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I Want a Tube Amp

#81
jlo95 said:
I'm interested in acquiring a tube amp for the dirty pre-amp and aesthetics. I need help surveying my options.

I'm currently running an Aguilar TH500 thru a pair of Ampeg SVT 112 speakers. I play in a rock power trio and the guitarist plays a Marshall JCM 2000 thru a 412. The Aguilar is plenty loud, but it'd be nice to have a big, heavy, dirty amp that's in the same echelon as the Marshall. Also, as cliché as it sounds, the Aggie doesn't look cool next to the Marshall. Lemmy would approve.

What are my options? No price constraints. But weight is a factor. Can we keep it close to 50lbs?

Ampeg V4B, SVT-CL; Aguilar DB751; Fender Super Bassman -- All come to mind immediately.

Just looking to work this problem out out-loud. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks!
John
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A pristine 1967 Marshall Super Bass would fit the bill and match the guitar rig for stage presence. Lemmy would approve.

EDIT: Get two 410 half stacks so you can disconnect one for lower volume and still have the look.
 
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#83
agedhorse said:
The Diablo heads are too heavy for me too… and I designed it;)

That head is a good example of what I posted earlier about how many different tones, textures and dynamics profiles can be designed without changing g the tubes.

Differences are more typically due to the circuit design than the specific tubes themselves.

On those heads, you can drive the power amp input (effects return jack) with a bass preamp. They actually work well for bass guitar.

Just because I'm known for, and generally associated with class d amps doesn't mean that I have r designed my share of commercially successful tube and class AB solid state amps.
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I had a feeling you were behind this el diablo amp! Thank you sir for designing what I personally feel is the greatest tube amp series ever! Actually I've used it for bass before, but only for low level for record since I didn't have a fake speaker load to put the amp output through at the time, and even the preamp works extremely well for bass due to the incredibly versatile and powerful active eq. I do need, one day, to get a dummy load for it and try what you were just suggesting :-)
 
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#85
BOOG said:
I got lucky a few years ago coming across this made in USA specimen on Reverb for a very low price and ten hours of driving.
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Wow, USA made? I didn't know there was such a thing. The one I have is an early UK made one (vs many being made in China). Mine was at a good price and would have been about 10 hours of driving but fortunately the seller (original owner who had it it a rehearsal room - was never gigged and looks as new) agreed to a price and held it for about a month until he was in the area so I only had to do a couple hours of driving. Super happy with it. It's a 'character' amp and, a bit like a P bass, does what it does within its range really well.
 
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#86
Another one that hasn't been mentioned thus far is the Handbox Audio WB-100. 120w (4x6L6) and 35 lbs. Really well made (here in Poland) and priced around $1,000 IIRC. Main issue is having to buy direct so no local dealers or way to easily try before buying.

7cfGTu.jpg


HandBox - Świat Prawdziwego Dźwięku
 
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#87
Dynacord said:
Another one that hasn't been mentioned thus far is the Handbox Audio WB-100. 120w (4x6L6) and 35 lbs. Really well made (here in Poland) and priced around $1,000 IIRC. Main issue is having to buy direct so no local dealers or way to easily try before buying.

View attachment 4745567

HandBox - Świat Prawdziwego Dźwięku
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Is he back in production? Talked to him a few months ago ready to buy, he said he was doing a complete overhaul of the preamp and would be out of commission for a while. Loved my Handbox R400 while I had it, but a bit underpowered...
 
#88
Jesuguru said:
Is he back in production? Talked to him a few months ago ready to buy, he said he was doing a complete overhaul of the preamp and would be out of commission for a while. Loved my Handbox R400 while I had it, but a bit underpowered...
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I talked to Leszek in April and he said he expected to have them back in production by June. Not sure if that happened or not. And he said it was a big upgrade - though I don't know what that consists of.

He also said he's going to be doing the WB-100 in two versions: "tour" with the case and "club" without.
 
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#89
Dynacord said:
Wow, USA made? I didn't know there was such a thing. The one I have is an early UK made one (vs many being made in China). Mine was at a good price and would have been about 10 hours of driving but fortunately the seller (original owner who had it it a rehearsal room - was never gigged and looks as new) agreed to a price and held it for about a month until he was in the area so I only had to do a couple hours of driving. Super happy with it. It's a 'character' amp and, a bit like a P bass, does what it does within its range really well.
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That's a great analogy and like the pbass, it does it oh so well.
 
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#90
Wow, this is quite the wealth of information. Thanks everybody.

Some homework I need to do on my own, is determine how important a tube power amp is for my needs. I also need to refine what problem I'm trying to solve with a new amp.

I think I've stumbled upon a bit of a contradiction on my part: I say I want a tube amp for the natural grit, yet many of my favorite bassists (Nate Mendel, Nick Harmer, etc.) largely play clean tones with distorted guitars on top.

So, what exactly do I want? I suppose only I can answer that.

