Custom bass head question

drbassman · June 13, 2014, 07:41:00 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.

gearHed289 · June 13, 2014, 08:24:31 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.

And there would be a channel switching footswitch of course.

georgestrings · June 13, 2014, 11:11:50 AM

One of the old Hi-Watts wouldn't be a bad thing, IMO...

- georgestrings

Dave W · June 13, 2014, 11:05:25 PM

I'd call Conrad Sundholm and let him make the decisions for me.

Denis · June 14, 2014, 06:31:56 AM

Quote from: Dave W on June 13, 2014, 11:05:25 PM
I'd call Conrad Sundholm and let him make the decisions for me.

Good answer!

Pilgrim · June 14, 2014, 08:18:02 AM

Quote from: Dave W on June 13, 2014, 11:05:25 PM
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.

Lightyear · June 14, 2014, 10:51:48 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 · June 14, 2014, 12:46:37 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on June 14, 2014, 08:18:02 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 · June 14, 2014, 03:46:27 PM

I've already got it...

Aussie Mark · June 15, 2014, 05:27:10 PM

Quote from: Highlander on June 14, 2014, 03:46:27 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.

dadagoboi · June 16, 2014, 08:19:57 AM

Well, never say 'never'.

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

I think I know a guy...

Highlander · June 16, 2014, 04:42:16 PM

That looks like my pre Hiwatt Sound City 120 post the transformer meltdown...

Quote from: Aussie Mark on June 15, 2014, 05:27:10 PM
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...

dadagoboi · June 16, 2014, 06:12:26 PM

Quote from: Highlander on June 16, 2014, 04:42:16 PM
That looks like my pre Hiwatt Sound City 120 post the transformer meltdown...

Goes something like this...

Highlander · June 17, 2014, 04:45:05 PM

More chicken heads...!

drbassman · June 18, 2014, 07:03:43 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.