Favorite All-Tube Heads

[LiamPodmore]

So far nobodys mentioned the Orange AD200B? Thats one of my favourite Tube amps from my experiences with them, although i do like what i have heard from the Mesa Boogie Bass 400+ on recordings but never heard one in person.

Liam

 

[J-Dub]

so can you swap power tubes out on any amp? or are they wired to use the type they were made with?

 

[Loel]

You may want to consider Traynor YBA 300 linky>

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/traynor-yba300-730128/

 

[JimmyM]

so can you swap power tubes out on any amp? or are they wired to use the type they were made with?

That all depends on the amp. Some you can change for different model tubes, some you can't. It's all a case by case basis.

 

[Jimmy Blue]

How about a Plush 1060-S This one is a 69' retubed it this year paired it with an Epifani PS 115 sounds great.

 

[cheezewiz]

Orange AD 200
Ampeg SVT VR
Mesa Boogie Bass 400+

If you want grindy tubey goodness, the Orange is the way to go! The SVT and Mesa are also classics for a reason!

 

[Mitchthebassplayer]

Any of the Trace V-type series are amazing....rare....but amazing....my V6 is louder than any SVT I've ever played through and sounds twice as fat!

 

[gnjpowell]

Think of the 6650/KT88 as the 6L6's Big Brother. 60W Hi-Fi or 100W bass or guitar, per pair.

 

[Balog]

Just curious, if you like your current tone so much why do you want to switch? What is it doing or not doing that you are seeking to change? If you identify what you want from the amp you aren't currently getting, you could find what amp would best deliver it.

All that being said, I loved the tone Al Cisneros got from his Green master volume unit and slaved power units when I saw Om. But that sound was a combination of his amps, the massive pair of 4x15's that (I assume) he was sending the lows through, the 4x10's he was (I'm assuming) sending the mids and up through, his choice of where and how to split the signal, his pedals, his Rics, and his fingers.

 

[johnk_10]

my favorite sounding tube head:

 

[twinfallsbass]

Output and current draw, from what I hear. 6L6s draw less current and have lower output than 6550s and EL34s

Although true. In the case of the Mesa Boogie Bass 400, it's output was limited by it's transformers, it was by no means putting out 300Watts.

 

[Bunyo]

Boogie 400+ seriously kicks ass. Good for fast, gritty playing.

 

[s_mcsleazy]

Yes! I was gonna go with my unconventional choice - my '68 Bassman. Excellent old-school tone for both my basses and guitars. Not alot of guts behind it but for smallish venues and recordings it makes me proud.

not alot of gut. speek for yerself. mine shook a soundproof studio at 6.

poor drummer had to mic his kit and as for the guitar player he had to use 2 marshall fullstacks

 

[J-Dub]

Just curious, if you like your current tone so much why do you want to switch? What is it doing or not doing that you are seeking to change? If you identify what you want from the amp you aren't currently getting, you could find what amp would best deliver it.

All that being said, I loved the tone Al Cisneros got from his Green master volume unit and slaved power units when I saw Om. But that sound was a combination of his amps, the massive pair of 4x15's that (I assume) he was sending the lows through, the 4x10's he was (I'm assuming) sending the mids and up through, his choice of where and how to split the signal, his pedals, his Rics, and his fingers.

Well, I do really like my sound with the Ashdown. But I think I've gone as far as I can with tubes (actually the ABM only has one tube, maybe I just need more tubes) only in the preamp. I really want a warm, saturated, overdriven breakup from my amp.

I've posted this clip before in the Effects forum and while it doesn't epitomize the thick, driven sound I'm going for, its pretty dang close. The bass solo is at 2:17. YouTube - ‪Anberlin - Godspeed‬‏

And I've thought about changing the tube in my Ashdown out for another, as this one is pretty tame. Great at what it does, but maybe a different kind of tube in the preamp would help? I don't know...I shall keep searching for my golden tone.

 

[jimmyjames77]

The Peavey classic 400 is a beast...

 

[Stumbo]

my favorite sounding tube head:

+100

+1 for all the Sunn all tube amps.

 

[ddbassGA]

Ampeg B-15 for low volume situations or Fender Bassman. For bigger, Ampeg V4 or V4B -- can't decide which I like better.

 

[ctboss]

SVT II (non pro) and Mesa 400+. People have already mentioned these so I apologize for the repetition... but I had to contribute!

 

[michael_atw]

not alot of gut. speek for yerself. mine shook a soundproof studio at 6.

poor drummer had to mic his kit and as for the guitar player he had to use 2 marshall fullstacks

Mine could shake, but it wouldn't project nearly as much.

 

[pbillaa]

I've owned an American svt, and a peavey vb-2. I have to give the nod to the vb-2.