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I need a LIGHTWEIGHT TUBE amp
- Thread starter HoosierBassist
- Start date
I DO happen to think the chap would be better off with a hybrid as opposed to full-tube. However, I'm not here to shout anyone down. What I would say to OP is to scour the net for the Bugera 1960, or any number of Peavey valve heads (valveking, etc.). They're not especially heavy, and DIRT cheap used. However, if you're willing to consider hybrids, the Orange Terror Bass has a very distinct "baked-in" tone...but, boy, it is one HELL of a tone. The hybrid offerings from Ampeg come in various flavours of SVT. The 7 PRO is damn nice, but over half your budget right there. I'd try to spend as little as possible until you became more aware of the tone you're seeking.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
You're in high school, working a minimum wage job to earn money, and you're willing to "put all of your eggs in one basket" by dropping ~$1,800 on a rig.
I understand the siren song of GAS, but it may be far more prudent to buy something like this, and save the rest of your money until you're better prepared to make a fully informed purchase:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MicroCL/
I understand the siren song of GAS, but it may be far more prudent to buy something like this, and save the rest of your money until you're better prepared to make a fully informed purchase:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MicroCL/
Well, the need for a good cab isn't really a question, it's just a fact. And the last couple sentences were just what I would do.
not disputing the cab part. I may like big cabs, but you can't argue with efficiency regardless of weight or size.
I just get tired of people saying "all you need is a big power amp and a preamp that sounds like toobz".
I am not saying that won't sound good. I am just saying it doesn't give you what a tube head does.
I ran a preamp+power amp for years before I switched to all tube amplification. It is really nice to have the flexibility of two separate power sections, each of which can drive 2,4 or 8 ohms. It's also nice to have 800 watts or more per side of solid well damped power. But a lot of the tube amp magic is in the transformer coupled output. Even when running clean you can hear and feel a difference.
And I have yet to hear a tube pre that sounds anything like a tube pre on real all tube head.
I am not sure what the difference is, but if anyone know of a tube pre that actually sounds like a Fender bassman or Traynor bassmaster let me know!
In my limited experience I totally agree. Tubes sound like tubes, and (at least outside the realm of multi-thousand dollar modeling units) hybrids and tube pres into power amps etc don't sound exactly the same.
I actually prefer a well-executed solid-state sound to valves for bass. OT, I know, but just felt like sharing.
I can name a half dozen totally non tube amps that completely kick butt and are light and cheap. GK 400RB/800RB come to mind. (okay the 800RB doesn't seem light these days, but it was the lightest biamp rig of it's kind once upon a time)
If he is after valve tone, it is kind of disingenuous to point him in the direction of something that only approximates that, however good the approximation.
I can tune my 4 string like the lower 4 on a 5 string. If you are listening you might think I had a 5 string. Doesn't make it a fiver.
If he is after valve tone, it is kind of disingenuous to point him in the direction of something that only approximates that, however good the approximation.
I can tune my 4 string like the lower 4 on a 5 string. If you are listening you might think I had a 5 string. Doesn't make it a fiver.
