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Favorite all tube amp?

bouncin'bak

bouncin'bak

Oct 23, 2006
18
0
#1
Ahoy there! I've been a stealth ninja on this forum for years as I slowly gathered funds moving up in the bass playing world.

Now days, I'm rocking a Landing bass with Dark star pickups to give me a tone like the bells of Notre Dame.

my amplification is seriously lacking!
what tube amps would you reccommend for that sexy smooth as a liberty bell tone without cracking my bank account?
:hiding:puns:hiding:

I've heard wonderful things about the SVT series, and have personal experience falling in love with mesa products, but most of their all tube amplification has been discontinued to do their sexy hybrid work.

anyone have experience with Orange??? I've always liked their company from a distance :D Do they have a good tone or wut folks?

Anyways, I look forward to hearing whats up.
Thanks TB-- JP:ninja:
 
#4
Get a 70's SVT Or a Rackmount SVT II (late 80's early 90's) which is basically the same thing with the added option of a graphic EQ as well. Think of it just like the Mesa 400+ only Ampeg.
Or just buy a Mesa 400+ . The Orange amps are awsome too but they are their own flavor.
I just got a SVT II a few days ago after not owning an AMpeg for 8 years. Owned Mesa in that entire time. Unless I get an endorsement in the coming year or two I will be playing ampeg from here on out. Theres a reason they have been a staple since the 60's. :cool:

You also cant go wrong with the vintage sunn stuff depending on your style of music.
 
#5
I've liked every tube amp I've played. The one I have is a Mesa/Boogie D-180, which is cool cause you can get it to sound really nasty at low volumes, or have it sound super-clean.

My friend's got an Ampeg SVT-Cl and Ampeg's reputation for a powerful sound is deserved. That amp really thunders.
 
#9
the earlier tube rectified ones were rated at 120 watts and i believe that the later SS rectifed ones ('71 like mine) at 140w, but both of them feel more like 200-250 easily. it feels louder/more powerful than my YBA 200-2 and almost as loud as either of my SVT's. i've had a few of both the tube rectified and SS rectified ones, and i prefer the latter. it was also known as the 350B (as in 350 'peak' watts).
 
#12
My experience is limited an this case, given that I have only played the occasional gig/music store tube amp. I haven't really loved SVTs, except for the occasional vintage one (or VR) which stand out a lot. Then I got my Mesa Buster, which is kinda like a D-180 or a 400 (nonplus). It's much more articulate than newer SVTs but with the 15" it can really thump too. Frankly I don't need 300w, the Buster's 180W is plenty.
 
#18
Nothing beats the sound of a nice tube bass amp. My favorite? It's a toss-up between these three:

Sadowsky SA-200
1963 Fender Bassman (yes, I actually use it on bass)
1969 SVT

The SA-200 is the best all-around - it just sounds so good on everything. The Bassman, though only about 40 watts, is perfect for that old-school sound; I've A/B'd it with old B15's and I prefer the Bassman every time. The SVT is just pure terror.
 

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