Why No Inexpensive Tube Bass Amps?

[boynamedsuse]

Just this morning I tried out running a Egnater Tweaker (15w) through a G-K 210MBE. After setting the Tweaker's impedance to 8 ohms for use with the G-K cab, you are good to go. Nice tone—very clear. I was surprised how much clarity it added to the bass compared to running it through my normal MB210/210MBE setup.

Let me add that I am not running stock tubes in the Tweaker. I replaced the power tubes with Tung-Sol 6V6GT tubes and the v1 preamp tube was replaced with a Tung-Sol 12AX7. This gives me my preferred tone on a guitar, but don't know if it affects bass tone. Additionally, the transformer on the Tweaker is disproportionately large for its wattage based on what I have read. This may be why it seems to work well (at appropriate volume) for both guitar and bass

Anyway, with regard to the OP to use for recording and practice, I think you have what you want with the Tweaker when run through a bass cab.

Originally Posted by TaylorO'

how can you "barely keep up" with a 5 watt amp? im genuinely curious..

Tube guitar amps are capable of very high SPL when used with guitars and a well-matched cab. My 15w Tweaker easily overpowers a 100w ss guitar amp for volume.

[gndboy]

I have a Tweaker with the Tung-Sol 6V6's; also JAN Phillips ECG 5751 and 12AT7. It's pretty good for bass up to a point. Rather hi-fi, in fact.

Believe it or not, both the Orange Tiny Terror and the Vox Night Train can be made decent for bass with different tubes. A 12AY7 in the first preamp position is key, and a good one isn't cheap. A JAN Phillips ECG 12AT7 in the driver/phase-inverter will darken the tone nicely, and the Sovtek EL84M output tubes are really good for bass (and pedal steel for that matter). There is plenty of gain in these amps to make up for the lower-gain 12AY7. Think mini-Hiwatt.

[Simon Langley]

Originally Posted by gndboy

I have a Tweaker with the Tung-Sol 6V6's; also JAN Phillips ECG 5751 and 12AT7. It's pretty good for bass up to a point. Rather hi-fi, in fact.

Believe it or not, both the Orange Tiny Terror and the Vox Night Train can be made decent for bass with different tubes. A 12AY7 in the first preamp position is key, and a good one isn't cheap. A JAN Phillips ECG 12AT7 in the driver/phase-inverter will darken the tone nicely, and the Sovtek EL84M output tubes are really good for bass (and pedal steel for that matter). There is plenty of gain in these amps to make up for the lower-gain 12AY7. Think mini-Hiwatt.

I have tung sol 5881 in my tweaker but haven't tried it with a bass cabinet yet. Might have to give it a try and see how she does.

[diegobxr]

I have a VHT Special 6 Ultra (All Tube 6W Guitar Combo)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...itar-combo-amp

I'd love to play my bass through it, but I don't want it to blow up in pieces.. If I disconnected the speaker and plugged it into a bass cab.. would it work?? Or the preamp can't handle it?

(Sorry if this question sounds too stupid, I really don't have a clue)

Thanks in advance, cheers.

[Green Lantern]

Here is a less expensive tube bass head. http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...FQsGnQodyCUAuQ

No they don't have slave labor, in fact they have state of the art factory with lots of expensive automated machines. They have spent millions of dollars to improve quality control with their equipment and have descent working conditions. Just type Berhinger factory on you tube to see the little city they created in China. No their gear does not have high end components but it may be worth checking out

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

Here is a less expensive tube bass head. http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...FQsGnQodyCUAuQ

No they don't have slave labor, in fact they have state of the art factory with lots of expensive automated machines. They have spent millions of dollars to improve quality control with their equipment and have descent working conditions. Just type Berhinger factory on you tube to see the little city they created in China. No their gear does not have high end components but it may be worth checking out

That isn't a tube amp
Even better type it into the search here on TB and see what pops up.
If you want a good inexpensive tube amp get Peavey VB-2 you can find them used for $400-450. Made in the USA and tough as nails.

