Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Tubes have a punch to the sound that solid state just can't match, in my experience. I have both a SVT-2 (300W tube) and a SVT-3 (450W MOSFET) and both have the same design preamp and I use the same cab, but the 300W tubes have a more solid punchy sound over the more power MOSFET amp and thus sounds more powerful.

jps wrote:

johnallg wrote:After McCartney's Letterman appearance last night and playing with his band on the outdoor marque, I'll bet the Mesa 400+ orders go up as it was prominently displayed behind him.

The 400+ was discontinued, so that may be a bit difficult to fulfill.

I got one that doesn't get played much...new set of caps too.

jnbass wrote:

jps wrote:

johnallg wrote:After McCartney's Letterman appearance last night and playing with his band on the outdoor marque, I'll bet the Mesa 400+ orders go up as it was prominently displayed behind him.

The 400+ was discontinued, so that may be a bit difficult to fulfill.

I got one that doesn't get played much...new set of caps too.

Here come the---------------------

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I have been and avid SVT (tube) and either 4x10 or 6x10 (depending on venue size) user for some time. Agree with what John says above about tubes, and what a great match with the Ric.

That being said, the weight has been getting to me (80+ lbs for the amp and 110 - 135 for the cabinet).

I was in a local shop recently and laid eyes on the new Genz Benz Shuttlemax 12.0. 1200 watts, split between two amp sections, and two preamp sections (tube and FET). It had two cabinets, a 2x12 and a 4x10 (both around 60lbs). I gave it a whirl and was impressed. I bought it. Had it now about 3 weeks, rehearsed and gigged wth it. I find I can get a pretty darn good tube sound with the tube preamp....I almost can't tell the difference between it and my SVT. Plus I've got the FET section which I preset for a different sound....the sections are switchable with a foot switch, or you can combine them.

The best sound is with both cabs, but the venues we have played since I bought it have been smaller so I've just used the 4x10. It is quite punchy and well rounded. The 2x12 I leave at rehearsal....as you would expect it has some midrange honk to it...as I say, both cabs together are killer. Did I mention the amp weights 6.75 lbs?

You might check it out if there is a local shop.

beacon wrote: That being said, the weight has been getting to me (80+ lbs for the amp and 110 - 135 for the cabinet).

That's what singers are for !!! "Hey you - over here!"

beacon wrote:I almost can't tell the difference between it and my SVT.

You're not playing loud enough

An Ampeg SVP PRO is on its way to my house. I had one before and always regretted selling it (to finance a 4001c64 I just sold to finance this. ) I also will get myself a Marshall 9200 power amp (2 x 100 Watt full tube) this weekend. This is a bit of a gamble as I never heard one (for bass). But it gets very good reviews about its cleanliness, so I guess it could very well do as a bass amp. It has 5881 power tubes, so I expect a Fenderish sound. If my gambling turns out wrong I can allways sell it with little loss.

It's all subjectuve, but I like my rack system of a sansamp preamp, qsc 2450 power amp, dbx160a compressor all through ampeg MAG series cabs.

phlemmy wrote:It's all subjectuve, but I like my rack system of a sansamp preamp, qsc 2450 power amp, dbx160a compressor all through ampeg MAG series cabs.

Hmm, Ampeg makes a MAG series, too?

Marshall superbass or Hiwatt....or maybe Ampeg V4B.

jps wrote:

phlemmy wrote:It's all subjectuve, but I like my rack system of a sansamp preamp, qsc 2450 power amp, dbx160a compressor all through ampeg MAG series cabs.

Hmm, Ampeg makes a MAG series, too?

I have tried Ampegs several times and just can't get the sound i like from them.

My humble rig.
GK 700RB II with an Avatar 210 and 212 NEO covered in blue tolex.

I have the 210 modded with removable rack rails so the GK can ride securely if I just want the 210 tilted upward.

For small gigs I use an Ampeg B50r and for big gigs an Ampeg B100R!!!

These work fine for me and sound great!

I recently saw a used Mesa 400+ for sale at a local shop for about $900, I almost went for it, but honestly, it would not get played. Too much juice!

I heard talk of a bass amp that had one of those "seeing eye" tubes in it; you know, the ones that glow green and were originally used in radios and TVs to assist in tuning, I believe. I have one in my guitar's lexicon 284.

Does anybody know the name of the amp of which I speak?

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Phil Jones; they're now at http://www.philjonespuresound.com

I find their cabinets to be sublime!