The Official Reeves Bass Amp Thread

[ZachM]

Well, I've been going on about my Reeves in other threads on talkbass, so for those that may be curious about this amp I'd like to add my gigging experience to the fray...

When I first got the amp it was having a little bit of trouble with the fuses blowing, which turned out to be a bad power tube which ended up blowing out a screen resistor. After I got that fixed, I replaced the power tubes with JJ KT88's and the amp has been rock solid and I've had no problems with it at all. I have gigged my amp fairly heavily on the road in the past few months, during which time the amp has been played in many different types of venues - big, small, indoor, outdoor, cold, hot, everything, and never once have I had a problem or reliability issue.

I bought this amp sight unseen, and without hearing it outside of youtube clips and the Reeves website. Kind of a big jump to be certain, but I got lucky. It's completely the sound I had been looking for through my Ampeg 810AV cab. It sounds absolutely huge, and as compared to the Ampegs I've experienced, it tends to be a little bit quicker sounding, like there's a little more attack. What it really has for me is that "3-D" sound - it just seems like it's more present in the room without being louder. That's what I really wanted to find and this amp delivers. The low end is huge in this amp, really huge, and everything sounds rich and full. And despite the fact that is rated at less wattage than an SVT, I've never once had an issue with not having enough clean headroom, even at shows where I'm not going through the PA.

As others have said, grit is not really the amp's strong point, but I do occasionally dial up some grind from the preamp, which sounds really good to me. That said, this amp is really a clean machine, so I'm looking for a small amp to get overdrive from when I want that.

Also recently, I got brave and decided to crank the amp up all the way, to see what it would do. It's almost unbearably loud when cranked...

Now I'm looking into getting a Berg NV412 or maybe building a fEarful 1515/6 to get some more B-string heft out of my rig. But I'm very satisfied with my Reeves, and of course, the build quality is unimpeachable.

 

[tombowlus]

Well, I've been going on about my Reeves in other threads on talkbass, so for those that may be curious about this amp I'd like to add my gigging experience to the fray...

When I first got the amp it was having a little bit of trouble with the fuses blowing, which turned out to be a bad power tube which ended up blowing out a screen resistor. After I got that fixed, I replaced the power tubes with JJ KT88's and the amp has been rock solid and I've had no problems with it at all. I have gigged my amp fairly heavily on the road in the past few months, during which time the amp has been played in many different types of venues - big, small, indoor, outdoor, cold, hot, everything, and never once have I had a problem or reliability issue.

I bought this amp sight unseen, and without hearing it outside of youtube clips and the Reeves website. Kind of a big jump to be certain, but I got lucky. It's completely the sound I had been looking for through my Ampeg 810AV cab. It sounds absolutely huge, and as compared to the Ampegs I've experienced, it tends to be a little bit quicker sounding, like there's a little more attack. What it really has for me is that "3-D" sound - it just seems like it's more present in the room without being louder. That's what I really wanted to find and this amp delivers. The low end is huge in this amp, really huge, and everything sounds rich and full. And despite the fact that is rated at less wattage than an SVT, I've never once had an issue with not having enough clean headroom, even at shows where I'm not going through the PA.

As others have said, grit is not really the amp's strong point, but I do occasionally dial up some grind from the preamp, which sounds really good to me. That said, this amp is really a clean machine, so I'm looking for a small amp to get overdrive from when I want that.

Also recently, I got brave and decided to crank the amp up all the way, to see what it would do. It's almost unbearably loud when cranked...

Now I'm looking into getting a Berg NV412 or maybe building a fEarful 1515/6 to get some more B-string heft out of my rig. But I'm very satisfied with my Reeves, and of course, the build quality is unimpeachable.

Thanks for sharing! I have never been less than impressed with my Reeves. This is one of the true classic tube heads currently in production.

 

[cheezewiz]

If these sound like the clips on the Reeves website, this may be the holy Grail of bass heads.

 

[tombowlus]

If these sound like the clips on the Reeves website, this may be the holy Grail of bass heads.

I told you that you could have borrowed mine! And you still can.

And yes, they do sound that good.

 

[nysbob]

I'm itchin' to try out the 400!

 

[cheezewiz]

I told you that you could have borrowed mine! And you still can.

And yes, they do sound that good.

While I have sworn off borrowing gear due to our little theft out of my car incident, except in cases of dire necessity (like a few weeks ago! LOL) I MAY take you up on that. I'm just obsessed with the clips of that thing I've heard lately. Here's me, sitting around figuring out where I can come up with $3500 for the head and Reeves 410.

