TubeNet

I have a question for those of you who use an amp in any sort of ensemble, (or just by yourself.) I'm looking at getting a bass amp to play through, and I'm curious to know what sort of amp other tuba players use. I want something preferably with 200W or more. Also, I don't want something that is super heavy. I'd prefer an amp with both a cone and horn, so I don't have too muddy a sound.

Here's the audio chain that'll be feeding into this amp


Mic taped in the bell of tuba, or something else I think of later-------mixer-----effects pedals, (Total setup will probably a Line6 M13 multi-effects processor, Roland SP404 sampler, Electro-Harmonix Stereo Memory Man, Electro-Harmonix Bass MicroSynth, and maybe eventually an EH P.O.G.,)-------back to mixer-----amp

I want to use the mixer for setting up the wet/dry ratio, so I don't have to bend down all the time to mess with the effects. Here's one amp I'm looking at, even though it doesn't have a horn:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com ... sku=481097

So, if any of you plugged in guys would have a suggestion for me, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks,
Aaron H.

A little Gallien-Krueger bass amp is all you will ever need.
Don't worry about sounding muddy without a horn speaker. That's important for vocals, but not an issue with the tuba. First record yourself using the same mic setup that you are planning to use with the amp. Then play back that recording through the amp, and adjust the tone controls to get the sound that you want. Remember to listen to it from a distance, in a performance environment if possible.

Amplified tuba: It's more than a gimmick, and applies to ALL tuba players now and then....
(tubafatness: going a bit beyond your question, as people regularly ask me and I never get around to posting)

I play amplified a lot, simply so I don’t have to honk when playing with a drumset or anyone else who is amplified. I’ve played my tuba through so many different amps and sweated through many a gig and it seems my setup and scheme is always changing a bit. I always try my best to replicate or facsimile a true tuba sound.

I agree with both Art AND Bloke... and what they use is similar to what I use.

What I use depends on the role I’m playing in the ensemble...

For situations where I am the bass role, I use a small 1-12 GK (the standard acoustic bass amp everyone uses) which is great for most things - small to medium sized rooms.
However, when it is unassisted in a big room it tends to run out of gas. It sounds big a few feet in front of the amp but it has a hard time projecting and at higher volumes the EQ is different and not as effective. Overall it is rugged and the EQ deals with the tuba pretty well. It does have a built-in XLR out which sounds GREAT (much better than just going direct, more on that...) I’ve used the line out of that thing in cavernous halls / large setups, where 100% of the audience’s sound is through a massive PA and is carefully controlled and rode real-time by a quality soundperson.

For situations where I am more of a lead, and/or need heavy effects (it happens...) I pair it with a crappy old Peavy I modified into a hybrid guitar / bass amp. It’s heavy and temperamental but it can shred. I don’t use that one as much as I used to tho.

Many larger clubs will have house backline, and my fav is a good ol workhorse Ampeg or GK/Ampeg 8-10 stack. Big Hartkes can be decent too. A 4-10 + sub works too, but is best if you can control the sub through a variable crossover, or even kill the sub. It has a tendency to just be too much and have no definition or tone.

I dont like common mega power rock combos, like 1-15/16 Ampegs, Crates, etc... they are loud, but make the tuba sound like ***.

My personal fav is a hi-end 4-10 setup. Sings + power.

Keep in mind that bass amps and most pro-sound situations are EQ’d for thuddy bass which is quite a bit different from the tuba sonically and in tone. Also, the same model, but different vintage of the same amp can sound different. And a lot of it has to do with how you play too... if you are doing the second-line style sousa thing, it’s going to be a lot different than if you are doing an ambient loop thing where you want no edge at all. Your choice and order of effects will also play a big part. It also depends on the situation whether I am "playing the amp" or "playing the tuba". The other players in the ensemble have an impact too (a heavy-handed drummer can ruin your night)

The amp and it’s EQ abilites / limitations become an extension of your horn and you should be able to control the TONE in the same manner you do with your horn (but through an altogether different process). Amp placement can affect the tone a lot too. Better soundpeople can help you with placement if you are new to a room.

***About Going direct - don’t do it if you can help it.
(unless you have a soundperson with orchestral ears and the club has a PA with LOW end and does NOT rely on a bass amp for the bottom punch) The WORST situations I’ve dealt with are direct situations. Usually, the soundperson does not even know what a tuba is, much less how to make it sound good.

...that being said, in certain situations where I am an ensemble horn, I will go direct if all the other horns are (such as in a big band or amplifed orchestral setup) then I tend not to worry about it at all.


If you are going to buy an amp, best thing to do is haul all of your electro-tuba rockstar crap to the geetar store and mesmerize/annoy the salespeople with it. And, if it is a common amp, see if you can borrow one and try it out live and see how it stands up to the rest of the band. Record yourself live... and most of all, never let a soundperson dictate your tone.

And remember (you've been warned!), all it takes is for a classical player to do one *alternative* gig, and you get labled as "oh yeah, that jazz guy" for life.

Im both a Tubist and Bassist and have a great amp idea for you that I've been very happy with for the past 3 years. It's very small and light weight while still being 200Watts. It again doesn't have a horn in it but it does have a great High boost and Low Boost. 2 inputs as well (great for the bass teacher on the go) each with there own EQ. The Amp is a single box with a large port in front with 2 - 8inch speakers with awesome low weight magnets and low end. I use it with both my Tuba and my 5 string Tobias Bass (5 string having the low BB) Below are 2 links to help you out a bit. Great choice in pedals by the way I Love electro-harmonix!



http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=481492" target="_blank

http://www.zzounds.com/item--AMPPBC228" target="_blank

I believe we need at least a 15 inch speaker with no horns to blow up.
I got six J.B.L. EON 300 watt self powered speakers with my P.A. system. Each has a 15 inch speaker with a horn. I can use one EON with the horn turned down as a tuba amp for small to medium sized rooms and two EONS up on stands for larger venues. I like using EONs for tuba amps but they cost $700 each.
I try to avoid playing tuba thru anyone else's system. I don't want to pay for blown speakers. On the occasions where we play large outside stages with giant systems and a sound man, I have been very happy with the tuba sound and output. On sound checks I play a long, rangy jazz riff and let the sound man dial it in.

Carvin are underappreciated, and have good bang for the buck. I've had my 300 watt head that I paid $350 for in @1993, and it just won't quit. It's been everywhere from biker bars to church, in all temperature extremes, and has been used as a PA head.

As for speakers, I like a more "vintage" tone that something like an SWR Triad (1X15, 1X10 & horn) puts out, because it has that smooth upper bass slight rise that is pretty signature on a 15 inch speaker, but the setup, again, has good linearity, and has been used as a PA setup as well.

I DO NOT care for any 2X10 or 4X10 cabinet, as to me they all sound "honky." Being on a first name basis with all the music store owners in the area, I always get to try out all of them, and have over the past 20 years. Even though "everybody" seems to like the punch, there is no smoothness to the bottom. This especially applies to Hartke and Trace Elliot.

The new Ampegs are flabby on the bottom, and the new Fenders just don't have enough "guts" to suit me, in spite of the power ratings.

Yes, GK are good clean amps. But I have been impressed with a new line of amps, Ashdown. A friend of mine uses a new Ashdown head and 1X15 cab for his jazz bass guitar gigs, and it was really smooth and clear, with excellent linearity. If I did not already have my own setup, that is what I would consider. They cost a little more, and in this case you do get what you pay for.