LOL. If you've got $800 to spend you're not a "dirt poor college student" (been there, done that).
On the contrary, he might be surviving on ramen for the next year. That's how I got my tube head.
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The best bass head for $800 or under
- Thread starter afrodillyb
- Start date
On the contrary, he might be surviving on ramen for the next year. That's how I got my tube head.
This +1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
I run my Peavey VB-2 through my Ampeg 810 and I continually get complimented on my sound at every show. For a budget, this is absolutely the best set up money can buy (IMO of course).
+1 I love mine. Its been discontinued but the B2000 is also getting great reviews, and its lighter in weight.
Oh A Man After my Own Heart...You took the words right from me...Try The Gk Stuff I dont care what model you try,250,400,550,600,700,800,1001....helll try them all...lol
..The loudest Best Sounding heads for some of the best Prices you will find out there..IMHO!!!Can not all will not go wrong. I have had or have tryed most all of them and yeah love them all. Have the 1001rbII right now and that baby is here to stay!! Best Of luck hope you find something that will give you what you looking for!!! Cheers Mate~ Elliot
I recommend the TC Electronic Classic 450. You mentioned you wanted an SVT, and this amp delivers it in spades! Also, it is said to pair really well with Ampeg cabs.
Another vote for GK, I own a 700RB-II, and even if I had cash to buy another head, I'm pretty sure I would keep it. Very loud, lot of useful tones, built like a tank, and most important, it sounds GREAT ! Much more "tube sounding" than the SVT3-PRO I had before (to me at least), even if the Ampeg had 5 tubes, and this one have none.
GK800RB often seen used for under $500.
GK 400RB often seen for $300 or less.
Mesa Bass 400 sometimes seen for $800 or so. Picked up mine for $550.
Traynor YBA3. Usually around $400.
I see used SVTs of various vintages for $800 all the time.
GK 400RB often seen for $300 or less.
Mesa Bass 400 sometimes seen for $800 or so. Picked up mine for $550.
Traynor YBA3. Usually around $400.
I see used SVTs of various vintages for $800 all the time.
The 800RB is the most professionally proven amp suggested in this thread. It works well in any situation and for $400-$500 you'll get your money back easily if ever you want to sell it. Unless you get one that's been abused it's a low risk proposition which being on a budget you need.
- Jun 16, 2005
- 3,584
- 31
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Spector, Aguilar, Darkglass
the 800rbs go for $300 used all the time.. i even got that used at guitar center.. then later sold it for that lol
If i needed to get an amp and only had 300$ id get a 800rb... but with 800... i'd go for a 1001rb used with money to spare!
On this note, I'll offer a suggestion: the Hartke LH500 and LH1000 heads. They've got a tube preamp and solid state amp. I test drove an LH500 at a local Sam Ash last week and was very impressed with the tubey warmth of it. They're also priced right: brick 'n mortar retailers seem to have the LH500 for about $350, online is a bit cheaper than that.
If you're savvy enough, you could score both a VB-2 and a used 800RB for around the $800 mark and be SET for any gig situation that you encounter.
Don't let the name or the fact that its sold as guitar amp scare you, she's a bass beast! (I also own a SVT, V4, and Sunn 300t but the bugera is my go to amp for some reason)I have an Ampeg SVT810AV Anniversary Bass Cabinet but I need to find the perfect head for it. Since I am a dirt poor college student, I do not have enough money to buy an expensive head and I am not sure what kind of head will give me a great vintage tube like sound for that price. If there is any tube amps for that price, I would like to know about the as well
The Peavey VB-2 is sick!
GK 700RB or 1001RB have a grind to them, but not really that warm tube sound.
GK 700RB or 1001RB have a grind to them, but not really that warm tube sound.
The Hartke mentioned above is worth a listen. Probably too clean for the OP but it has a nice character. Best thing under $800 - IMO a decent used WT-800 A or B. These can get a soft tubey character going, particularly in the low's - by pushing the input gain. Setup correctly, these are killer amps.
i used to play a gk 1001rb which was great. plenty of power. now i play a used svt 2 pro. all tube and very nice. you can pick one up used for around that amount.
I wasgonna say the PEAVEY VB-2 also. I've got a TRAYNOR YBA200 I use with my Bergantino NV610, & IT'S absolutely superb. Does EVERYTHING I need it too. I ended up selling my Ampeg V4BH because of it. It was virtually the same weight, but with more features-such as Pre/post DI, w/an earth loop switch, More headroom, & simply sounded as good.... I A/B'd them both many times coz I really didn't wanna let go of the V4BH!!! LOVE that amp!! But the YBA200 just 'does it all' & the $$$ is SO good!!
