldn't be a bad thing, IMO...


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Dave W

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2014, 10:05:25 PM »
I'd call Conrad Sundholm and let him make the decisions for me.

Denis

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2014, 05:31:56 AM »
I'd call Conrad Sundholm and let him make the decisions for me.

Good answer!
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Pilgrim

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2014, 07:18:02 AM »
I'd call Conrad Sundholm and let him make the decisions for me.

And yet another "attaboy" for that one!  The Sunn Coliseum-300 I had was a great amp, just heavy as a boat anchor.
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Lightyear

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2014, 09:51:48 AM »
My question is could anyone truly build an accurate sounding replica?  My limited understanding is that the transformers were a vital and a central component as well as the old capacitors - not to mention tubes.  Obviously most anyone with the proper skill set and tools could copy something verbatim but if the components don't truly replicate the originals would it be the same?

dadagoboi

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2014, 11:46:37 AM »
The Sunn Coliseum-300 I had was a great amp, just heavy as a boat anchor.

Maybe by today's standards but not when I traded an 85 lb. '69 SVT head for its svelte 30 lbs and 300 watts in 1974.  Ended up using 3 of them with 3 SVT 8-10 cabs by '77.  The Coliseums would never warm up a cold practice room like the SVT, though.

I'm with Buzz.  You want vintage, buy it.  Plenty of HiWatts, SVTs, Oranges, etc. out there if you look...and they can all be made as good as new or better by a competent tech.  And it's pretty much a certainty they'll be worth what you paid or more if/when you want to sell.  Probably not the case for a clone.

Highlander

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2014, 02:46:27 PM »
I've already got it... ;)
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Aussie Mark

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2014, 04:27:10 PM »
I've already got it... ;)

Me too.  I have a custom built head based on an Ampeg B-15 .... but it's 100 watts. 

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dadagoboi

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2014, 07:19:57 AM »
Well, never say 'never'.

I just BINned this turret board B-15 chassis.  Now to convince somebody to build me a FrankenFlex.



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Highlander

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2014, 03:42:16 PM »
That looks like my pre Hiwatt Sound City 120 post the transformer meltdown... :o

Me too.  I have a custom built head based on an Ampeg B-15 .... but it's 100 watts.

Dave Reeve's built mine in 1970... :mrgreen:
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dadagoboi

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2014, 05:12:26 PM »
That looks like my pre Hiwatt Sound City 120 post the transformer meltdown... :o

Goes something like this...

Highlander

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2014, 03:45:05 PM »
More chicken heads...! :mrgreen:
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drbassman

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Re: Custom bass head question
« Reply #14 on: June 18, 2014, 06:03:43 AM »
Wow, interesting debate.  I was curious about this idea as I have a friend who uses clone tube guitar amps built by a local guy and he loves them.  Knowing nothing about it, I was wondering what you all thought.  Carlo makes a good point.  Vintage is still the real deal and can be repaired/maintained by a good tech.
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