Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Hey y'all. I've decided to upgrade my big amp. I figured this time, instead of getting something that "sounds like" a tube amp, I'd go for the real McCoy. I've tried a few different heads and cabs and seem to like the SVT classic/ ported 4X10 cab(410HLF?) best.(I think Bob Young should collect some sort of royalties from Ampeg for every Rick Forum member who buys one of these things by the way!)

So my question is: I'm also thinking of getting a bass pod at some point down the road. Is this silly? Is a bass pod going to work well with an SVT classic? Or would I just be buying a tone-shaping device(the bass pod )that isn't as good as the tone-shaping device(tubes) already in the head? Should I be looking at solid state rack-mounted heads and a rack-mounted bass pod instead?

Thanks in advance,

JT

The Bass Pod is very cool. I don't have an Ampeg but I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed with it. Just be sure to read the manual. I have the Bass Pod XT which is not rack mounted (XT Pro). Rack mounting would make for a cleaner setup and the XT Pro has more features but either would work nicely.

I'm not Bob and I have a Mesa Bass 400+ (and no Bass Pod) but I don't think it would be silly. The tone shaping on any amp is different from the Pod's specific modeling.

Thanks, guys!

You might want to look at the Genz Benz heads. They've got a great combination of tube & solid state electronics and you can choose how much of the signal goes through which processor.

Also, take a look at the Mark Bass heads. You can check out their specs at www.clubbass.ca. They're phenomenal.

Even though both of these are VERY up-to-date elctronically they can produce a WIDE variety of sounds including that "tube" warmth.

Good luck!

Nothing sounds like a real SVT and I'm set up for paypal, haha!

Dave 4004 ...
How do you like your Mesa 400+, seen a couple of those go past on Ebay, as well as a 400. They look very interesting !!!

I'm curious if anyone has tried a Traynor YBA 200: all tube, 200 watts, $600.00.
http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?cat=40&id=263&type=32

Lindsay, not tried it personally, but have spoken to a few who have.

Far as I can tell the new Traynor YBA200 is as good as any tube amp that Traynor has built. Comes with Traynor's two year no haggle warranty as well.

Price is really good, and the amp appears to be well made. I'd love to try one. An all new 200w Tube amp for that price is a great deal.

Traynor has also made a matching cabinet which has 2x10 and a 1x15 in the same enclosure, sounds interesting too ...

I like the idea of the resonance control that controls the damping factor of the amp, the damping factor is how well the amp controls the movement of the speakers. That's pretty unique, I've never seen an amp with that before. Could make it tight or loose.

I've got the Yorkville XS400H with the matching XC115 cab & COULD NOT be happier.

http://www.yorkville.com/products.asp?id=247&cat=15&type=32

them old Traynors were great-a deal for sure.

The MESA 400+ is an engineering marvel/nightmare. Ya gotta see the power supply and filtration on this thing.

But to service?

12 matched tubes, 11 caps ...

But it's only a dozen 5881-6L6, not really an expensive power tube. And it's worth it. I've heard plenty of great Ampegs, but I'll stick with the Mesa.