Light, Class D combo amps with vintage tone?

Tech 21 VT BASS combo

 

What vintage? What brand of vintage?

 

Excellent question.

 

Here’s my list:

 

Pedal and your choice of amp/cab? Seems easier to focus on a pedal to give you a specific tone, rather than to try to chase down a particular head or head/cab to do that job. Not that heads and cabs dont contribute to your tone, but it just seems like a device that is specifically designed to bring a particular tone(s) leaves out the other considerations (weight, cost, size, ohms, etc) that you would also have to consider from the associated gear, and helps narrow down your search.

 

What tube sound? Many SWR amps have preamp tubes…

 

I can help!
I think the OP is asking for warm like not super clean (like I hear in a SWR).
Probably along the Ampeg / older Fender / Mesa 400 vibe?
Personally I don't hear this with MB, GK, or even Aguilar although many will disagree with the latter.
While I haven't tried one, one half of the Mesa TT800 was designed to be similar to the Mesa 400 which was all tube and sounded pretty good the last time I played one (which was probably 25 years ago).
But if you are super particular (and like power tube distortion), I think an SVT is what you want. I don't particularly go for power tube distortion but it's still my favorite amp. It's also too heavy for me to gig with so it stays home as reference amp.

 

SVT is far from a class D combo amp.
So, back to my post.
TECH21 VT200 COMBO AMP

 

Quilter?

 

Somebody has to say it; The new Ampeg Rocket Bass combos are supposed to sound like what you are describing. A comparison with the TECH21 VT200 combo would be ideal if you can test them both. I've read good things about both.

 

Going to second the suggestion of a Quilter, based on the VERY minimal guidance we have gotten.

 

They do and it does make a difference. My ST220 has a modern Russian Tung Sol in it, and that sounds a LOT different than the decade old JJ long plate in my SM400. The “vintage” guys would probably love the long plate sound. Not the Tung Sol so much.

 

Not the OP, but this thread got me thinking, and you are probably one of the best people I can ask: can you recommend anything on the lighter end of the spectrum that can perform similarly to a 400+? I use a 400+ as my live rig and will be getting back to it with my old band here soon, but would like to at least have the option to leave the boat anchor at home.


joe

 

Nothing much lighter in all tube than the 400+.

Alternatives in the hybrid type amps are the TT-800 and possibly the Bassman 800.

 

Thanks, I'll check them out. I'd been eyeballing the TT-800, glad to know I'm on the right track. I appreciate the advice.

 

My Rumble 500C is muddy with all the tones at 12:00. Mine cleans with the low mid at 10:00

 

Man. Vintage. What a very wide description. Heh. For me, vintage is analog recorded bass on tape. The reasons why can be tubes, compression, tape compression, crazy effects, degradation of a recording... My list goes on forever.

I use a lot of SWR gear. Back in my early days, I wanted pristine playback. Then, I changed. I didn't chase tones so much as my tastes changed. And I wanted to present both tones on a whim.

To "vintage" up my SWR gear, which WAS warm, just too "polite', I used a pedal. Tried a few, always came back to two. For different reasons. But, the reason I stuck with what I owned? I knew my amps were great. I already owned them. Spent much cash. So why buy another. SWR had ALL the features I wanted, except one. Easier to add that one thing than change everything.

First pedal I fell in love with was a Tubeworks Blue Tube. I still have, and use it. Still the original tube. A Fender Bassman in a box. All the strengths, and most of the weaknesses, admittedly. But the Bassman is revered despite those weaknesses. And there is reason. Quite addicting and frustrating all at once. But for me, does nearly exactly what you describe. Takes me back...

2nd pedal, that I use live every night, to vintage up my main rig? Original SansAmp Bass Driver. It is predictable. Blue Tube is not. SansAmp is very precise. Blue Tube is not. If the BT is a Bassman, the SansAmp is an SVT. A different Vintage, maybe.

If a new amp is a must? I might suggest a GK Legacy. I love the one I play thru. It ain quite my rig. But surprised me with it's versatility and very "modern vintage" tone. Light amps so far have not worked for me. I would use the GK. But would still miss my amp. If that makes sense.

You want light? Versatility? And less expense? Try pedals. I listed my faves. But there are just so many out there, that one may just turn your current rig into two.