Least expensive All Tube Amp Head

[johnk_10]

the V4's are really nice, but if the OP liked an SVT, there is no real substitue for one. here's the three that i currently own (top to bottom-'07 SVT-VR, a very early '69, and a '75) and they ALL sound awesome :

and here's part of my modest vintage ampeg collection:

 

[the yeti]

There's your answer. Although it's not the least expensive. I'd suggest saving an extra month or so to pay for it. For tube sound, worth every penny. My opinion.

I sold mine because I went with Acme cabs which required a pre/power amp setup...but sold the Acmes and went with a Bergantino NV610, which would have absolutely shined with the Mesa. I pretty much regret it every day.

+1000
not a day goes by that i don't regret selling my boogie...

 

[Sundogue]

YES, the yba200 does 2 ohms! it runs down to 2 ohms and the ohm selector switch is near irrelevant at that point. search for the yba200 megathread and there's great big section of the thread on that very subject. the position of the switch apparently sounds different and it's whatever sounds better to you. but yes, 2 ohm capable.

i should have never looked at the rest of this thread and seen the two amp suggestion....

Yeah, I just checked out the specs and the YBA200-2 does indeed have a minimum impedance of 2 ohms. Very cool.

Opens up some options. I tried one out in a store a while back and loved the tone. At the time I thought it only went to 4 ohms. If I had known then it went to 2 ohms, I might have bought it, but the dick running the store wouldn't let me try it on a gig. The other two stores in town let me try new gear out on gigs all the time...and have for thirty years.

It would be fine if that was their policy, but I know lots of other musicians that get to try out gear from that place. Needless to say, even if they had one in stock I wouldn't know as I don't support that store any longer.

I'm narrowing my choice to the Traynor YBA200-2 or the Peavey VB2...for now that is. Of course I might find a sweet deal on an SVT or 400+. The V4B looks alright, but with those two going to 200+ watts at those prices they seem to be front runners for me.

 

[Sundogue]

the V4's are really nice, but if the OP liked an SVT, there is no real substitue for one. here's the three that i currently own (top to bottom-'07 SVT-VR, a very early '69, and a '75) and they ALL sound awesome :

That bottom one sure brings back memories. I was so young and naive about gear back then or I never would have gotten rid of it...or the early issue Rick 4001 I had, or the pre CBS P-Bass, or...

 

[MIJ-VI]

YES, the yba200 does 2 ohms! it runs down to 2 ohms and the ohm selector switch is near irrelevant at that point. search for the yba200 megathread and there's great big section of the thread on that very subject. the position of the switch apparently sounds different and it's whatever sounds better to you. but yes, 2 ohm capable.

Cool!

Taken from the YBA200-2 Manual:

(Disclaimer: I am NOT a tech.)

While this says the YBA200-2 will support 2 ohms, I suspect that this MAY be for the sake of accommodating reactive loads.

I would like to KNOW if this amp can be cranked up & RUN RELENTLESSLY into a 2 ohm load--without failing!

Type - All Tube Bass Head

Power @ min. impedance (Watts) - 200 @ 4/8 ohms switchable

Minimum Impedance (Ohms) - 2

Burst Power - 2 cycle - 250 Watts

Frequency Response (Hz +/-3dB) - 30 - 16,000

Hum and Noise (dB) - -90db

Input Channels - 1

Channel 1 - inputs - 2 x 1/4inch

Channel 1 - controls - Gain

Master Volume Control - Yes

Main Tone Controls - Treble, Mid, Range, Bass, Scoop, Resonance

Input Sensitivity (mV) - 20

Master Outputs - Pre-amp out (Pre Master)

Line Out (type / configuration) - XLR Balanced (Pre/Post, Grnd Lift)

Line Out Sensitivity (Vrms) - 1V (100mV when -20db Pad engaged)

Effects Loop / Location - Pre-amp out, Power Amp in, Loop Thru

Effects Return Sensitivity (Vrms) - 1V

LED Indicators - Tuner Mute, Power/Standby

External speaker output / location - 2 x 1/4inch (Rear)

Impedance Selector (4/8 ohms)

Other Features - Tubes: 2x12AX7, 1x12AU7, 4xKT88

Tuner output 1/4inch

Dimensions (DWH, inches) - 11.5 x 22.5 x 9.5

Dimensions (DWH, cm) - 29 x 57 x 24

Weight (lbs / kg) - 44 / 20

--------

'Traynor YBA200-2 some observations and comparisons.'

--------

i should have never looked at the rest of this thread and seen the two amp suggestion....

Heh, heh, heh.

 

[johnk_10]

yeah, the YBA-200-II is a great sounding amp. personally, i think it sounds almost as good as any of the vintage tube heads that i have. i had one a year ago and i loved it, but it just seemed to lack a little headroom on a live gig, but wouldn't mind picking up another one.

