Which modern tube amp would you buy if you had the $$$

[g4string]

The other thread that has been going the last several days about 200W tube amps has rekindled my g.a.s for a good solid tube rig. I currently have a Puma 500 with a TecAmp S212. I have no plans to sell that rig in the near future. Although, if I can find a solid tube rig I love, I would sell the TecAmp rig and by a 112 combo. I would use the combo for practice and jam nights.....the tube rig for gigs. Ideally, a good 200W tube head plus a 115 cab us what I would like to get. Although, in regards to a cab, I am not stuck on a 115. I am open to other cab options. The three amps that stick out the most to me are the Reeves 225, the Morgan MP200, and the Markbass Classic 300. My tone goals are clean, clear, thick valve tone.

The Reeves seems to most obvious choice....albeit the most expensive. Paired with their proprietary 115 would make a monster rig. I like that cab was designed to sound good with their amp -AND- I like that cab and head match. I know looks shouldn't matter....but it is nice the head and cab match. Additionally, there seems to a great deal of good press regarding the 225 (and their cabs as well). The amp is well designed so repairs and troubleshooting should be relatively easy in the hands of a qualified tech. Made in the USA is a plus.

I have heard some great things about the Morgan MP200....but knowhere near as much as I have heard about the Reeves. I have heard this amp (like the Reeves) is hard to OD. It is all about clear, clean, powerful valve thunder. Again, made in th USA is a bonus along with its simplistic design. An added bonus, this amp sells for approx $600 less than the Reeves.

The MB Classic 300 seems like a real cool amp!! GC had it priced at $2200 the last time I checked. If you catch a good coupon, I am sure you cab get the amp cheaper (maybe 20% off). Again, I have read this amp is all about clean, clear, powerful valve thunder. I dug the sound of my old LMII. I suppose the 300 is in the same tonal ballpark as the LM amps, with the exception being the 300 will have that signature valve sound added. I really dig the auto bias function. However, I feel this is the amps biggest shortcoming....too much technology. The lack of parts on US soil and proprietary technology scare me should I ever need service. I have read a couple reports on TB regarding such issues.

Additionally, I know nothing about SVT's. So I have no ear to reference any amp to a SVT. Maybe I should be looking at the new SVT-VR or -CL....I dunno?

My question is if you had the $$, which tube amp manufacturer would you buy from and why???

The variables are;

1) wattage around 200
2) $2500 and less (+ $100 or so)
3) it has to be in current production....no old or discontinued models
4) it can be any make/model. it doesnt have to from three I am interested in

[Jeff Scott]

Reeves 225.

[jellymax]

heritage SVT

[greenboy]

[EASonBass]

The Morgan can get some good grind. And, if you'd like more, Joe can make it so. Was that a priority in your quest?

[jasonbraatz]

Aguilar DB680 / DB728 combo. Again. But that's long discontinued.

After they get done with this microhead foolishness I hope they come out with an integrated tube head.

[SactoBass]

Those who have an SVT-VR claim that they sound just like the old blueline SVT's of 1969 (which some consider to be the holy grail of bass amplification). There is a guy here on TB who owns both a new SVT-VR and an old blueline, and he says they sound identical.

Also check out the Granger 300 watter. The circuit is modeled after the old SVT's, and based on the sound clips on their website, they nailed it!

[mwbonsall]

Originally Posted by greenboy

This is cool!!!

Mark

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by EASonBass

The Morgan can get some good grind. And, if you'd like more, Joe can make it so.

+1

I'm currently waiting on a Morgan (should be here any freaking second) and I've played through the Reeves. The Reeves is a clean machine, the Morgan gets more dirty. (I've played through both.) And EASon is correct: Joe Morgan will make a mod or two to get you closer to what you want. The Reeves design is pretty well finalized.

I plan on putting up soundclips of both the Morgan and the Reeves once my Morgan arrives.

[fu22ba55]

I'm also ruling out the SVT-VR, and the MB Classic 300, and the Verellen Meat Smoke... and all the other 300 Watters.

If you want 300 tube-watts, get a damn SVT and be done with it. The SVT owns the 300 Watt tube space IMO.

The 200W space is still up for grabs. That's why I'm interested in the Reeves and the Morgan.

[M0ses]

Orange......mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...................... ............citrusy............................... .........

