TUBE Ampeg flavor within $$/space constraints?

@focusbob, here they are:
For Sale - The Rare and Elusive Ampeg B-1!

Enjoy.

 

Save your $.
Get an SVP-CL, it’ll hold you over until you figure it all out.
They don’t sound bad using what have you power.



A sealed cab, that’s almost mandatory for “that sound”.

I can get a ton of the clank by switching to stupid hot passive Js.

 

Good pick on the Traynor. I used to have one but the weight /Watts ratio wasn't ideal and I felt guilty letting it moulder in my music room even though it sounded wonderful. If I'd had a load and a speaker level DI with speaker sim then I'd have kept it.

With regards to your question, you might want to look at the option of using an amp sim pedal, possibly into the Traynor. The Traynor has some great sounds, but it's pretty clean and with no master volume hard to overdrive (I used to use mine into a modified low efficiency hi fi speaker for recording and it was still loud for just recording).

There might also be some low wattage amps that might be able to get the sound if recording is the main requirement, but with a dummy load and speaker level DI you could then send that into the Rumble.

 

Good pick on the Traynor. I used to have one but the weight /Watts ratio wasn't ideal and I felt guilty letting it moulder in my music room even though it sounded wonderful. If I'd had a load and a speaker level DI with speaker sim then I'd have kept it.

With regards to your question, you might want to look at the option of using an amp sim pedal, possibly into the Traynor. The Traynor has some great sounds, but it's pretty clean and with no master volume hard to overdrive (I used to use mine into a modified low efficiency hi fi speaker for recording and it was still loud for just recording).

There might also be some low wattage amps that might be able to get the sound if recording is the main requirement, but with a dummy load and speaker level DI you could then send that into the Rumble.

I realise this is the tight wad answer but I did live for twenty five years in Yorkshire!

 

Ampeg V-4B RI

 

A 20t or 50t in front of your rumble amp should be a good option. I use the transformer out of a 20T with excellent results.

But, As others have said: a closed, non ported cab is a big part of that sound too.

 

On a more budget friendly range, you have the Bugera BBV3000 which is an SVT CL clone.
Also the Bugera BVP5500 is a SVT IV clone that sounds and works great.
Both are discontinued and are only found in the used market.

If you want that SVT flavour on a budget, I also recomend you to look at the Kustom DE 300 HD. It's a hybrid head with tube preamp and solid state power amp and it nails that ampegish tone. Actually, the engeneer that designed the head was an ampeg designer for many years. I have one and I love the tone of it. It sounds great and has some really nice features for its price, like HPF and LPF (also notch filters as well) and cab sim in the xlr output. Only thing that I don't really like is the size and weight but since you're aiming for that big Ampeg heads I guess that isn't the problem for you.
And if you want more power and a lighter head you have the Kustom DE 1200 HD, that delivers a lot fo power using the same preamp as the DE 300 HD.

 

For home recording with authentic Ampeg tube grind, I run a little 20 watt pf-20t head into a sealed 210 av cab and it’s glorious. Also has a transformer balanced di out for silent recording without a speaker load. Easy to push this rig to power tube heaven. Head is reasonably priced and often on sale.

 

Traynor YBA 200 or 300. Not "exactly" Ampeg, but a nice head and light in comparison.

 

I have an SVT (82) , closest thing to an SVT and not being Ampeg is a Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe (or VT Bass Rack) in front on almost any amp.
Now I did pick up a PF50t and that also sounds great on a 410HE cab , very close to the SVT

 

PF-50T or PF-20T...

 

Dummy load lets you run without a speaker cab.
The Transformer DI out is GREAT for recording. In the studio I run straight out of the Tranny DI into the board. You can also use that to go into an external power amp. Not sure if you need a Low/Hi Impedance matching transformer to do that though. Depends on the inputs on your power amp, IIRC.

 

Get any class d amp you want that has an effects loop return or aux Input plus one of the Broughton SV-pre Pedals.

https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/sv-pre

 

Just easier if you have an old Peavey or something that does not have the right connections, so I set it up to go in front. On my Shuttle 6.0 I use it in the effects loop , just sounds better.

 

I've got a MicroVR set up with 2 of the 210AV cabs. I also run a Scrambler and an SCR-DI in front of it to give it a little of the the SVT tone-stack. This is my little rig. My bigger one is 2 of the 112AV cabs with a V-4B. But the MicroVR gets a lot more use as it is so easy to transport and sounds so good. I do run the v-4B through those cabs as wel with great results. Good luck!