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The Official Reeves Bass Amp Thread

SactoBass

SactoBass

Jul 8, 2009
9,176
11,698
70
Roseville, CA (Sacramento area)
#1
I did a search and could not find an official Reeves bass amp thread, so here it is. This thread is for posting any and all information and comments regarding Reeves bass amplification. I recently acquired a Reeves Custom 225 bass amp head ($2499) and a pair of Reeves 1x15 bass cabs ($799 each). All Reeves gear is available direct only at Reevesamps.com

I am not affiliated in any way with Reeves. I am just a bass player who loves high end gear and top quality tube tone. The Reeves amp is hand wired, all-tube (three 12AX7's, one 12AT7, and four KT88's). I have had so many different bass amp rigs over the course of my 35 years of playing bass that I would be embarrassed to list them all. The Reeves amp rig is, IMHO, one of the best (if not THE best) bass amp rigs I have ever heard. Thick, rich, lush, deep tube tone. This rig "breathes" if that makes any sense. It sounds so "alive".

The head weighs 60 pounds and is 24" wide. The cabs are somewhere around 55 pounds each. The cabs are 24"h by 24"w by 17" deep.

There is an existing thread that focused on the development of the Reeves bass cabs. Here is that thread if you are interested in the design of the cabs:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=540417&highlight=reeves

Here is a pic of my Reeves amp rig:
 
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#10
Same kit as sacto, but with a Hylight DR201 up top... these cabs are just incredible. They easily replaced both my 115s (Orange) and 215s (NV215), and they've not been broken in yet. Top notch cab from a great company to do business with... thanks Bill!
 
#11
I have to throw my hat into this ring, as well. After reviewing the Custom 225 in issue #2 of Bass Gear Magazine, I had to add one to my personal collection. If you are a fan of clean tube tone, this is one of the best-sounding heads I have heard. I rank it right up there with my beloved SA200, which is saying something! In fact, there are many things that it does better than the SA200, so for a lot of people's preferences, this amp is right at the tip top of the food chain, IME/IMHO. YMMV, of course.

Tom.
 
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#13
SactoBass said:
I did a search and could not find an official Reeves bass amp thread, so here it is. This thread is for posting any and all information and comments regarding Reeves bass amplification. I recently acquired a Reeves Custom 225 bass amp head ($2499) and a pair of Reeves 1x15 bass cabs ($799 each). All Reeves gear is available direct only at Reevesamps.com

I am not affiliated in any way with Reeves. I am just a bass player who loves high end gear and top quality tube tone. The Reeves amp is hand wired, all-tube (three 12AX7's, one 12AT7, and four KT88's). I have had so many different bass amp rigs over the course of my 35 years of playing bass that I would be embarrassed to list them all. The Reeves amp rig is, IMHO, one of the best (if not THE best) bass amp rigs I have ever heard. Thick, rich, lush, deep tube tone. This rig "breathes" if that makes any sense. It sounds so "alive".

The head weighs 60 pounds and is 24" wide. The cabs are somewhere around 55 pounds each. The cabs are 24"h by 24"w by 17" deep.

There is an existing thread that focused on the development of the Reeves bass cabs. Here is that thread if you are interested in the design of the cabs:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=540417&highlight=reeves

Here is a pic of my Reeves amp rig:
Click to expand...
you say one of the best.....what else hangs with the big boys.....
 
#14
Jim Campbell said:
you say one of the best.....what else hangs with the big boys.....
Click to expand...

Not that your question was directed at me, but I'd say that if you are talking great, clean tube tone, I'll put my Sadowsky SA200 right up there with the Reeves, and probably my Trace Elliot V8, as well (the V8 can do a killer overdriven tone, as well, but I am talking clean tone, here). The Aguilar DB359 also has an extremely good clean tone that is somewhat reminiscent of the Reeves.

For the record, I also love my older Trace Elliot Valve Series heads, my vintage Ampegs and my Mesa/Boogie Bass 400, but for just drop dead beautiful clean tone, I nudge the Reeves Custom 225 (and the SA200) just a tad in front of the pack.

Tom.
 
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#15
I just got a 15/6.5 cab built by Low Down Sound. No tweeter. It's in the same family as Greenboy's fEarful cabs, but has a squatter design @ 24" wide x 22" tall x 18" deep. Curious if anyone knows how the 225 amp might sound paired with this 8 ohm cab? I've got a second cab just like it coming in a few months. Also, is it true the amp doesn't have a Speakon out jack?
 
#16
Ukiah Bass said:
I just got a 15/6.5 cab built by Low Down Sound. No tweeter. It's in the same family as Greenboy's fEarful cabs, but has a squatter design @ 24" wide x 22" tall x 18" deep. Curious if anyone knows how the 225 amp might sound paired with this 8 ohm cab? I've got a second cab just like it coming in a few months. Also, is it true the amp doesn't have a Speakon out jack?
Click to expand...

That's true.

It's a pretty simple mod if you think it's necessary.

The cab will sound fine if you're happy with the frequency response of that driver on its own.
 
#17
tombowlus said:
Not that your question was directed at me, but I'd say that if you are talking great, clean tube tone, I'll put my Sadowsky SA200 right up there with the Reeves, and probably my Trace Elliot V8, as well (the V8 can do a killer overdriven tone, as well, but I am talking clean tone, here). The Aguilar DB359 also has an extremely good clean tone that is somewhat reminiscent of the Reeves.

For the record, I also love my older Trace Elliot Valve Series heads, my vintage Ampegs and my Mesa/Boogie Bass 400, but for just drop dead beautiful clean tone, I nudge the Reeves Custom 225 (and the SA200) just a tad in front of the pack.

Tom.
Click to expand...
thanks for the input.....i'm glad my boogie runs with such company
 
#19
tombowlus said:
I have to throw my hat into this ring, as well. After reviewing the Custom 225 in issue #2 of Bass Gear Magazine, I had to add one to my personal collection. If you are a fan of clean tube tone, this is one of the best-sounding heads I have heard. I rank it right up there with my beloved SA200, which is saying something! In fact, there are many things that it does better than the SA200, so for a lot of people's preferences, this amp is right at the tip top of the food chain, IME/IMHO. YMMV, of course.

Tom.
Click to expand...
:cool:
Thanks Tom for giving me more gas pains.
The SA200, I as nice a head, as I've ever played.
If the Reeves is as good? (Oh the pain):help:
 
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#20
Mojo-Man said:
:cool:
Thanks Tom for giving me more gas pains.
The SA200, I as nice a head, as I've ever played.
If the Reeves is as good? (Oh the pain):help:
Click to expand...

It is right up there with the SA200, IME/IMHO. Of course, YMMV, but I for one am very, very impressed with the Custom 225. It is perhaps more clean than some would like, and more lean (and quick) in the mids than some might expect, but if you want lush, killer clean tone with beautiful singing highs, this head just may scratch your itch. :cool:
 
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