That classic tube sound.

[Dostradamas]

I love the "vintage tube" tone I get from my 50 Watt Gibson Thor.
It is fine for living room & recording volumes.
Bang for buck I think VanillaThunda has the right idea. Find a preamp that gets THE tone you want, then you can send that sound to anything. All tube amps are the best sound to me but by definition not in the "economic" catagory.
I think a good tube pre & ss power is very close to all tube.

 

[Exxcell]

I've seen V4's and V4B's go for $250-$450 locally in Columbus and Dayton, Ohio.

People here take the prices they see on eBay and add $100 to it. It makes shopping used locally pretty hard.

 

[JimmyM]

Well if it's close to you and $100 or $150 more in OKC than it is in Dayton, it's a tradeoff because you'd have to ship it from Dayton. Sometimes it's worth it so you can try it out and you won't have to put it through shipping if you buy it.

 

[arai]

I read somewhere a mic'd cab can sound like a tube amp

 

[Kaa]

I'd just go with a low-power tube amp and mic it as stated above. 50 watts through a good cab can be pretty loud, plus you said it's mostly for low volume gigs, right?

 

[lowend1]

There are other options, but you have to be willing to wait for the right deal, and be prepared to spend a few bucks getting it brought up to snuff. There are lots of 100w Univox tube heads out there - bass - along with lead and PA that can easily be optimized for bass. Plush heads show up from time to time, as do older Peavey heads like the Alpha (also available as a standalone tube preamp). 70s Traynors are another good choice, and the big ones are as loud as stink. New traynors are pretty decent as well - even the hybrids.
The task is not as daunting as you think...

 

[Son of Bovril]

put a REDDI into the input and viola

 

[D.M.N.]

You can pickup old Sunn 200s for under $600 in very nice condition. I picked up one last year in completely original condition (original tubes, original cord and caps, etc) for under $500. Only 60w, but that's before any distortion, and pairing it with an efficient speaker such as the E140 will make it seem even louder. If you don't need bonecrushing cleans, that's what I'd look at (though, in all fairness, I am a Sunn nut).

 

[Primakurtz]

For lower volumes, a good old Fender Bassman or Traynor Bassmaster is hard to beat. Great classic tube tone, low cost.

 

[seamonkey]

Try some modeled amps.
Orange, Marshal, Ampeg, ... all Certify models in Amplitube
One reason why is so that you can hear their amps, and if you like them, you're more likely to buy a hardware version when the time comes.

Amplitube also includes models from companies that are no longer around to certify the amp. Made the same way, obtain a gold standard of the amp, model the components, and circuits in software. Listening tests.

Amplitube Free is free for the amps and cabinets in it, other models cost, but you get a couple of days to try out each amp.

IK is just one of many software companies making modeling solutions. Even SS amps are modeled and certified.

 

[Son of Bovril]

Seriously though, Running a REDDI with the xlr out into a JDI backwards and then into the instrument in of your amp... = tube amp sound

 

[jackcheez]

Get a GK 800RB. They can do pretty close to a tube sound.

 

[JimmyM]

Seriously though, Running a REDDI with the xlr out into a JDI backwards and then into the instrument in of your amp... = tube amp sound

Really? Might have to try that sometime. But if you DI, where do you get it from?

 

[mpdd]

every once in a while you can find a working lower wattage ampeg tube head that isn't in great cosmetic condition for 450 or so, i'd just be patient

 

[fuzzy beard]

I'm not looking for gut busting volume. My band plays pretty quietly. We have switched from drums to a Cahone and we have 2 acoustic guitars. Other times, Im DI into the PA.

I've found a Ampeg V3 on CL for $350. I think I'm going to go check that out. Are they suitable for bass?

Well this sounds like I could have wrote this. Tell you what for those sounds levels I use my Fender bassman 20. It it a 18watt tune combo amp with a single 15. They can be found for less than 500 also! It has an amazing tone. And more than enough volume for what your doing.

And for that matter I would say you could use a number of sub 50 watt amps! Bassman 20, bassman 50, Traynor bassmate, Traynor yba 1, ampeg SB12. All can be found with some effort for under 500.

 

[guroove]

The Ampeg SB12 is one of the nicest unsung low-watt tube amps ever made. Sweet, clear midrange at low volumes, and smooth, pleasant distortion when the volume increases.

 

[jmac]

Really? Might have to try that sometime. But if you DI, where do you get it from?

Would a XLR splitter work? Split the XLR coming out of the Reddi. I know this involves another piece of gear and hence an added expense.

I wonder if they are people that go to auto forums and ask how to get the Ferrari experience on a pinto budget.

 

[JimmyM]

I don't know if I'd want to split an XLR feed from a REDDI for fear it would dull the sound. Probably just psychological

 

[Exxcell]

I've had ALOT of suggestions and I truly Appreciate it! Keep em comin!

I have alot of amp homework ill be doing..

 

[ciubz]

Try this fella'
Preamp: Tube
Tube: 3x ECC83 + 1x ECC81 (compressor)

Power Amp: Analog (TTE: “Tube Technology Emulator&#8221

Power Supply:Special Markbass Digital Power Supply

Power: 500W @ 4 ohms / 300W @ 8ohms

EQ (passive)
- BASS
- MIDDLE
- HIGH

Controls: compressor - colour (tube-driven VLE)

Outputs: Speakers (2 speakon combo) - Line Out (XLR)

Weight: 6 kg / 13.23 lbs

Notes:
The minimum ohm load for all Markbass heads is 4 ohms.

Markbass amps/combos are manufactured to be sold and used in the country of purchase, and they are factory preset to that country’s voltage.
Due to homologation issues, the voltage may not be changed.

The design, features and technical specs of this product are subject to change prior to production.