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What did I just buy? (TubeWorks Combo)

shai-ga

shai-ga

Supporting Member
Dec 31, 2006
1,103
1,318
Israel
#1
Hey guys,
I just pickup up a tube works combo.
This is the RT-3100, 100 watt amp, in pretty good condition.

What do you know about it?
It had to be a quick decision, so I paid $200 for it.

I don't have any bass at the moment, so I can't hear it..

It says 2.8.96 (could be 98) on the back, and the serial number is 47211.

I'd love some info and opinions about it

:)

P1010004.JPG
 
#3
Is that the one with the 10"? If so I have one, sounds great - especially overdriven! Only thing is the EQ is all cut only, flat is all on "10". If you put them all on "5" it'll sound like arse which is why they weren't all that popular. I also own an RT-3175 combo and the RT-3300 head - plus both the pedal and rackmount versions of their "Blue Tube".
 
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#7
drpepper said:
So, you paid $200 for an 18 (or 16) year old virtual no-name 1x10 combo then ask "What did I just buy?" Sorry, that's a real head-scratcher for me.
Click to expand...
TubeWorks was a well respected semi-boutique amp and effects maker later bought out by Genz Benz - whom I suppose those like yourself will also be calling a "virtual no-name" in 15 years :wacky:.
 
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#8
LOL!

Actually, I was very familiar with Tube Works because my buddy Dave LaRue was an endorser before he went to Ampeg. I've got one of his 410T's, too. Plus they had a couple pedals that guitarists love (Blue Tube). So they were fairly well known in the 90's.

Got to say, I find it rather ironic that Genz Benz got shut down by Fender, and Genz Benz shut down Tube Works ;)
 
#9
One of the "problems" with Tube Work amps was that the magic output devices (MosValves AKA power MOSFETS) that sound pretty darn close to tubes when "pushed" were discontinued and I think that's one reason why GB decided to discontinue them rather than redesign them for different output devices. Of course, this means that if you ever blow them the amp can't be repaired :( . AFAIK the only bass amp still made that uses a linear analog MOSFET output stage is the Ampeg Micro-VR and I have one of those too - and it also sounds very tubey if you shut off the limiter and "push" the outputs :) . Of course all of these only get that awesome tone WFO - most folks are better off with a tube preamp / SS output hybrid "master" amp. My RT-3100 has been modded with a 16 ohm speaker so I can get overdrive at moderate volumes in a particular rehearsal space where we have eDrums - but of course everyone else has to adjust their volume to mine as it is fixed, the "problem" with all non-master amps that are run overdriven :( .
 
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#10
Roadkill said:
One of the "problems" with Tube Work amps was that the magic output devices (MosValves AKA power MOSFETS) that sound pretty darn close to tubes when "pushed" were discontinued and I think that's one reason why GB decided to discontinue them rather than redesign them for different output devices. Of course, this means that if you ever blow them the amp can't be repaired :( . AFAIK the only amp still made that uses an analog MOSFET output stage is the Ampeg Micro-VR and I have one of those too - and it also sounds very tubey if you shut off the limiter and "push" the outputs :) . Of course all of these only get that awesome tone WFO - most folks are better off with a tube preamp / SS output hybrid "master" amp. My RT-3100 has been modded with a 16 ohm speaker so I can get overdrive at moderate volumes in a particular rehearsal space where we have eDrums - but of course everyone else has to adjust their volume to mine as it is fixed, the "problem" with all non-master amps that are run overdriven :( .
Click to expand...

BINGO!!! The MOSFET issue was one of the challenges facing the brand. As a little history, when GB acquired Tube Works we were already on our way to making our first GB bass amps, so we mostly focused on the TW pedals, preamps and guitar amps.
Further back in the history lesson, GB made almost all of the original cabinets and combo cabs for Tube Works starting in the late 80's. Anyone remember Tom Wright from Tube Works?
I've recently run across some pretty cool pics that we took with Mars Cowling (bassist w/Pat Travers Band) and his bass rig from back in the early 90's

Jimmy --- there is a good chance the TW 410 you have was made by GB in our early years.

Jeff
 
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#12
drpepper said:
So, you paid $200 for an 18 (or 16) year old virtual no-name 1x10 combo then ask "What did I just buy?"

Sorry, that's a real head-scratcher for me.
Click to expand...

I was searching for a small combo, and this one looked really cool, plus I've seen the name on pedals before, so I guessed it is
kind of "boutique"..

Besides, it's always nice to have a rare piece of equipment, isn't it?

Thanks for all the input :)

I'll try to upload some sound samples when I grab a bass.
 
#15
you know, there have been a few tubeworks cabs floating around on kijiji every so often in my area, might just pick one up knowing that they're good stuff. I was worried that they would be like a sort of new acoustic amps thing, but it turns out they weren't.
 
#16
shai-ga said:
I was searching for a small combo, and this one looked really cool, plus I've seen the name on pedals before, so I guessed it is
kind of "boutique"..

Besides, it's always nice to have a rare piece of equipment, isn't it?

Thanks for all the input :)

I'll try to upload some sound samples when I grab a bass.
Click to expand...

Apologies. I'm usually able to hold my tongue (or keyboard) on gratuitous commentary, but based on your OP, I just couldn't see not at least doing a quick google first. Anyway, that's just me. Have fun with it.
 
#18
AFAIK the only amp still made that uses an analog MOSFET output stage is the Ampeg Micro-VR
Click to expand...

Uh... there are hundreds of MOSFET -based power amps still made today.

The thing what made the MOSValve series amps special was that the MOSFETs were not operated as followers (like in usual power amplifier circuits) and that there was very little negative feedback employed in the design (unlike in usual power amp designs that employ plenty). That was the recipe to make the MOSFETs clip rather softly when they got overdriven.

MOSFETs are still made today as they are used by millions of all kinds of electrical devices. They have many great advantages in power amplification / regulation. The specific models of lateral -type MOSFETs used by TubeWorks and countless other companies have been discontinued though.
 

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