Yet another which new tube amp should I buy? Thread

[Arthur U. Poon]

A few days ago, I emailed Matamp about their GT200 head. A gentleman there quickly(and quite impressively IMO) responded and said that the GT200 isn’t currently in production as they’re in the process of designing/choosing new transformers.


But I’m ok with the wait, because that will give me time to put aside more cash, because I know importing a brand new, handwired tube amp into the USA is going to cost me plenty. This will be my only all tube bass head. I only want to do this once.



This amp will be my basement Queen. I’m not hurting for gear to play live gigs. it’s total self indulgence, neighbors be damned. Besides, I’m in my 60’s. I very rarely stay up late.

I was strongly considering an Orange AD200B MK-3, but I’ve read there’s been some reliability problems with those heads here and there, plus Orange only offers a 1 year warranty. That kind of scares me off. “It’s tube sockets are mounted right into its PCB, Orange went cheap on the transformers that they use, etc.” But I absolutely love it’s sound that I’m hearing on the handful of videos about it that I’ve found on YouTube, Any AD200B MK3 owners who have really put there’s to the test playing live gigs, please chime in with your opinions and experiences.

I’ve also thought about the Reeves Custom 225 for several years. Hand wired, Turret board construction, it looks to be very well made. However, I’ve read in the tradition of general purpose Hiwatt amps that inspired its design, it stays super clean, and it’s difficult to get power tube overdrive out of it.
Reeves 225 Owners, please share your opinions with me.

And lastly the Matamp GT200. I’ve read that power tube overdrive is a bit easier to coax out of it, but by design it’s still a “Clean Tone”’amp.

I own a Crest CA9/Demeter CA9 racked rig. I believe I already have the clean tone covered. I also own a GED-2112 and I’ll be ordering a “free” Sansamp RBI. I believe I have aggressive overdrive covered too.

I might as well tag @Wasnex because I know he’s very familiar with Orange, Reeves, and Matamp.

In short, I want a 200 watt all tube bass head that will provide some smooth power amp overdrive, when I dime it’s Master, and dial up it’s gain control to it’s “Sweet Spot”.

Which of these three amp heads do you recommend??

Thanks everyone in advance.

 

[gtirard]

A few days ago, I emailed Matamp about their GT200 head. A gentleman there quickly(and quite impressively IMO) responded and said that the GT200 isn’t currently in production as they’re in the process of designing/choosing new transformers.


But I’m ok with the wait, because that will give me time to put aside more cash, because I know importing a brand new, handwired tube amp into the USA is going to cost me plenty. This will be my only all tube bass head. I only want to do this once.



This amp will be my basement Queen. I’m not hurting for gear to play live gigs. it’s total self indulgence, neighbors be damned. Besides, I’m in my 60’s. I very rarely stay up late.

I was strongly considering an Orange AD200B MK-3, but I’ve read there’s been some reliability problems with those heads here and there, plus Orange only offers a 1 year warranty. That kind of scares me off. “It’s tube sockets are mounted right into its PCB, Orange went cheap on the transformers that they use, etc.” But I absolutely love it’s sound that I’m hearing on the handful of videos about it that I’ve found on YouTube, Any AD200B MK3 owners who have really put there’s to the test playing live gigs, please chime in with your opinions and experiences.

I’ve also thought about the Reeves Custom 225 for several years. Hand wired, Turret board construction, it looks to be very well made. However, I’ve read in the tradition of general purpose Hiwatt amps that inspired its design, it stays super clean, and it’s difficult to get power tube overdrive out of it.
Reeves 225 Owners, please share your opinions with me.

And lastly the Matamp GT200. I’ve read that power tube overdrive is a bit easier to coax out of it, but by design it’s still a “Clean Tone”’amp.

I own a Crest CA9/Demeter CA9 racked rig. I believe I already have the clean tone covered. I also own a GED-2112 and I’ll be ordering a “free” Sansamp RBI. I believe I have aggressive overdrive covered too.

I might as well tag @Wasnex because I know he’s very familiar with Orange, Reeves, and Matamp.

In short, I want a 200 watt all tube bass head that will provide some smooth power amp overdrive, when I dime it’s Master, and dial up it’s gain control to it’s “Sweet Spot”.

Which of these three amp heads do you recommend??

Thanks everyone in advance.

If you want (and can afford) to treat yourself, you may also consider this:

Volta | Jad Freer Audio



A mix of vintage sound and modern specs (12 Kg for 200W), from the makers of the highly respected Capo preamp and Sisma hybrid amp.

