SteveXFR Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 I'm looking to sell both of my hybrid amp heads to buy one all valve head. I'll be looking used and I know that comes with some risk. My budget is around £600. I play metal and punk so I like a nice bit of dirt on my tone. I'll be using it with a pair of Trace Elliot 8 ohm 300w cabs, a 4x12 and a 1x15. I'm not sure about power output, my 500w Orange head generally doesn't go above 4 on the master volume and my 280w Trace head is not loud enough at 80% but I know watts don't really equal volume. What's your suggestions for a good amp to look for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Dare Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Rather than taking a punt on a used all valve head, why not look at a few valve pre's? Run one into the Orange (which you know does the job as far as power goes) and it will be lighter and less expensive to run (no replacing of main power valves needed). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 6 minutes ago, Dan Dare said: Rather than taking a punt on a used all valve head, why not look at a few valve pre's? Run one into the Orange (which you know does the job as far as power goes) and it will be lighter and less expensive to run (no replacing of main power valves needed). I've already got a valve preamp in front of the Orange. I should have mentioned that I've had a few amp failures and each time it's been the solid state power section so I was hoping an old all valve head would be more reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Have you thought about a CTM 100 , they do come up now and again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 14 minutes ago, Reggaebass said: Have you thought about a CTM 100 , they do come up now and again I have, yes. They sound great but what's the volume like? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 (edited) 47 minutes ago, SteveXFR said: I have, yes. They sound great but what's the volume like? I know @Quilly uses one, he might be able to advise Edited September 16, 2021 by Reggaebass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 (edited) - Edited March 15, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 @stewblackwas selling an Ampeg that might fit the brief. I don't know if he still has it but hopefully he'll see that I've tagged him. Not sure it's quite in budget though... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 24 minutes ago, BreadBin said: @stewblackwas selling an Ampeg that might fit the brief. I don't know if he still has it but hopefully he'll see that I've tagged him. Not sure it's quite in budget though... An Ampeg SVT all valve head would be perfect I don't think I'll get one for £600 unless it's heavily soiled / battered / fried / stolen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 1 minute ago, SteveXFR said: 2 minutes ago, SteveXFR said: An Ampeg SVT all valve head would be perfect I don't think I'll get one for £600 unless it's heavily soiled / battered / fried / stolen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Hi Steve there’s a Peavey 225w head on reverb for €650, in fact I saw the same one for €590 on the actual shop site Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 https://www.essemusic.it/en/used/bass-heads/peavey-tour-vb-2-head-made-in-usa-/ supposed to be decent heads . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 1 hour ago, SteveXFR said: I have, yes. They sound great but what's the volume like? They are loud but it’s still just 100w. the eq is practically non existent, so if don’t like the tone you’re kinda stuck. There are mods that can be done but I’m happy enough with it as is. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveXFR Posted September 16, 2021 Author Share Posted September 16, 2021 5 minutes ago, Quilly said: Hi Steve there’s a Peavey 225w head on reverb for €650, in fact I saw the same one for €590 on the actual shop site Is that the Mk4 400BH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 26 minutes ago, SteveXFR said: An Ampeg SVT all valve head would be perfect I don't think I'll get one for £600 unless it's heavily soiled / battered / fried / stolen Unfortunately mine has had over half that much spent on a full refurb so I'm hoping to get a bit more back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 If you see a Carlsbro 100 top around grab one. They’re usually cheap and sound great with bass. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 2 hours ago, SteveXFR said: I've had a few amp failures That's not normal. You might have a problem with the cab side of things if you are frying amps. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 17 minutes ago, stewblack said: Unfortunately mine has had over half that much spent on a full refurb so I'm hoping to get a bit more back. I thought as much but hey, budgets are for stretching - right? 🤭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 (edited) A good few years ago I had a Bugera BVV3000, basically a 300w SVT clone, it sounded great and was thunderously loud, was very cheap as I recall . I’m not sure what happened to these in the wild and whether they’re still around, But I couldn’t fault the amp at all …apart from being an obviously cheesy knock-off Edited September 16, 2021 by Quilly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 16, 2021 Share Posted September 16, 2021 Hi Steve if you play metal and punk you won’t do much better than your orange terror bass, I had one of the early models and it died on me a few times , I think there was a design flaw with the first model. I’d go for the mk2 for that money I think they ironed out all the potential issue. To get an all tube head as loud as an orange terror bass you’re looking at an SVT . I don’t think a 100w valve head will get you there . That’s just my tuppence worth 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 15 hours ago, Downunderwonder said: That's not normal. You might have a problem with the cab side of things if you are frying amps. Like an impedance mismatch (too low an impedance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doomed Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 When I decided to bite the bullet and get a valve head I borrowed a 100w custom made head off a friend to try at a band practice, admittedly we were stupid loud, but I couldn't even hear it and that was through my Barefaced Four10, that's why I went Matamp, I've never had a problem hearing that. Indeed one evening I decided to treat Kev (R.I.P) to a taste of his own medicine and 2 songs in was treated to a cry of, "For f***s sake turn that thing down!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la bam Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 I had the bugera bvv3000 - superb sounding thing. I tried letting everyone know just how good it was.... but I think people where put off by the bugera name for some reason. It sold in the end in really good condition for around £175 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilly Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 32 minutes ago, la bam said: I had the bugera bvv3000 - superb sounding thing. I tried letting everyone know just how good it was.... but I think people where put off by the bugera name for some reason. It sold in the end in really good condition for around £175 I got rid of mine because it was stupid heavy, I was afraid things might go wrong and an amp tech wouldn’t go near it. I’ve heard some issues with them regarding the self bias thing , but in general I think most people were happy with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Downunderwonder Posted September 17, 2021 Share Posted September 17, 2021 8 hours ago, Quilly said: Like an impedance mismatch (too low an impedance? Or blown driver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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