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Tube Amp Descissions

#21
Edgar664 said:
The Fender Bassman 300 is Made in Mexico I believe
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Yup. When it was the Sunn 300T they were made in the US but they moved production to Mexico along with all the other amps around the same time that it became the Fender 300T. The new bassman amps (300, 100T) have always been built in Mexico.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that it doesn't matter where it's made as long as the QC is good.
 
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#22
So I found a used Fender Bassman 300 Pro for $850. Newer tubes and looks cosmetically good. What do y'all think? Also it's a private seller and they'd have to ship to me, I feel very worried about that part as we all know how shippers toss pkgs around......

Thoughts?

Thank you
 

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#23
When you have a tube amp, you need to find a tech who knows how to service the amp you have, when shipping a amp, make sure the tubes are labeled, as where they are pulled from and have them bubble-wrapped and either packed carefully with the head and/or sent in a separate box .... all the amps that I have shipped/received were wrapped in large bubble-wrap, that was about 10/12 inches thick on all six sides, the goal is to survive a 6 foot drop, the biggest problem is shippers don't give a ratsa$$ about how they handle stuff ...IMHO
 
#24
Lo-E said:
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.
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The Traynor YBA300 is an outstanding tube head !!

I love this - "built north of the border" - it's called Canada! I know I know the OP asked for US made but come on !! The benefit for my american bros. is not only a very well built professional quality Ampeg killer (let the flame begin!!!) but also a very good exchange rate right now so (hopefully) great prices!! Do you guys realize how many of your "American" (and "Japanese") cars are built up here ??

Dave the obvious Canuck : )
 
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#25
ToP fan said:
The Traynor YBA300 is an outstanding tube head !!

I love this - "built north of the border" - it's called Canada! I know I know the OP asked for US made but come on !! The benefit for my american bros. is not only a very well built professional quality Ampeg killer (let the flame begin!!!) but also a very good exchange rate right now so (hopefully) great prices!! Do you guys realize how many of your "American" (and "Japanese") cars are built up here ??

Dave the obvious Canuck : )
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+1000 + Traynor rocks
 
#26
Of what's been mentioned thus far I'd give a nod to the Ampeg SVT-CL or 2-Pro (or VR if you can find one) or the Mesa 400+. The Ampeg is, well, it's Ampeg, so it will sound like an Ampeg and should pair well with your cab. I prefer the 400+ by a small margin due to its power vs weight ratio and the fact that it's US made but it won't overdrive quite like the CL, and I'm told is a bit more challenging for techs to work on. I've seen both Ampegs and Mesas on several different Texas Craigslist pages for under $1k, so they're out there if you're willing to look.
 
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#29
Pod1 said:
So I found a used Fender Bassman 300 Pro for $850. Newer tubes and looks cosmetically good. What do y'all think? Also it's a private seller and they'd have to ship to me, I feel very worried about that part as we all know how shippers toss pkgs around......

Thoughts?

Thank you
Click to expand...

Here's what I suggest you ask of the seller:
No need to remove tubes for shipping on that one.
Double boxing, or encasing the head in that 2" thick pink rigid insulation board one gets from the home centers. Then a single box would be okay. Even suggest paying extra so he can buy proper packaging materials. Insured shipping for full value.
Make sure he does not use The UPS Store. Every time I receive something the seller had either packaged there, or shipped from there, it arrived damaged. FedEx Ground is tops in my book!
 
#30
I'm gonna vote for the Fender 300 Pro. I got mine for $450 in need of a full retube. In my mind, it is the perfect amp for a pick-punk Rickenbacker player. Why? I am one! (Er, was one...) Also it can do just about any sound you can imagine.

As for shipping one, I agree to leave the tubes in. They're all strapped into shields and the power tubes have spring retainers. The chassis on those is thicker than most amps so as long as it doesn't take any 1-2 story drops it should be fine.
 
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#31
christw said:
I'm gonna vote for the Fender 300 Pro. I got mine for $450 in need of a full retube. In my mind, it is the perfect amp for a pick-punk Rickenbacker player. Why? I am one! (Er, was one...) Also it can do just about any sound you can imagine.

As for shipping one, I agree to leave the tubes in. They're all strapped into shields and the power tubes have spring retainers. The chassis on those is thicker than most amps so as long as it doesn't take any 1-2 story drops it should be fine.
Click to expand...

So looks as if I'm about to pull the trigger on a Fender Bassman 300 from a fellow TBer for a fair price! Just gotta work out some final details and it's official!! I'm pretty much sold on the versatility of the head (and visual design) and it should have plenty of head room that I want so now the sound guy will be telling me to turn it down instead of turn it up and with my Ric and Ampeg 610 I should be able to level the crowd!! Haha And with my J-Bass I hope to be pretty well rounded for sound. I'll post my results and pixs when all is said and done. Thank you all for your imput. It's much appreaciated!!!!!

-Pod-
 
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#35
So, an update on my thread:

So as I said earlier, I found a Fender Bassman 300 from a fellow TBer for a fair price. The head showed up yesterday and within an hour I was plugged in at band practice and BLOWN AWAY at how AWESOME this thing sounds!!!!! oh and the head room......LOTS!! This thing sounds beautiful and LOUD!!! Within the first 30 seconds I was amazed at the results and wondered why I waited so long to go Tube. Its true what they say, you havn't heard your bass until you've played it through a Tube Amp. It was like a night and day difference between Solid State and Tube both sound and weight. Sure, its heavy but that is a small price for HUGE sound!!. Crisp, clear, and warm sound is what ive got now. I can hear EVERY pluck of the strings, no clipping or cutting out and the warmth and body of the sound is just enormous and cuts through two guitars and drums. I was asked to turn down at one point too. My Rickenbacker's true colors have submurged and I just cannot explain how good this sounds!!! The power this thing delivers will make me self sufficient and I no longer need to rely on a sound guy for anything at a gig. sure they can help but I believe this head can take care of whatever it wants too along with powering a whole 2nd cab!!!

Just to summarize, my considered choices were Ampeg SVT CL, Mesa Boogie 400, Sunn T300/ Fender Bassman 300. Without ever playing one of these, I chose to gravitate towards the Sunn / Fender 300 as the sound crafting options seem to give the ability to achieve just about any sound. Didn't take long to dial in a good sound for my band with plenty more options for experimentation. Oh, did I mention that I didnt even turn it up past 4!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to gig this thing out. Its gonna be FUN and sound GREAT!!!!!
IMG_2083.jpg
 
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#37
ps- if any of you out there are considering an all tube head......DO IT!!!! You wont be sorry!!! Of course this is all subjective to personal preference and choice but as I stand right now I would play a Tube amp over a Solid State amp any day!! Oh I might add that I have also owned and played an Ampeg SVT4 for a couple years and I really wasnt pleased with it (again, personal pref) it is a Tube Pre and SS drive. Though it was a nice amp, it just lacked something and compared to my new Bassman I now have the headroom, clarity, warmth, body, tone, and all that other good stuff along with a good workout as this thing weighs in at about 80lbs.

The sound that I've created in my head is now a clear LOUD reality.................What?!?! I can't hear you.........(ears ringing and throughly PLEASED!!!!)
 
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