 

[bmxican622]

I saw that Kustom is making one this year it looks alot like the SVT but costs under $400

 

[JimmyM]

Sundogue, I just had a religious experience at my gig tonight with my freshly restored 69 SVT. It was an experience with tone like I've not experienced in a long, long time. Sure, I would like to not have to move it, but it was so amazing at even the conservative volume I play at that moving it seems like a trivial concern at this point. I'm fortunate enough not to have any back problems (knock on wood) so it's easy for me to say that, but there really is no substitute for an SVT.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

If You want cheap and new take a look at Smarvo (Ashton, Fame, etc. )

Won't do 2 ohms so the series box would be required. Not particulary good option though, as if there's a failure in either of the cabs, there's a possibility of a no load situation that might be expensive.

Won't do the advertized 300W either, but 200W comes cleanly to 4&8Ohms.

Regards
Sam

 

[gbarchus]

I've been playing tube amps for over 40 years. I spent a some of that time using an Alembic F2-B preamp with a SS Carver (NOT Carvin) PM 1.5 power amp because I needed a lot of clean power. Believe me, it's NOT even close to an all-tube head. I now use a Sadowsky SA200 (2 ohms) with an Eden VT300 as a backup.

A few years ago I bought a Sunn 300T for $700 new when they were closing them out. It was a VERY powerful (6X6550) all-tube head that had a great sound. I sold it because it had too many knobs! But, it was very much in the same league as an SVT and it goes down to 2 ohms. Fender has the same as a Bassman Pro but the Sunn label looks SO much cooler.

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I would caution you about using a 100 watt head like the V4B. Although it's a great sounding amp, it may not be adequate in some situations where you need clean power. They can get quite loud if you don't mind over 5% distortion. If I could choose, I would use an old blackface Fender Showman with two JBL D-140 15" speakers all the time, but at 85 watts, it gets pretty distorted quickly with drums and loud guitar.

There's also the Eden 300T but it only goes to 4 ohms.

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Gale

 

[Sundogue]

Sundogue, I just had a religious experience at my gig tonight with my freshly restored 69 SVT. It was an experience with tone like I've not experienced in a long, long time. Sure, I would like to not have to move it, but it was so amazing at even the conservative volume I play at that moving it seems like a trivial concern at this point. I'm fortunate enough not to have any back problems (knock on wood) so it's easy for me to say that, but there really is no substitute for an SVT.

I read your post in my 'flatwound convert' thread too. There is just nothing better than flatwounds through a tube amp. I don't care what anyone says to counter that...it just isn't going to be the same.

It is so clear to me how different tube amps sound from SS (with any other kind of technology you can throw into the equation) that even though I haven't played through one in a while, I can still hear it in my head. I can just hear and feel how full, deep and thick even one note through a tube amp is.

It's like comparing a cheap, gristly minute steak you get at a really bad breakfast diner to a bacon-wrapped tenderloin. They are both steaks, but that's where the comparison ends. Sure you can throw eggs, hash browns or anything else along with that minute steak to help satisfy your hunger, but it just won't ever be as tasty.

While an SVT is out of my price range, I am so sold on getting a tube amp that I'm going to sell off some gear to help finance either a Peavey VB2 or a Traynor YBA200-2. Yeah, I know they aren't an SVT, but any tube amp is better than any SS as far as I'm concerned. and weight is a bit of an issue. I have two 115 neo's that weigh only 27lbs. each. Either of those heads weigh considerably less than an SVT. I understand all too well just how great an SVT's sound is, but considering price, weight, power, etc. an SVT is just a bit too much for me at the moment. If I didn't have a wife and four kids to think of, or if my band(s) were my only source of income, instead of being part-time, I would just go buy an SVT and be done with it.

Lots to consider.

Getting an epiphany like you did is so cool.

 

[Intune]

Years ago, as in a couple of years ago...and by that I mean played an entire gig through one...not just trying one out. I've been playing for 30 years and my first amphead was an Ampeg SVT. I've played through numerous ones over the years (sadly, never my own). Thus my comment about "Every time I played through one".

Your agreement of my rig is of no concern to me. I KNOW what a tube amp sounds like and I know how to use amp modelers and tube pre's, etc.

You're being a little condescending to me saying you doubt my rig sounds close. I certainly have been playing long enough and used enough gear over the years to not have to validate my comments or opinions to anyone. I use my Zoom B2 as my preamp, and my Ashdown solely for it's EQ features and as the power section. The Ashdown alone doesn't come close to copping a tubish tone on it's own.

I'd like to try out a bunch of tube heads, but very few shops around here carry tube gear.

Great way to start the day. Some people, I tell ya... Same old tune, diff day.