 

[cheezewiz]

I'm itchin' to try out the 400!

This just ads fuel Bob. I've told you before, I absolutely love your live and recorded tone and knowing you dig the amp makes me even more convinced.

 

[edbass]

This just ads fuel Bob. I've told you before, I absolutely love your live and recorded tone and knowing you dig the amp makes me even more convinced.

I don't know where in Ohio you are, but the 400 watt prototype will be at the Cincy GTG Saturday. Possibly the C225 also, but I think it may be an either/or so the "new kid" will get the nod.

 

[GregC]

While I have sworn off borrowing gear due to our little theft out of my car incident, except in cases of dire necessity (like a few weeks ago! LOL) I MAY take you up on that. I'm just obsessed with the clips of that thing I've heard lately. Here's me, sitting around figuring out where I can come up with $3500 for the head and Reeves 410.

They give you $100 off the cab if you buy both at the same time, so it would "only" be $3400.

 

[GregC]

Seriously, though, I get a bad case of GAS every time this thread rises up to the top. The clips sound great, the amp looks great (always did love that Hiwatt look) and I'm very much down with supporting high-quality US builders like Reeves. Someday, I hope to justify laying out the cash for one, but it's going to require thinning the bass herd.

Can anyone compare the tone to that of an Ampeg V-4(B) run clean or close to distortion (I know the Reeves isn't really gonna get dirty)? Tom?

 

[nysbob]

Can anyone compare the tone to that of an Ampeg V-4(B) run clean or close to distortion (I know the Reeves isn't really gonna get dirty)? Tom?

I love my V4B, but the Reeves 225 sounds much more full range to me - more transparent in the highs & fatter low bottom. You can overdrive the pre on the Reeves for grit, but I'm not really a fan of that sound anyway. If I want distortion, I use a pedal.

 

[jmb]

I own both (Ampeg V-4B and Reeves C225). As described by many other posters the Reeves has more "thickness" and more bottom end than the Ampeg. For my uses it almost has too much bottom. I usually run the bass flat or it can become overpowering, but that's simply a matter of taste. The V4B will break up much sooner than the Reeves. With the normal volume at around 3 and the master around 12-1 the Reeves will give some grit when you dig in. This is through a '75 SVT 810. It does sound good!

I prefer a more "trebly" sound and both amps excell at that (IMO). The Reeves has more defintion and "girth" behind each note.

Where Reeves stands out is quality and customer service. They (Bill Jansen) are some of the best people you can find to work with who will take care of any issues that may arise. Yeah, they're expensive; however when you compare them to some contemporary mass market $2-2,500 tube amps the build quality and lack of PCB construction make them much better IN MY OPINION. All of this is in my very much amateurish, lack-of-talent opinion so take it for what it's worth. It's the only amp I need, and it's worth lugging around the weight.

 

[cheezewiz]

I don't know where in Ohio you are, but the 400 watt prototype will be at the Cincy GTG Saturday. Possibly the C225 also, but I think it may be an either/or so the "new kid" will get the nod.

I'm way up in "da nort", plus I have 2 gigs on Saturday!

 

[tombowlus]

Can anyone compare the tone to that of an Ampeg V-4(B) run clean or close to distortion (I know the Reeves isn't really gonna get dirty)? Tom?

As the others have mentioned, the Reeves has a huge, stadium-filling low end (which is not flabby or uncontrolled, at all - in fact, I am greatly enamored with its low end performance, but as stated, it is bigger/stronger than some may be used to). It also has perhaps the most musical, singing, sweet, clear high end of any amp I have tried. The midrange does have a definite scoop to it, but it's actually more of a narrow valley (centered around 400Hz) than a broad scoop. So you still have a good bit of midrange information, but enough of the mids "get out of the way" to let the lows and highs really shine.

The V-4B, on the other hand, is not as big down low, and more aggressive (less smooth) up top. It has, conversely, one of my favorite midrange tones in the bass amplification universe. It is super easy to get the V-4B into an addictive kind of grind, but it always stays articulate and clear. The Reeves certainly can be pushed into some overdrive/grind, but IME, there are only a couple of really good tones in that gain region with the Reeves. Its forte is sweet, compelling clean tone.

My V-4B is off getting a cap job, but when it comes back, I'll try and directly compare the two and hopefully comment further.

