New Product Launch!
at the Guitar Summit 2023 in Mannheim.
The world premiere of the TWS BassBoy will take place at the GUITAR SUMMIT in Mannheim from September 22nd to 24th. Visit us at our Booth 101 on level 0 and get a personal impression of the TWS BassBoy!
For everyone who can hardly wait, we offer the exclusive opportunity to order from us before the official launch. Click here to get to the Bass Boy Pre-Launch Club, where you can tell us your desired configurations in advance.
TWS Bass Boy
All-Tube. For modern Bass Players. Finally.
"Why isn't there an all-tube bass amp which suits the demands of studios and smaller venues of our days?"
This is one of the most frequently asked questions that we have been asked since Tube WorkShop was founded.
We cannot answer that question, but we can say: It's here now. The Tube WorkShop BassBoy!
Even if our BassBoy is a completely new development, it is inspired by the legendary Ampeg B-15. This studio icon shaped the bass sounds of of a whole era. With a power amp switch between 30W Cathode Bias (like the 60s models) or the 50W in Class A/B mode of the 70s models of the B-15, the BassBoy does justice to both decades.
The legendary Baxandall tone control, specially developed for bass applications, has been completely revised and, with the new "Character" control, offers complex access to the important mid-range spectrum. This allows the BassBoy to switch effortlessly between traditional (rather aggressive) bass sounds and modern, tidy sounds.
guitar 09/2023
"So why aren't there "small" tube amps for bass? This is a question that worries me and no doubt many other bassists as well. Mario Gebhardt, the mastermind behind Tube WorkShop, has taken our cue and designed the BassBoy, a 50-watt tube amp for bass, which is intended to close this gap on the market. [...]. The BassBoy is (once again) a heavy hit from TubeWorkShop. With its compact format , it covers all needs of the High-End community and fills a real gap in the market."
Quality
handmade in Germany.
Every BassBoy is handcrafted in Leingarten (D) and wired point-to-point with the shortest signal paths. All connections are soldered (no connectors) to permanently prevent loose contacts and contact resistance.
The massive (2mm thick) aluminum chassis carries only hand-picked premium components as well as the highest quality transformers and an "over-designed" power supply for maximum durability. Only the best is good enough for us.
The mechanical installation of all components is completely decoupled from the electrical connections. Jacks, pots and tube bases do not exert any forces on the electrical connections that could lead to broken solder joints over time.
An extremely robust housing made of solid 18mm pine multiplex gives the BassBoy a high level of roadworthiness and at the same time is very easy to transport thanks to the generous carrying handle. Of course, the housing is handmade in Germany.
guitar 09/2023
"Mario doesn't skimp when it comes to craftsmanship. For the price asked, you should be able to expect that, but the expectation is undoubtedly fulfilled!"
Tone Control
3 knobs. From "modern" to "vintage".
Normally, bass players are used to be "left alone" with a flood of controls in order to somehow tinker heir "desired sound". At TWS, we wanted it to be more simple and more practical... with fewer controls!
Based on the classic Baxandall tone control, which works very efficiently on the bass and treble range, we invented the "Character" control, which controls the important mid-range in a multi-layered manner".
With the character controller you can continuously fade back and forth between a more "modern" and a "vintage-oriented" sound. "Modern" brings a very contoured and tidy bass sound, which is also ideal for slapping. "Vintage" results in a dense and assertive midrange, as we know it from countless recordings.
The "Character" control does much more than just boost or cut a specific center frequency. Rather, both the center frequency, the bandwidth and the boost/cut are continuously altered over the entire control range.
We can proudly say that this tone control is pretty unique!
guitar09/2023
"When it comes to tone control, we're not simply dealing with a classic 3-band EQ. As with the Ampeg model, the BassBoy has a Baxandall tone control. [...] But what's the deal with the controller in the middle? Instead of "Mids" it says "Character" and in fact Mario has incorporated a technically complex but very simple control, that determines the tonal orientation of the amplifier. On the left side you counteract a modern, tidy bass sound that tends to be clear, while the right side is dedicated to growling, dedicated vintage sounds."
Preamp & Ultra Bright
full controll over distorted sounds.
The TWS BassBoy was specially developed to also deliver the sought-after distorted tube bass sounds.
This is achieved through a finely tuned combination of the Preamp control (= gain) and the "Ultra Bright" function, which can be activated by "pulling" the knob.
In addition to the fact that the "Ultra-Bright" function can also be used to bring very dull-sounding basses back to life, this function is the "weapon of choice" when playing with a pick in order to explore the multi-layered world of the distorted tube bass sounds. Ultra-bright, character directed to "vintage", reduce bass and treble a bit... and Motörhead Rules.
Have fun with it!
guitar 09/2023
"The degree of distortion can be finely controlled via the Preamp-Knob. The spectrum ranges from a clean, but always warm sound, to a wonderfully dynamic crunch sound that, depending on intensity of playing, sounds either clean or beautifully grumpy. Up to a rough tube distortion sound that makes the faces of Black Sabbath and Motörhead fans smile. With a pull on the preamp control, the "ultra bright function" is activated, which gives the signal additional clarity and highs."
