Are We Still Talking About Bass Amps? Yes.

A bass amp is just like a guitar amp in that it is composed of a preamp and power amp section. Well, most, anyway. These machines are like Neapolitan ice cream, they come in three flavors: Solid State, Tube/S.S. hybrids and all Tube. Some brands only manufacture one or two types, some offer all three.

He is a helpful description of each: 

• Solid State = solid state preamp and power amp section 
• Tube/S.S. hybrids = tube preamp section and solid state power amp section
• All Tube = all tube, duh.

The truth is, there is NOT a whole lot of difference between amps within the S.S. class or the Tube/S.S. class. Some models use a better grade of components, some use a better grade of third world slaves to assemble them. Deciding between amplifier brands can be a bit like deciding between Nike and Adidas sneakers or Hyundais and Kias.

Amplifiers in the All Tube class will vary much more widely in tone and power output. However, if you go for the All Tube option you WILL NOT take advantage of portability and low cost. Much like gold bricks, tube amps have retained both their mass and their big ticket status.

Helpful Terminology of Bass Amp Tones

Do you like wine? Of course you do, you’re a musician. Maybe you gravitate towards whiskey or an ice cold brew is your drink. Whatever your potation you have no doubt read the thoughtful yet meaningless description printed on the label: “complex aroma, pear and apple fruitiness, caramel, vanilla and chocolate notes and bittersweet finish.”

Well, the copywriters hired by amp companies employ a similar lexicon of utterly subjective nonsense when composing descriptions of an amplifier’s tonal qualities. The creative descriptions are often more confusing than useful.

Here are a few terms to ignore: solid, present, gritty, wooly, growly, honky, nasal, transparent, glassy highs, punchy mids, warm lows, Jaco-like.