tube bass amps

[viedub]

Newb bassist here looking for a tube bass amp to play bass and guitar with, preferably a combo, and something over 50 watts
Any help appreciated :thumb:

[blizzard]

Goodluck at finding an all tube combo the only ones that really come to mind is an older trace elliot V-type combo. Otherwise I would look at a Traynor all tube head.

[Tryxx]

A great hybrid combo would be the Mesa/Boogie Walkabout.

[British Kid]

Goodluck at finding an all tube combo the only ones that really come to mind is an older trace elliot V-type combo. Otherwise I would look at a Traynor all tube head.
i can vouch for the Traynor. That's what I have, though I am seriously considering selling it. I just don't think it is "me", but i'm not sure. Either way, it's a great amp with quite a bit of power and tone.

[edgebass5]

Let me ask you this: Are you buying tubes for a legitimate reason, or just for the novelty of having tubes? I've found my tonal preference among completely solid-state gear for a fraction of the cost of most all-tube gear.

Another question, are you looking for a tube pre section AND a tube power section, or just a tube pre section with a solid state power section. If so, there are a lot of solid-state devices that sound noticeably more "tube-like" than devices that stick a single 12AX7 in the signal chain and call it a tube preamp.

Good luck all the same :thumb:

[Ian]

Let me ask you this: Are you buying tubes for a legitimate reason, or just for the novelty of having tubes? I've found my tonal preference among completely solid-state gear for a fraction of the cost of most all-tube gear.



Thats a good point. Alot of people assume tube is always the way to go, but in my opinion tube amps are kind of impractical due to the higher cost, weight, and maintenance involved...and the fact that you can easily use tube emulating preamps to get that tube tone at a fraction of the cost.

[chaosMK]

I use an all tube amp, and like it quite a bit.

I would search on ebay. You can find tube amps for a fraction of the normal cost- probably even cheaper than a lot of new solid state stuff.

What is your budget?

[ranger_duex]

I prefer tubes...Even hybrids sound a lot better with tubes to me...I have an SVT III Pro, and if I turn my pre amp all the way down, it doesnt sound as good, and its a big difference.

My next amp is going to be a Mesa 400+...Hahaha, 18 tubes...12 power and 6 pre's.

Tube combos are not as common. Im pretty sure its because of such a close proximity, the tubes can rattle loose or out of place...

If your looking into going tube, I would recommend going head/cab....But it can be a bit more expensive.

Check Ebay...Ebay is your friend.

[Mitchell Royce]

Thats a good point. Alot of people assume tube is always the way to go, but in my opinion tube amps are kind of impractical due to the higher cost, weight, and maintenance involved...and the fact that you can easily use tube emulating preamps to get that tube tone at a fraction of the cost.

Well, a clean tube tone can be emulated quite well but what I find attractive about tubes is their overdrive character. Set right, I can get sounds from clean to distorted simply by changing how hard I play. The sound of an overdriven power section is something that I've gotten from no pedal or modeling device.
I got my Trace Elliot V8 for 800 euros, which is well below what most decent SS heads cost. The V-type amps can still be had quite cheap on the used market. Yes, it is heavy, but it has good handles with which I can carry it just fine and I shouldn't have to replace the tubes for quite a few years. In return, I get awesome tone.
I'd recommend a Fender Twin, they sound great for both guitar and bass.

[Son of Magni]

Another issue is overhead. You can use a modeler to get sort of a tube sound with a solid-state head, but you need 1000 watt head to get the kind of overhead that you get with a 250 watt tube head.

Even so, the tube head will be heavier. Wait, don't you guys have roadies?

[St. Anthonys fire]

[QUOTE=ranger_duex]
My next amp is going to be a Mesa 400+...Hahaha, 18 tubes...12 power and 6 pre's.
QUOTE]
I thought the 400+ was only 16 tubes?