Ok, BIG AMP lovers, which one would you choose...

[Aidenn7]

the amps I need to try are the Fender super bass, fender bass 300, Ampeg svt 2 non pro

 

[bass151]

I'm not sure why you are limiting your options to tube only. There are many big solid state options that you would probably love. Why are you limiting yourself to what a limited group of guys feel appropriate. I won't get into the many options available but their are so many variables that are more important than the TUBE amp you choose.

 

[scuzzy]

I would do a reeves custom 400 into an Aguilar db 412. Might as well go all out since I'm dreaming. I would be open to persuasion on the cab. Not the head.

 

[Buster Brown]

Why? Because I already own an 810 Classic, a 610 Classic, a Heritage 810, a 4Pro, a 7Pro, a CL Head and a Heritage head.

Why would I choose anything else??

 

[Gaolee]

Why? Because I already own an 810 Classic, a 610 Classic, a Heritage 810, a 4Pro, a 7Pro, a CL Head and a Heritage head.

Why would I choose anything else??

Because if you have all that already, you need an Acoustic 408 cabinet that has four 15s and a 320 head to go with it. Then, you would need a 360/361 stack because the 408 cabinet isn't heavy enough. You have plenty of tubes. No need for any more, and besides, solid state can weigh at least as much. All needs, of course. Not wants or options.

 

[Rabidhamster]

SVT. If it still doesn't sound good it's all your fault

 

[eff-clef]

I'm a big fan of the Fender Super Bassman (and Sunn 300T, same thing). There's just a certain "something" about it. A roundness that, while it can be attained from almost any of the others mentioned, seems to just ooze out of the Bassman at all settings.

That said, I'd rather have the 3.5lb Mesa head. Even if it only gets you 80% of that sweetness (and let's be real, it goes well beyond that) it's doing it at a tiny fraction of the weight and can fit in a large gigbag pocket.

Solid state and hybrids have proven their place, especially in today's builds. To say otherwise is typically just posturing.

The Fender Super Bassman is not the same as the Sunn amp. You are thinking of (the older)Fender 300 PRO. I think a lot of people make that mistake.
The New Fender "Super Bassman" can sound like an SVT CL or VR, PLUS it can get the old Bassman sound, and has a second channel is for overdrive
with semi parametric EQ that goes from grind to hell on wheels distortion. It's the most versatile tube amp out there. And it tested out at 354 watts RMS
by Bass Gear Magazine!

 

[Pbassmanca]

I voted the Strategy because #MassiveMesaTone........

 

[Joecooch]

I'm going to break the mold here. I bought a Peavey Mini-Max a couple of months ago after selling my Ampeg PF-800 and absolutely love it. 500 watts in an 8 lb box, plenty of power, simple tone controls to dial up the right sound really fast. The feature I like the most is the Psycho-Acoustic Technology switch that adds bottom end galore to the sound even at low volumes. And with the volume turned up without robbing any headroom from the amp. I use it with a 1x12 Aguilar cab most of the time for my restaurant/bar gigs and the sound fills the room. And my amp, bass and cab fit in my back seat! For $350 it's a great buy. A loud fan (to me) would be my only complaint.

 

[Buster Brown]

Because if you have all that already, you need an Acoustic 408 cabinet that has four 15s and a 320 head to go with it. Then, you would need a 360/361 stack because the 408 cabinet isn't heavy enough. You have plenty of tubes. No need for any more, and besides, solid state can weigh at least as much. All needs, of course. Not wants or options.

Umm......I also have a 370 head that sits atop a 402 cab. Both the head and the cab are in pristine condition. The cab still has the original speakers (and hell, even the side casters) so I don't tend to push it too hard. But boy Howdy!!! They sound GREAT together!!!

 

[SactoBass]

Over the past 45 years of playing bass, I have owned many all-tube, hybrid, pre/power rigs, and solid state bass amps. Narrowing it down to just the all-tubers, I have owned these amps:

Aguilar DB680 tube preamp and DB728 tube power amp
Mesa Buster Bass 200 tube amp
Ampeg SVT-CL tube amp
Marshall VBA400 tube amp
Reeves Custom 225 tube amp
Kern IP-777 tube preamp and Demeter VTHF-300M tube power amp
Fender Bassman 300 Pro tube amp
USA Ampeg SVT-VR tube amp (my favorite!)
Trace Elliot V4 tube amp
'73 Ampeg B25B tube amp
'91 Ampeg SVT-II non-pro tube amp
'73 Ampeg V4B tube amp

By far, my favorite was the USA Ampeg SVT-VR. Incredible tone, and incredible "feel." So that is the amp I recommend for the OP.

 

[bearhart74]

Trace Elliott V8 & Fender PS400 belong on this list

 

[Bluesman88]

Old acoustic amp of your choice with some kind of old 2x15. Just so the folks in the back feel the love.

Not tube, but definitely big.

 

[jazzbass_5]

Ampeg, SVT-VR, I have the 8x10 heritage cab, the head is next.

 

[Plectrum72]

Peavey VB-2: American made, 225W, 2 channels, adjustable mid freq (200, 400, 600, 800), adjustable impedance (2, 4, or 8), effects loop, DI out, and all just under 60 lbs.

 

[rodl2005]

Over the past 45 years of playing bass, I have owned many all-tube, hybrid, pre/power rigs, and solid state bass amps. Narrowing it down to just the all-tubers, I have owned these amps:

Aguilar DB680 tube preamp and DB728 tube power amp
Mesa Buster Bass 200 tube amp
Ampeg SVT-CL tube amp
Marshall VBA400 tube amp
Reeves Custom 225 tube amp
Kern IP-777 tube preamp and Demeter VTHF-300M tube power amp
Fender Bassman 300 Pro tube amp
USA Ampeg SVT-VR tube amp (my favorite!)
Trace Elliot V4 tube amp
'73 Ampeg B25B tube amp
'91 Ampeg SVT-II non-pro tube amp
'73 Ampeg V4B tube amp

By far, my favorite was the USA Ampeg SVT-VR. Incredible tone, and incredible "feel." So that is the amp I recommend for the OP.

I agree with you there. The VR was MY favorite too... still is RIGHT up there. But tried a Fender Super Bassman and found it'd do the VR thing and have other options. ... oh and that is 20lbs lighter. ... perhaps that swayed me more than a bit.
Both superb amps. ..and imo... have a punch factor that I've not found from 99% of other amps.

 

[rafitoprtx]

Fender Bassman. Looks and sound great. But the overdrive channel it's amazing.

 

[D.M.N.]

My choice list would probably go:
-Sunn 2000s or two
-Marshall Major
-Hiwatt DR-201 or Hi-Tone HT-200
-Matamp GT-200
- Fender Super Bassman
-Fender Bassman 300 Pro

The SVT and 8x10 would probably come last, I'm just not a fan.

 

[Ser Phalanges]

I recently had the opportunity to plug my Ray into an SVT. It sounded so huge, and so punchy, and so wonderful that it's stuck with me. And now I'm a little bit dissatisfied with my rig (One of those $150 Behringer "Ultrabass" heads into a 15" Ampeg cabinet that was converted from a combo). So, SVT for me.

 

[JimmyM]

...and why?

I'm not planning on stepping away from my ab fab, 6.3lb Mesa D800+, but a conversation with another bassist that I respect, admire, and trust got me wondering if the consensus really is all tube, all the time or "as long as there's a tube in there somewhere, I'm good"? He really likes my tone, but the fact that it's coming from an amp that weighs less than some basses completely baffles him...

I would never ever EVER make any buying decisions based on what another bass player thinks, even one I really respect.

That said, SVT