DI Out
Transformer balanced. What else?
Every good bass amp needs a balanced XLR DI out.
Even if miking the bass box is the "more meaningful" variant, the XLR DI-Out has established itself as a fixed "connection standard" for bass amps.
Of course, it is also available within the TWS BassBoy. And of course we have installed the highest quality variant for you. Transformer balanced with first-class components, and of course it has a GND lift switch to prevent ground loops.
Masters & Power
Contemporary, with options from the 60's and 70's.
Gone are the days when you had to cover the whole concert hall with 300W tube amps and huge 8x10 speaker cabinets.
Today, we are happy to leave applications that require "pure power" to the well-assorted field of Class-D amplifiers.
In our opinion, 50 "tube watts" represent the "sweet spot" in order to have sufficient headroom in most applications and to be able to fully enjoy the coveted dynamic tube sound.
In order to perfectly set this to your personal needs, the TWS BassBoy has a PPIMV master volume that controls the volume at the latest possible point (i.e. directly before the power amp) and only minimally influences the overall sound of the amp.
But that's not enough for us.
With the 50W/30 switch on the back of the BassBoy, the behavior of the power amp can be switched between the early B-15's with "Cathode Bias" (approx. 30W) and the later B-15's (with approx. 50W Class A/B and toggle "Fixed Bias").
The volume differences are rather marginal. With a "fully cranked" TWS BassBoy, however when fully cranking the amp, you will appreciate the differences, where the 30W Cathode Biased option reaches saturation much earlier than the more stable Class A/B variant from the 70s.
Technical Specs
and specifics.
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Handcrafted in Germany
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Shortest signal paths. Best components. No connectors.
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50W Class A/B / 30W Cathode Bias, switchable
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2x 6L6 power tubes
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1x 6SL7 preamp tube
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1x 6SL7 Paraphase Phase Inverter
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GZ34 rectifier tube
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Post Phase Inverter Master Volume (PPIMV)
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Preamp (gain) control with "Ultra-Bright" function
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3-band tone control with bass, treble and character controls
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4/8/16 ohm speaker impedance selector switch
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Transformer-balanced DI-Out (XLR) with GND-Lift switch
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Dimensions: WxHxD = 530 x 260 x 260 mm
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Weight: 14 kg
guitaright09/2023
"The price asked is definitely proud, but absolutely justified in view of what is on offer. Who can afford it, and is looking for the bass amp for a "lifetime", you should take a closer look and listen to the BassBoy."
TWS 1x12 Bass Cab
"Small" speakers can sound "Big"...
Matching the TWS-BassBoy, we decided on a compact but mature Bass-Cab with a 1x12 full-range configuration.
An additional tweeter was deliberately omitted.
The decisive factor was the construction made of 15mm birch multiplex in a closed housing with a well-balanced bass reflex port on the front. This achieves an even sound across all frequency ranges. The TWS 1x12 bass cab is equally balanced and very powerful with the smallest possible dimensions.
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Handcrafted in Germany
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Standard configuration: 1x12" Eminence Kappa-12A speaker
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Poer rating: 450W
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Impedance: 8 ohms
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Housing and baffle made of 15 mm birch multiplex
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Closed housing with bass reflex opening on the front
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Generous & comfortable carrying handle
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Dimensions (W x H x D): 595 x 400 x 300 mm
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Weight: 15.5 kg
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Cover: Black Tolex
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Front covering: Black/Silver
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Price: RRP €1,049
guitar 09/2023
"The TWS 1x12 bass cab has a practical format, a birch multiplex housing and is equipped with a 12" Eminence Kappa 12A speaker. The cab reacts very directly, reproduces the warm amp sound excellently and is even not a heavyweight at 15.5 kilograms. If you want it even lighter, you can also have your TWS cab equipped with a Jensen Bass Smooth Neodymium upon request."
Speakers
Power or Lightweight?
Our Standard: Eminence Kappa-12A
A legend among 12'' bass speakers. Heavily built, high efficiency. Extremely "direct" and very balanced. This speaker literally "jumps" at you and sonically "pushes" you in every situation. Within the best speakers you can get...
Lightweight Alternative: Jensen Bass Smooth 12
- Free of charge -
The Jensen Bass Smooth offers a very clear and differentiated sound with a weight of only 2.5 kg.
We recommend this speaker for all applications where low weight is more important than maximum sound pressure and power.
Tailored TWS Covers
keep the fun going...
Of course, the best thing for your darling would be a flight case. But that's where things get big and difficult. And when you're not on a world tour, a good protective case is the perfect and affordable everyday companion.
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Handmade in Germany
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Custom made to fit the TWS BssBoy
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Tailored to fit the TWS 1x12 bass box
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Perfectly sewn imitation leather protective cover in leather look with sewn-on TWS logo
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The protective cover is padded and splash-proof. It protects against knocks during transport and also against fading (UV protection) and dust.
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Thanks to the neatly incorporated handle recesses, the amp and box can still be transported without any problems.
Price BassBoy top part protective cover: 69,-€
Price TWS 1x12 bass box protective cover: 79,-€
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Tell more than 1000 words.
