Tube Combo Amps?

[ZanaZulu807]

Can anyone recommend me a combo amp with tubes? I've been ogling the GK MB210 for a while now and while it looks like a great buy, I just gotta have a warmer tone. One of my geetard buddies has this really nice combo (Bugera V22) that runs off of a couple of EL84's, is there anything like this for bass? Looking to spend about the same price as the MB210...

[JMac4strngr]

(AFAIK)The only all tube bass combo I recall being made in the past ten years or so was the Mesa Buster. I hear talk around here that the Mesa Walkabout combo has a very tubey sound and feel, but I dont know first hand. There was a fender 200 watt all tube combo, I believe it was called the studio bass (but it hasn't been made in a long while), and You can find one for sale from time to time.

[57pbass]

Dont know of any all tube combos but can speak first hand about the Mesa Scout combo..it has a tube pre and will give you all the warmth you will need.. it's a great combo.

300 watts into a 4 ohm 12" cab = perfection...

[scotch]

All-tube gig-worthy (loud enough for typical rock band) bass combo for about $600? You're gonna need to look used!

The Buster is great (I have the 15" combo & LOVE it), you might score one of those used from 600-800. Very warm, cleaner than many tube amps & overall great tone! Heavy, though- very heavy!

It would help to know how much power you need- as in the size gigs you are doing, the type of music/size of ensemble or band you are in & whether you want to rely on pa support or not. Still, there's not a lot of all-tube combo options...

[Duke21]

There are plenty of combos with tubes in the preamp section. But a tube in there (in the preamp) is not a guaranty for tubey warm sound.
You could always buy something like a Vox AC30, they can be used with a bass and the Vox is all tube, a damn expensive 30W combo, but I like its tone with a bass. Even Chris Squire used an AC30 in his youth.
Or you could get a hold on a Ampeg B15 Fliptop... it is a kind of an all tube bass "combo", expensive, rare but sound like a dream!

[knucklehead G]

Hook a VT pedal into the MB210. Tube combo.

[ZanaZulu807]

Originally Posted by scotch

All-tube gig-worthy (loud enough for typical rock band) bass combo for about $600? You're gonna need to look used!

The Buster is great (I have the 15" combo & LOVE it), you might score one of those used from 600-800. Very warm, cleaner than many tube amps & overall great tone! Heavy, though- very heavy!

It would help to know how much power you need- as in the size gigs you are doing, the type of music/size of ensemble or band you are in & whether you want to rely on pa support or not. Still, there's not a lot of all-tube combo options...

Definitely would like to seek used first, and this is mainly to practice solo and to take around to different band/musical projects; playing in rooms that range from a great room to the size of a small high school gym. IME, I would need something at the very minimum of 250-300 watts to stay afloat in a live setting, but with tubes I probably wouldn't need that much. I used to have a Walkabout in a studio a few years back but only used it once or twice, so I can't really speak on it. Don't really have the need for PA support....

[Duke21]

Originally Posted by knucklehead G

Hook a VT pedal into the MB210. Tube combo.

+1 if you like the GK.

[Duke21]

Please don't get into the SS/ tube watts...... You are going to risk a 100 pages with 100000000 opinions.

[scotch]

Well, lookie lookie! (Not my auction.)

Mesa Boogie buster 200 1x15 bass combo tube amp no rsrv | eBay

[Dean N]

Another for sale here (not mine).

Review here.

I likey Trace!

[Caca de Kick]

The most recent all-tube combos:

Mesa Buster 200w
Ampeg B15reissue 100w
Pignose was available, but I don't think so anymore.

Both discontinued but can be found used. But good luck ever finding either for $600.

[ZanaZulu807]

Awesome, thanks y'all....