All Tube Heads - which one?

[tlrsn]

Four choices:

Mesa Prodigy
Orange AD200B
Ampeg SVT-VR
Reeves Custom 225

Which one would you choose?

 

[thejumpcat]

Morgan MP200 an option?

 

[CL400Peavey]

Peavey VB-3.

 

[tlrsn]

Morgan MP200 an option?

Do you have one? Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

 

[hdracer]

Fender Super Bassman

 

[tlrsn]

You guys aren't playing by the rules...

 

[Burwabit]

V4B is on my gas list. Rules, what rules?

 

[tlrsn]

The reason I'm asking is I could get any one of the four for pretty reasonable prices. I'm trying to narrow it down.

 

[nshuman]

So, Ashdown CTM-15?

No, seriously, what type of music do you play and what type of sound are you looking for. Also, the SVT-VR weighs 85 pounds...

 

[chaosMK]

Cant go wrong with any of them although I know nothing about the Reeves.

Relative to each other-

Mesa: Most modern
Orange: Hairiest
Ampeg: Most classic with the biggest booty

My favorite amp is the Mesa Bass 400/400+. I would take one over anything.

 

[GM60466]

Boogie would be my first choice.

 

[tlrsn]

So, Ashdown CTM-15?

No, seriously, what type of music do you play and what type of sound are you looking for. Also, the SVT-VR weighs 85 pounds...

Indie/alternative similar to Death Cab, Foals, Mutemath, Temper Trap but we also draw on ambient influences like Sigur Rós.

 

[nshuman]

Indie/alternative similar to Death Cab, Foals, Mutemath, Temper Trap but we also draw on ambient influences like Sigur Rós.

I'd say Mesa, then SVT-VR (but, man, the weight), Orange. I don't know about the Reeves... I would think that you would want something that could do clean with a lot of headroom so I am putting the orange last, only for that reason.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

Reeves Custom 225 is the only one of those I'd suggest bothering with without an endorsement deal. For buying an amp to use and love, there are way better options. Proper Matamp over Orange, sort of budgets those are can get a properly made amp.

 

[thejumpcat]

Do you have one? Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

I do. It's a 200 watt beast that only weighs 42 pounds. Very, very deep bass. Hand wired. 2, 4 or 8 ohms. Focus knob really opens up (or closes) midrange.
No longer in production.

 

[tlrsn]

I do. It's a 200 watt beast that only weighs 42 pounds. Very, very deep bass. Hand wired. 2, 4 or 8 ohms. Focus knob really opens up (or closes) midrange.
No longer in production.

I've heard great things about them. Would love to get my hands on one.

 

[spiritbass]

The Reeves does offer plenty of clean headroom and beautiful tones. IIRC, when Tom Bowlus' mag reviewed it, the one they had was delivering over 250 watts. It offers time tested/proven circuit design, no scrimping on parts selection, and superb build quality. The DI signal is tapped off of the output transformer. Hand-made in America, if that makes a difference to you. I believe they weigh a little over 60lbs. It helps that the newer models have two carry handles. If you'll be transporting it, you'll want a cover or case, as it doesn't come with one...

 

[nshuman]

The Reeves does offer plenty of clean headroom and beautiful tones. IIRC, when Tom Bowlus' mag reviewed it, the one they had was delivering over 250 watts. It offers time tested/proven circuit design, no scrimping on parts selection, and superb build quality. The DI signal is tapped off of the output transformer. Hand-made in America, if that makes a difference to you. I believe they weigh a little over 60lbs. It helps that the newer models have two carry handles. If you'll be transporting it, you'll want a cover or case, as it doesn't come with one...

For me, the DI being post Output Transformer would be a BIG plus for an all Tube Amp. Again, I have no experience with the reeves but all that is being said here is really sounding good.

 

[Bassmec]

Reeves as it's the only one made properly in your list. Off your list as Mr Foxen has already told you, custom built Matamp 200.
After all that way (without naming names) you are getting the absolute real thing for about the same money as a dodgy fake.

 

[Stranger Danger]

If I could have one I'd get the Mesa.