Why aren't you using tube amps?

[bucephylus]

I suppose that if I wanted to gig an all tube head for smaller venues, I’d go with the Ampeg PF-50t. The problem with that option for me is I feel like the head would be fussier than my Demeter or Bergantino, and not have as much headroom; and I just don’t feel like the tonal improvement would be worth the trade-offs.

No, if I were going to go tube, it would be an SVT 2Pro in a rack sitting on a Bergantino NV610. That would be worth it to me. I might use it once every other year. That’s why I don’t have one.

And, at least for me, more and more of my gigs are actually ampless with IEM’s. I don’t see that trend going anywhere but up, especially for big gigs. So, the justification for a stadium rig is just simply getting smaller and smaller.

 

[klejst]

I sold my Reeves 225 last year to put myself through software school and I really miss it, I'm in the same boat currently.

I hear ya, unless you have a lot of free money to just blow on stuff then you have to prioritize and budget a little more. Perhaps I'll get a tuber one of these days however right now I am getting by with my SS for the time being.

 

[I am Soma]

i have a 100t and a TCE RH750. they both rule but found i get a little bit more of the tone i want with the TCE and a B3K.

 

[hintz]

For me it's not the weight or cost, i just don't wanna *ever* have to worry about tubes or how fragile a tube amp can be. I'e only owned 2 :SVT2 non-pro and Fender PS300,both were great but my Darkglass 900 does *exactly* what I want an amp to do.

 

[FunkySpoo]

Weight is part of it, but also being a little more susceptible to damage is what I'd worry about the most. I borrowed a friend's older Ampeg V4B for a while that powered an 8x8, 2x10, and 1x18 cabinets. Now that was a lot of fun, but the old amp was fragile. As much as the new class D amps are nice, I have about swore them off as well after my Markbass F1 amp decided to die one day, and it's a hefty price tag to get one fixed because of the printed circuit board. I'm back to using the ol' tried and trued GK 700rb-II, which isn't heavy and can be repaired by about any shop.

You've sworn off an entire class of amps over one failure? Hope you never get a flat tire and use the same logic.

 

[Medicine Man]

Because I transport a bass rig and PA system in an Impreza hatchback.

 

[fishdreams]

Size, weight and transformers that don't switch between 110 and 240

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

Weight, cost, and relevence, honestly.
Tube amps used to be necessary. We couldn’t have music, especially not live music, without them. They used to be the only way.
They’re not the only way anymore.
Just as not everybody should drive a Model A, or live in a yurt.
All my needs are met with my Pontiac Vibe, studio apartment, and Class D Amp.

 

[baxter_x]

Size, weight and transformers that don't switch between 110 and 240

True!! I wish any amps on the market would have this very switch!!

 

[jmattbassplaya]

If we're speaking of amps with power tubes then weight and cost are the biggest factors followed by me not gigging enough to warrant owning one.

I'm also highly content with my Mesa Subway. It's a sick amp - period. The weight, cost, warranty, and tone are all fantastic. It's hard to justify paying more for something else that I don't consider an improvement in any way.

 

[swarfrat]

Tubes are amazing - when you want to distort. But even these days I'm running an Eleven Rack on guitar. My bass sound is squeaky clean. Also, a 15-50 watt tube amp is a much more economical machine than a 300W one with transformers that can handle bass guitar frequencies.

 

[gorneyg]

Size...price...sound. Don't need tubes to get a GREAT sound.

 

[ThaCoast]

Shhhh! If people like you and I keep talking about how great those dirty old Peavey Century amps are, people are going to start buying them up and they'll get expensive.

Hence why i'm trying to find every single one i can get xD

 

[beans-on-toast]

All I’ve pretty much always used are tube amps. From day one till now.

I have one Class D amp from the 80’s, a Peavey Deca 700. It’s 2U and weighs a hefty 30 lbs.

 

[drumvsbass]

Weight, cost and relieability.

Hasn't stopped me and my PF50T yet.

 

[MordBass]

Because the cost/performance of my CA-9 stops me from looking for new amps. Sure, I swap out pre's here and there which is fun and useful for recording different projects and its very cost efficient since I dont have to change my power section at all.
yea, I like some tube heads... but theyre really large.. and tend to be even heavier than my crest... and the cost is a factor.

 

[BassmanPaul]

Tube amps don’t have enough power to drive my speaker cabinets properly. That said, I do like to have a tube or two in my signal chain.

 

[Roland GR 88]

Weight and convenience ??!! Geez, tell that to my old Peavey TNT. A one-handled 70lb nightmare that was.....
Jumped in with both feet when class D showed up but sold off the TH-500 *sniff* when I tried a Traynor re-issue YBA with my bass cab one day for kicks.
Never going back.

 

[Master Chief]

The sheer weight of the SVT is something of a bother.

And the US$3304,- price tag on the Mesa Boogie Bass Prodigy (over here in Europe) is even more of one.
That amp actually has the size, the weight and the power, but I simply refuse to pay this much for a bass head.

That being said, I do have an Ampeg PF50T freshly ordered which should arrive this week.

Faced with the option, I'd rather bring a second cabinet with me and play on 50 Watts than bringing a Class D head and play on one cab - but my cabs are light ones.

Would you get the Bass Prodigy for about US$1200?

 

[T Bassman]

I always kept a tube head around historically, had gone to a micro for smaller shows but have landed back to a all tube head full time for electric bass and upright. Traynor YBA300 does it for me.

Half the weight of an SVT, tube lock out system should a tube fail and no giving up an ounce of tone. I run two Aggie GS112's with it for loud shows, a single cab for smaller shows or upright gigs. Love the look I get with all those glowing tubes and my double bass

The only advantage for me to use a class D is the size/weight issue, but with the Traynor acting as a 'slimmed down' SVT I just can't justify it over the difference in tone having gone back and forth.