GAS strikes again (tube content)

brndn123 · #1 01-14-2011, 11:47 PM

I've always been intrigued by tube amps. I've played through a few and like most, fell in love. So I had my eye on the American Heritage. Figured I would save up and "do it right" the first time; make some payments and it would be mine. Then, out of nowhere, I come across a Fender Bassman 300 pro for cheap. Now, as previously mentoined, I've played through a few tube amps and relatively know what I'm getting into, but considering neither of these amps are within driving distance for me to test out, I reach out to you guys. So...

Save up for a new Heritage or score a Fender Bassman 300pro for cheap

What would you do?

xjeremiahx · #2 01-14-2011, 11:57 PM

I own & LOVE my 300t(same as 300pro). Love it. US made without the pricetag of the Ampeg - I'm assuming that's what you mean by American Heritage...as in the American Made Heritage SVT Classic?

Regardless, I love the 300pro/t. Super versatile, lots of great tones, heavy & oversized as hell, but totally worth it.

brndn123 · #3 01-15-2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xjeremiahx

I own & LOVE my 300t(same as 300pro). Love it. US made without the pricetag of the Ampeg - I'm assuming that's what you mean by American Heritage...as in the American Made Heritage SVT Classic?

Regardless, I love the 300pro/t. Super versatile, lots of great tones, heavy & oversized as hell, but totally worth it.

Do you have any issues with overheating? A few other tbers mentioned the necessity of adding a fan to prevent the amp from getting too hot.

As for the American Heritage, street price is a bit high but its really well put together. I think the catch is it is "assembled" in the US and overall, has higher inspeciton points. I've never been in to collecting gear, I just want to get a quality tube amp and be done with it, ya know?

JimmyM · #4 01-15-2011, 12:39 AM

boy, that's tough. either of them would be great to have, but i would still go ampeg because it's the standard, and nothing else quite sounds like one imho.

brndn123 · #5 01-15-2011, 01:02 AM

put it this way...

For the street price of a Heritage new, I could purchase 3 used bassmans (at the deal I was offered) and a few accessories.

Is the Ampeg THAT much better?

edbass · #6 01-15-2011, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brndn123

put it this way...

For the street price of a Heritage new, I could purchase 3 used bassmans (at the deal I was offered) and a few accessories.

Is the Ampeg THAT much better?

It only is if you like it 3 times better. No one on a forum can tell you what sounds good to you; you need to hear it yourself.
Getting a tube amp isn't just "getting a tube amp"; while they are generally more dynamic and, well, musical than transistors, the characteristics can be greatly different beween amps.

Get the Fender. If you can buy it that cheap, you can turn it and get the Ampeg if the Fender doesn't work for you, maybe even make a couple of sheckles.

brndn123 · #7 01-15-2011, 01:58 AM

Yea, now that I think about it...the heritage is really just a glorified SLM at twice the price.

lawlz @ scheckles

ZachM · #8 01-15-2011, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edbass

It only is if you like it 3 times better. No one on a forum can tell you what sounds good to you; you need to hear it yourself.
Getting a tube amp isn't just "getting a tube amp"; while they are generally more dynamic and, well, musical than transistors, the characteristics can be greatly different beween amps.

Get the Fender. If you can buy it that cheap, you can turn it and get the Ampeg if the Fender doesn't work for you, maybe even make a couple of sheckles.

This is my feeling as well. I'd get the 300 pro. And then you may love it, or you can flip it and come out even or ahead.

Also (purely IMO) it might makes more sense to go with the fender because you can still find vintage SVT's for the price of a new heritage, especially if you have time to wait for the right deal to come along.

arblevek · #9 01-15-2011, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachM

This is my feeling as well. I'd get the 300 pro. And then you may love it, or you can flip it and come out even or ahead.

Also (purely IMO) it might makes more sense to go with the fender because you can still find vintage SVT's for the price of a new heritage, especially if you have time to wait for the right deal to come along.

I totally agree with that one . Grab a bargain first then, if the sound doesn't not fit your ears, grab a vintage Ampeg (new sound like crap compare to old ones, IMO only).

CLMSHQ · #10 01-15-2011, 05:45 AM

If it was not for the weight of the 300T I would still be using it. It is a beast with lots of power and great tone!

My commute made it a pain in the arss.

Definately 300T!

gricko · #11 01-15-2011, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brndn123

put it this way...

For the street price of a Heritage new, I could purchase 3 used bassmans (at the deal I was offered) and a few accessories.

Is the Ampeg THAT much better?

they have completely different voicing. tone. however you'd like to call it. it boils down to which one you like better.

jastacey · #12 01-15-2011, 10:29 AM

I have a Bassman 300 and I have a Ampeg SVT II Pro, both great amps, but different amps, the Fender is a pretty clean sounding amp even when pushed, where as the Ampeg will get grindy when pushed, but that's the Ampeg sound .... it all boils down to $$$$$ .... as a side note the heat build up in the Bassman is really not an issue ... IMHO