If you’re looking for 300 Watts of creamy, pillowy, vintage tube tone that still has a modern edge, this is the head for you.
Without a doubt, this head beats the SVT in many ways:
No Mud. SVTs I’ve played through on backlines get muddy at high volumes. Not the VT300. The power section (6x6550s) stays crisp thorough it’s entire range. There is a unique “Damping Control” which (from the manual), “In the low setting you get normal vacuum tube damping response, which is an open round soft low end that works well with 4 string basses and traditional tones. In the hi position you get a tighter more defined sound suitable for slapping and more modern playing styles.”
Great preamp. In addition to the traditional shelving bass and treble controls, there are four bands of EQ. They’re spaced at 60, 250, 800 and 6.0K for a very useable and musical EQ section. Built in compression and real tube overdrive round out the package.
Weight: Even though Eden says 40 lbs on their website, it feels more like 50, but compared to the 85 lb SVT, it’s a lightweight.
It’s immaculate. A small bend on one rack ear, a few scratches on the bottom, otherwise it’s perfect. I just had it serviced (a power tube failed) and rebiased. The power tubes have less than ten gigs on them.
From the Eden website:
"Features include 300 watts @ 8Ω OR 4Ω, 4 band tone controls, overdrive, selectable damping, compression with bypass, available with 6 x 6550 power tubes. 1⁄4“ and NL-4 output connections. International voltage selection. Classic vacuum tube sound. $3,089.90"
Koch Electronics in Denmark designed the amp for Eden, and the manufacturing happens there also. The final assembly and testing happens at Eden. You’ll notice the similarities between this amp and the Sadowsky SA200. Both are designed and built by Koch. They (can) have the same tube compliment. The preamp layout is similar. Even the esteemed Tom Bowlus finds them similar (he does prefer the Sadowsky). I saw an SA200 go for ~$2500 on the TalkBass board recently. I’m not badmouthing Sadowsky (sacrilege! – my main bass is a Sadowsky) but I can’t believe the SA200 is worth more than twice the price I’m asking.
It lists for $3,100 (!), MF sells for $2,500, and I’m asking $900 shipped to the CONUS. Included is the five-function footswitch. It will be professionally packed, tubes labeled and shipped separately. I’ll take Paypal or Postal Money Order. I have too many amps and I’m sticking with my WT-800. I have pics, but they're too big and have to be edited. I'll get them up soon. Please email me if you have any questions.
