CHEAP(er) TUBE PRACTICE AMPS?

[texasgreg]

I tried doing a search and couldn't fine any articles, except one where Jimmy was talking about how tubey the Ampeg Micro stack is. Which is good to know.

I'm pretty sure the answer is NO, but I was wondering if any of the cheap tube amps (under $300) that so many amp companies are putting out for guitar right now, some with switchable wattages, I was wondering if any bass companies are doing the same or thinking of doing the same?

The reason is, I've used a Musicmaster, actually two of them, going back to 1973 to play bass at the house. I've always liked the tone of the MM, and although volume is not great on that amp, I've always liked the model for home recording and practicing.

I sold the first one I had stupidly, then some years later bought a used one. I had it gone over very thoroughly by a well thought of amp man in Houston, and it worked fine for the past 9 years. I got a new speaker for it, a CTS that appears new in box, installed it and dang, tube amp problems again.

I put the other speaker back on and it's not the speaker. It's doing the same thing it did when I got it, which is distort horribly, and it took re-capping and re-tubeing to fix that.
It costs some bucks too.

[AwkwardLoudness]

You might be able to find a well used Peavey, Traynor, or Sovtek Mig100 tube amp head for $300. Some used Fender tube amps may sell in that range too. Check your local CraigsList and the classified here on TalkBass and see what's available.

The Ampeg Micro-VR is not a tube amp, but you may want to consider that as an option anyway as a good alternative to real tubes.

[RickenBoogie]

There are very few tube practice amps, and none that I know of currently in production. In fact, the only tube combo's I'm aware of are the Ampeg B15 variants, and the newer Ashdown fliptops. You'd do better with a normal solid state or hybrid design if you're looking for a combo for home practice.