[bobcruz]

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

Here is a less expensive tube bass head. http://www.americanmusical.com/Item-...FQsGnQodyCUAuQ

No they don't have slave labor, in fact they have state of the art factory with lots of expensive automated machines. They have spent millions of dollars to improve quality control with their equipment and have descent working conditions. Just type Berhinger factory on you tube to see the little city they created in China. No their gear does not have high end components but it may be worth checking out

That's a solid state amp.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Long dead thread, but there is (was?) an affordable alternative for us basspayers seeking tube power.
Smarvo 300.
Better known as ASHTON BV300 (IIRC), FAME BVH300 and for twice the price for the same amp, Eden E300.

Originally Posted by diegobxr

I have a VHT Special 6 Ultra (All Tube 6W Guitar Combo)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...itar-combo-amp

I'd love to play my bass through it, but I don't want it to blow up in pieces.. If I disconnected the speaker and plugged it into a bass cab.. would it work?? Or the preamp can't handle it?

(Sorry if this question sounds too stupid, I really don't have a clue)

Thanks in advance, cheers.

That would work very well. It's the speaker, not the amp that can't take the bass frequencies in any guitar amp.

Regards
Sam

[Mr. Foxen]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Long dead thread, but there is (was?) an affordable alternative for us basspayers seeking tube power.
Smarvo 300.
Better known as ASHTON BV300 (IIRC), FAME BVH300 and for twice the price for the same amp, Eden E300.

Eden has a different pre. http://ampstack.wordpress.com/2011/1...00w-valve-amp/

Had the Eden schem too.

[B-string]

Originally Posted by diegobxr

I have a VHT Special 6 Ultra (All Tube 6W Guitar Combo)
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampli...itar-combo-amp

I'd love to play my bass through it, but I don't want it to blow up in pieces.. If I disconnected the speaker and plugged it into a bass cab.. would it work?? Or the preamp can't handle it?

(Sorry if this question sounds too stupid, I really don't have a clue)

Thanks in advance, cheers.

So long as you disconnect the combo speaker and plug a bass capable cab into it, the amp could care less what you plug into the front. Bass or guitar won't matter to the amp's circuits.

[shaginwagin]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Long dead thread, but there is (was?) an affordable alternative for us basspayers seeking tube power.
Smarvo 300.
Better known as ASHTON BV300 (IIRC), FAME BVH300 and for twice the price for the same amp, Eden E300.



That would work very well. It's the speaker, not the amp that can't take the bass frequencies in any guitar amp.

Regards
Sam

The e300 isn't a tube amp...

[Green Lantern]

Originally Posted by bobcruz

That's a solid state amp.

I read it too fast on my IPhone, its a tube emulation....sorry about that.

[Green Lantern]

Originally Posted by hdracer

That isn't a tube amp
Even better type it into the search here on TB and see what pops up.
If you want a good inexpensive tube amp get Peavey VB-2 you can find them used for $400-450. Made in the USA and tough as nails.

How does that compare to the VB-3 that Michael Anthony now plays? http://www.peavey.com/products/index...8482;%20Series

Bass Player seemed to like it. http://www.bassplayer.com/article/peavey-vb-3/4632

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Eden has a different pre. http://ampstack.wordpress.com/2011/1...00w-valve-amp/

Had the Eden schem too.

I have both as well, and a couple of different components on the mid control doesn't quite make it "different pre". To me anyway.

Originally Posted by shaginwagin

The e300 isn't a tube amp...

Well E300somethingoranother then .
And the Eden rebadged Smarvo was only mentioned as being the same amp as those affordable ones, the "Eden" version sure wasn't affordable.

The whole E series is just rebadged Smarvos anyway.

Regards
Sam

[Itzayana]

Who then make a tube amp that is the best quality and sound for the best price?

[rodl2005]

Traynor yba200, yba300

[mcm]

Supply and demand

[oinkbanana]

I'm glad to read people suggesting the OP named guitar amps can be used for bass too. obviously volume is the only issue.

[darius8]

Carvin has an all tube power amp for $500. It's only 100 watts though. It could sound pretty good with a VT Bass in front of it. It's got 4 12AX7's and 4 EL34's........
http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/TS100

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by Itzayana

Who then make a tube amp that is the best quality and sound for the best price?

I think the Bugera 1960 is a fine sounding amp and the price is very reasonable.