I've only played a proper tube amp a couple times. SVT VR with 410 was backlined at a festival and it was a great experience. Pictured. I played an Orange rig at another festival date and had less than stellar experience. However, I'm willing to chop it up to user error.
 

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#92
jlo95 said:
Wow, this is quite the wealth of information. Thanks everybody.

Some homework I need to do on my own, is determine how important a tube power amp is for my needs. I also need to refine what problem I'm trying to solve with a new amp.

I think I've stumbled upon a bit of a contradiction on my part: I say I want a tube amp for the natural grit, yet many of my favorite bassists (Nate Mendel, Nick Harmer, etc.) largely play clean tones with distorted guitars on top.

So, what exactly do I want? I suppose only I can answer that.

I've only played a proper tube amp a couple times. SVT VR with 410 was backlined at a festival and it was a great experience. Pictured. I played an Orange rig at another festival date and had less than stellar experience. However, I'm willing to chop it up to user error.
Click to expand...
The SVT can do clean.
 
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#94
mb94952 said:
Just get a preamp pedal like a Darkglass, or something. No need to get a new amp just to aquire a tone that's easily accessible in 2022.
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This. I used to be obsess with tube overdrive (best accomplished with a guitar tube head in my experience…) until modern pedals came along. Cheaper, more versatility, you can easily blend in clean signals, distort highs, not lows, etc. Darkglass is one very good example.

Some of the modern digital pedals are so good that my focus is now on clean headroom for my amps… and pedals that do the job right.
 
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#95
jlo95 said:
Wow, this is quite the wealth of information. Thanks everybody.

Some homework I need to do on my own, is determine how important a tube power amp is for my needs. I also need to refine what problem I'm trying to solve with a new amp.

I think I've stumbled upon a bit of a contradiction on my part: I say I want a tube amp for the natural grit, yet many of my favorite bassists (Nate Mendel, Nick Harmer, etc.) largely play clean tones with distorted guitars on top.

So, what exactly do I want? I suppose only I can answer that.

I've only played a proper tube amp a couple times. SVT VR with 410 was backlined at a festival and it was a great experience. Pictured. I played an Orange rig at another festival date and had less than stellar experience. However, I'm willing to chop it up to user error.
Click to expand...

i love tube amps. When you are at that *perfect volume* they can be godly. And for every other volume… there are pedals. I am a sucker for the look and glowing tubes. At least i can admit it though. I know a 4lbs generic looking class d box would be smarter. But instead i like a generic looking tube head.
 
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#97
Killens84 said:
I would suggest looking into the JT Amplification Alpha tube pre/DI. It has the heft and warmth of a tube amp, it can do dirty tube overdrive really well, and would keep your setup light. I would assume it would pair well with your TH500.
Click to expand...

mb94952 said:
Just get a preamp pedal like a Darkglass, or something. No need to get a new amp just to aquire a tone that's easily accessible in 2022.
Click to expand...

TTA said:
This. I used to be obsess with tube overdrive (best accomplished with a guitar tube head in my experience…) until modern pedals came along. Cheaper, more versatility, you can easily blend in clean signals, distort highs, not lows, etc. Darkglass is one very good example.

Some of the modern digital pedals are so good that my focus is now on clean headroom for my amps… and pedals that do the job right.
Click to expand...

I should try and clarify a few things. Obviously, this post exists in the vacuum of the internet and does not accurately represent my entire arsenal of gear nor the variety of ensembles I play with.

Most of the time my Aggie with the drive set at 10-12 o'clock fits the bill. I also have a couple fuzz and overdrive pedals that I use. These work excellently. Especially on small stages, short hits, and car tours.

I play in a few bands at the moment. Singer-songwriter, horn rock, fusion, grunge, Americana. And, my Aguilar gets the job done 100% of the time. I'm simply interested in exploring the idea of a tube amp for the grunge project I'm in. I think it would be more accurate both sonically and aesthetically.

I'm by no means intending to switch from a 5lb amp to a 90lb amp for 100% of my gigs.

John
 
#98
jlo95 said:
I should try and clarify a few things. Obviously, this post exists in the vacuum of the internet and does not accurately represent my entire arsenal of gear nor the variety of ensembles I play with.

Most of the time my Aggie with the drive set at 10-12 o'clock fits the bill. I also have a couple fuzz and overdrive pedals that I use. These work excellently. Especially on small stages, short hits, and car tours.

I play in a few bands at the moment. Singer-songwriter, horn rock, fusion, grunge, Americana. And, my Aguilar gets the job done 100% of the time. I'm simply interested in exploring the idea of a tube amp for the grunge project I'm in. I think it would be more accurate both sonically and aesthetically.

I'm by no means intending to switch from a 5lb amp to a 90lb amp for 100% of my gigs.

John
Click to expand...
Ampeg PortaFlex-series amps have a reputation for excellent Ampeg tube emulation. 350, 500, 800, your choice.
 
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