tube newbies (Mesa content)

denchiq · #1 06-25-2010, 02:20 AM

My pal plays a MM SR5 and has set up his mind for an all-tube amplification. He wanted to get a used Mesa 400+, but the shipment kills the deal: in that weight range, the cost lays somewhere at $750, which doubles the check.

He's kinda rejecting hybrids, although he liked the sound of his bass in my ampeg b200r combo (tube pre/solid state power amp). He might end with a hybrid like a Carbine M6 or M9 after all, but so far he's heading for an all-tube.

So I was thinking, since he's going rack anyway, he could maybe get separate tube preamp and power amp and possibly find less massive ones. What would be your advice? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Denis

TerrorRhythm · #2 06-25-2010, 02:21 AM

i believe if you special order from guitar center shipping is free?

MJ5150 · #3 06-25-2010, 02:31 AM

A tube preamp will give you a nice warm and wooly tone for the most part. Aguilar, Demeter, and BBE are just a few to check out.

If your friend really wants that classic tube amp growl, grit, gooey, chainsaw through pudding tone, he will need to suck it up and get a tube amp.

-Mike

denchiq · #4 06-25-2010, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerrorRhythm

i believe if you special order from guitar center shipping is free?

we're in Russia. I doubt they will ship for free

denchiq · #5 06-25-2010, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

A tube preamp will give you a nice warm and wooly tone for the most part. Aguilar, Demeter, and BBE are just a few to check out.

If your friend really wants that classic tube amp growl, grit, gooey, chainsaw through pudding tone, he will need to suck it up and get a tube amp.

-Mike

Thanks, Mike.
Any hint about specific models? The guy's into prog metal a la Dream Theater, plus he is slap- and tap-happy.
Also, is there a point of getting separate tube pre and power amps in his situ?

MJ5150 · #6 06-25-2010, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denchiq

Thanks, Mike.
Any hint about specific models? The guy's into prog metal a la Dream Theater, plus he is slap- and tap-happy.
Also, is there a point of getting separate tube pre and power amps in his situ?

For tube preamps....
Aguilar DB659, although they are hard to find.
BBE BMAX-T
Demeter VTBP-201S
There are a few more to pick from. Those three come to my mind right away.

I'm not so sure those preamps are the best for a slap and tap happy player as they are going to give you some tube warmth and growl in your tone. You could always do a search here on TB for the bass player from Dream Theater to get some insight into the gear he uses.

You had suggested a separate power and preamp to help on the expenses as sending an all-tube amp to you would be very expensive. I have used both, and now prefer a single bass amp just for simplicity.

-Mike

JimmyM · #7 06-25-2010, 03:25 AM

are there no used tube bass amps available in russia? i'll tell you, while you can get excellent results with a tube pre and a solid state power amp, it's the same as a hybrid and probably won't be satisfactory to him. but i would think there would be some sort of tube amp you could get in russia that's not ridiculously expensive. after all, a lot of new tubes are made in russia, so you'd think there would be at least one good russian manufacturer. if not, i guess he'll have to suck it up and pay shipping.

Spino · #8 06-25-2010, 03:43 AM

So why are you looking at US products when you could be buying in Europe ?

MAMMOTHvolume · #9 06-25-2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denchiq

My pal plays a MM SR5 and has set up his mind for an all-tube amplification. He wanted to get a used Mesa 400+, but the shipment kills the deal: in that weight range, the cost lays somewhere at $750, which doubles the check.

He's kinda rejecting hybrids, although he liked the sound of his bass in my ampeg b200r combo (tube pre/solid state power amp). He might end with a hybrid like a Carbine M6 or M9 after all, but so far he's heading for an all-tube.

So I was thinking, since he's going rack anyway, he could maybe get separate tube preamp and power amp and possibly find less massive ones. What would be your advice? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Denis

I'm selling a 400+ at the minute and i could ship it to russia for about £70~

MK1 · #10 06-25-2010, 05:44 AM

You should buy MAMMOTHvolume's 400+. That's a very reasonable price for shipping. Plus it's a killer amp that your buddy will love.

RCCollins · #11 06-25-2010, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denchiq

He's kinda rejecting hybrids, although he liked the sound of his bass in my ampeg b200r combo (tube pre/solid state power amp).

the b200r isn't a hybrid - it is 100% solid state. maybe tubes aren't the issue?

I<34080 · #12 06-25-2010, 06:00 AM

Sovtek Migs?

rodl2005 · #13 06-25-2010, 06:18 AM

thats what I was thinkin- SOVTEK 100w all tube amps KICK HARD!!! They may make higher wattage ones???? What about the Mark Bass All Tube head -CL 300??

denchiq · #14 06-25-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

are there no used tube bass amps available in russia? i'll tell you, while you can get excellent results with a tube pre and a solid state power amp, it's the same as a hybrid and probably won't be satisfactory to him. but i would think there would be some sort of tube amp you could get in russia that's not ridiculously expensive. after all, a lot of new tubes are made in russia, so you'd think there would be at least one good russian manufacturer. if not, i guess he'll have to suck it up and pay shipping.

Jimmy,

Sovtek tubes are made in Russia, that is true (or based on such)
We do have used tube amps here, but the price is just ridiculous. New Mesa 400+ may go as high as $3000, preowned - $2000. Even if you get a new one in the US and then pay for shipment, the price is going to be somewhat 300 dollars less than that.
There are several companies in Russia that make tube amps and some clone other brands (like the other day I saw a Yerasov 6 tube guitar head that clearly said "rectifier" on it) but he's eager to get "the right thing"

denchiq · #15 06-25-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

I'm selling a 400+ at the minute and i could ship it to russia for about £70~

we'll talk about that! got a link?

denchiq · #16 06-25-2010, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCollins

the b200r isn't a hybrid - it is 100% solid state. maybe tubes aren't the issue?

wrong, the preamp is tube -based. You must be referring to a different model.

Dan Knowlton · #17 06-25-2010, 09:29 AM

You missed my favorite - Alembic F1-X

Dan K.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

For tube preamps....
Aguilar DB659, although they are hard to find.
BBE BMAX-T
Demeter VTBP-201S
There are a few more to pick from. Those three come to my mind right away.
-Mike

LuvMusic · #18 06-25-2010, 09:36 AM

Though it's new with little or no user experiences yet, Ashdown has an all tube head, the 427, being manufactured in England. They look pricey here in the states but may be worth checking out.

MrTAteMyBalls · #19 06-25-2010, 10:00 AM

yeah, those sovtek amps are cool. i've never heard a bass through one but it seems thety would be available used over there and may be suitable.

denchiq · #20 06-25-2010, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Knowlton

You missed my favorite - Alembic F1-X

Dan K.

Dan, I've read about that one several times, but only heard samples on basstasters.com and wasn't much impressed. Do you happen to have samples to check it out?