Lower powered Tube Bass Heads

[TravTrav]

What bass heads are out there (old or new) that are tube, and 40-120 watts?

[senp5f]

Anything before the original SVT should fit the bill--they invented the thing because everything else was in the range you describe! This is a tough niche to fill.

Try the Vox V117, or, of course, the original fender bassman. The new orange ad200 is 200 watts.

Mind memasking what the application is? If it's a low volume amp with killer vintage tone, an old ampeg b15 fliptop would be the ticket. But it's hard to find owners of the originals who will part with them at any price.

[hifibass]

I've owned a 1974 (1st year made) Music Man 65 since new. It is the best sounding bass amp I've ever owned and I've owned a lot! It pushes a stack (as shown) with ease. If you look for one make certain it has the 12AX7 (or similar) preamp/rectifier tube. The later ones were solid state rectifiers and to my ear don't sound as warm. Ken

MusicMan 65 Stack pictures by kensmithphotobucket - Photobucket

[TravTrav]

Originally Posted by senp5f

Anything before the original SVT should fit the bill--they invented the thing because everything else was in the range you describe! This is a tough niche to fill.

Try the Vox V117, or, of course, the original fender bassman. The new orange ad200 is 200 watts.

Mind memasking what the application is? If it's a low volume amp with killer vintage tone, an old ampeg b15 fliptop would be the ticket. But it's hard to find owners of the originals who will part with them at any price.

I just want to use it for some good tones at a decent volume.

I actually just impulsively bought a Fender Bassman 100 a few seconds ago from GC used. I hear those stay pretty damn clean, which is what I'd dig. Although, a lot of people say it's a pretty weak sounding 100 watts. Good thing is, though, I got free shipping so I can always return it at no loss.

Hifibass, that is a SWEET stack. I use to play through my friend's dads HD130 with bass or guitar, and it was pretty sexy sounding.

[will33]

I like the bassman's although they don't get that loud. Don't hesitate to try most any guitar amp either, just plug it into a bass cab.

[coreyfyfe]

There are a ton in the 40-120 watt range. There is actually a thread called something like "100 watt tube amps" that you can search for and you will see a toooooooooooon of lower wattage tube amps (figuratively and literally if you add up the weight of them transformers ).

Fender had the bassman amps 50, 70, 100, 135, etc, as well as all of their other amps heads which will usually work just as well on bass. Ampeg had the V2, V3, V4, V5, B25, and SVT-100 over the years. I had one of those musicman heads as well that were an early hybrid - tube power, solid-state pre - not bad for what it was but not great either IMO. There are many many many more out there. Try finding that thread, it will give you a good start...

[kcole4001]

The Traynor YBA-_ Bassmaster amps were all tube, and quite loud, especially compared to the old Bassman 50s.
You can probably find them cheaper than old Fenders.

I had two Bassmen (one black- and one silverface) and the Traynor 45 watt head.
They had decent tone, but the Fenders were not nearly loud enough for gigging, but I only had access to a 2X12, and later 1X15 cabinets.

I keep wondering if the old Bassman would have fared better with a 4X10 or larger cab.

Still, the lack of a midrange EQ section was what sealed their fate for me.
I really should have kept them though, sold the silverface Fender for $100 and gave away the blackface to a very good friend.

[SactoBass]

Check out oldschoolamps.com for low powered tube bass heads/amp rigs.

I have no affiliation.

[Corey Y]

Traynor YBA-1 is my main squeeze. Very loud for what they're rated and you can find them for a good price with a little patience.

[TravTrav]

Originally Posted by kcole4001

They had decent tone, but the Fenders were not nearly loud enough for gigging, but I only had access to a 2X12, and later 1X15 cabinets.

I keep wondering if the old Bassman would have fared better with a 4X10 or larger cab.

Through some research I have found that a lot of people agree that Bassmans are biased really low, hence their weak output.

I have no idea if this is true, though.

[denton57]

70's V4b...