Tube Amp Descissions

[Pod1]

Hello all,

So I'm looking for a tube amp to pair up with my Ampeg 610 cab and Rickenbacker 4003. I ham VERY happy with these two components and now need a tube amp to finish off my set up. I currently play in a Skate Punk Band, so a good rock'n LOUD sound for drunk skaters is a must. There are a few choices and wanted to get a little feedback on this scenario. I have a couple requirements: 1- gots to be powerful and LOUD!! Need the headroom to grow into. 2- gots to be USA MADE!!

So will a tube amp pair good with my Ampeg 610? (I know it'll be awesome with my Ric)

Now my choices I'm interested in (sorta in order):
- Sunn 300t
- Fender Bassman 300 (I know it's pretty much the same as Sunn but are they made in USA these days?)
- Mesa Boogie 400(+)
- Ampeg SVT CL (USA?)

Pretty sure any of these will work beautifully but I only want to buy ONE the first time (theoretically) Anyone have any thoughts, preferences or complaints on any of these to help with my "educated" descission. Around $1000 bucks is what I'd like to stick to but I can fluctuate.

Thanx a bunch,

-Pod-

 

[dukeisdog]

I've had a handful of tube amps over the past few years and finally found a vintage SVT for a great price. I jumped on it and it's been one of my best bass purchases to date. Such a killer sounding amp.

I play a Mesa 610 and it sounds huge with this amp. You can jump both channels and run overdrive through channel 2 and clean through channel 1 to get a nice blended tone. The only issue is the weight, but man is it ever worth it. If you haven't run an SVT through your ampeg cab yet you really oughta should it a try.

 

[waltdogg]

The Sunn 300T rules. There's the new Super Bassman 300 I'm not sure where it's made and the older Bassman 300 Pro which was the same amp as the 300T. The Mesa/Boogie Bass 400+ was probably the most well built and versatile amp I've ever had. The CL sounds just like you'd expect, try looking for a 2006 USA SVT-VR though. Or even a vintage SVT. The two channels give you a lot more tonal options. If you wanted to stretch your budget, and I mean stretch. Go for a Science Mother. USA, hand built HiWatt/Matamp clone. http://scienceamps.com/

 

[Pod1]

Ya was just looking at the super bassman. That thing is gnarly!!! That would be a good one for consideration! Of course, gonna be hard to find one used I'm sure.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Mesa. Titan or other mpulse series. (Hybrids)
Mesa 400+
As said the fender / sunn 300T. Ampeg SVT? V4.
Reeves?
Traynor? ( not us but north american)
You want loud? /\/\3 too
The titan is 1200 watts of Tube driven FET power stage.

 

[spiritbass]

Ya was just looking at the super bassman. That thing is gnarly!!! That would be a good one for consideration! Of course, gonna be hard to find one used I'm sure.

Not too hard. I don't look in the TB classifieds very often, but I have noticed a couple of these listed. What's working in your favor is that it is very much a buyer's market - good deals abound. Exercise a bit of patience and you can save a lot of money over buying new.

 

[vincent69]

Hey this set looks familiar to me.

And yeah it pair great with an SVT, a II PRO for me.

I'm not in a band, have this beast at home...
It sounds great and was bought 2nd hand. It's an old one still built in the USA. Had to change all the power tubes, they were broke. Now there are six KT88's and this thing rocks.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...tube amp.....1- gots to be powerful and LOUD!! Need the headroom to grow into. 2- gots to be USA MADE!!

Reeves Custom 400 rules them all!

 

[spiritbass]

Reeves Custom 400 rules them all!

My Custom 225 delivers all I need with more in reserve. The 400 is probably capable of causing spontaneous bowel evacuation!

 

[Jeff Scott]

My Custom 225 delivers all I need with more in reserve. The 400 is probably capable of causing spontaneous bowel evacuation!

He does say he wants room to grow into!

 

[SiSoldier]

My vote goes toward the Sunn 300t/Fender Bassman 300 amps. These amps can go from crystal clear to amazing tube overdrive in half a second.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Ya was just looking at the super bassman. That thing is gnarly!!! That would be a good one for consideration! Of course, gonna be hard to find one used I'm sure.

Actually, they pop up on here on a fairly regular basis...unless you're looking to find one locally to try first. Matt Freeman plays a similar style to what you're doing:

Honestly, I don't think you could go wrong with any of your choices. The Mesa would be the least traditional choice for your style of music, but I think that being different is often a good thing.

 

[greengoblin]

My vote is for a US made Ampeg SVT. You have an Ampeg rig at the moment and they have a great tone.

 

[Lo-E]

For what you're doing, I'd go with the Mesa or an SVT II Pro.
I was going to suggest Traynor at first, but they're built North of the border.

 

[Pod1]

Kool. Thanx for all the input. I might also add that my musical taste spans across the spectrum and hope to play some different genres at some point so versatility would be handy too. I also play a Fender MIJ Jazz Bass. So with a nice tube head, my 610, and both basses I should have most sounds covered, I think.

 

[Right_Butterscotch64]

If you want overdrive without killing your audience members you could try the V4-B reissue, or a vintage v4 if you really need US made.

 

[Edgar664]

The Fender Bassman 300 is Made in Mexico I believe

 

[interp]

Hey this set looks familiar to me.

And yeah it pair great with an SVT, a II PRO for me.

View attachment 524253

I'm not in a band, have this beast at home...
It sounds great and was bought 2nd hand. It's an old one still built in the USA. Had to change all the power tubes, they were broke. Now there are six KT88's and this thing rocks.

Had a II Pro for years. Great, great amp.

 

[Tgb]

I have both the 300t and the svt-cl. I usually take the svt on the road, it's a simpler amp. Powerful and great tone. The 300t is a bit more finicky but it can do what the svt does and then some. There are a lot of different sounds that can be had with the touch of a footswitch. A/b channel ( the overdrive on channel b is mean) eq in and out and compressor on and off. The compressor is great for tone shaping because it has separate high and low compressors and a mix between the two.
I have a gig that I do where I use a lot of mutron. When I'm sound checking, I turn the eq off and put it on channel B. I overdrive it for some mutron nastiness and use the tone knobs to shape my sound. Now I can go back to channel A w/ graphic eq on and get my tone for the non mutron stuff.
I used to have the Mesa 400+ a good solid amp but a little sterile for my taste

 

[Warriorpride43]

I have the SB300 and absolutely love it. Tons of headroom awesome tone. Basically anything you want. Best money ever spent. Would sound amazing with ur Ric.