 

[coreyfyfe]

Those are some different sounding amps. I’m not sure about pushing any of them into power amp drive, that’s going to get pretty darn loud. But if you’ve got the space and some ear plugs I’m sure they’d all sound great.

No reliability issues with my AD200 and I do gig it fairly regularly. If it’s going to be a basement queen then I definitely wouldn’t worry.

If you’re considering matamp and hiwatt-style amps as well I would suggest looking into Science amps. I have a mother which is their DR201 inspired design but Alex also makes the Earthling which is matamp inspired. Both can be ordered as single channel or two channel designs, 50, 100, or 200 watts. My mother is an older mk II version, 200 watt/4x KT88.


Science Amplification

 

[6thplanet]

That's what I was thinking, I think your confusing where power amp distortion is going to happen with 200W on tap. ....but to each his own.

 

[Wasnex]

I own Orange AD200B, Matamp GT120, 79 Hiwatt DR103, 76 Hiwatt DR201, Reeves 400.

I think the claimed reliability issues of the AD200B are a bit overblown. I do agree that there are more robust builds though. Ideally the choice should be based on the tone you want.

To me the AD200B sounds a lot like a big Fender Showman with a higher gain preamp. Makes about 170W clean. It's easy to get really big lows from this amp, but too much fat greatly limits how loud it can play. As the power is turned up with lots of fat, the low end washes out prematurely. For output drive, I think the AD200B sounds best with neutral or perhaps lean lows.

I haven't played a GT200, but I own a GT120. AFAIK the original GT200 was pretty similar to the GT120, just double the power. The GT120 has a different tone than the AD200B and produces exceptional output drive. Pretty sure the preamp stays clean for any level of output drive I would use. The latest GT200 Mk2 has a 3-band tone stack and a master volume. GT200s are said to make >200W clean. Mk1 and Mk2 pop up on Reverb from time to time...sometimes for around $2K

The Reeves 225 is a fairly authentic clone of a Hiwatt DR201. IMHO Hiwatts have a fairly strong baked in voicing. With bass guitar, the voicing produces big lows, scooped mids, and aggressive high-mids. My perception is Hiwatt seems to fight to make as much clean power as possible. Because of this they don't cross over into output drive particularly well. The preamp is fairly low gain but can produce a bit of drive. I would expect >200W from a Reeves 225 as well.

 

[bbeiermann]

Yet another(and welcomed) which new tube amp I should buy thread.

 

[Wasnex]

If you are considering used, a clean Mesa 400 might suit you.

Does preamp and output drive well. The basic voicing starts out fairly Fendery, and the graphic adds flexibility. Tube purists bypass the graphic, but I like the sound better with it engaged and dialed to taste.

With 6L6GC I believe 400s make about 180W clean, and probably 20-30W more with 6550. I have seen claims around 230-240W. These amps did not come stock with a bias control. So graded tubes are required and it may be necessary for a tech to change a resistor if you decide to switch tube type.

The 400+ makes considerably more power and is fuller down low and a bit darker up top. Stupid loud before the output section goes into drive. Probably a bit much if you want output drive in your basement.

If you insist on a new amp, consider Ampeg V4B and Ashdown CTM100 for reasonable basement volume. I don't own either of these amps. I do own vintage SVTs and an Ampeg PF50t. I also own Ashdown LB 30 Mk1, LB 30 Mk2, CTM 30 Little Stubby, 427 Small Block, and CTM 300.

The CTM 300 has the same preamp as the CTM 200 and CTM 100. The preamp is fairly high gain and voiced a bit dark with strong low mids. The output section in the 300 is supposedly set up more for clean power, while the 100 is a bit more squishy and better for output drive. The tone controls are capable of a fairly wide range of sounds, but adjusting them can be confounding. If you get a chance to demo a CTM 100, 200, or 300, set the Bass, Mid, Treble to 0:900 and stay in the range between 0:700 and 11:00. You can adjust higher than 11:00 but you may not hear a change, or you may get the opposite of what you expect.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

Those are some different sounding amps. I’m not sure about pushing any of them into power amp drive, that’s going to get pretty darn loud. But if you’ve got the space and some ear plugs I’m sure they’d all sound great.

No reliability issues with my AD200 and I do gig it fairly regularly. If it’s going to be a basement queen then I definitely wouldn’t worry.

