Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Can anyone recommend a reasonable tube combo for medium-sized gigs? My Kustom K100(2x12) does OK, but I think a decent tube amp might improve things.
Also, does anyone play with felt picks? I like the sound I get, but of course, the strings cause them to shred up a bit and I wasn't sure if that could be bad for the p'ups. 2 cents, anyone?

There was some discussion about the Ashdown amps, but they are not tube, but a lot of people really like them.
http://www.ashdownmusic.co.uk/bass/detail.asp?ID=79

Yorkville/Traynor makes some nice gear at a reasonable price.

I tried the rubber picks once. It's better to play finger-style if you want that tone.

The Ashdown ABM range is tube isn't it?

Used them before (never owned) and they were quite good

I know that the essence of "tube goodness" was what oozed out of my former Mesa Boogie Buster 1x15 combo... but I don't see how it's 90-some-pound heft would let it qualify as reasonable!

I play with felts but mostly on my Guild B30 acoustic. Sounds really nice. I use to play them on my '67 4005 but would use compressed air to clean off the residue from the felt. Never had any issues.
Also used them on my Danelectro DC. Really go sound came out with that combo.
I like them.

OK cool, thanks for the leads. I'll see what I can come up with. I'm pretty sure the tone I'm after is a product of an SVT head (early Clash), but we're just getting started and nowhere we'll play around town would need that kind of firepower, ha.

I do not consider an amp with one or two 12AX7s a "tube" amp. In fact, I wouldn't even consider the Mesa/Boogie Big Block 750, with it's four 12AX7s, a tube amp. If it doesn't have power tubes it is a hybrid amp.

What is it about a tube amp that makes you think it might improve things? What needs improving?

Good question Jeffrey, my tonequest may actually be the result of my amp's lack of mid controls. That, and a nasty case of GAS, or AAS in this situation. Either way, I stay in trouble with the law (the missus). I'm trying for a warm, non-attacky rolled-off treble sound that avoids mud. I probably just need to look into a decent EQ pedal, my old old MXR 6 band has about had it.

Rick + SVT = Heaven

You don't have to turn it up all the way but that does make it sound even better. I play in my house and the SVT at low levels still sounds good. Now if you were saying reasonable as in price then gee I don't know. Them tube amps get pretty pricey unless you score a deal used. Now if you meant reasonable as in weight well my "portable" rig is a SWR 1 15" cab with the SVT2. It is way harder to lift the freaking SVT then it is to lift the cab which is pretty ridiculous, but once you play it its worth it. I think anyway. I saw a few traynor heads in a musicians friend catalog and they were not that expensive for being tube amps. So maybe try that. But if you can I would go with an SVT or maybe like a matamp.

Hey Lee...

...this looks like it might fit the bill, although it's in the UK and operates on euro voltages:

http://cgi.ebay.com/60W-VINTAGE-TUBE-AMP-BASS-GUITAR-HEAD-VALVE-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ7397554669QQcategoryZ58719QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just thought I'd point it out since I'm not sure where you're posting from.

I always thought that small tube bass combo's were a bad idea as the ventilation/vibration could have a negative effect on the amp.

But I do like the Bassman 10 for a 'small' combo!

Julian, I think you are probably right. I need to bone up on the various SVT models/vintages. Gear is constantly changing hands around town, so I'll keep my eye out. Thanks everybody!

Does anybody have(or has anyone played through) one of the new Ampeg re-issue fliptops?

100 all-tube watts and a 15" speaker.

Kinda pricey, kinda heavy(110lbs) and I've never seen one in person...yet I am intrigued by them!

The fliptop sounds nice. Classic ampeg tone. Just like ricks most ampegs have "that" sound. I don't like solid states usually but the ampeg ones sound decent. I would use them if I ever got tired of lugging around the tubes.

that reissue B15 is sweet, its even go a half-power switch.

But there's somethin about a handwired board...

Oh well, its been discontinued I believe