I was thinking of getting a Carvin R600 Series II. It's a tube head, and I was wondering if there's a general consensus on which is better for bass players, whether it's solid state or tube, in terms of sound.

the r600 isnt an all tube head. there is a 12ax7 that can be dialed into the preamp to warm it up a bit. dont get me wrong, i think its a great head for the money. you should also look at the b500, which is another great carvin head. both heads are great for the money.

on the tube vs. solid state issue, i can go either way on this. some people may go one way or the other, but i just go with what sounds good to my ears.

i LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE head!

Since it's not all tube, will that one tube make the sound not muddy if I need to crank it (since solid state's get muddier the louder you make them) on the R600?

i prefer solid state. i use a gallien kruger 1001rb.
ive used it for about 5 years now, great head.

what are you trying to power here? and how much are you
looking to spend?

some day i need to visit blue while he’s working and waste his time by leeching his massive guitar knowledge

i know nothing. Nothing!!!

I prefer tube, but you've got to be willing to put the money and effort into maintenance if you go all-tube. Find what sounds best to you.

KeithMutiny said:

Don't buy a carvin bass head made in the past ten years.

Read the reviews on harominy central and you'll know why.


Get a gallien or hartke.

it all depends on what you are powering here.
i mean if you are powering low end speakers,
there is no point in spending over a grand on a GK
or ampeg.

PatMeebles said:



I don't know that I would call SS amps muddy. All amps get "muddy" when over driven. Tube amps are usually thought of have a better overdriven tone, very warm and fat. If your after a crisp clean tone warm and fat becomes "muddy" An over driven SS amp is a lot more harsh and un pleasing to the ears. You'll find SS amps to have more watts for more head room so you can turn up louder before your sound goes to shit. A tube would be added to the pre amp to give it a little more warmth and less of a sterile sound that is usually associated with an SS amp.

The Carvin your looking at sells for $500 right, that's pretty cheap and may do exactly what you need. But you can't try it first right? I would try to save your penny's if you don't have to buy right now and get something better. Maybe used in the same price range

niccolai nli said:

I don't like GK at all. I played a hartke, the 5500 head and that sound pretty good from what I remember . In that price range you'd be better of with an Ashdown ABM EVOII 500. I love that amp!

I don't like british style amps. Fuck ashdown.

ya fuck good tone!

It's not the tone I'm 'fucking' it's the contruction, electrical layout, and EQ.

what is everyone running for speakers, primarily,
and what bass(s) are you using. this all plays a factor
in deciding on an amp

what don't you like about the electrical layout and eq?

The british methods of power conversion are annoying to mod and repair.