Ibanez Promethean Pro Bass Guitar Amp
April 7, 2009 by Chaz · Leave a Comment
Ibanez Electronics has proudly extended its amplification arsenal, this time in the professional bass amp category. During winter NAMM 2009, Ibanez demonstrated their all-new Promethean Pro bass amp with the help of bassist Rufus Philpot (Planet X, Down to the Bone). Read more
Peavey VB-3 Tube Bass Amplifier
January 22, 2009 by Chaz · Leave a Comment
NAMM 2009 – Picture this: tube amp, 37 pounds, 300-watt, extremely versatile, and what do you get? The all new Peavey VB-3 all tube bass amplifier. This incredible amp gives you total control over EQ and gain structure.
The dual-channel Peavey VB-3 bass amplifier combines three 12AX7 and two 12AT7 preamp tubes with a matched octet of EL34 powertubes that give players tons of characteristic all-tube-tone with extraordinarily tight response for an all-tube amplifier. An innovative, world-compatible switch-mode power supply and advanced design provide stadium levels of tone and power in an extremely lightweight (37 lb.) tube amplifier head.
The combination of the three 12Ax7 and two 12AT7 preamp makes up the dual channel Peavey VB-3 bass amplifier. Backing up the amplifier’s natural tube tone is a three-band vintage-style active/mid-cut EQ that blend traditional low and high tone controls with a mid control that features a four-position midrange selector switch, this allows players to set the mid-frequency at 200, 450, 600 or 800Hz. Combined with the nine-band, constant-Q graphic equalizer—spaced at optimized frequencies, with each slider providing 15dB of cut and boost—the Peavey VB-3 allows for virtually any EQ curve imaginable.
In addition to the aforementioned features, the VB-3 also features an all-tube optical compressor that uses a unique “feed-forward” design, this is positioned between the two EQ sections to help control extreme settings and allows full use of the graphic EQ. The compressor is highly sensitive and activated from the first tube stage so it can produce a wide array of compression. The amp’s master volume controls the overall output, while the “Clean” channel has an independent volume control and the “Overdrive” channel has a separate overdrive gain control.
Peavey’s patented “Resonance” and “Presence” controls, which adjust the damping factor at the low and high ends, respectively, along with a three-way speaker impedance selector, allow players to match the VB-3 to virtually any bass speaker enclosure. “Resonance” and “Presence” are also useful in dialing in tones for particular styles, including “tight” sounds that are not generally associated with tube amplifiers.
Voiced to match the VB-3 tube bass amplifier, the new VB-810 bass enclosure features eight custom-designed 10-inch ceramic-magnet loudspeakers paired into four tone chambers, and can be operated in stereo or mono modes with 800-watts power handling.
The Peavey VB-3 will be available in Q1 2009 and the VB-810 will be available in Q2 2009 from authorized Peavey retailers.
VB-3™ Tube Bass Head
- 300 watts RMS into 8, 4 or 2 ohms
- Total weight of just 37 lbs.
- Matched octet of EL34 power tubes
- 3 x 12AX7 and 2 x 12AT7 preamp tubes
- Internal rebiasing switch for using 6L6GC tubes
- Universal switching power supply allows use worldwide
- Dual channel: Volume/Overdrive/Low/Mid/Shift/High/Master
- LED indicators for active Volume or Overdrive control (footswitchable)
- Bright and Low Cut switches
- Tube compressor w/level control, defeat switch and LED (footswitchable)
- Constant-Q 9-band graphic EQ w/defeat switch and LED (footswitchable)
- Master volume
- Master Resonance and Presence controls for frequency-selective speaker damping
- Effects Loop
- Neutrik® Speakon® Combination Jack outputs
- Balanced XLR output pre/post EQ
- Preamp output and power amp input
- Footswitchable mute for tuning on stage
- Tuner output
- LED-lighted Peavey logo with dimmer control
- Made in U.S.A.
- MSRP $2499.99
VB-810™ Bass Enclosure
- 800-watts RMS power handling
- Eight custom-designed 10″ ceramic-magnet loudspeakers
- Four individual 2×10 chambers
- Switchless stereo or mono operation
- Heavy-duty hardware
- Durable bedliner covering and black grille cloth
- Made in U.S.A.