[Jazzdogg]

I'm more than a little curious about the Demeter tube pre and power amps.

[Clank]

The Orange is great. Or the Reeves as mentioned before or a Divided by 13. I haven't got to play one yet but I've heard very nice things about them.

[g4string]

The SVT Heritage CL series and VR seem really cool. Again, I know little about "the Ampeg sound", let alone tube amp lineology. The VR is $2000 and the Heritage CL is $2400. The nice thing about going the Ampeg route is the dealership network. If bought through GC, the 20% off would help take the sting out of buying a new amp. Although I would prefer to a new tuber, finding a used CL or VR would be a hella lot easier than finding a used tuber of any boutique builder. Hmmmmmm.....

[acedabone]

Originally Posted by greenboy

This is what I use. LOVE it!!!!

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by g4string

Hmmmmmm.....

If you know nothing of the Ampeg sound... you're best bet is to find a 70's (maganvox) SVT or 80's (MTI) SVT and hitch your wagon to it. It will not disappoint you and you can build a house around the sound it will provide you.

BUT living in Alaska... trying to find one at the right price, AND trying to find a solid tube-amp tech is a tall order. (A vintage SVT is only as good as your tube-amp tech.)

The SVT is the line in the sand... the gold standard... The 200 Watters are a different animal altogether.

The only reason to seek out a 200 Watter is if SVTs are too loud for your application. Otherwise... don't bother. (Or at least cut your teeth with a 70's SVT for a while first, then start looking for a 200 watter.)

[theory028]

I have an SVT-VR and it's awesome. If you find that you are into the SVT tone, it's a great choice. My exposure to any other tube amps is severely limited but I'm more than happy with the Vintage Reissue.

I got mine for just over $1200 on eBay. It was an overseas B-stock and the seller had a discount going on at the time. It is in fantastic condition and sounds awesome. I feel that it was money very well spent. I just added the SVT810E to the rig, which I picked up for $550. I'm going to get some grill cloth to match the SVT-VR from Fliptops and I should be set. I'll have paid about $1800 for a rig that would cost $3100 new. Not too bad, I must say.

The SVT-CL or SVT-AV would be pretty tight as well. I'd really like to add one to my collection someday because it'd be fun, albeit a bit unnecessary. There was a while where the CL was going for $900 on Sam Ash as a B-stock unit. If they were to do that again, it'd be hard not to buy one.

[g4string]

Originally Posted by fu22ba55

If you know nothing of the Ampeg sound... you're best bet is to find a 70's (maganvox) SVT or 80's (MTI) SVT and hitch your wagon to it. It will not disappoint you and you can build a house around the sound it will provide you.

BUT living in Alaska... trying to find one at the right price, AND trying to find a solid tube-amp tech is a tall order. (A vintage SVT is only as good as your tube-amp tech.)

The SVT is the line in the sand... the gold standard... The 200 Watters are a different animal altogether.

The only reason to seek out a 200 Watter is if SVTs are too loud for your application. Otherwise... don't bother. (Or at least cut your teeth with a 70's SVT for a while first, then start looking for a 200 watter.)

I am not overly concerned with my locale...FE, UPS, and the USPS still ship up here. But you do bring up a good point about reliability.....for this reason I really would like to stay away from a used "vintage" tuber. 20-30 years is a long to time. A good deal of bastardizing can happen in such time. I do not have the kind of personality that can tolerate things not working correctly. When I plug in, it had better work right the first time as advertised!!!!

The new(er) SVT-VR tubers look promising. I would feel comfortable buying a used VR assuming the price was right (closer to $1000 as opposed to the new $2000 price tag) -AND- it was fairly new and mint. Otherwise, I would prefer to spend my cash on USA builder. It is hard for me to justify $2000 on a foriegn built tuber when I can get a US bult amp for the same price. However, if the SVT-VR is where it's at; then it's a contender.

200W should be plenty for small to med size clubs. I really can't see needing the full 300W of an SVT.

Keep in mind, this thread is less about me and my needs as it is more about seeing how the tube amp market on TB is divided.

[Billy3000]

Being that I already have an SVT 2 pro, If I had the money I would buy an Orange AD200 in a heartbeat!

[waleross]

Fender Bassman 300 or the svT cl....................