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Thinking about making the jump to Tubes... input needed!

Din Of Win

Din Of Win

Feb 24, 2009
3,652
116
43
Frederick, Maryland
#1
So, i've been an ardent fan of solid states for as long as i have played bass. On guitar, love tubes... but on bass i haven't been to pressed on them.

Well after a discussion with a friend today that convinced me that upgrading my GK 400rb to an 800rb won't do thaaaaaat much for tone/volume and that i should really consider a tube head, i'm thinking that a change may indeed be a good thing.

So... what do i want? I'm not sure... Ampegs seem to be the standard bearers but maybe i want something else? I'm not really a brand loyalist... so i'm open to suggestions. I play a variety of styes, so an amp with options is something i'd be more interested in. As i don't have any other GAS pains (aside from a Jag bass..) i feel like i can invest a bit more... so lets say that i have a budget of $1200... new or used, doesn't mater... :bassist:


Current interests:
-Fender 300T
-Sunn 2000s (of which i can get a decent deal on from a friend)
-Traynor yba 1 and 3
-Ampeg V4 (also a good deal is being offered for FAR less than it could go for)...

...so any other insight would be a great help!!
 
#3
Why don't you get a combination (hybrid)? You have a GK 400rb and so you probably know what to expect from a GK amp...why not try their Fusion 550? Heard its really been pleasing the tube snobs out there. Like 900 bucks new I think? Easily in your budget. Also, don't be fooled by the "mere" 500 watts output...Tom B. of bass gear says that the Fusion performed more like an 800 watt amp on burst runs? Definitely look in to it.
 
#4
jelwood said:
Why don't you get a combination (hybrid)? You have a GK 400rb and so you probably know what to expect from a GK amp...why not try their Fusion 550? Heard its really been pleasing the tube snobs out there. Like 900 bucks new I think? Easily in your budget. Also, don't be fooled by the "mere" 500 watts output...Tom B. of bass gear says that the Fusion performed more like an 800 watt amp on burst runs? Definitely look in to it.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, that's awesome! I hadn't considered hybrids. I am totally a GK convert since i got the 400rb... i'll have to check it out! I honestly do feel a little more comfortable with a hybrid. Touring can be rough and i have seen too many situations of busted tubes on tour with subsequent price-gouging for replacements. I have a friend with an Orange AD200b, and i don't think that thing has EVER performed without something messing up...

@Suraj: I have no experience with Mesa. I have a friend that has a 400+ though... i may have to try his out.
 
#5
Din Of Win said:
Current interests:
-Fender 300T
-Sunn 2000s (of which i can get a decent deal on from a friend)
-Traynor yba 1 and 3
-Ampeg V4 (also a good deal is being offered for FAR less than it could go for)...
Click to expand...

If you can get a good deal on a Sunn 2000 then I'd seriously consider trying one out, I love dem amps!
The fender 300 is extremely versatile, loud and can be found for silly money if you search for a bit. I use a 300 and am always satisfied.
Go try out as much as you can and maybe, like me, once you've experienced that tube magic you won't want to play anything else!!
 
#7
If your a GK convert then I really doubt you're going to like the tone of tube heads.

I can't tell from your original post if it's the tone you want to change from your 400rb or just volume.

If you just want more volume, and want to stick with GK, the 700RB, Fusion 550, 1001RB, and the 2001RB are all right within your price range (the 2001RB is a little out of your range new, but not used) and all put out a lot of power.

However if its tube tone you want, then you need some tubes. Hybrids are a nice middle ground between the two, but as others said, won't give you the "real" tube tone.
 
#8
johnk_10 said:
IMO, an SVT or a Sunn 2000S will expose you to a real 100% tube amp experience. IMO, hybrids don't sound like or feel like tube amps.
Click to expand...

+1

If you want something that sounds different than a GK... something with "tube tone" I would steer clear of hybrids.

The 2000s and V4B will give you a very quick understanding of what tubes are all about, especially if you push them to distortion.

The Mesa 400+ might be a bit more versatile, as it can give you some clean tones and some tube distortion.

If you have a 2000s and V4B at your disposal, I'd play through both of them for a rehearsal or two. (In my opinion, they might not be loud enough and you'll need to go bigger.)