- MSRP $1049.99
For more information, please visit Peavey’s official website at www.peavey.com.
HIWATT Custom 400 Bass Head
September 12, 2008 by Chaz · Leave a Comment
When Robert Trujillo (Metallica) wants to make noise, he plugs into his HIWATT amp.
With that comment, the rest of this article could be left unsaid, and you could rest assured that HIWATT makes excellent quality bass amplifiers.
Of course, that would be letting the uninitiated readers down, wouldn’t it?
The HIWATT Custom 400 bass amplifier head unit is constructed using the same timeless technique as all other fare which bears the HIWATT nameplate: completely hand-built utilizing military specific point-to-point wiring, giving you nothing but purely awesome tonality.
The HIWATT Custom 400 is a relatively simple machine on the surface. It features two inputs, normal and brilliant, with separate volume controls for each channel, your standard 3-band EQ with presence control, and a master volume.
And of course, it couldn’t truly be called a ‘HIWATT’ amp without packing a brutal 400-watts of all-tube power, now could it?
The Custom 400 is built to the same specifications as the DR201 and the DR405, but the Custom 400 varies in that it utilizes six KT-88 tubes in the power section, four ECC-83’s in the preamps with one ECC-81, and Partridge transformers. It also features adjustable output impedance (4, 8, or 16 ohms).
If you are looking for warm bass tones and enough power for The Who, check out the HIWATT Custom 400 bass amp heads. http://www.hiwatt.com/
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Laney Nexus FET 650 Watt Bass Amp Head
September 3, 2008 by Chaz · Leave a Comment
Laney Nexus FET Bass Amplifier Head
Laney Nexus FET 650 Bass Amp
The Laney Nexus-FET bass guitar amplifier is a serious amp for serious musicians. This beast is built to achieve one goal: deliver powerful bass tone and enough power to get you through almost any gig you can throw at it.
The Nexus-FET is a 650-watt powerhouse built with a pair of 12AX7 tubes, a MOS-FET output stage, and two ECC83’s in the preamp section. The Nexus-FET also features two-channel operation (FET and Tube), a footswitch, effects loop, a 6-band graphic EQ, active power stage feedback control, and a built-in compressor.
The amp is housed in a shell of marine-grade plywood with large grip handles (which make hauling this monster around much easier).
To top it off, the Laney Nexus-FET is a class A/B amplifier, giving you that extra bit of quality.
The Laney Nexus-FET bass amplifier head will set you back around $1400 (US), but it’s quality construction and massive power make it worth skipping out on those extra sets of strings.
Gear-Vault Classifieds is an eBay alternative. Come sell your guitarsa and amps with us, for FREE!
Laney Nexus Fet Specifications:
Power RMS: 650 Watts RMS
Inputs: 1x Jack (with 10db Pad switch)
Channels: Fet & Tube
Equalization: Bass & Treble shelving controls, Hi & Lo Para Mid, and 6 Band Graphic EQ
Master Presence Control: Yes – Active Power Stage Feedback Control
Preamp Valves: 2x ECC83
Output Valves: No
Class: Class A/B
Link Jack (Line Level Slave): Yes
Line In: Power amp in
Footswitch: Yes, FS7 (Included)
Speaker connections: 2x Speakons
FX Loop(s): Send & Return Jacks (post EQ, pre Master Volume)
Impedance: Minimum 4 ohms
Cabinet Design: Marine Grade plywood cabinet with large grip handles.
Compressor: Single Control for threshold & range with auto level adjust (footswitchable)
DI Socket: Male XLR (Balanced & Switchable Pre/Post EQ)
Tuner Output Socket: 1x Jack (direct from input, still active when amp muted)
Dimensions (mm): 524 x 218 x 400
Hartke Kickback HS 1200 Bass Combo Review
July 26, 2008 by Chaz · Leave a Comment
Among rock musicians, bass players have always had the simplest choice when it comes to gear: buy a Fender Precision and a “refrigerator” (Ampeg SVT recommended), plug the former into the latter and start shaking the foundations of every house on the block. Read more
