Thinking about going tube?

[JoshuaTSP]

again!

I started with a Orange OR120 rig, but moved on to a more compact hybrid rig.
I had tried a Yorkville XS400H, which I had liked, but gave a Mesa M2000 a shot. Played the Mesa for a year or more.
Decided to give the 800RB a shot. REALLY dig that tone. Tight, and reliable.

Now I've tried to use tube amps in the mean time......Ampeg V4 and SUNN 2000S. Neither really fit my fancy.

I really dig the tone of my Traynor YBA-1, but it's not nearly loud enough to keep up with our stoner rock band.

Last night, I played through my Traynor YGL-3A Mark III.....and was in love.
There's a certain fatness to the amp that just can't be mimicked by a SS amp. I also noticed how well it fit the mix.
It sounded like it was mid heavy, but didn't step on the guitar at all.
My only beef is that the tone controls aren't particularly voiced for bass. I'd just like to tweak it a little more. (I know an EQ pedal could solve this)

The head shell is so much wider than my 2x15 too.

I do have a few questions......

Has anyone had trouble with a tube amp in a rack case?

Reliability issues in general?
I've never had any problems with tube amps so far?

I'm looking to "upgrade".....which budget tube amps are good?
Like $700 or so?

I've been looking at the Peavey Alphabass, Peavey VB2, SVT Classic, and various other amps.

What do you think?

[coreyfyfe]

If you're already thinking SVT-CL but are considering a rack-mount look for an SVT-II (pro or non). They seem to sell for a little less than the CL, are rack mountable and have a graphic eq but are otherwise the same amp. If you can find a "non-pro" model those are the earlier versions, only have channel volume (no master) but are supposed to sound closer to the original SVTs.

[JoshuaTSP]

I've never actually played a SVT.....

I really should, so I can compare it to my Traynor.
Is the SVT sound what I'm going for?

a tube amp in a rack case freaks me out.
The amp would always be tilted on it's side.
Since it would be in a SKB case...probably thrashed around more than an amp in a head shell would.....

[micahturner]

After I got my Ampeg SVT-CL dialed in, I fell in love with it. I don't foresee myself ever getting rid of it, but I would at least like to try the SVT-VR someday. I've heard good things about it too. Good luck!

[JoshuaTSP]

Are the CLs just as good as other SVTs?

I just love that touch sensitivity.
My playing is dynamic, and a tube amp really lets that shine.

[Breslin dp]

I played an SVT for a bit in the 90's but I fell in love with the sound of the Mesa 400+. You can pick one up for around $700 or so.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by Breslin dp

I played an SVT for a bit in the 90's but I fell in love with the sound of the Mesa 400+. You can pick one up for around $700 or so.

How would you describe the difference in tone?

[R. Laevinus]

Have you tried a Traynor YBA-200? GREAT all-tube head, as far as I'm concerned. Canadian-built, if outsourcing bothers you. Reasonably priced at 1000 new, and built like a tank. If you keep an eye on the used market, you can probably pick one up for about 600 or so.

Also, where are you located? If you're in Canada, you can usually snag one from your local Long & Mcquade - just rent it for a week or a month, then tell 'em you wanna buy. That's how I got mine, $680.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

Have you tried a Traynor YBA-200? GREAT all-tube head, as far as I'm concerned. Canadian-built, if outsourcing bothers you. Reasonably priced at 1000 new, and built like a tank. If you keep an eye on the used market, you can probably pick one up for about 600 or so.

Also, where are you located? If you're in Canada, you can usually snag one from your local Long & Mcquade - just rent it for a week or a month, then tell 'em you wanna buy. That's how I got mine, $680.

I'm in WI.


I was interested in them, until I read about them here.

What's the deal with the two revisions? Tubes blowing? weak output for the wattage ratting? Transformers?
Our band is very loud....I'd hate to run out of steam. ya know?

I'm a huge Traynor fan.
I have yet to play a Traynor I haven't liked.

[JoshuaTSP]

I was looking at the Mesa Buster in the classifieds too.....

[jastacey]

If you do get a rack mount SVT tube amp..... leave one space open on the top, to dissipate the heat

["Q"]

FWIW every amp I've heard that uses 6550's sounds radically different from 6L6 based heads. I don't know if its the tube type or if everyone that uses 6550's is trying to mimic an SVT sound but I've hated every amp that uses them but love 6L6 based amps.

