so I got myself some tubes in my amp!

[diechris]

This is my first "tube amp" and I am just floored... Its almost like a joke when sitting next to my little GK mb2-500..

I picked up an Ampeg SVT-300 power amp... its in GREAT shape... The 6550s in it are still good however the last owner hasnt changed them in a while and I would like to get some new ones in them to be on the safe side.

I dont know much about the SVT-300.. i know its the power section of the SVT-2.

Can anyone recommend me some reliable places to get tubes and what should I look for when buy new tubes?

Also can someone recommend me a preamp? I have a tech21 RBI, I've tried my GK mb2500 as a pre and its... ok I was thinking about getting a Tone Hammer again?


here's some pics..

[IvanMike]

nice! what does it weigh? i would bring it to stores with your bass and cab. Try everything you can with it. You will find the magic preamp for it.

[RickenBoogie]

+1, and take it to a qualified amp tech for a going over. He'll set you up with tubes, if you need them, as well as any other parts it may need to get it at top form. Always worth the coin, since I assume you're like me, love the tube amps, but not qualified to work on them.

[eyeballkid]

can I ask how much it set ya back?.. these are rare to find.

and how does it sound just straight without a preamp?

I usually go thru tubesandmore.com or thetubestore.com or tubedepot.com... they all can provide you with a good selection of matched tubes for it.. i believe thetubestore actually has sound reviews of lots of different tubes. I highly recommend Winged C's for a 6550.

if the amp is in good working order and has the ampeg biasing lights on the back you can replace em yourself quite easily.

[hrgiger]

Originally Posted by IvanMike

nice! what does it weigh? i would bring it to stores with your bass and cab. Try everything you can with it. You will find the magic preamp for it.

Man I need to hang out where you're hanging out. The stores I go in (either GC or the smaller ones that aren't boarded up yet) they look at me like you know what if I even mention the word 'preamp.' And the ones who have heard that word before either don't have any or they try to show me a pedal, except they don't have it anymore...

That being said get yourself a nice Yamaha PB-1. An economical, workhorse, magical-sounding preamp that you will love, especially with your tube power amp - I can't even imagine how good it will sound.

But don't take my word for it go here and check out johnk_10's awesome preamp reviews/sound clips thread here (on the second page he really adds a lot of clips including the Yamaha):

Alembic vs F1-x Focusrite Tone Factory Sound Clips

[diechris]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

+1, and take it to a qualified amp tech for a going over. He'll set you up with tubes, if you need them, as well as any other parts it may need to get it at top form. Always worth the coin, since I assume you're like me, love the tube amps, but not qualified to work on them.

I will take it over to my amp guy tomorrow to get it checked out! i should have thought of that earlier... He was able to check tubes on a friend's B-15.

[Dave M]

Originally Posted by diechris

...Also can someone recommend me a preamp? ...

Depends on what you're looking for. If it's Ampeg tone from the same era, then look for an SVT-IIP preamp.
Another good Ampeg choice would be a SVPCL.
Maybe a Trace V-Type for a different all-tube option. Or, Alembic, perhaps.

[diechris]

Originally Posted by IvanMike

nice! what does it weigh? i would bring it to stores with your bass and cab. Try everything you can with it. You will find the magic preamp for it.

man... the stores in vegas suck.. but i'll head out tomorrow and see if there's anything worth bringing stuff in to.


I'm not too sure on the weight.. but i do know it HEAVY! I'll try drop it on a scale sometime.

[diechris]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

can I ask how much it set ya back?.. these are rare to find.

and how does it sound just straight without a preamp?

I usually go thru tubesandmore.com or thetubestore.com or tubedepot.com... they all can provide you with a good selection of matched tubes for it.. i believe thetubestore actually has sound reviews of lots of different tubes. I highly recommend Winged C's for a 6550.

if the amp is in good working order and has the ampeg biasing lights on the back you can replace em yourself quite easily.

there's a place on the back that allows me to bias and balance the amp myself.. but I dont know where to start.. there's instructions on the back but I'll leave it to my tech.. heh


I'll check out the Winged C's. I have a lot to learn about different tubes.

[Dave M]

The SVT-II weighs 85 lbs., and I think the 300 is the same. If not exactly the same weight, it's very close.

There are no biasing lights on these. Best to take it to someone reputable, with experience working on SVTs and their ilk.

[diechris]

Originally Posted by Dave M

The SVT-II weighs 85 lbs., and I think the 300 is the same. If not exactly the same weight, it's very close.

There are no biasing lights on these. Best to take it to someone reputable, with experience working on SVTs and their ilk.

85 lbs sounds/feels right.. funny that thing weights more then my ENTIRE rig.... my cab and rack lol

oh well... tubes tone comes tube problems.. granted its a good problem to have

[JimmyM]

the yammy pb1 is a very sweet preamp for the price, but i'd settle for no less than the svp-cl. it's a vintage svt preamp basically. no longer being made but still pretty widely available used.