Need some input.....re: tube head

chubrocker · #1 05-14-2010, 09:48 AM

OK, I'm seriously needing to do a reality check regarding my gear, etc. I rarely even jam anymore and am quitting my church group as I only play once a month now. I play both guitar and bass--so I'm mainly looking for stuff I want/like and will play to 40,000 imaginary fans in my basement.

Overall, I LOVE tube amps. I currently have a Shuttle 6.0 with Ag GS112 and a Bogner Alchemist tube combo.

I'm considering selling the Shuttle for a VB-2 or possibly vintage Bassman 100 (debating the "newer" vs "vintage" argument--that's another thread post). I'll keep the GS112. I'll be selling the Alchemist as well and most likely using my POD thru the VB-2 for guitar (or a distortion pedal with Bassman 100). I have a Franken cab that I can use with guitar until I get a 2x12 cab. When I do jam, I'll get a VT pedal to do direct.

Basically, I'm looking to have one tube head with two cabs (guitar and bass). I've thought about getting a Peavey Classic 100 guitar head and using the FX loop with the VT pedal---or getting a tube power amp and use the VT pedal and POD with it.

I dunno which route to go. Maybe I'm just not wanting to work so I'm coming up with a lame reason to post something....

PSPookie · #2 05-14-2010, 10:26 AM

The VB-2 might be a good choice for you since the power section is a sextet of EL34s.

Ultimately, you'll probably be happier having completely different rigs for guitar and bass though.

Calaverasgrande · #3 05-14-2010, 11:40 AM

TRAYNOR YBA1a. With a fuzz pedal its ruthless on guitar. Just clean its pretty fat on bass. It is only comfortable doing 8 or 16 ohms though.
Ampeg V4B's are great too.
The ultimate bass and guitar amp IMHO is of course the Mesa D180.

TheEnthBass · #4 05-14-2010, 11:51 AM

I use an old ampeg V4B for bass work and have heard the guitarist I work with play through it. It doesnt sound anything like his mesa dual rec or the orange he's played through thats for sure but he got some decent tone out of it for guitar.

Spinal Tapper · #5 05-14-2010, 12:15 PM

Ampeg V4 or V4B - both will be great with guitar or bass

pbd · #6 05-14-2010, 12:21 PM

I will second the notion of a seperate rig bass and guitar, that way you can optimize. However, there are some very cool amps out there that will do both with the right cab.

I have a Dr. Z Maz Jr that I am told sounds amazing with a single 15" plugged into. As it is my 2x10's sound really cool for both.

Todd

jastacey · #7 05-14-2010, 12:22 PM

Here's my view ... I have a Peavey VB-2 Amp and it's overall a good amp, has the volume for large gigs, it has nice a nice mid-range to it, it will handle 2-4-8 ohm cabinets, I also have the V4-B, nice amp, but you'll need a very efficient speaker cabinet to get decent clean volume out of it, my amp starts to break-up at about 10:30-11:00, it will handle 2-4-8 ohm cabinets, if you don't want to deal with the issues of maintaining a tube bass amp, the VT pedal will make just about any amp sound like a tube amp from a fat sounding tube amp to a SVT turned up to growl, you just have to have a speaker cabinet that is up to the task ...IMHO your just going to have to have a guitar amp for guitar, and a bass amp for bass, if you don't want to comprise the sound for each instrument

NecroticImbecil · #8 05-14-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

The ultimate bass and guitar amp IMHO is of course the Mesa D180.

This. Plus, it will get loud enough to power a guitar rig for an actual 40,000 fans sized concert.

chubrocker · #9 05-14-2010, 01:17 PM

I'm not overly concerned about volume. I prefer a good clean sound on a guitar amp and then add a pedal if needed. I like a little "hair" on my bass tone. I've considered a V4 in the past, but I guess I started looking at amps with FX loops--thus, the VB-2. I had a friend that had a Bassman 100 with a big 2x15 cab. He would play guitar thru that rig quite often and I liked the tone--thus my initial consideration of it.

Calaverasgrande · #10 05-14-2010, 09:39 PM

Also, I was reading some stuff about tube amps and their early devlopment. Jim marshall gave the reason for coming up with the 4x12 cab + head design was that it was originally intended as a bass amp. Closed back cabs were pretty uncommon on guitar amps back then, and a marshall does work okay as a bass rig.

zachoff · #11 05-14-2010, 09:47 PM

The Bassmans were built for either/or... Thus the "Bass" and "Normal" inputs.

Really though, I've played guitar though a Big Muff into my Bassman and it's fatter than fat but lacks clarity on the highs. I plugged it into my guit player's 4x12 cab once and it sounded awesome. My vote would be a Bassman head but have one guitar cab and one bass cab for it.

NecroticImbecil · #12 05-15-2010, 07:07 AM

If you're just playing bass at home, a guitar head should be fine. My 40 Watt 4X10 Mesa combo sounds great with bass, set clean at solo practice volume. With bass speakers I could go louder, but have had no need to try it.