Haven't found one that sounds better than a Class D for the same price.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I see people saying cost and weight are the 2 biggest reasons not to use tube amps, but they'll pay more for a class D than I did for my VB-2 and they lug around cabs that weigh more than my head (55 lbs). Regardless, a hand truck that also folds into a cart makes all my load-ins one trip. Cost really isn't an issue if you realize there are more than 3 manufacturers out there. Also, if you are willing to buy used you can pick up a giggable tube head for less than most brand new micros. As far as maintenance goes, still has all the original tubes and works just fine. Tubes generally don't need to be replaced as often as some seem to believe. It's not like putting a fresh set of roundwounds on a bass. Tubes often go many years without needing replacement. Don't get me wrong, I also use a GK MB500 with a pair of 212 neos (the reason I grabbed a hand truck/cart for one trip load-in). I just prefer my tubes and fridge.
Tube amps are amazing. If they are available to record with, I'll take it any day. However, if you're on the road a lot, they're bad. You really have to baby a tube amp. I'll stick with my 800RB.
I had a couple of Fliptops and sold them both. They were just too impractical for me to gig with (weight/power) so I found them some good studio homes.
But they sure sounded great in my music room.
But they sure sounded great in my music room.
Why don’t I use tube amps?
I don’t want to deal with tubes. I don’t want to think about claims of differing sounds if I go with this tube over that tube. I don’t want to deal with biasing, buying, and replacing them when they go bad, which can be a considerable cost and concern. I don’t want to wonder if a silver something tube will boost my crunchy mids more than the tube I’m using. I don’t want to have to think about vintage tubes vs more recent offerings.
I have enough variables in my tone without adding the complexity of tube life, tube quality, tube costs. I like it simple.
I have a Trace Elliot AH500X dual mono ss head and it sounds awesome.
I have zero reasons to switch to anything else, especially a different technology with different concerns/variables.
Thanks for asking, and that is why.
I don’t want to deal with tubes. I don’t want to think about claims of differing sounds if I go with this tube over that tube. I don’t want to deal with biasing, buying, and replacing them when they go bad, which can be a considerable cost and concern. I don’t want to wonder if a silver something tube will boost my crunchy mids more than the tube I’m using. I don’t want to have to think about vintage tubes vs more recent offerings.
I have enough variables in my tone without adding the complexity of tube life, tube quality, tube costs. I like it simple.
I have a Trace Elliot AH500X dual mono ss head and it sounds awesome.
I have zero reasons to switch to anything else, especially a different technology with different concerns/variables.
Thanks for asking, and that is why.
Ampeg V4B at 40 pounds. Well worth it to me. Always have the Rumble 500 in the trunk though. Just in case.
Marc
Marc
I prefer the tone of SS, even if I seem to be in the minority. Always thought I wanted Ampeg, but when I went shopping for my first big rig years ago, I couldn’t afford it. So I checked out some big tube amps, thought they were great, and committed to waiting. Then I tried a GK 700RB-II. So much better. More clarity, faster response, just seemed right. I’ve tried out tubes a few times at the store since, and I just plain prefer my GK.
Whenever I compare my Class D 800 watt head with a tube of reasonable size, which usually tops out at 50-100 watts, I usually notice how the tube amps are all mids and very little bass. It just seems like you need a 200-300 watt tube amp to really get that full range sound I want from my amps.
My markbass classic 300 is bout 45 pounds, 300w, sounds like a big tube amp but at the end of the night, after a full set and many beers, i would give anything to have my little mark head on me.
I seriously love my PF50T! I think you will too.
The only things that stop me from using tube amps on a more regular basis are tough schleps, bad weather on outdoor gigs, and wanting to haul ass out of my gigs as quickly as possible as to limit my interactions with certain members of my band to the bare minimum.
What are you talking about?
I use nothing but tube amps.
Ashdown little bastard for living room, Orange 200 watter for louder/larger.
Tube = tone to my ears and in my book. There's something organic about tube tone that SS amp cant' touch.
Again, it's a matter of personal preference. I like stuff that glows red in the dark. It makes my heart beat.
I use nothing but tube amps.
Ashdown little bastard for living room, Orange 200 watter for louder/larger.
Tube = tone to my ears and in my book. There's something organic about tube tone that SS amp cant' touch.
Again, it's a matter of personal preference. I like stuff that glows red in the dark. It makes my heart beat.
I can honestly say that I don't know any better because I have never tried a tube amp out.
