Best Lo-cost tube amp?

[saxdragon]

Hey guys. I want to buy a tube amp head to run as a preamp into my Acoustic 150b solid state head and 2X15 cabinet. What I'm after is a lo-cost way to get that growly overdriven tube sound like for old-school psychedelic/blues/rock'n'roll a la the 60's and the early 70's. Would this be an effective solution, do you think? I play a vintage Fender Jazz and an Epiphone non-reverse Thunderbird. Or if i can't use the amp as a preamp, what would abe a good lo-cost tube amp head? (My definition of lo-cost is under $400.00)

Thanks, all

[smgleitch]

Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI.


Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver | Sweetwater.com

[vivifiction]

Originally Posted by smgleitch

Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver DI.


Tech 21 SansAmp Bass Driver | Sweetwater.com

+1. Obviously not a tube pre, but it's "tube emulation" and gives great sound. The deluxe model has presets for different tones, too, and the price is right.

[seamonkey]

Do you have an iPod? - check out what's going on with them from several companies.
You can have a good modeling and portable practice headphone amp with you all the time.

[noeinstein]

Originally Posted by seamonkey

Do you have an iPod? - check out what's going on with them from several companies.
You can have a good modeling and portable practice headphone amp with you all the time.

Do you have a reference?

[jetofuj]

I guess you need an overdrive or tube emulation pedal - check out effects forum, you will find there interesting stuff.

You may also try tube preamp - for the price you might get Ampeg SVP-Pro or CL, but still I think that pedal would be better solution for you.

[JimmyM]

you cannot run the preamp of a tube head into another head unless you have a speaker cab plugged into the tube head, otherwise you'll blow its power transformer. just get a tube preamp if that's all you want...they're all over the place.

[Deluge Of Sound]

People have good things to say about the Catalinbread SFT:
Catalinbread: SFT

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by noeinstein

Do you have a reference?

AmpliTube iRig
Amplitube

Peavey.com

there are others.

Also look here
FINALLY, Apple... (GB on the iPad)

[ulynch]

Funny, I thought recently about asking practically this same question. What is a good low cost, best bang-for-the-buck, new or used, all-tube amp head? No pedals, no pre-amp/power-amp combination, but a real-deal all-tube bass amp head. Can I get real tube tone for $500 bucks or less?

[Mr. Foxen]

You can pick up an unknown but competent valve head pretty cheaply, get it properly teched and you are good to go. Difficulty is in recognising such things, because you can't go by name. Thing to bear in mind cheap and nasty 'real tube' sound won't sound as good as well done SS analogue emulation (such as the Sansamp) for the same price, and any tube preamps don't have the same thing going on as a full tube rig, which the Sansamp emulates.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by ulynch

Funny, I thought recently about asking practically this same question. What is a good low cost, best bang-for-the-buck, new or used, all-tube amp head? No pedals, no pre-amp/power-amp combination, but a real-deal all-tube bass amp head. Can I get real tube tone for $500 bucks or less?

Probably not, without a lot of luck.

[cheapbasslovin]

On our local craigslist we have some Silverface Bassman and old MusicMan amps come up in that price range from time to time. I've also seen some Peavey power amps come up semi-regularly.

If you need a couple hundred watts I'd expect a tough search. If you are hunting in the <100W range I'd expect you can find what you need with some patience.

[Electricblue]

Epiphone Valve Senior?

[WingKL]

The Bugera 1960 is relatively inexpensive and can probably replace your acoustic 150B. Someone has made some overdriven clips here on TB.

[MN_Bass]

PV VB2 usually run $500 + Used, very nice head for the money. If you get luck a Ampeg V4 sometimes run in that price range.

[Din Of Win]

It's rare...

I got my Traynor YBA-3 for $400 +s/h... so it came out to $450. But that's a really good deal (just saw one in way wose condition than mine go for $700).

But i've SEEN the following go for less than $400:

-Ampeg V4, V4-b, B-25, B-25b
-Peavey VB-2
-Fender Bassman, PA
-Traynor YBA-3, YBA-2, YBA-1, YBA-200
-Sunn 200s, Model T, Sorado


Now, all of those are worth more and usually go for more than $400.

My advice... for tubes on the cheap, look at old PA heads... especially the old Fender PA 100 and PA 135... i love those amps.

[Sartori]

You've seen a Model T go for less than $400?

[Downunderwonder]

Originally Posted by ulynch

Funny, I thought recently about asking practically this same question. What is a good low cost, best bang-for-the-buck, new or used, all-tube amp head? No pedals, no pre-amp/power-amp combination, but a real-deal all-tube bass amp head. Can I get real tube tone for $500 bucks or less?

If you can live with 100W I'd be surprised if Bassmans are over 300 bucks.

200W Traynors go for less than $500 when you can find one.

[Calaverasgrande]

What Din of Win said!
I have in the past seen Ampeg V4's come up for $450 or so.
Traynor YBA 1a and YBA 3 used to go for $300 or so, but have been gaining momentum in price. Lately they run from $350 up to $550.
Ditto about the tube pa heads. I have seen Traynor PA heads go for peanuts. Keep meaning to grab one to use as my synth rig.