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That classic tube sound.

#61
In the early 70's I used a Fender Dual Showman into a 2x15 cabinet. And while it didn't keep up real well with our guitarist who had just moved up to a Marshall I recall it having a really nice tone. I would guess it would be enough for your applications but at least if you see one for sale you might invest a few minutes checking it out.

I own a couple of tube amps (Ampeg B15S, Ampeg V4b and an Orange AD200b) and while their weight keeps me from gigging with them I do agree with the folks here that say that nothing sounds quite like them. Don't get me wrong I adore my TCE 450 and on its own it gets a really decent tub'ish tone but side by side with my B15, V4b, etc. and its really not the same, and I'd say that's been my experience with all the other solid state and hybrid amps that I've tried. I've also played around with some amp modeling gadgets in the past and didn't think that they really reproduced a tube amp.

I've not tried a Traynor (although I would love to) and had rather bad luck with the Peavy tube head that came out a few years ago but can tell you from first hand experience that the V4b sounds awesome and is a lot louder than you might think.

My $.02.
 
#63
Man it's a acoustic act with a cajon! I dont see why there are so many suggestions for so many high wattage tube amps? He needs to be as loud as 2 acoustic guitars and a cajon (wooden box you beat on). And he said he often has P.A support! So what part of the tube tone will he be able to use on these 100 plus watt amps?

I would say from what little he has told use he either needs a small tube combo (Fender bassman 20, Gibson thor, Gibson atlas, Ampeg SB-12) Wich can all be had in his price. Or a small tube head and and small cab! You do any more than 50 watts though more than a single 12 or 15 he's not going to get any power tube break up!

Maybe get a bastard B-15 head for that price?

And has he ever said what cab he plans on playing out of? He's profile has not been filled out yet. Maybe one of us nice TB's could let him try a amp or two!
 
#64
fuzzy beard said:
Man it's a acoustic act with a cajon! I dont see why there are so many suggestions for so many high wattage tube amps? He needs to be as loud as 2 acoustic guitars and a cajon (wooden box you beat on). And he said he often has P.A support! So what part of the tube tone will he be able to use on these 100 plus watt amps?

I would say from what little he has told use he either needs a small tube combo (Fender bassman 20, Gibson thor, Gibson atlas, Ampeg SB-12) Wich can all be had in his price. Or a small tube head and and small cab! You do any more than 50 watts though more than a single 12 or 15 he's not going to get any power tube break up!

Maybe get a bastard B-15 head for that price?

And has he ever said what cab he plans on playing out of? He's profile has not been filled out yet. Maybe one of us nice TB's could let him try a amp or two!
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I have two 1x15 Cabinets loaded with JBL E-140's :bassist::bassist:
(I need to make new cabs for both. The 3/4" MDF is a little much considering the raw speakers weigh a good 35+lbs alone.).

Maybe Ill get around to filling out the profile... ;)
 
#65
Man it's a acoustic act with a cajon! I dont see why there are so many suggestions for so many high wattage tube amps? He needs to be as loud as 2 acoustic guitars and a cajon (wooden box you beat on). And he said he often has P.A support! So what part of the tube tone will he be able to use on these 100 plus watt amps?
Click to expand...

Err well I guess that depends on at what point you think 'tube tone' begins at. I'd also suggest that he may not ALWAYS be in a totally acoustic setting and while 100 watts may not be a lot it will certainly get him closer.
 
#66
pedro said:
Err well I guess that depends on at what point you think 'tube tone' begins at. I'd also suggest that he may not ALWAYS be in a totally acoustic setting and while 100 watts may not be a lot it will certainly get him closer.
Click to expand...

Great point but since he says they have gone to a acoustic act one would assume (wich in dangeres) he was powerfull enough for what they were doing before.
 
#68
Exxcell said:
I have two 1x15 Cabinets loaded with JBL E-140's :bassist::bassist:
(I need to make new cabs for both. The 3/4" MDF is a little much considering the raw speakers weigh a good 35+lbs alone.).

Maybe Ill get around to filling out the profile... ;)
Click to expand...

Well those are said to be great speakers! Wich means you will get more out of every watt than most other speakers! Good and bad. Good is you can get by with less wattage in louder bands. Bad is you will be louder in acoustic acts to;)

I would say get one of those put in a well design cab! And then find a sub 50 watt head if you want any power tube grind and you will still most likely be to loud. If your just after pre amp distortion find a low watt head with a gain.

What amps do you have now?
 
#72
I have quite a collection of tube amps (currently playing a Reeves 225) and the Sunn 200S and the Ampeg V4 or V4B (very easy to convert V4 to V4B specs) are good choices. I have both.
If you are handy with electronics, and incredible sounding amp is an old Altec 1569a theater amp. These things have massive transformers, ultra low distortion and 4 - EL34's. You will need a gain stage on the front end, but the tone is killer. I use one as my backup amp and no one can believe the tone I get out of it. At times these can be had for around $250 on ebay. Plan on another $100 to get it sorted out, and if you have a preamp you are in business. I have two of them. I converted them to SS rectifier and they have benched at 100 watts clean at 40 Hz.
 
#73
fuzzy beard said:
Thank you sorry i missed it! I also dont know the wattage of that amp?
Click to expand...

With the K200, it pumps out 130W at 4Ohms. Doesn't mean it sounds good though...

I was struggling with that without PA support.

We might have one of our guitars switch to electric here in the near future. Depends on if we like it or not. 99% of the time, PA will back me up though.
 
#74
Exxcell said:
With the K200, it pumps out 130W at 4Ohms. Doesn't mean it sounds good though...

I was struggling with that without PA support.

We might have one of our guitars switch to electric here in the near future. Depends on if we like it or not. 99% of the time, PA will back me up though.
Click to expand...

So your rig will be a moniter 99% of the time.

I still stand by my suggestions above. And would recomend mic'ing your cab so every one else gets to hear that great tone!
 
#77
4StringShooter said:
The newer Traynor 300 watter is an excellent amp. The warranty will blow you away !!!
Check it out.:ninja:
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Yes, it's bloody good isn't it-both amp & warranty. The amp blows me away.
I Run the master volume wide open & gain as vol level & damn it's as good as any all tube beast I've ever used. Then you've got the user bias & separate pair tube system. Winner!
 
#78
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