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Affordable, clean tube-amp?

Nate Plays Bass

Nate Plays Bass

Apr 7, 2011
847
85
Buffalo, NY
#1
I am finally looking to upgrade from my 1978 peavey combo. I play a Spector and I want an amp that matches its tone. So I always thought that tube amps have a gritty, distorted sound. Which sounds awesome on a pbass, but just not my type. So I'm looking for a clean tube amp that's not made china and has a clean, warm, deep tone. Any suggestions? Hybrids are nice too.
 
#2
Hmmm - with the China exemption you may have a problem. Is Taiwan OK though? It's kinda NOT China mainland - but pretty close.

If you can find a modern amp that's NOT made with Chinese parts at least, then let me know and I'll tell the company how to save a lot of money on components and wires and little electricallic thing-a-ma-bobs.

If you don't overdrive an amp - it will stay pretty clean, but surprise! ALL amps color sound reproduction somehow - somewhere, even the non-Chinese ones. But you can get your Wayback Machine and get one in the good ol' US of A. While you're there bring me one too. !
 
#8
GangstaBean said:
It's just that Chinese things bother me, I dont know why. They just do.
And I'd like to run through a 210. And power doesn't matter: like 100-300 watts at 8ohms.
Click to expand...

Look - you're eating Chinese peanut butter; your dog and cat are eating Chinese pet food (don't ask) and your electronics are all either made there or their parts are assembled here - wherever 'here' is anyway.

This is all part of the Grand Conspiracy of the Tri-Lateral Commission and you should not fight it.

Look at the swinging watch - you're getting sleepy ---- sleepier ---- you're sleeping ---- Now - say this: "Buy Chinese - it's good for everyone"

When I snap my fingers ----------------
 
#9
Clean, warm & deep tube bass amp? There are others, but a Mesa Buster 200 definitely fits the bill! It's really hard to get any 'grind' out of them, the interactive eq makes it easy to dial in warm round tones & for whatever reason my Busters' just seem to have an extra amount of low-end oomph.
 
#11
You can find a gk rb800 american made all day long and cheep. That will give you the sound you and your spector need. Mate it with a 410 and you are done.
 
#16
I have one of the Mesa Boogie Buster Bass 200 heads mentioned above.
I use a Mesa 1516BE cab with it. the cab has 1-15", 1-10" and 2-6".
this is the most versatile rig I've ever owned and I've been playing for over 35 years.
I can get crazy deep and clean or brite and dirty all I want. Mesa Kicks ass. Spend the time and the money. Look hard and be good with your money. I got the head for $650 and the cab for $350. Patience pays off.
 
#20
What's your budget? There are plenty of amps in all price ranges. If you're looking under $1K then you'll want to go used or vintage, but if you've got the cheddar there are some real boutique amps out there.


SurferJoe46 said:
Almost like total digital verses the cozy easy chair and brandy in front of the fireplace of a more old school amp.
Click to expand...

I'd consider an amp that had it's beginnings in 1969 to be fairly old school...
 

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