Most dependable tube amp.

bumbletoots · #1 07-14-2011, 04:07 PM

Dudes,

I'm curious to know y'all's opinions on the most dependable tube amp. I need something that can hold up during a 4 week+ tour, as well as 3hr rehearsals prob. 4-5 nights a week.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

staindbass · #2 07-14-2011, 04:20 PM

wow. no answers in 2 hrs? tough question. i havent bought any modern ones but i will assume any major name brand would be a good place to start.

erock138 · #3 07-14-2011, 04:22 PM

the new traynor one, it by passes a bad tube (if a failure should occur) and has LED's to indicate tube function.

Mr. Foxen · #4 07-14-2011, 04:25 PM

One that is regularly and competently serviced, and is treated with respect.

Alex1984 · #5 07-14-2011, 04:35 PM

Most tube amps that are well-maintained should be great, that's why we still see so many 40 year old amps out their doing their thing!

nysbob · #6 07-14-2011, 04:52 PM

Every tube amp I've owned has been extremely reliable.

BurningSkies · #7 07-14-2011, 04:57 PM

All tube amps that have been handled appropriately by the owner should be reliable. Their hardiness shouldn't be any different than solid state amps.

JimmyM · #8 07-14-2011, 05:16 PM

Agreed. This idea that tube amps are less rugged that SS amps is BS.

will33 · #9 07-14-2011, 05:21 PM

The most reliable amp I've ever owned is an old fender bassman. That's all inclusive, tube/ss/hybrid/old/new, whatever. Ampeg's are on par with that as is anything else that's of decent design and taken care of. I've played some that have tubes in them older than me even. Don't focus so much on brand and just get one that has the power you need, tone you like, been well taken care of and give it a checkup before you leave.

Alex1984 · #10 07-14-2011, 05:25 PM

If I had to name brands, I'd say Traynor, Ampeg, and old Fenders.

bumbletoots · #11 07-14-2011, 05:30 PM

Yeah, I'm not debating SS vs Tube amp reliability. Just curious about specific experiences with specific amps.

I've got a great amp tech, and take care of my gear. However, sh**t happens on the road.

Maybe I should have phrased it differently. What are the more rugged and dependable tube amps out there?

JimmyM · #12 07-14-2011, 06:02 PM

Well the Ampegs are certainly up there. Reeves is another known for rugged build quality. Pretty much all of your high-end boutique tube amps are built very solidly. Traynor and Peavey have good reputations though I have no experience with either. I think as long as you avoid that crap Behringer SVT knockoff (is it even out yet?), you should be fine.

anonymous02282011 · #13 07-14-2011, 06:07 PM

I've got two SVTs ... a 69/70 and a 73 ... they're about 40 years old and still sound amazing.

I had a tech go through the 69/70 about 5 years ago ... no problems since and I gig it regularly. I'm guessing in another 5 years it *might* need some tubes ... at least a maintenance check up.

The other cool thing about it is that if and when something goes wrong it's a very tech friendly amp. A resistor, capacitor or a tube at worst. There are plenty of techs in my neighborhood with a quick turnaround.

Nathan Shaw · #14 07-14-2011, 06:26 PM

Traynor YBA-300. Will never let mine go. YBA-200's are also great... toured with tokyo police club for 4 weeks and dave monks played through one every night and every night it sounded exactly the same (which is a great thing)

bassboysam · #15 07-14-2011, 06:40 PM

My old SVT has been fairly reliable for the last 5-6 years. My only issue has been finding a good quality 12DW7 tube. My channel 1 keeps dying because the JJ tubes are not up to snuff. If you go the vintage SVT route make sure you get some good quality NOS 12DW7s.

My Traynor YBA-3 is fantastic. It's from 1972 and has had zero issues and the best tone of all the Amps I have ever played. If it had more power it would be the only amp I would ever need.

I had a few issues with my Matamp GT200 due to some bad connections but since those were resolved I have gigged it regularly with no problems. One nice feature with this amp is that each power tube has it's own bias control. If you blow a tube on the road, no need to find a matched set, just find any KT88 or 6550, plug it in and bias it up and you're good to go.

Those are my three amps right now but I have also had experience with the Traynor YBA200, Mesa 400+, Fender 300 PRO and Sound City Bass 150. Never had issues with any of them. Treat them right and take them to a tech once in a while and they will give you years of trouble free service.

AwkwardLoudness · #16 07-14-2011, 07:17 PM

Among vintage tube amps: Matamp, Hiwatt, Ampeg, Laney, and Sunn are all very reliable if maintained properly. Others are hit or miss such as Fender, Marshall, and Vox...some are good, some are not.

Among newer tube amps: hand-wired boutique is the way to go....Reeves, Divided By Thirteen, Granger, Reinhardt, Fargen, Matchless, Morgan, etc.

**B-string** · #17 07-14-2011, 07:43 PM

Just my thoughts, but IMHO a slight nod goes to the old Ampeg V4s and V4Bs. The shock mounting of the chassis was (again IMHO) genius.

edwinhurwitz · #18 07-14-2011, 08:24 PM

Alembic F2B with a McIntosh MC3500. Bullet-proof, however, it will destroy your wallet and your back.

**B-string** · #19 07-14-2011, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwinhurwitz

Alembic F2B with a McIntosh MC3500. Bullet-proof, however, it will destroy your wallet and your back.

I would take the hit gladly!

JimmyM · #20 07-14-2011, 09:28 PM

+1 on the JJ 12DW7's. Suck-O-Rama! But you can find NOS 12DW7's for $20 so that's what I get.