Tube head under 800$

[Batsquatch]

Hey let me say I've searched these forums and found similar threads but they seem a few years old. So I got a bonus check coming in 6-8 weeks and about 800$ of that could be used to purchase a tube head. I play heavy metal thru a LH 1000 and Peavey vb 215 with distortion pedals etc. I've got more wattage than I'll ever need. Gig once a month. I'm very aware of the VB2 and would kill to have a shot at one, but they aren't popping up on eBay and reverb like they were. The Taynor yba2 is usually on there but I would have to crank it to see if it's going to be loud enough. Any thoughts on other possibilities would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[JxBass]

A new Hand Box WB-100 is under $800, I believe, but would be over $800 after shipping.




Some reviews of Hand Box on TalkBass ...

New amp from Poland - HandBox R-400

 

[Batsquatch]

Wow I never heard of that. I'll look at it

 

[LiquidMidnight]

If you are buying used, your budget could easily snag a Mesa Buster or a D-180. If you could find a few bucks more, you could find a used 400+ or an SVT.

 

[mpdd]

Mesa, traynor, pignose, and peavey

 

[deathness]

I see the occasional Ampeg V-4 for under $800 used... usually in the 600-700 range. I picked up a Sunn Sorado for $400 and put another $80 into fixing it up. Might not be enough wattage for you though. Peavey Alphabass is a cheap one based on the older Mesa designs. They can be had in the $300-400 range but they don't come up too often, long since outta production. I don't have any direct experience, but Traynors come up for great prices based on their feature set and power ratings. Maybe a vintage Bassman like the Super/100/135 models could be found within your budget. I don't care for the Fender tone stack but it works for a lot of people and it would be similar to your Hartke.

If $800 is your budget, I'd shoot for something around $600 or less and save a couple hundred in case it needs some work and for some spare tubes. If vintage, definitely take it to a qualified tech no matter what.

 

[BadExample]

Sweetwater, free shipping, sort by price. That will at least give you a good idea of whats out there in the mainstream.

 

[Batsquatch]

Does sweetwater have used as well?

 

[BadExample]

Unfortunately not, other than their own demo stuff with a good % off. I was looking for cheap tube amp possibilites and I'm pretty sure there are $600 to 800 options, low wattage (ampeg?). That's cheap for a god amp, but I was after a cheap amp, cheap in price and cheap in build. Something I could learn from and not feel bad if I ruined it. Sadly, that only exists for geetar. Maybe there is a cheap amp for me on one of the direct from China places... If I die from electrocution, I want it to be via something cool like tube circuits!

 

[Batsquatch]

There's a bugera bv3000 at a local pawn shop for 600$. It sounded mean very Tubey. Just fear the amount of wear and tear I'd put on it.

 

[TheBassPreacher]

There's a mesa 400+ on reverb for $700 right now. Hard to beat that! Though it might not be there in 6-8 weeks.

 

[matti777]

You could get a new Ampeg PF50T but its only 50 watts. Its enough for some guys but not for others. Metal might be more than a stretch. Otherwise used is the way to go. You could almost get into an used Ampeg V4B.

 

[Batsquatch]

Yes I'm watching that thanks bro

 

[Batsquatch]

So with the vb4 we are talking 100 watts, I fear that getting drowned out by mesa and Marshall halfstacks

 

[Doner Designs]

Ampeg PF50. If/when you need more power you can run it without a load and take an XLR feed direct from the output transformer and feed that into the effects return on your Hartke to get all tube tone and 1000 watts.

 

[JJR58]

Ampeg PF50. If/when you need more power you can run it without a load and take an XLR feed direct from the output transformer and feed that into the effects return on your Hartke to get all tube tone and 1000 watts.

And exactly why one is on the way to me now, except it'll go through the power section of my GK 700RBii.

 

[JJR58]

And I got the PF 50 used for 649.

 

[JJR58]

So with the vb4 we are talking 100 watts, I fear that getting drowned out by mesa and Marshall halfstacks

Not through that Hartke you won't.

 

[TheBassPreacher]

A couple months ago I got an older circa 90s Ampeg V4B for $500.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Sweetwater doesn't sell used.

Invalid Link Removed