Why aren't you using tube amps?

[baxter_x]

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

@lfmn16 would probably

 

[Ron Berenato]

I've used both extensively. I used a rack mount Peavey tube preamp (one tube) through a Peavey Megabass amp and had many compliments on my tone. When I got tired of fiddling with knobs I sold it all and bought the Mesa Boogie 400+. Played that for years and realized that my ear prefers a tube preamp with solid state power. I find that the solid state power amp gives a faster, tighter response. I'm presently searching for a good tube preamp / direct box to pair with a lightweight solid state amp.

 

[Charlzm]

So I know the tube vs solid state thing gets beat to death. I'm not here for that. This is mostly for those of you who would like to use tube amps, but don't, so my question is more along the lines of:

What aren't tube amps doing that keeps you from using them?

Weight will surely be a big factor. How light would they have to get for you to consider it?

What other features aren't common to tube amps that you require?

I have a Trace Elliot 2 X 10 combo amp (1210 model, Peavey era). There is a tube preamp section. Works for me.

If I were to buy a new amp and cab, I'd go for a class D amp. Small, powerful, sounds good, light... I don't see any advantage to tube amps as far as my important criteria.

 

[bassliner50]

For the same reason my TV and the PC I am writing this on has a LCD display and not CRT.

(I apologize for all the acronyms).

 

[Cheez]

I have a nice all tube amp and a nice class D micro, both for gigging. If load in/set up time is tight, space on stage (or in the car is limited), it’s long walk from the car to the venue, I’m on a small indoor stage where I don’t need much volume anyways, or just feeling particularly lazy that day, I take the micro.

If I’m playing a big stage, outdoors, have time and space, load in is easy, I usually take the tube.

Ditto this

 

[TinIndian]

I have a Genz Streamliner 900 I've been gigging for close to 5 years now. It gets me pretty close to the tube thing,
I also have an old MusicMan HD150 that is SS up front with 4 6L6's in the power section, so not a total tube amp. I bring it out on occasion when I'm wanting something different. I got it pretty cheap a little over a year ago and the weight isnt too bad. And for me the two biggest factors have been weight and cost, the HD150 was not bad in either of those.

That said I'm gassing pretty bad at the moment for a Fender 100t.

 

[Altitude]

Too heavy, too big, too expensive, too much service needed over time, too many class D amps sound just fine.

If I had a recording studio where an amp would live all the time, I'd love to have an SVT or a 400+. Or one of those Sadowsky ones they made for a minute.

 

[Nighttrain1127]

For what it is worth tubes do not need to be replaced every time the Bias drifts. I have a 70 SVT Blueline and a 74 with the original tubes still in them and functioning properly. Also have a Fender Bassman 300 Pro That I just retubed and a relatively new Fender Super Bassman 300 That I have had no Issues with so far.Both SVY's Have had had cap jobs and needed some resistors replaced. Minor other stuff but what it has cost me to repair them Is less than the cost of a used class D Head. I also Have a Peavey MiniMega class D amp And of all the SS amps I have ever used or heard this one sounds very much like tubes. I actually thought I was using my Super bassman at one practice and it was the MM.

 

[foolforthecity]

Never had the cash for one. Now I do, but my SVT 6-PRO is just too damn good to replace.

I would like to have one before my playing days are done. Then again, I'd also like a tiny little amp and 212 that a actually met my needs. It would be really cool to have a tiny little rig.

The answer to your dreams.

 

[metron]

I have owned some of the big hitters: SVT, SVT-CL, Classic 400, DB728, V-4B. They are too heavy and my walkabout sounds almost as good or better.

 

[InhumanResource]

View attachment 2993917

The answer to your dreams.

Expensive! And somehow I don't think that baby pushes enough air for me (currently using double 410's) but of all the micro amps this is the one I would trust.

 

[SactoBass]

The only things that stop me from using tube amps on a more regular basis are tough schleps

Bada bing!

That's it for me. That is the *ONLY* reason for me.......the weight.

But I sure do love that tone and that "feel"!

 

[fishdreams]

For me, tube sound is about clean tone, not distortion. To get as close as possible and remain mobile at the same time, I am using an Arkham Abyss tube preamp into a small footprint Baby Sumo transistor poweramp.

I am very happy with it. It is portable, and gets very close to my ideal pre+power full tube tone ideal, and certainly much closer than any of the microtube-variations I have tried. (Markbass etc). I also like it much better than the Ampeg PF 20/50 T, for example.

 

[Xandrell]

I don't mind the occasional weightlifting if we're playing a big stage, the hand truck is my friend. I lucked out with my ENGL Iron Bass Hybrid and 410 cab. I like the sound and over drive as much as my SVT and 810. Different but still very good. I still use the hand truck for the 410 though. No wheels and bulky to handle, but it's worth it.

 

[Tom Howland]

I still use tubes to record. ( Early 70's B15s )
But for gigs, WEIGHT !!!! is the only issue. Getting to old to lug an SVT around.
Aguliar & Markbass fit my gig needs now.

 

[Member8675309]

I’d be all over tubes like that fat, yellow bear gets on honey if I could afford it.

 

[ThudThudThud]

Teen Thud: Huge 1x18" reflex + SS amp (with huge transformers)
20s Thud: Fridge + Matamp (tubes & transformers!)
30s Thud: 2x 1x15" + Rack (with VERY heavy SS power amp)
40s Thud: 4x10" + 4U Rack (pre/pwr) + pedal board
50s Thud: Looking for probably fEARful 12/6/1 + lightweight amp

Moving big transformers around is a young man's sport.

 

[bobomatic]

Weight, cost, and my VT500 sounds INCREDIBLE. Flexibility you don't (always) get from a tube head and all the power I need.

Besides... in a playing situation, even my band doesn't give a poopie how i sound as long as they can hear me and it isn't totally inappropriate. Tone is really a self-serving mission unless you're recording, and to be honest, how many casual music listeners, or even just non-musicians in general, give a damn whether or not you sound warm and tubey?

For my own project, I'm feeding the stack enough effects that even it forgot what kind of amp it is.

NOW THAT SAID... if I had the chance to score a Sunn 200S setup that would never leave the house, I'd be all over that.

 

[bobomatic]

POOPIE! Wow I triggered the censors. A momentous occasion in my TB life.

 

[higain617]

There are other options aside from an SVT. I had a couple all tube heads under 50 lbs. Ironically, I've been using a solid state guitar head lately.