Recommendations for a new head unit..

ira · Post by **ira** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 11:39 am

Hi everyone,

I am toying with the idea of getting a new head unit and wondered if anyone had any insight into the amps i am looking at. I am looking to get an all tube amp because i havnt really been all that happy with any solid state stuff i have used in the past. so far the two i have put under consideration are:

Sunn 300T
Mesa Boogie Bass 400+

Anyone have any experience with any of these and how a ric sounds through them? any other suggestions for a nice amp that will compliment my ric?

thanks
Ira

BTW, i play a 81 4003 fireglow rick. i love it. best bass...ever.

banta · Post by **banta** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 11:51 am

I use SVT-CLs, and a Ric sounds awesome through them. I've heard good reports on the Mesa, although an occasional negative on its preamp. I've not heard any reviews on the Sunn, although I had a '70s Sunn 200S and wasn't impressed.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 3:41 pm

You should check out a Peavey Classic 400 Amp. I've recently seen a couple available on Ebay. They are quite rare, because Peavey only produced them for 18 months.

I own one. And have had it for the past four years. It's got 8 x 6550 power tubes and 5 pre-amp tubes in it. There are 2 channels, one clean and the other crunch each with their own separate tone controls. You can switch between channels via footswitch or combine them.

Last time I checked, my amp was measuring 443 watts RMS output on the meter. The amp has a ton of features which are far to many to mention here.

Don't let the Peavey brand name bother you! Everyone i've ever talked to about these amps raves about them. They sound awesome and are built like a tank!
Cheers,
Jon

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 4:37 pm

Ira-- I fully understand your sentiment about an all-tube bass amp. But 8 years ago, I found a hybrid model that, to my ears anyway, was right on par with any pure tube amp you care to mention. It was an Eden WT-500; great warm tone and plenty of power for most playing situations. The combination of this amp and my Ric 4003 always got plenty of compliments.

The WT-500 has a single tube pre-amp stage with a hefty solid state output. I retired it a few years ago only because I felt compelled to downsize my rig due to advancing age and wear & tear on the joints. Most of the music I play nowadays is acoustic/folk/bluegrass in more subdued playing situations; the Eden rig was simply overkill. I now play through a Walter Woods amp and a Euphonic Audio 4 ohm 2x10 cabinet. MUCH easier to take to the occasional gig.

The Eden WT-500 is still in practically new condition, and available at a reasonable price should you ever be interested, or know someone who would be.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Dec 16, 2002 8:03 pm

Ampeg b2r .... with a Line 6 pod or a Tech 21 Sans amp for tone shaping.

Also Rics sound real good through a combination of 10" and 18" speakers. I use a 2x10 and 1x18 setup.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 6:06 am

make sure any bass head you get has an xlr out ... I like to run into the 6000 watt pa when I play with my band ... kicking throgh the horns, 15" mids, and 18" subs really adds to the bass sound!!!

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 7:15 am

My Ricks sound great through my Mesa 400+ (and two EV-loaded Mesa 1x15s). It's also noticeably lighter than an SVT or Peavey Classic.

carno · Post by **carno** » Thu Dec 19, 2002 6:25 am

I’ve been playing for 30+ years, I’ve played through Fender/Peavey/Ampeg svt/harke/Mesa. I prefer the Mesa. I had the 400, but sold it 10 years ago because I wasn't giging. Started giging again and now own a 400+. Great tone - versital - plenty of head room.

craigv · Post by **craigv** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 9:40 am

I'll second the SVT recommendation and add the SVT-4PRO. I've had mine a few months and love it! It was a tough decision between these two amps. The higher power and slightly tighter tone won me over with the -4PRO.

I tried out a Sunn 300T...apparently one of the last ones around this area. It's got an awesome tone and gobs of power. The only reason I shied away was the lack of availability for a matching Sunn cabinet. I'm just funny that way...I like my equipment to match. At any rate, it seemed like a very cool amp and definitely worth a checkout.

As always, play before you buy.

ricnvolved · Post by **ricnvolved** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:10 am

My recommendation is to take a hard look at a Walter Woods Ultra Hi-power amp. Serious power & tone, but with a serious price tag. However, it comes in an incredibly small package, and if portability is an issue, it will pay you to at least look into it. Don't let the fact that it's solid state in design put you off. I was a confirmed tube-hybrid man until I discovered the Walter Woods amps. You lose nothing in tone.

A few years ago I got fed up with lugging heavy gear around. Then I learned about the Walter Woods amps and Euphonic Audio cabinets. I took my time and did some extensive research on the internet. Many well-informed folks out there had the highest of praise for these 2 names, so I decided to take a chance. They were absolutely right. Now I don't dread loading up for the occasional gig. There is NOTHING out there that I would trade my current gear for.

Hope this info helps in your decision.

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Mon Jan 06, 2003 10:31 am

The Mesa 400+ is grand-until retubing time. 12 6L6s + 12AX7's. But the TONE. SVTs are pretty finicky if not setup correctly.

SOlution, buy both!

bigbajo60 · Post by **bigbajo60** » Wed Jul 09, 2003 9:20 pm

And speaking of a new head unit...

Does anyone here have experience with or own...
1) a Mesa Boogie Buster! head or combo... OR...
2) a Mesa Boogie M-Pulse 600 head or combo(Venture)?

These M-Pulse's are relatively new, but the Buster!'s aren't. As a matter of fact, they're already discontinued items! They seem interesting, though... kind of like updated versions of old Bassman amps!

Anyone have an experience-based opinion?

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 2:22 am

I just tried a Buster head a couple of nights ago, wasn't too impressed.

big_g · Post by **big_g** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 4:47 pm

I have a 400+ and I buy 3 matched quads at a time of 6L6GC's and have gotten great hard clean tubes for no more than $170.00.
I didn't have to replace them as often as I did, but I was giging a lot, at the time and I'm fussy 'bout my sound and I always have back up sets.
Not anywhere near as heavy as a SVT, new or old style. I like that, but if you want a hard overdriving sound, it's not as good at that as the SVT. To make up for that I use the new Ibanez
PHAThead, bass overdrive and distortion. They are great with Ric's, dirt cheap and well built.

P.S. If you get a chance to try one, adjust the drive up a bit, get your desired bass and treble tone, then leave the OD and Dist mini switch off.
Then use it that way or hit the first and second harmonics blend switch. With a Rick it's instant Geddy and Chris crunch and bite, without the full on distortion.

dave4004 · Post by **dave4004** » Thu Jul 10, 2003 5:41 pm

I paid $120 for my last matched set of power tubes for my 400+. It's just part of the cost of owning one, if you want that tone you gotta pay the price.