All Tube Heads - which one?

[Downunderwonder]

Mesa D180 in the classifieds.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Reeves.

 

[huckleberry1]

I own an Ampeg SVT VR, hard to beat!

 

[NecroticImbecil]

Reeves

 

[TC.65]

It would be either the Ampeg VR or the Reeves for me.

 

[tombowlus]

Those are all great, highly viable options. What are your tone goals and personal preferences?

 

[waltdogg]

Though I have an SVT-VR and love it. I'd go with the Reeves or a little something called the Mother made by a company called Science. Handmade like the Reeves, 200 watts with a HiWatt tone stack and the Matamp 6 way mid-range. The build quality of these amps crush Ampeg and even Orange or Mesa.

 

[JimmyM]

VR, of course!

 

[jeff ward]

ASHDOWN CTM series
ASHDOWN little bastard
EBS T90
The ebs is low priced and uses 6550s/KT88
I contactes EBS about using the new KT120s and they said it would take them but u would want to replace the caps. Verry helpful even had there tech send me a discription of what would need to be done to make it utilize the higher wattage from the KT120 even though I doubt u would need more wattage with this thing.

 

[Bassmec]

ASHDOWN CTM series
ASHDOWN little bastard
EBS T90
The ebs is low priced and uses 6550s/KT88
I contactes EBS about using the new KT120s and they said it would take them but u would want to replace the caps. Verry helpful even had there tech send me a discription of what would need to be done to make it utilize the higher wattage from the KT120 even though I doubt u would need more wattage with this thing.

KT120 has a pretty poor record for reliability and it won't produce more power even with a stiffened power supply.
If an amp has been designed to use a specific tube, don't end up being the unpaid uncompensated for damage R&D department for the manufacturer.
I would rate any NOS Gec KT88 over every individual KT120 ever made, you will find that firmly reflected in the price.

 

[hdracer]

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.

The Fender has that

 

[thejumpcat]

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

Well, come to Detroit and you can give it a workout!

 

[Fuzzonaut]

Reeves, if you like pedals.

 

[nshuman]

The Fender has that

Yes and many more. I was trying to stick to OP's list

 

[ScottTunes]

I'm droolin' for the REEVES!

I've had my share of haulin' the mid '70s SVT and matching "fridge!" GREAT amp! But the weight... And, not sure I'd want any of the non-US made "pigs."

Just bought (and returned) the Mesa Bass Prodigy... Very nice amp for it's size and weight! But my TCE RH450 sounds more "tube-like" than the Mesa!

Savin' up for the Reeves... ;-)

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

SVT

 

[Jack-Jack]

SVT. Can't go wrong with a proper Ampeg.

 

[spiritbass]

Reeves innards:

Makes my ears smile every time I fire it up:

 

[bassmusic17]

Reeves is basically a HIWatt. It is the one I would pick out of your list over the others for the style you mentioned. Next would be the Mesa.

 

[Bassmec]

Reeves innards:

Makes my ears smile every time I fire it up:

Due to the influence of an ex RAF engineer called Harry Joyce that the original Hylight Hiwatt was so beautifully laid out and wired to military specs.
I am so pleased that Reeves have reissued this great old amp built with the same level of attenshion to detail.