FBT Bass Instrument Amp with Tube Preamp

At Gollihur Music, when it comes to amplifying our upright basses, we've always preferred amps that have a transparent, hi-fi sound. However, some folks do like the warm, gooey harmonic distortion that a tube-based preamp can provide. Most of our amps - including the solid-state version of the amp on this page - provide that "MBOL" (My Bass, Only Louder) vibe. But this amp does feature a well-designed tube "front end" that adds a bit of lovely coloration for the player who likes that sound.

This amp builds on the design and legacy of a very popular bass amp, but substitutes a high-end solid-state power amp for the original amp's tube power amp; this provides clean power in a lightweight, reliable package. A highly useful 3-band EQ uses a semi-parametric midrange control to really tailor the midrange to your needs.

These amps are solid - with smooth, chassis-mounted pots, and very nice jacks and switches, the construction should hold up very well in a professional gigging situation. These amps are built in the USA with top-shelf components and careful design.

Here's what Fuchs themselves have to say about these amps:

Much like Andy’s original ODS amps were initially inspired by the legendary Dumble
amps, the new Fuchs FBT-1 bass amps have found their inspiration from the iconic SVT
bass amps, but with Andy’s own enhancements.

Andy has years of experience as a working musician, as well as servicing and tweaking
guitar and bass amps for many famous clients as diverse as Carlos Santana through
jammers like Jimmy Herring, including jazz legends like Dave Stryker for over 40 years.
Fuchs’ 20-year list of reviews and endorsers is truly impressive to say the least.

Despite weighing over 80 lbs the infamous Ampeg SVT amps still became a benchmark
for stellar bass tones. Andy’s design challenge was to get that awesome tube amp
response and feel, but at a more manageable weight and size. By using the iconic Ice
power modules and a very unique hybrid tube/FET preamp running a switch mode power
supply at a full 300 volts, Fuchs was able to do exactly this in a remarkably small size.

The FBT-1 bass amps will be made available in 300 and 700 watt models, they feature a
tube preamp inspired by the classic SVT, but with improvements like a steep-slope
subsonic filter and a DI output using high speed audiophile op amps. The DI output is
electrically balanced pre/post switch, ground lift, DI Phase, and a global mute switch.
Preamp only versions will be forthcoming.

Small and light, (downright diminutive) at less than 5-lbs and 12 x 3 x 9, loud and clean,
as well as easy to operate, the FBT-1 amps will easily fit in a gig bag, run ice-cold, and
feature a well thought out, simple configuration for the working musician.

These amps feature an input gain control allowing both passive and active bass use,
Baxandall high and low controls, a parametric 5-way stepped midrange control with level
and frequency control and an output master volume.

All models use the industry-standard Ice power modules, which are known for their rock-
solid reliability and excellent cool-running, audio performance.

These amps feature a buffered patch loop between the preamp and power amp.

All amps are CE and RoHs compliant and operate on all global voltages automatically.

Input Impedance: 1 MegOhm (works well with piezo pickups)

FBT-300 & FBT-70: 6 lbs 12 x 3 x 9 chassis.

• FBT-300: 300W at 1% THD+N, 4Ohm • 260W at 0.1% THD+N, 4Ohm • 380W at 10% THD+N, 4Ohm • 450W at 1% THD+N, 2.7Ohm (Approximately ½ half this value at 8-ohms).
• FBT-700: 700 W @ 1 % THD+N, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 4  • 117 dBA dynamic range • THD+N = 0.005 % @ 1 W • THD+N = 0.0008 % @ 50 W
  (Approximately one half this value at 8 ohms).

NOTE: speaker output jacks are on 1/4" phono plugs. We offer a 1/4" to Speakon speaker cable as an add-on item for your convenience.