Amps with footswitch distortion... really this rare?

[Shaerah56]

I've decided I want built-in distortion to make situations where I don't need to bring my full setup a little easier. I'd rather carry a head and footswitch than a head, pedal, power supply and more cables. My Fusion doesn't really get to true distortion, even on channel B.
From my research so far, it seems the only options are the TC TonePrint stuff, the Fender Rumble or the Mesa Prodigy/Strategy. There are more that have distortion, but none seems to be footswitchable from descriptions and feature lists I can find. Or if they are, they're 80 pound monsters.
I'd appreciate suggestions for heads to consider that are at least 500 watts. Not really worried about price, or tube vs solid state.
If this has been covered before, I apologize.

 

[nashvillebill]

Well it would have to be solid state if you're wanting more than 500 watts, no tube amps in mass-production that powerful.

If you can find a used Peavey Classic 400, it's 400 watts of all-tube power with footswitchable distortion. It also weighs 100 pounds...just for the head.

 

[beans-on-toast]

The problem with amps with built in distortion is that the distortion is limited unless there is a computer interface and patches available. That's why companies don't incorporate distortion into their amps. I used to have a distortion pedal that plugged directly into my instrument, the cable to the amp plugged into the box. There was a switch on the body to turn it on and off and volume and intensity knobs. Worked well but was a one trick pony.

If you are going to carry a foot switch, it isn't that much of a leap to carry a pedal and cables and you can have a lot more variation available.

 

[Bass_Pounder]

If you are going to carry a foot switch, it isn't that much of a leap to carry a pedal and cables and you can have a lot more variation available.

This

 

[Dave W]

The Prodigy doesn't have built in distortion.

Stuff that does:
GK 2001RB
Mesa Titan
Mesa BB750
Aguilar AG500

 

[MobileHolmes]

Well it would have to be solid state if you're wanting more than 500 watts, no tube amps in mass-production that powerful.

If you can find a used Peavey Classic 400, it's 400 watts of all-tube power with footswitchable distortion. It also weighs 100 pounds...just for the head.

Powe supply and distortion pedal doesn't sound so bad

 

[wcriley]

Try to find a used Shuttlemax 9.2.
Two completely independent switchable channels, each with its own gain, volume and EQ. Set one for a clean tone, the other for distortion.

 

[Rmackner]

Well it would have to be solid state if you're wanting more than 500 watts, no tube amps in mass-production that powerful.

If you can find a used Peavey Classic 400, it's 400 watts of all-tube power with footswitchable distortion. It also weighs 100 pounds...just for the head.

A tube amp can be pushed to its to max unlike solid state and has even order harmonics when it starts to clip/distort. So now we can push a 200 watt all tube amp miles ahead of a similar rated solid state amp without having clipping that sounds like death to your ears. A 200w all tube amp will have the same perceived volume as a 600w+ solid state amp since with SS we need to find the best range within the master volume level that has good headroom and doesn't clip at all (this is a none issue with tubes since we get even order harmonics with distortion and compression other then a mess of unleveled clipping noise).

 

[rodl2005]

The Prodigy doesn't have built in distortion.

Stuff that does:
GK 2001RB
Mesa Titan
Mesa BB750
Aguilar AG500

Fender Super Bassman,
100T
Bassman 500

 

[DevinWard369]

Oldie but a goodie the SWR mo'bass.

 

[gjbassist]

Find a used GK Backline 600. It has a built in OD channel that has it's own level and gain control and is foot switchable.

 

[Shaerah56]

Thanks for the information. Used is a little difficult, I'm hesitant to buy gear off places like EBay, and most of the stuff I want seems to be in the US, and isn't worth getting shipped to Canada. Especially on bigger, higher priced items the import fees are murder. Plus, I'm a broke bassist and planning to take advantage of L&M's financing.
After some consideration, I think I'm gonna order a Bassman 500, and a Rumble 40 or something for practice at home.
Again, thanks for the responses and suggestions.
Keep bassing!

 

[Jughead6]

I've found that some of the TC Electronic distortion toneprints give a fair bit of volume boost. I use the Switch 3 pedal and a volume pedal so that I can engage/disengage an effect and then tame any volume boost without having to tweak knobs on either my bass or the amp. So, it's not exactly a pedal-less setup.

 

[disssa]

Invalid Link Removed
Sunn 300T aka Invalid Link Removed
Trace Elliot Invalid Link Removed or Invalid Link Removed

 

[Bass Growler]

If you can find an Ampeg SVT 5, it has basically the old SVP-BSP preamp built in, 2 channels which can be combined in a parallel fashion.
And an octaver as an added bonus.

Plus, it's a 1000 watt amp!

 

[hintz]

I have an old Fender PS300 amp(fenders answer to the SVT) at my fathers house that has a foot switch for distortion, but it wouldn't meet the OP's needs as it's 300 watts and close to 80 lbs....

But its beautiful sounding distortion and more than loud enough for any situation .....

But I must say, they're also surprisingly cheap for how rare they are

 

[Jackass76]

Mesa Big Block 750...try one...you will buy it...I'm glad I did.

 

[AlexanderB]

Fender TBP1 (preamp) has a flexible, remote controlled distortion channel, with its dedicated controls for gain, volume and blend. Tone is overdriven by a 12AX7, which can be substituted by other tubes for more dirt.
TBP1 with a compact, single unit power amp yields a fairly compact (but not light!) amp package.

 

[Rmackner]

The peavey VB-2 225 all tubes watts and a footswitchable distortion channel (also has a damn good DI for silent recording with a tube amp!).

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I am not impressed with the built in distortion on my Rumble.