• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Shopping for a tube head???

#22
You are in Canada, so you may be able to pick up a UK built Hiwatt DR-201 with some luck. Like the Reeves, you can have a good amp tech do a few minor tone mods on the EQ and you've got the Reeves depth. The DR-201 was built as an All Purpose amp
so the EQ will not have quite the same depth, but the stock tone would still be excellent.

For investment and for build quality and for pure tone, this would be my first pick due to your budget and location.

Consider a Sunn 2000s as well.

If you can find one, the only other amp that will equal them in tone would be the SA200.

The Reeves is very easy to dial down to small club levels and still retain great tone.
The Reeves is 61 pounds, so way easier on the back than the SVT's.

The clips I recorded were all done at small club volume.
 
#23
that list looks very good!

another option is the walkkabout... they sound very good, you might want to test one out anyway and see what you thing (they aren't 100% tube though, I believe only tube driven pre-amp)
 
#24
Though I haven't played many of these, I have played the Bassman 300, and compared to an SVT I played, it just blew it away. Incredibly versatile (though I didn't need the parametric EQ and just used the Bass/Mid/Treble). Regarding what Fealach said: You must have played one hell of a solid state head to get a similar sound. It has such depth and even at low volumes, you can just feel the power it has stored up inside it. I liked the OD, but as mentioned, it does sound better mixed with the clean channel instead of on its own. As far as the clean, it will just go louder and louder and louder. It can probably rupture internal organs after a certain point. Plus, it has a master volume, and operates down to 2 ohms. The only real critic I have of its design is the lack of a fan as it gets pretty damn hot, but thats an easy enough fix.
 
#27
Verellen looks neat.
The Weber SVT clone is nearing completion or done.

The Walkabout is my choice for tubey tone. It does clean and fat, and mild to gnarly overdrive depending what you do to gain stages and tube choice. Very cost effective too.
 
#33
Afew months back I was at the same place, wanting to go to a all tube head. After alot of looking I thought the Bassman 300 was the one, but after having trouble finding one I could afford I ended up with a great deal on a new VB-2 and I have no complaints with this head. Even at full list price I think they are a great amp. Power and volume not a problem, and the sounds I am getting are making me very happy. I think in the long run these heads will end up being very under appreciated by the bass world, all I can say is I think you should atleast try one.
 
#34
Nice list of options. I haven't tried them all, but many of them.

Contrary to most comments here, the Eden 300T is a very good amp. It is well built (from a visual inspection) and sounds quite good. IMHO, the Fender Bassman 300 pro is MUCH better, and it's my very favorite. There is a minor drawback with the Fender (if you like overdrive), because it's overdrive sounds like a 20$ cheap distortion pedal. Blended with the clean channel, it sounds decent, but the clean channel tone is so warm, sweet, meaty, just WOW, very much worth it.

I was inches from buying one (Fender 300 pro) recently, actually made it to the store's cash register once with one, but now that I have a Ampeg SVPCL into a QSC PLX2, I'm quite happy with my tone.
 
#36
Auzzie-Phoenix said:
Have you considered a Randall RB300 or RB500? Both should be well within your price range and are tube powered if I remember correctly.
Click to expand...

MOSFET, according to the product description. They mention the word tube in their ad copy, but I couldn't tell if it even has a preamp tube, or is just supposed to imitate the sound of tubes.

The Trace V6 is pretty rare and expensive. The V8 is probably the rarest amp people have actually heard of, and priced accordingly on the one time every few years one comes up for sale on any given continent.

I know the Fender 300/Sunn 300T has its fans. I did like the amp, but found it to be the least tube like in its tone and the way it reacted of any tube amp I've played. It is certainly more flexible than basic SVT, though the 2 and 2 Pro may approach its level of flexibility (plus having a pleasant overdrive).

Quality of tone is too subjective to take the word of anybody on a forum, you need to hear the amp for yourself which can be problematic for many of us.
 
#39
I owned a 300PRO Fender- Great head- not that hard to lift etc either- weight distribution seemed good. Sound- LOUD as F************!!! The OD channel & it's blend option IMO IS the point. Sure it sounds a li'l cheapo by itself- but blend it with the clean signal & U can get great OD sounds WITH LOTSA ballsy bottom end!! Great pre amp options also!!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back