Ampeg SVT-4PRO

[bottomfeeder33]

So I am in the market for a new bass amp again. Of course we all know you can't go wrong with this head, but I have a few major concerns. In owning tube heads in the past, I learned the hard way how delicate they truly are. What is the best way to transport these amps as well as move them in and out of venues? I just want to be as easy on it as possible. Thanks.

 

[B-string]

It only has small preamp tubes, no large power tubes to worry about. Preamp tubes warm up fast and cool off pretty quick. Just don't play basketball with it

 

[rigtec]

"...What is the best way to transport these amps as well as move them in and out of venues? I just want to be as easy on it as possible..."

When I had my SVT's (seventies and eighties) and moved them pretty regularly, I just exercised ordinary care as they were built to be moved and had shock resistant chassis' on spring mounted vibration isolators. I think I replaced the power tubes every 1000 hrs of operation time (IIRC); the pre-amp tubes lasted much longer!

 

[JimmyM]

Tubes ain't light bulbs They're actually generally pretty rugged and only ordinary normal care is required. Don't drop it, don't let it bounce around loose in a vehicle, etc.

 

[bottomfeeder33]

I just had some horrible experiences in the past. Particularly with a Fender Bassman 300 head I owned. It had pre-amp tubes, plus four 6550-C's. It was in the shop a lot (solder joints coming loose etc). And I was extremely careful with it as well.

 

[JimmyM]

Solder joints aren't tubes

 

[B-string]

I just had some horrible experiences in the past. Particularly with a Fender Bassman 300 head I owned. It had pre-amp tubes, plus four 6550-C's. It was in the shop a lot (solder joints coming loose etc). And I was extremely careful with it as well.

When lead-free solder started being used it was a tough learning curve. The troubles with your 300 were most likely connected to that, not tubes. SS amps had their fair share of solder joint troubles as well while not using a single tube.