Regarding reliability on tour: a tube amp is only as good as your amp tech. Once you get a nice tube amp you'll need to find an amp tech who's cut his/her teeth servicing tube amps. I've dragged an SVT across country and it never gave me a problem. You can't treat it like a boat anchor... you have to respect it, but the sound is worth it.
 
#9
I played GK400 RBs for two decades. I also have an 800RB and MB2-500. I got an SVT-CL a couple of years back. I currently run a two amp line-up depending on my mood. As a SS player who got a tube fetish, there is indeed a difference. The "punch" of GKs is more focused, like getting poked with a baseball bat. The "roundness" of the SVT is like getting hit with a larger and more round wave. You can just feel it in a bigger way, ie covering more of your body. The SVT "moves air" for lack of a way of putting it. It also has a "rubbery" and more warm feel to the notes. When you crank the tubes you feel it more with a nice smooth overdrive. When you crank the GKs you get more grindy growl. I can see why both have loyal followings. I enjoy running one GK and the SVT for a nice growly overdriven punchy air moving beastly feel.
 
#11
If you pass on that Sunn 2000S, let me know where it is. ;)

I have the little brother of that - the 200S - and I absolutely love it. The sound has a certain purity I assume comes with the simplicity of the tone-shaping circuitry. The power is pretty impressive for 60 watts, but if someone offered me a good score on the more powerful 2000S, I wouldn't hesitate.

On the other hand, the Ampeg V4 really has something going for it. Something about the way they voiced it - that is THE '70s sound. :bassist: It's like comparing a real Rhodes to a digital keyboard patch. (One is all over my all-time favorite recordings - the other is "good" enough for bar gigs. :hiding:)

IME the Mesa Bass 400 is more compact & light but vastly more powerful than the Sunn or V4. I've never had a head fill the room quite the way this thing does. It can be fussy but when set just right, it has incredible dynamic response.

So I say, come on in - the water's fine! :bassist:

Couple of things, though: find a good tech & give your new-to-you 30-year-old baby a good checkup. And hang on to your GK for backup.
 
#15
I love the Ampeg V4B, any old Sunn or Fender you can grab too will be pretty gnarly.

Hell if you have access to deals, buy em up play around with them and expirement.
Even if you end up not liking them, you can always flip em play around with more..
 
#17
BassmanPaul said:
For me i'll not use a full tube amp again on stage. You could try a full tube pre to drive a good SS power amp. If this route works for you it'll save you the trouble and expense of going full tube.
Click to expand...
this is where backline companies are worth every penny, and i don't even have to spend the money myself! unfortunately i don't get rentals for local stuff so i'm back to schlepping all week after two weeks of someone else doing it. it's really not so bad, though. once you get over the initial paralyzing fear and just force yourself to do it, it kind of feels good getting a little workout.
 
#18
BassmanPaul said:
For me i'll not use a full tube amp again on stage. You could try a full tube pre to drive a good SS power amp. If this route works for you it'll save you the trouble and expense of going full tube.

Paul
Click to expand...

though if you don't already own a tube preamp and a solid state power amp you will have to buy them. that's an expense. if ease of transport is paramount, buy a good DI and go through the board every time.

Try any tube amp you can, don't rush into it unless you find a great deal. Don't let anybody on teh internet tell you what sounds good to YOU. I like how any time someone is considering buying a tube amp, he gets people telling him that what he really wants is (insert non-tube-amp of choice here). I wonder if people on car forums are always telling people to buy roller skates instead.
 
#19
I just received my VB-2 last night. After I winched it up on top of my rack & cabs I tried it out for a little while but couldn't turn it up, but first thing this morning I broke out all of my basses and have been playing all day. I was just taking a break because my hands hurt from playing when I saw this thread. This is my first tube head & the first one I have been able to play LOUD in a good size room. I don't think I can find the words to describe my amazement! I have had a good time with each of my basses, trying different settings and being able to get tones and depth out of a bass that I thought I knew. It's not just loud, its deep. Some may say that that is because I have been using a SWR, but all I know is that this VB-2 is just the first of many tube amps. I don't care if I have to pay someone to drag it around for me. Today has been a life changing experience for me! I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

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