Plug and Play Tube Amps

[rnilson]

I have been using a LMII with a DHA VT1 Bass and while it can sound really good it takes time to dial in the tone I really want especially when I swtich between a clean tubey sound and an tubey overdrive.

In this time I have realized that I am just not a guy who likes to spend a ton of time dialing in the perfect tone. I want to have an amp that is easy to dial in the two or three tones I want with out a lot of fuss. I also have realized I want to go all tube. As Jimmy M has said 90% of the tone is good but the real thing is better.

So my question is what all tube bass amps are pretty much plug and play?
Amps I am most Interesed In:
Mesa Boogie Buster
Ampeg V4
Ampeg SVT

Examples of the tones I am after:

Clean Tube: Willie Weeks on Donny Hathaway Live
Dirty Tube: Chris Wood any of the Radiolarians

I guess that would suggest P with flats into a SVT

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by rnilson

I guess that would suggest P with flats into a SVT

That's pretty much heaven to a majority of bassists out there. haha

As per your question though... ehhh, for the most part yes. Though all amps have their own little quirks that need some tweaking.

In general, older amps are going to be more plug and play than newer stuff. I'm a solid state guy, and my late 60's (or early 70's) Kustom200 pretty much just has Vol/Treb/Bass/Bright. I love it! But still with those knobs i can tweak to get a variety of tones. So, less knobs doesn't necessisarily mean less tonal variety and tweakability...

So yeah, to answer your question... kinda sorta.

[KramerBassFan]

Active bass -> Large All Tube Power amplifier.



Why not just skip the "pre amp" entirely?

Kidding.

Sure, go get an SVT and some flats.

[Floridabwoy]

RNilson...I have the same bass as you, string it w. flats and throw a VT in front of it w. Drive and Character at Noon, and you will get the Woods tone no problem. I mostly run

VT->Yami PB1->Crown amp, and it is hard to tell that I am not using an SVT. I like it more that setup better than my V4 to tell you the truth. I am looking at a Peavey Mace though....

[rnilson]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

In general, older amps are going to be more plug and play than newer stuff. I'm a solid state guy, and my late 60's (or early 70's) Kustom200 pretty much just has Vol/Treb/Bass/Bright. I love it! But still with those knobs i can tweak to get a variety of tones. So, less knobs doesn't necessisarily mean less tonal variety and tweakability...

Yeah, I guess that is what I want...Tonal variety with less knobs. I would be happier with amp with three killer settings that are easy to dial in quick than an amp with 10 great settings that take a ton of tweaking to dial in.

[sammyfallen]

I have a Sunn 300T, Ampeg SVT, Bugera 1960 and a Ampeg V4B.

I Will Suggest to try out a Bugera 1960, It can sound similar to the V4 but get quite a bit louder before breakup.

It is a quality piece of gear that just sounds GREAT, and is at a even better price point...

The Layout is simple - Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, & Volume

Plus, You have the advantage of linking to channels to get the perfect mix of lows and highs...

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by sammyfallen

I have a Sunn 300T, Ampeg SVT, Bugera 1960 and a Ampeg V4B.

I Will Suggest to try out a Bugera 1960, It can sound similar to the V4 but get quite a bit louder before breakup.

It is a quality piece of gear that just sounds GREAT, and is at a even better price point...

The Layout is simple - Bass, Mid, Treble, Presence, & Volume

Plus, You have the advantage of linking to channels to get the perfect mix of lows and highs...

Intrigued by this.

Is this the amp? http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...FeoD5QodkwulcA

$450 new is REALLY tempting if it can get a 'louder V4' tone....

[edbass]

It doesn't get much more simple than this;



You can switch "between a clean tubey sound and an tubey overdrive" just by digging in or backing off.

[rnilson]

That is an SVT correct?

[JimmyM]

sunn 200s, i think. not sure that's the model but it's definitely a sunn.

[nicfargo]

I dunno, that contour knob confuses the hell out of me.

[rnilson]

Jimmy no recommendations?!?

[JimmyM]

not really. i'm an ampeg guy but mesa makes nice stuff, too.

[PSPookie]

The SVT is a good choice, but I am currently quite pleased with my VB-2. It's easy to get a good sound out of it (I haven't found a setting that just plain sucked) but there is still a good bit of range to it's tones.

[lavaman67]

I am with Jimmy on this. I am officially an Ampeg guy too. I have a Mesa 400+ and an '76 SVT, and the SVT is much more plug and play for me. The 400+ is a great head, but the SVT just nails it for 99% of the stuff I play.

[rnilson]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

not really. i'm an ampeg guy but mesa makes nice stuff, too.

I am not sold on Mesa. It the SVT pretty much plug in and go?

[PSPookie]

Originally Posted by rnilson

I am not sold on Mesa. It the SVT pretty much plug in and go?

Set everything flat, adjust gain and master to taste and you're ready to rock. Of course, you can also spend days twiddling with the knobs if you feel so inclined.

Same story with the VB-2 for half the $$ and 2/3rds the weight.

[bluewine]

Clean Tube: Willie Weeks on Donny Hathaway Live


"Good God" Donny hathaway live with Willie Weeks on Bass is soooo good. It'a a must have for any self respecting Bass Player

BTW, Get a used Dan Electro long Horn, you won't ever have to worry about dialing in tone. The thing just "honks"

[perogato02]

Less knobs and more sound? Why didn't somebody mention Orange AD200 yet?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by rnilson

I am not sold on Mesa. It the SVT pretty much plug in and go?

it can be. all amps can be. but for me, there's not enough high mids and highs when you center the tone controls, so i have to do a little knob twisting. but now that i know what sound i like out of it, it's basically plug and play, yes.