Assume all sound good, and are in excellent condition with newer tubes. You only get one. Interested to hear your thoughts.
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Which tube amp would you keep? (Sunn, Ampeg, Peavey)
- Thread starter stockplus
- Start date
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,051
- 5
- 221,020
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
SVT without a doubt, if not for anything but servicability.
SVT because I'm familiar w/ Ampeg products vs the others.
Ampeg is my usual sound, but a Sunn 300T is drool-worthy and has been on my list for a lonnnnng time.
Ultimately it would be between those 2 amps, whichever one sounded better for what I was doing musically.
Ultimately it would be between those 2 amps, whichever one sounded better for what I was doing musically.
Anybody have any compelling takes comparing the features or sound profiles of these amps?
Personally, I think they all sound pretty good - though I lean towards the 300T and the SVT in terms of tone. I dig the graphic EQs and the two channel configurations of the 300T (great blend) and the VB-3. Compressors (particularly, Peavey) aren't so hot. Overall I think I like the 300T best in terms of sound, but it's unwieldy and awkward to move.
Personally, I think they all sound pretty good - though I lean towards the 300T and the SVT in terms of tone. I dig the graphic EQs and the two channel configurations of the 300T (great blend) and the VB-3. Compressors (particularly, Peavey) aren't so hot. Overall I think I like the 300T best in terms of sound, but it's unwieldy and awkward to move.
Limiting myself to one amp would be cruel an unusual. I have lost count of how many amps I own. Pretty sure is around 60 with approximately 10-11 being solid state or hybrid. If I had to make a snap decision and was told I could keep one amp, it would probably be Genz Benz GBE1200. If it has to be a tube amp, I would probably choose Mesa 400.
I own two vintage SVTs. To be honest, I am not really an SVT guy but they are classics. I like them, but I think my preferences lean more towards the vintage Fender tone universe.
I used to have the Sunn 300T on my bucket list. I eventually took it off because it has excessive solid state circuitry in the signal path. As far as I can tell the distortion circuit is pretty much solid state which IMHO just seems like a party fowl for a tube amp. Comments suggest the amp is really good for clean and it's also versatile. Honestly I would probably love it! The output section is closely related to the circuit in SVTs. I suggest you change Sunn 300T to Fender Bassman 300 Pro. They are the same amp, but I believe the Fender continued to receive updates after the Sunn was discontinued.
Change VB-3 to VB-MA and I will give it a spin. The differences between these two models are supposedly fairly small. The main interest for me hear is these amps use SMPS, which is unusual for a tube amp. FYI, there is a VB-3 on Reverb currently at a good price, but I will hold out for the unattainable VB-MA. It would be cool to try, but I doubt I ever see one in person.
I own two vintage SVTs. To be honest, I am not really an SVT guy but they are classics. I like them, but I think my preferences lean more towards the vintage Fender tone universe.
I used to have the Sunn 300T on my bucket list. I eventually took it off because it has excessive solid state circuitry in the signal path. As far as I can tell the distortion circuit is pretty much solid state which IMHO just seems like a party fowl for a tube amp. Comments suggest the amp is really good for clean and it's also versatile. Honestly I would probably love it! The output section is closely related to the circuit in SVTs. I suggest you change Sunn 300T to Fender Bassman 300 Pro. They are the same amp, but I believe the Fender continued to receive updates after the Sunn was discontinued.
Change VB-3 to VB-MA and I will give it a spin. The differences between these two models are supposedly fairly small. The main interest for me hear is these amps use SMPS, which is unusual for a tube amp. FYI, there is a VB-3 on Reverb currently at a good price, but I will hold out for the unattainable VB-MA. It would be cool to try, but I doubt I ever see one in person.
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IMHO. If you have played them, go with your gut. I would expect all of them to have their own unique personality. Only you can decide which suits your taste.
The VB3 is way lighter due the to SMPS However, SMPS may be difficult to service if there is a problem.
I do think an SVT is probably most likely to be serviceable over the long run. Which SVT specifically. I could be wrong, but I believe the VR and 50th AV have a hum problem in the preamp. Vintage SVTs tend to have a bit of hum as well. Vintage SVTs also have really loud fans.
The SVT legacy is foundational. ‘Nuff said.
IMO, Mesa is the only other contender.
IMO, Mesa is the only other contender.
SVT: Known bedrock amp, parts, service available, known resale for a sorted one.
Sunn 300T: Old, very iffy parts and service, not for everybody
VB3: Interesting with a toroidal trans to shed weight, but Peavey is a dim shell of what it once and service/parts may be very iffy on this.
And they're in a different world facing far more capable, 5# amps from Mesa, Bergantino, Genzler and others
Sunn 300T: Old, very iffy parts and service, not for everybody
VB3: Interesting with a toroidal trans to shed weight, but Peavey is a dim shell of what it once and service/parts may be very iffy on this.
And they're in a different world facing far more capable, 5# amps from Mesa, Bergantino, Genzler and others
SVT-CL if I'm pressed to keep one. OTOH, if the options are Sunn Model T, Ampeg SVT-VR, and something like Hiwatt DR201 or Marshall Major Bass, I'll have a much harder time deciding which one to keep.
Sell something else.
SVT. No other tube amp ever came close to it. I've owned 2 SVT's, 2 Hiwatts, 1 Sunn, 2 Fenders, and 1 Mesa. SVT is the clear winner sound wise.
I voted for the Sunn cause the SVT is the best but the Sunn is the sweetest……………………at least to my ears !
The question implies that I have all three. If I was to sell the other two, I'd sell the Sunn and the Ampeg, keeping the Peavey.
Why? That way, I'd get the most money coming in.
If I actually had to play it, I'd keep the Ampeg.
Why? That way, I'd get the most money coming in.
If I actually had to play it, I'd keep the Ampeg.
FWIW I've have an old Sunn 200s for a long time. I prize for its simplicity and unique vibe.
I also have a "boutique" 50W amp head that has a tone control setup similar to Ampeg. (Baxandall.) That one has turned out to be the Holy Grail for me: profound bliss, gig after gig. No bad tone nights, ever.
FWIW both of my genuine Ampegs got sold. (The vintage V-4b was lovely – but huge and so freaking heavy. I decided to pass it on before it needed a bunch more work to make it long haul reliable. My PF-50T was just kind of a lemon.)
I could speculate six ways to Sunday, but I really couldn't give you a qualified opinion on those three amps you mention without trying each one on a bunch of gigs over an extended period.
I also have a "boutique" 50W amp head that has a tone control setup similar to Ampeg. (Baxandall.) That one has turned out to be the Holy Grail for me: profound bliss, gig after gig. No bad tone nights, ever.
FWIW both of my genuine Ampegs got sold. (The vintage V-4b was lovely – but huge and so freaking heavy. I decided to pass it on before it needed a bunch more work to make it long haul reliable. My PF-50T was just kind of a lemon.)
I could speculate six ways to Sunday, but I really couldn't give you a qualified opinion on those three amps you mention without trying each one on a bunch of gigs over an extended period.