[NKBassman]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

If you're already thinking SVT-CL but are considering a rack-mount look for an SVT-II (pro or non). They seem to sell for a little less than the CL, are rack mountable and have a graphic eq but are otherwise the same amp. If you can find a "non-pro" model those are the earlier versions, only have channel volume (no master) but are supposed to sound closer to the original SVTs.

I wouldn't really say they're "the same amp".
That's what I thought when I first bought my 2 PRO, but after playing it for a while I don't think they really sound that much alike.

[Spinal Tapper]

A little Off Topic, but how did you like the OR120 with bass? What didn't you like about it?

I don't hear about many bassists using these, but I know a LOT of great guitar tube heads that sounds amazing when played through bass cabs with a bass. Did it have a decent amount of low-end?

On Topic: if you want to go vintage tone that's affordable, I totally recommend a vintage Ampeg V4/V4-B. I used to have one, and I miss it dearly. Had it paired up with a 15" & 2x10" cabs (at 4 ohms total).
Although I didn't trust it with all the live gigging I do, even after I had it serviced, so I sold it to a buddy who has a studio/rehearsal space. I still get to play through it a couple times a month when we jam though. Kinda cool.

[Din Of Win]

Traynor YBA-3.

The first tube amp i've ever bought. I could not be happier!!! It's a little over 100w, but i've never had to crank it through my 2x15 at all.

You. Will. Love. It.

I got mine for $400 shipped from Detroit to Maryland.

There was one in the classifieds last week by a guy near me. It was a little expensive, but it is/was worth it, as there was some rad modification done to it!


Here's mine on top of my Ampeg b25-b 2x15:




EDIT: Still for sale in classifides!! 1972 Traynor YBA-3 Custom Special amp (local sale: DC area)

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by Spinal Tapper

A little Off Topic, but how did you like the OR120 with bass? What didn't you like about it?

I don't hear about many bassists using these, but I know a LOT of great guitar tube heads that sounds amazing when played through bass cabs with a bass. Did it have a decent amount of low-end?

I liked the OR120 quite a bit, but ended up trading it off.
I thought it had plenty of low end....but it was voiced a little more on the guitar side. (sounded amazing with guitar)

That said, I was actually running this crazy Bi-amped thing.
The OR120 into a SUNN 1x12/1x18 cab, and the Yorkville XS400 into a matching 4x10. I used a splitter and ran into both.

Massive.
The only word to describe it.
I leaned down in from of the cab and almost passed out. Must have screwed up my inner ear balance. wow.

On Topic: if you want to go vintage tone that's affordable, I totally recommend a vintage Ampeg V4/V4-B. I used to have one, and I miss it dearly. Had it paired up with a 15" & 2x10" cabs (at 4 ohms total).
Although I didn't trust it with all the live gigging I do, even after I had it serviced, so I sold it to a buddy who has a studio/rehearsal space. I still get to play through it a couple times a month when we jam though. Kinda cool.

I had an old V4 that I didn't really care for.

[JoshuaTSP]

Originally Posted by Din Of Win

Traynor YBA-3.
The first tube amp i've ever bought. I could not be happier!!! It's a little over 100w, but i've never had to crank it through my 2x15 at all.
You. Will. Love. It.
I got mine for $400 shipped from Detroit to Maryland.
There was one in the classifieds last week by a guy near me. It was a little expensive, but it is/was worth it, as there was some rad modification done to it!
Here's mine on top of my Ampeg b25-b 2x15:
EDIT: Still for sale in classifides!! 1972 Traynor YBA-3 Custom Special amp (local sale: DC area)

I wonder how different that is from the YGL-3a Mark III I have?



(I've never jumped the channels on mine?????? IDEA!)

[JoshuaTSP]

Does anyone have any experience with the Peavey Alphabass amps?

[jackcheez]

Knowing how you like your stuff on the cheap...

Look for an SVT II. I see really good deals on them all the time. Put it in your rack and don't worry about it. 6 X 6550's... get a taste of SVT experience.

[JoshuaTSP]

what's a good deal on one? $700?
Around the price of a used SVT-CL?

I'm not against an actual head in head shell either.