Any 'Low Wattage' Tube Bass Amps?

john_martin_sai · #1 10-09-2011, 02:11 AM

As with smaller guitar based tube amps - where you have many now with attenuators allowing .1 - 1 - 5 watt adjustments.......are there any equivalent amps for bass players?

Or is there some reason that these wouldn't be big sellers?

Derek Kiernan · #2 10-09-2011, 02:38 AM

You might be interested in Jule Amps' Monique - it's an all-tube preamp without a powersection that can reportedly approximate an all-tube amp with a number of variations - otherwise, no, I don't think you'll find much that's bass-specific and in the direction you seem to be looking.

4StringsEnough · #3 10-09-2011, 02:44 AM

There's the Ashdown Little B*stard which is 30W all valve. It's a great little amp which has, as far as I'm aware, been a commercial success. I agree that there could be HUGE demand for a 10W or 15W all-valve head at a lower price point than the Ashdown. I'd get one... :-)

benmoore88 · #4 10-09-2011, 02:47 AM

B'Boom · #5 10-09-2011, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Kiernan

You might be interested in Jule Amps' Monique - it's an all-tube preamp without a powersection that can reportedly approximate an all-tube amp with a number of variations - otherwise, no, I don't think you'll find much that's bass-specific and in the direction you seem to be looking.

+1,
For some month, I am the very happy Monique owner. I can obtain tones extremely close to an amplifier full tube Ampeg SVT by connecting her(it) towards my small digital recorder Yamaha AW1600 to an audio headset Ultrasone 900Pro or my monitoring system (Yamaha also).

NecroticImbecil · #6 10-09-2011, 09:01 AM

I am unaware of any tube bass amps with the built in variable wattage feature popular in smaller guitar amps. There are a few low wattage tube bass heads, the ones that came to mind have been mentioned. B-15 of course is the king of low wattage tube bass amps, but 30 watts may be more than you're looking for. I think the perception among manufacturers is that not enough bass players want that particular feature to justify the cost associated with it.

You may be pleasantly surprised by the performance of a low wattage guitar amp with an efficient bass speaker for recording or solo practice. I doubt you'd get enough clean volume for even quiet band practice out of 5 watts, but you might get enough insanely distorted volume if that's your bag. I've gotten some very nice tones out of some, including a 20 watt Mesa Rocket and a '65 Champ. Some people here love the Epiphone Valve Jr.

hifibass · #7 10-09-2011, 09:11 AM

Check this out. It's the same preamp that they use in their Mini-Bassman (damn I want one with a cage!) but they can add a 1 watt poweramp for $90.

Custom Hand-Wired Tube Amplifiers - FM-DP1 "Dual Pro One" Preamp

BillyB_from_LZ · #8 10-09-2011, 09:23 AM

The SWR Interstellar Overdrive preamp has a low power tube power section that is designed to drive an 8 ohm load. It also features an internal load impedance when you use it as a preamp in a larger rack system.

Alex1984 · #9 10-09-2011, 10:57 AM

The head from the B15 is probably one of the nicest sounding head out there.

michael_atw · #10 10-09-2011, 11:01 AM

Old Fender Bassmans.
Old Ampeg B25B's.

Jeff Scott · #11 10-09-2011, 08:42 PM

Both my early '70s Fender Princeton Reverb Amp (15 watts) and 1962 Fender Concert Amp (40 watts) make great bass amps when plugged into either of my bass cabinets (2-8 or 2-12). I get great, clean tone that can get quite loud enough to use with my band. The Concert Amp into it's own speakers sound great for low level playing, and especially nice for recording.

LarryR · #12 10-09-2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hifibass

Check this out. It's the same preamp that they use in their Mini-Bassman (damn I want one with a cage!) but they can add a 1 watt poweramp for $90.

Custom Hand-Wired Tube Amplifiers - FM-DP1 "Dual Pro One" Preamp

VERY cool! Thx for sharing.

fretno · #13 10-10-2011, 07:59 AM

30 watt Trainwreck Rocket clone :love

it's pretty much a AC30tb

anonymous02282011 · #14 10-10-2011, 08:02 AM

Guild Thunderbass

tombowlus · #15 10-10-2011, 08:17 AM

Hughes & Kettner B.A.T.T. fits the bill, though they are now discontinued. H&K made a variety of related products, as well.

throbgod13 · #16 10-10-2011, 11:15 AM

if your into DIY, look into the AX84 project.. low wattage tube amp designs and kits..

AX84.com - The Cooperative Tube Guitar Amp Project

or you could just get one of the available low wattage guitar heads, and change the tone stacks for bass..

mpdd · #17 10-10-2011, 12:32 PM

check out this if you haven't already

Vintage Traynor tube amp: should i keep it?

mpdd · #18 10-10-2011, 09:44 PM

SEARS SILVERTONE MODEL 1483 VINTAGE TUBE BASS AMPLIFIER HEAD L@@K!! | eBay

juledude · #19 11-10-2011, 10:04 PM

The Weber attenuators feel to me to most realistic as to how they trade off those watts for tone.
Attenuators

Trouble is, they only go to 250 watts.

Years ago I built a 100 watt bass amp head for another company. It weighed about 50 pounds. At NAMM, everyone loved the tone and playing characteristics, but nobody seemed able to live with just 100 watts. . . Alas.

My friends have pretty well convinced me that 350 watts is about a minimum. I figure that would weigh in around 80 pounds. And now we can get 1500 watts (class D) in about 5 pounds.

Good question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by john_martin_sai

As with smaller guitar based tube amps - where you have many now with attenuators allowing .1 - 1 - 5 watt adjustments.......are there any equivalent amps for bass players?

Or is there some reason that these wouldn't be big sellers?

**fuzzy beard** · #20 11-10-2011, 10:08 PM

I just got a Fender bassman 20 that is awsome! 18 watt 15 inch combo amp from early 80s. All clean tone!