These two heads have some similarities (more high frequency content than some tube heads; always clear and controlled; fairly "quick"), and some differences (more low-end output from Reeves; more midrange content/texture from V-4B; smoother Reeves vs more aggressive V-4B; wider range of usable grit/grind/overdrive from Ampeg).

Hope this helps, Tom.

 

[tombowlus]

I'm way up in "da nort", plus I have 2 gigs on Saturday!

Not to beat you over the head with it, but you can borrow my C225 (currently loaded with KT120's), if you like.

 

[cheezewiz]

Not to beat you over the head with it, but you can borrow my C225 (currently loaded with KT120's), if you like.

LOL! I AM going to take you up on that soon, but I want to get a few gigs in with my newly retubed and repaired 400+ to make sure everything is up to snuff.

 

[tombowlus]

LOL! I AM going to take you up on that soon, but I want to get a few gigs in with my newly retubed and repaired 400+ to make sure everything is up to snuff.

Nice! Enjoy that Boogie!

 

[GregC]

Thanks, Bob, jmb and Tom! Your responses are tremendously helpful. I'll add my comments later.

 

[GregC]

I love my V4B, but the Reeves 225 sounds much more full range to me - more transparent in the highs & fatter low bottom. You can overdrive the pre on the Reeves for grit, but I'm not really a fan of that sound anyway. If I want distortion, I use a pedal.

Thanks, Bob (big fan, by the way). More low end than the V-4B can give would come in handy for me sometimes, especially when it's in a controlled manner.

I own both (Ampeg V-4B and Reeves C225). As described by many other posters the Reeves has more "thickness" and more bottom end than the Ampeg. For my uses it almost has too much bottom. I usually run the bass flat or it can become overpowering, but that's simply a matter of taste. The V4B will break up much sooner than the Reeves. With the normal volume at around 3 and the master around 12-1 the Reeves will give some grit when you dig in. This is through a '75 SVT 810. It does sound good!

I prefer a more "trebly" sound and both amps excell at that (IMO). The Reeves has more defintion and "girth" behind each note.

Where Reeves stands out is quality and customer service. They (Bill Jansen) are some of the best people you can find to work with who will take care of any issues that may arise. Yeah, they're expensive; however when you compare them to some contemporary mass market $2-2,500 tube amps the build quality and lack of PCB construction make them much better IN MY OPINION. All of this is in my very much amateurish, lack-of-talent opinion so take it for what it's worth. It's the only amp I need, and it's worth lugging around the weight.

That sounds great, man. I love the heft of the notes that comes with using a tube amp (well, many of them). I'd probably run the bass knob flat as well most of the time.

I've heard great things about the company, so it's good to hear more testimony.

As the others have mentioned, the Reeves has a huge, stadium-filling low end (which is not flabby or uncontrolled, at all - in fact, I am greatly enamored with its low end performance, but as stated, it is bigger/stronger than some may be used to). It also has perhaps the most musical, singing, sweet, clear high end of any amp I have tried. The midrange does have a definite scoop to it, but it's actually more of a narrow valley (centered around 400Hz) than a broad scoop. So you still have a good bit of midrange information, but enough of the mids "get out of the way" to let the lows and highs really shine.

The V-4B, on the other hand, is not as big down low, and more aggressive (less smooth) up top. It has, conversely, one of my favorite midrange tones in the bass amplification universe. It is super easy to get the V-4B into an addictive kind of grind, but it always stays articulate and clear. The Reeves certainly can be pushed into some overdrive/grind, but IME, there are only a couple of really good tones in that gain region with the Reeves. Its forte is sweet, compelling clean tone.

My V-4B is off getting a cap job, but when it comes back, I'll try and directly compare the two and hopefully comment further.

These two heads have some similarities (more high frequency content than some tube heads; always clear and controlled; fairly "quick"), and some differences (more low-end output from Reeves; more midrange content/texture from V-4B; smoother Reeves vs more aggressive V-4B; wider range of usable grit/grind/overdrive from Ampeg).

Hope this helps, Tom.

Thanks, Tom! The more you have described this scoop on the Reeves, from BGM to your posts here, the less I've become concerned about it. What cab do you typically use with yours? I'm thinking a sealed, punchy one would be ideal.

I'm with you on the midrange response of the V-4B, I love it. Mine needs a little work, too. I plan to use it with my pair of Ampeg 210AVs I picked up this year.

 

[nysbob]

In a way, it's kind of like a Mesa 400 in that you crank the mid knob up and then adjust everything else from there. That's what I wound up doing, anyway.