I want to go back to tubes.

[TimB 619]

I haven't played regularly with a tube head for 20 years now. The last tube head I owned was an early 70's Bassman 100, which I ran thru a 1X15 cab. I also owned an '83 Bassman Ten, from 1983-1990.

While I like the Fender amp I use now-Bassman 250/210-I've got a real desire to go back to using a tube head. I'm not really sure why. Maybe it's the warmth of a tube amp that I miss?

I like classic rock, classic country, R&B. Anything really, but there's a fondness for the older types of music that I have, that I don't have with anything else.

Oh well, one of these days hopefully.

[Jefenator]

IME if you're patient, a good tube head can be had for not too much money. I wound up with 3 of them over the past year, and have had to cut myself off.

[poorbassist15]

Used Peavey VB-2.

[JimmyM]

hey tim, tubes aren't going to make or break you because it's all about the music. but i certainly can relate to what you're saying. i was never truly happy when i went solid state. i had moments where i was closer to happiness than others, but i always wished i'd have gotten my svt fixed when it broke instead of buying a hybrid. i just never thought i could take a bunch of one nighters moving it. so i finally got it fixed and it turns out i can move it pretty well

[Jim Carr]

My last all tube rig was a 1968 200 watt Marshall Major into an Acoustic 301. Great rig which I miss, but in all honesty and IMHO, all the modern rigs I have had in the last 10 years have been far superior to that old-school monster. Better tones, more flexible, cheaper, louder, smaller...what's not to like?

I guess I miss that old rig because I had to sell unwillingly when I was destitute and desperate to buy heating oil to keep my girlfriend and myself from freezing to death in a hellish Michigan winter. Did I mention I have hated snow ever since, LOL?

[TimB 619]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

hey tim, tubes aren't going to make or break you because it's all about the music. but i certainly can relate to what you're saying. i was never truly happy when i went solid state. i had moments where i was closer to happiness than others, but i always wished i'd have gotten my svt fixed when it broke instead of buying a hybrid. i just never thought i could take a bunch of one nighters moving it. so i finally got it fixed and it turns out i can move it pretty well

As always Jimmy, you're right on

Don't get me wrong, my Bassman is a fine sounding amp. I guess maybe I had a little too much time on my hands to think about stuff!

All this talk about tubes can be infectious ya' know

[TimB 619]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

My last all tube rig was a 1968 200 watt Marshall Major into an Acoustic 301. Great rig which I miss, but in all honesty and IMHO, all the modern rigs I have had in the last 10 years have been far superior to that old-school monster. Better tones, more flexible, cheaper, louder, smaller...what's not to like?

I guess I miss that old rig because I had to sell unwillingly when I was destitute and desperate to buy heating oil to keep my girlfriend and myself from freezing to death in a hellish Michigan winter. Did I mention I have hated snow ever since, LOL?

I've had to sell gear in the past, when I've gotten in a bind, so I can understand. I'll bet that Marshall head rig screamed!

There are some nice sounding modern rigs out there as well. JimmyM may be right, I've gotta stop thinking so much about this stuff

[traynorbassmate]

Recently I repaired a brownface '62 bassman 6G6B amp, tons of fun to work on and a joy to play, albeit it does better for guitar. If you play loud r&r, svt v or v.r. is my vote, if you can carry it.

[Thornton Davis]

I'm about to put a new Peavey VB-3 through its paces. I too am an old tube guy, but always hated the weight of them.

I'm really looking forward to checking the VB-3 out, especially its 37 lb weight.

TD

[dogofgod]

I played a Mesa full tube amp in high school, since then I have been playing on an Ampeg B-115 for the last three years. I am completely ready to switch back to a full tube rig. I know that Ampeg and Mesa don't exactly fall into the same category of amplifiers based on money alone, but wow, what an enormous difference in sound when comparing solid state vs. tube.

[the_hook]

I can't say I fully understood what all the Ampeg and other all tube amp deal was, since up to this point in my very short bass playing time I've only ever used SS amps.

So last week a buddy and I visited a local music store and sitting quietly in the bass room is an old Ampeg tube amp sitting on top of the perenial 8x10 stack. It was for sale too, with little rips and stuff, looking still pretty decent though.

With no one around I just had to plug in. And...Shazbot! Talk about TONE. I don't think I can go back to SS....ever....!

Words like Thick, Rich, Creamy, Bottomless, throw in a hungry Rottweiler snarl, etc. just floated around my aching head from the massive tone.

I'm still drooling over it a week later...

[Eilif]

Originally Posted by poorbassist15

... Peavey VB-2.

That's what I use in my rock and country bands. It weighs more than my amp (Avatar B410NEO) and bass combined, but it's worth every pound.

[gregbackstrom]

Originally Posted by Thornton Davis

I'm about to put a new Peavey VB-3 through its paces. I too am an old tube guy, but always hated the weight of them.

I'm really looking forward to checking the VB-3 out, especially its 37 lb weight.

TD

The weight is cool, for sure. But the tone is fabulous! I've had mine for several months. I'm still impressed with the flexibility of the tone controls and resonance / presence controls! This head can be fast and clean or as loose and big in the booty as you want it!

Peavey is doing some great stuff these days ....

Greg

[StrangerDanger]

I have one of these and LOVE it. Try one out:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....LAID=383881739

[TimB 619]

Originally Posted by Eilif

That's what I use in my rock and country bands. It weighs more than my amp (Avatar B410NEO) and bass combined, but it's worth every pound.

I've heard lots of great things about this head, so it may be the one that I may want.

I know the SVTs and Fender Bassman 300PRO are great as well-I just don't know if I want to carry one of those monsters around.

Lots to think about

[Bigjohn]

Tube amps look better and smell better. Especially old ones. So many transistor amps look cheap.