tube Bass head that will beat a mag 300 as far as power...

[sumasmreq]

But on a budget. I have a mag 300, but I want to go tube. My bass sounds better on my tube amp than the mag 300, but I want at least the power of the mag 300.

 

Probably in the 350-425ish range if that exists.

 

SF Bassman 100?

[bholder]

Trace Elliot V series, all tube heads (V6, V8). Although hard to find on a budget.

[der oxenrig]

 

Originally posted by sumasmreq But on a budget. I have a mag 300, but I want to go tube. My bass sounds better on my tube amp than the mag 300, but I want at least the power of the mag 300. Probably in the 350-425ish range if that exists. SF Bassman 100?

 

 

Possibly, but it will be quite distorted by the time it's as loud as a MAG300 cleanly, but those Bassman heads distort quite nicely. Don't forget about the Bassman 135, either, although both of those heads are tube munchers. Stick mediocre tubes in, and you'll regret it. The plate voltage is so damned high, that it'll fry a set of Groove Tubes in 6 months (trust me, I used to own one).

 

Also, look for old Sunn 6550/KT88 powered heads. My Sceptre with 6550s is wayyy louder than the B2Rs & SVT3Pros i've tried.

[Detox]

I paid $350 for my Traynor YBA-3 last year, and it has plenty of power. It's been modded to use 6550s.

[sumasmreq]

I don't mind distortion, its for rock anyways.

[Cortfan]

I have a SF Bassman 100 that does quite nicely, and has plenty of volume thru a 2/15" cab. I use a POD 2.0 for a preamp/effects.

[sumasmreq]

It would be pushin an ampeg 410hlf

[Detox]

Originally posted by sumasmreq It would be pushin an ampeg 410hlf

 

 

Mine does.

 

[MageZ]

Maybe used Yorkville YBA200.

[NeonVomit]

SS are nicer and dont use up tubes

 

*runs away cackling madly*

 

 

But seriously, pretty much any tube head will work out okay. Those Traynor 200 heads are nice. Also an Ampeg VB-1H would be a good shot. MAGs are pretty loud, but tubes are louder.

[bassman1956]

 

[sumasmreq]

what about ampeg v-4?

[der oxenrig]

Originally posted by sumasmreq what about ampeg v-4?

 

Yes, but you'll have lovely tube overdrive as well.

[sumasmreq]

mod it with 6550s and to v4b specs?

[Yools]

Get a used Mesa Boogie Buster Bass 200. They show up on eBay quite frequently, and you could probably get the head for less than $500. Right now there's a 1x15 combo version on the 'Bay starting at $750; the combo can be used with an extension cabinet.

 

I've been using one for the last 3 yrs or so and it puts out plenty of volume. Great rock/metal tones.

 

-Yools

 

[PS: I tried to link to the auction, but for some reason it won't work. On the eBay home page, type "mesa bass" in the search line to find the auction]

[Zeromus-X]

Which 410HLF? I hate that there's several kinds and no one ever differentiates between them.

 

If it's the PR410HLF, that's a very inefficient cabinet compared to their others, so yeah, it's gonna take some power to get it moving. I don't know about the SVT or the BXT, never used them.

[der oxenrig]

 

Originally posted by sumasmreq mod it with 6550s and to v4b specs?

 

 

That mod is somewhat pointless as it only adds about 10 watts of clean headroom.

[sumasmreq]

actually I lied its the 410HLN SVT style.

 

How does that traynor/ampeg combo sound for fender basses?

[mikgag]

lemme know when you're selling the MAG:)

[factoressa]

I've never played a Mag 300.

But a SVT-2 or SVT Classic will peel the paint off the walls, and its not even up all the way. Both are 300 watts, but sound so much louder. My SVT-2 kicks the crap out of my old Trace head.

 

If you're on a budget, though, a Traynor would probably be a better choice.

[Detox]

 

Originally posted by sumasmreq actually I lied its the 410HLN SVT style. How does that traynor/ampeg combo sound for fender basses?

 

 

 

 

I played my Mustang through the Tray/'peg rig before I traded it, and the tone was good for me (I prefer an "older" sound). However, I never played any other model of Fender bass through it. I currently use a Stingray, Corvette Std., and Jay Turser Beatle bass with it.

 

If somebody ever buys the guitar amps I have for sale, I'll immediately order up a '62 RI P-bass from Ishibashi, and let you know how it sounds.

[Markee]

If your tube amp is eating up toobs too fast there's an easy fix any tech can perform on it at a nominal cost. If it's cathode biased that can be fixed as well. Proper bias is the key.

[sumasmreq]

Thats good. I love the older sound, definately trying to go for a 60s tone, and/or overdriven bass. I heard the traynors (yba-3) don't really break up unless you have a pedal, which is fine too. I plan on running my sovtek big muff through it once in a while for a real raunchy sound.

 

And I will be listing the mag at 220(+shipping if your not local) But I will probably go local because in SLC we have a lack of good midrange gear, and its nice to keep stuff in town for everyone.

[der oxenrig]

 

Originally posted by sumasmreq Thats good. I love the older sound, definately trying to go for a 60s tone, and/or overdriven bass. I heard the traynors (yba-3) don't really break up unless you have a pedal, which is fine too. I plan on running my sovtek big muff through it once in a while for a real raunchy sound. And I will be listing the mag at 220(+shipping if your not local) But I will probably go local because in SLC we have a lack of good midrange gear, and its nice to keep stuff in town for everyone.

 

 

All tube amps will break up if you run them hard enough. Problem is, once you get above 200 watts, the cabs will start farting once you start overdriving the amp.

[der oxenrig]

 

Originally posted by Markee If your tube amp is eating up toobs too fast there's an easy fix any tech can perform on it at a nominal cost. If it's cathode biased that can be fixed as well. Proper bias is the key.

 

 

You don't get it. The Bassman 135 has an ultralinear transformer, and uses tons of voltage on the plates, in order to try to squeeze every last watt out of the tubes. Bias has nothing to do with it. {censored}ty tubes will blow quickly in that amp.