Oh, you want tube sound? Well you plug this kunnuter valve modeler in front of your pre emulater through this series of gates before it hits the turbo box and the 2,000 watts of pure SS POWER! People in the audience will think it is one of the big, heavy, nasty, hard-to-maintain tube amps. Trust me. I have nothing against those big, heavy, nasty, hard-to-maintain tube amps but I have grown beyond that one trick tube pony and into the realm of circuitry. You wouldn't understand but i may reach down and enlighten you. Trust me, I know better. Any questions, peasants?

 

[seamonkey]

Years ago, as in a couple of years ago...and by that I mean played an entire gig through one...not just trying one out. I've been playing for 30 years and my first amphead was an Ampeg SVT. I've played through numerous ones over the years (sadly, never my own). Thus my comment about "Every time I played through one".

Your agreement of my rig is of no concern to me. I KNOW what a tube amp sounds like and I know how to use amp modelers and tube pre's, etc.

You're being a little condescending to me saying you doubt my rig sounds close. I certainly have been playing long enough and used enough gear over the years to not have to validate my comments or opinions to anyone. I use my Zoom B2 as my preamp, and my Ashdown solely for it's EQ features and as the power section. The Ashdown alone doesn't come close to copping a tubish tone on it's own.

I'd like to try out a bunch of tube heads, but very few shops around here carry tube gear.

Chill out

As always - in my opinion:
I said "I'd have to hear it".
The Zoom B2 is not a modeler, it's a multi-effects pedal. It's good from what I recall, but as good as good modeler, I don't know. It's hard to dis modeling based on a Zoom B2. Many of the big names in bass sound are starting to offer endorsed modeling. Ampeg, Fender, Markbass, Peavey, for many good reasons. You don't need to get onboard. I expect there will always be used tube amps to buy as other switch over. So maybe you'll see more in the local shops.

Next thing you have to consider is all the tubes, transformers, power supplies, and even resistors, that were used in a tube amp all sound different. There's many threads on "which tube to use". So if you're remembering an SVT - this sound you're familiar with may only come from the year and tubes of the SVT you're remembering. Your hearing has also probably changed in 30 years - it's what happens.

 

[Sundogue]

Chill out

As always - in my opinion:
I said "I'd have to hear it".
The Zoom B2 is not a modeler, it's a multi-effects pedal. It's good from what I recall, but as good as good modeler, I don't know. It's hard to dis modeling based on a Zoom B2. Many of the big names in bass sound are starting to offer endorsed modeling. Ampeg, Fender, Markbass, Peavey, for many good reasons. You don't need to get onboard. I expect there will always be used tube amps to buy as other switch over. So maybe you'll see more in the local shops.

Next thing you have to consider is all the tubes, transformers, power supplies, and even resistors, that were used in a tube amp all sound different. There's many threads on "which tube to use". So if you're remembering an SVT - this sound you're familiar with may only come from the year and tubes of the SVT you're remembering. Your hearing has also probably changed in 30 years - it's what happens.

My hearing has changed for sure...and for the Mesa's, Traynor's, Ampeg's I've had the chance to play through over the years...they all sound different, but they ALL sound like a tube amp and not like a SS amp.

My Zoom B2 is an amp and cab modeler AND effects pedal. It has various models such as Ampeg (either the SVT head, 810 cab or both), Bassman, Marshall, SWR, Sansamp, It's own Tube Pre sound (which is better than the others in my opinion) and a host of others.

Perhaps you should do a little more research, and play through some more gear before you start telling me what I have and how it sounds.

Thanks though. I appreciate the input.

 

[Sundogue]

Great way to start the day. Some people, I tell ya... Same old tune, diff day.

Thanks for posting that in my thread. It was very useful for me in my search for an all tube head.

 

[MIJ-VI]

Say Sundogue... Have you seen this? 'Fender Super Twin Bass Head'

 

[esmtll]

It looks like both the Traynor YBA200 and the Peavey VB-2 are good amps for a good price. I'd love to see you review them when all is said and done. It'd be nice to know if they can stack up to your [reasonably] mythical ideals for such a low [for tube] price.

Let us all know!

 

[Intune]

Thanks for posting that in my thread. It was very useful for me in my search for an all tube head.

I think you read it wrong. I'm usually ultra-sarcastic but I was actually supporting you in your search and conviction for an awesome all-tube head. No prob.

 

[JimmyM]

I think you read it wrong. I'm usually ultra-sarcastic but I was actually supporting you in your search and conviction for an awesome all-tube head. No prob.

I can vouch for you there. That's the way I interpreted it. But Seamonkey is so relentless with his anti-tube stuff that you can't blame a guy for getting discombobulated over it.

 

[etechstan]

cheap tube head: Epiphone Valve Jr. head, $129 at GC. I use it through a 1964 Harmony 2x12 cab. Sounds great with my Jazz Bass, has a little distortion but not too much. I use it as a practice amp.