If you’re considering matamp and hiwatt-style amps as well I would suggest looking into Science amps. I have a mother which is their DR201 inspired design but Alex also makes the Earthling which is matamp inspired. Both can be ordered as single channel or two channel designs, 50, 100, or 200 watts. My mother is an older mk II version, 200 watt/4x KT88.


Science Amplification

Thanks so much for the link!
The “Mother” and the “Earthling” are definitely cool!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

If you want (and can afford) to treat yourself, you may also consider this:

Volta | Jad Freer Audio



A mix of vintage sound and modern specs (12 Kg for 200W), from the makers of the highly respected Capo preamp and Sisma hybrid amp.

Thanks so much for the link!
The Volta looks killer!!!

 

[hennessybass]

... Orange, Reeves, and Matamp.

In short, I want a 200 watt all tube bass head that will provide some smooth power amp overdrive, when I dime it’s Master, and dial up it’s gain control to it’s “Sweet Spot”.

Which of these three amp heads do you recommend??

Thanks everyone in advance.

The Reeves (from my experience with a 200w Hiwatt) is not going to give much in the way of any overdrive. That is going to be a clean amp.
The Orange is probably more in the ballpark if you are wanting a little of that warm tube OD happening.
If you are set on one of those, I'd get the Orange.

Just IMO - I think you should consider a lower watt amp.
If you are not going to be gigging the amp (maybe except on special occasions), then something in the 60w range might be cool. Or even less watts.

I giggled, and owned a bunch of tube amps, over the years. After getting rid of all of them (including a mid-60s B15), I now have a Steamboat Bass 60. AKA, the Steamroller Lite. It's pretty rad. Based on the B15, but with a master, and a couple filter switches. I can push it into distortion at my house, without ear splitting volume. It's ok for the right gig - small and indoors - with a 115 or 210. Probably could handle a bigger room with the right speakers.

I use big amps for my gigs, and play the Steamroller at home. Kind of for my own pleasure (a beautiful, hand built, all tube amp).
Jake at Steamboat in Houston would build you one. When I ordered mine, he was just finishing one for someone in Australia. He was also finishing a 300w Bass amp for a local guy.

Anyway, I say take your time and get what YOU want.

Remember some amps are built to be clean. Others will break up more, and earlier. More watts = more clean volume.

 

[jphilauren]

Regarding the Reeves 225 I love mine, granted limited in regards to tone variations. Listen to Who Live at Leeds, that's the sound you can expect

 

[ZachM]

The Reeves 225 is a fairly authentic clone of a Hiwatt DR201. IMHO Hiwatts have a fairly strong baked in voicing. With bass guitar, the voicing produces big lows, scooped mids, and aggressive high-mids. My perception is Hiwatt seems to fight to make as much clean power as possible. Because of this they don't cross over into output drive particularly well. The preamp is fairly low gain but can produce a bit of drive. I would expect >200W from a Reeves 225 as well.

Regarding the Reeves 225 I love mine, granted limited in regards to tone variations. Listen to Who Live at Leeds, that's the sound you can expect

I agree with both of these. My Reeves really didn't let you dial in a lot of different voicing, it was pretty much gonna be itself no matter how you'd set it up. That said, it was a tremendous amp, sounded absolutely amazing. Definitely a clean machine in general, but could get really driven at high (I mean, HIGH) volumes. You can get the Live at Leeds tone and it crushes, but you're barely gonna be able to handle being in the same room with the amp by that point

Regarding power output the Reeves 225 definitely produces more output than it's labeled for - Mine bench tested at 265w.

One darkhorse suggestion, I think the Matamp GT1 looks like it might be a killer low wattage bass amp if you want power tube distortion. It can power scale anywhere from 100-25w and has a defeatable master volume, so a lot of flexibility.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

After quite a bit of research, I’m leaning towards the Science Earthling.
Even though I intend for this amp to be my basement Queen, I still intend to use it for the odd rehearsal at my house, so it will occasionally get cranked up.

However, I’m not completely counting out the Orange AD200B Mk3.

 

[SactoBass]

After quite a bit of research, I’m leaning towards the Science Earthling.
Even though I intend for this amp to be my basement Queen, I still intend to use it for the odd rehearsal at my house, so it will occasionally get cranked up.

However, I’m not completely counting out the Orange AD200B Mk3.

Arthur: it's been a couple of years since your post. I was wondering which tube amp did you end up going with?

 

[mikeswals]

Hasn't been logged in since June. Hope he's okay