Best Tube Amp for the Money, GO!

ibassforhim · #1 03-31-2011, 10:24 AM

Looking at buying a small tube amp head for avatar B210 Neo. Something around the 350-500 Watt Range - 8 ohms

Cheaper the better. GO!

chokeslam512 · #2 03-31-2011, 10:24 AM

A 300 - 500 watt tube amp will not be small by any means... If you mean a solid state power section with tube pre, that's a different story.

greenboy · #3 03-31-2011, 10:36 AM

Some guys really do their homework before posting ; }

KramerBassFan · #4 03-31-2011, 10:43 AM

Anybody got an 8lb 500w 12x5 inch all tube amp for sale? I know they make them...

AwkwardLoudness · #5 03-31-2011, 10:45 AM

Okay, I'll bite. An Ampeg SVT (CL, vintage reissue, or real vintage one) is 300w all tube. It's quite large and weighs about 80 lbs. Prices vary a lot mostly in the $1000 to $2000 range depending on condition.

If that's not enough, maybe you can find a vintage 435w Fender 400PS for under $1000. It weighs about 100 pounds.

My 400w all tube Hiwatt is about 85 pounds. It's expensive though.

Peavey Classic 400 is cheap (one sold for $600 recently) and about 90 - 100 pounds I think.

Any all tube amp of 300+ watts will by default have heavy big iron transformers.

jimbilly · #6 03-31-2011, 10:53 AM

Try a 100w tube head, like a V4 or a Bassman or Dual Showman 100 and see if you still think you need 300+ watts for the 210. Add a single 15 cabinet to the 210 and try a Blackface 50w Bassman head, I'll bet you'll be very surprised (assuming you can get a 4ohm load with both).

capnjim · #7 03-31-2011, 10:56 AM

An SVT on the moon. You will need a freaking long lead cord, but it will be heard!

groovaholic · #8 03-31-2011, 11:00 AM

^ that...what Awkward Loudness said.

Any real tube amp of that power rating will outweigh and probably outsize your 210 Neo and obviate any portability benefits you intended from its purchase.

As others have hinted, your question sounds more like you're looking for a 350-500 watt HYBRID head with a tube preamp and a solid state power amp.

Several hybrid heads would fit your parameters and most of them are great amps BUT... they offer very different tones and we'd need to know what your tonal goals are to make a worthwhile recommendation.

So...give more information to get more-informed responses.

Then, be prepared to discard every opinion you hear and trust your own ears.

My name is Mudd · #9 03-31-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibassforhim

Looking at buying a small tube amp head for avatar B210 Neo. Something around the...5...Watt Range - 8 ohms

Cheaper the better. GO!

Fix'd it...Epi Valve Jr.

Alex1984 · #10 03-31-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnjim

An SVT on the moon. You will need a freaking long lead cord, but it will be heard!

And a heck of a lot lighter! But seriously, any 300 Watt tube amp cannot be considered small. Mesa 400+ weighs in significantly lighter than others in this range, but I prefer the SVT tonally. Ampeg's the only company that can make me drag an 80~90 pound amp/head around without a second thought, and still be happy about it afterwards.

AwkwardLoudness · #11 03-31-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex1984

And a heck of a lot lighter! But seriously, any 300 Watt tube amp cannot be considered small. Mesa 400+ weighs in significantly lighter than others in this range, but I prefer the SVT tonally. Ampeg's the only company that can make me drag an 80~90 pound amp/head around without a second thought, and still be happy about it afterwards.

A Mesa 400/400+ is lighter than an SVT but it's also less than 300 watts RMS. It's not a 400w amp.

metron · #12 03-31-2011, 11:29 AM

Peavey classic 400. Most tubes for the least $. If you can carry it.

LowDown Hal · #13 03-31-2011, 11:30 AM

greenboy · #14 03-31-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowDown Hal

GO !

waleross · #15 03-31-2011, 11:41 AM

Do your homework, save your money......SVTCL ,
Fender Bassman 300........

Alex1984 · #16 03-31-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AwkwardLoudness

A Mesa 400/400+ is lighter than an SVT but it's also less than 300 watts RMS. It's not a 400w amp.

Thought the 400+ was 300 RMS and about 480 peak.

AwkwardLoudness · #17 03-31-2011, 01:12 PM

275w to 280w RMS I think. Correct me if I'm wrong though. The opening post asked about 300w to 500w tube amps, but the Mesa 400 is basically there.

SVTs have heavier box and chassis in addition to bigger transformers...well at least the vintage ones do...compared to a 400/400+. So, the overall weight difference is certainly noticeable.

ibassforhim · #18 03-31-2011, 01:32 PM

sorry didnt clarify. tube in the preamp. my bad

vin*tone · #19 03-31-2011, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

I remember life before the Segway. How things have changed.

Pickebass · #20 03-31-2011, 02:02 PM

Traynor amps. I don't remember the model number, but they are a great value