Cheap tube head?

[Psycho]

I've decided recently that I love tube heads, and am definitely looking for them as a part of my sound.

Unfortunately, they seem to be spendy. I'm looking for just a basic tube head, that's relatively cheap. Trying to keep the head and cab combined under $2000, and a 4 10" set up is what i'm shooting for cab wise.

Also, is mixing and matching manufacturers possible, or just a bad idea?

[bongomania]

Mixing and matching manufacturers is just fine, no problem. There are a few esoteric exceptions, where one brand's head and cab really were made just for each other, but by and large that's not the case.

You can find decent tube heads up to 150 W or so for under $500 all the time; sometimes for as little as $350 or thereabouts. Once you go up to 200 or 300 W, the price tends to go up quite a bit.

[nealw]

As long as you go used you should have no problem. I recently sold a 1970's SVT head for $1300. It was on Craigslist for about a month at that price, so I know I didn't underprice it. You should be able to find a really nice 4x10 for less than $700, so there you go. Mixing brands is only a problem if you're picky about the look.

[strke-fender]

Peavey VB-2?

[Sharko]

Originally Posted by strke-fender

Peavey VB-2?

exactly what i was thinking

[Bassist13]

Traynor yba-200. 200 watts all tube, and only 40 or so pounds. round 500-600 for a used from what I have seen.

[Psycho]

Thanks guys.

I like the sound of a Genz Benz, but i'm told they're not worth the money.

Anything with that "fullness" anyone would recommend?

[bongomania]

Whoa. Whoever told you Genz was "not worth the money" was full of it.

[brekfustuvluzer]

i bought an svt classic us made used for $1000, paired it with a 410hlf for $450. thats one hell of a setup for under $1500.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Psycho

Thanks guys.

I like the sound of a Genz Benz, but i'm told they're not worth the money.

Anything with that "fullness" anyone would recommend?

genz benz makes fantastic stuff. but their amps only have a single tube. that makes it a hybrid, not a tube amp. big difference. hybrids are generally better than all solid state heads, but they're not the same as an all-tube amp.

if you've got $2000 to spend, you can easily put together an all-tube rig and have a pretty good choice of stuff to boot. probably won't be able to buy new, but there are a few rigs where you could. you could get an svt-cl and an 810e for around $1200-1300, or a vintage svt rig for a few hundy more.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Even though I do love my Chinese 300 (200 ) watter, if I had $2000 to spend on a rig, I'd probably set my standards a bit higher.

For that You'll have plenty of options, the SVT rig(s) being the classic choice.

Regards
Sam

[Psycho]

Thanks!

I kinda had a feeling the person who told me was a little "off" about it, but he had seniority so I took his word.

Are the ported designs any more useful?

[JimmyM]

they are if you like deeper low end.

[MIJ-VI]

Originally Posted by Psycho

Thanks guys.

I like the sound of a Genz Benz, but i'm told they're not worth the money.

Anything with that "fullness" anyone would recommend?

What?!

Numerous posts on TalkBass bear witness to the reliability, professional results, and solid value delivered by Genz-Benz amplification (which is backed by a three year, owner transferable warranty). You have been misinformed.

Since you like the sound of GB amps, a more thorough audition of their product line may be beneficial in realizing your tone goals at a price you deem to be fair.

Often that which well-meaning folks believe to be so is rooted in misunderstanding. In the future please vet the assertions of others via a minimum of three independent sources. The truth can always withstand scrutiny.