As a bass guitar player, having the right amplifier can make a huge difference in the overall sound and performance of your music.
Especially tube bass amps because they offer natural sound and distortion which I love.
The tube bass combo will give you a distinct sound that can be used for everything you want.
What’s The Best Tube Bass Amp?
Here are some of the best tube bass amps you can get and use for recording, on stage, or just for home.
1. Orange AD200B MK3
Orange AD200B MK3 is a powerful and versatile tube bass amp that is perfect for both recording and on stage. With 200 watts of power, this amp can easily handle the demands of live performances, making it a great option for bass guitar players of all levels.
It’s a single-channel tube amp head for bass and has a minimalistic preamp section with gain and master volume knobs and 3-band EQ. The amp uses 6500, 12AX7, and 12AT7 vacuum tubes and has very diverse sounds. You can play clean and dirty bass tones without issues.
Orange AD200B MK3 is perfect for a variety of musical genres and playing styles, including rock, metal, and punk. With its powerful sound, versatile tone options, and ease of use, the AD200B MK3 is an excellent choice for any bass guitar player looking for a tube amp.
2. Ampeg V-4B
Ampeg V-4B is a classic tube bass amp that has been a favorite of bass guitar players for many years. With its powerful sound and versatile tone options, the Ampeg V-4B is perfect for a variety of musical genres and playing styles.
This bass tube amp head features 12AX7 preamp tubes and 6L6GC power tubes, produces 100 watts of power, and has some interesting features. For example, has a -15dB input option and my favorite ultra-high and low-frequency boost.
V-4B by Ampeg is one of the best tube bass amps you can get and it can be used for anything you like. You can record, play live, practice, and use it for various playing styles.
3. Ashdown CTM-100
Ashdown CTM-100 is a premium tube bass amp that offers a powerful and versatile tone for bass players of all genres. With 100 watts of power, the CTM-100 provides plenty of headroom for big stages, while tone options allow you to dial in different kinds of bass tones.
This bass tube head uses 12AX7 and 12AU7 in the preamp section and KT88 in the power section. Offers 3-band EQ and each knob have switches to shape sound further. Also, it offers DI output, high and low inputs, and built-in compression.
In terms of its playing style, the Ashdown CTM-100 is well suited for both fingerstyle and pick players, as well as for those who prefer a more aggressive, distorted tone. Its ability to handle both clean and overdriven sounds makes it ideal for genres such as rock, metal, and punk, where a powerful tone is a must.
4. Ampeg Heritage SVT-CL
Ampeg Heritage SVT-CL is one of the best tube bass amps and works perfectly with any bass speaker cabinet. This amp is considered a classic because of its massive power and versatile tone, which has made it a favorite of bass players all over the world. With 300 watts of power, the SVT-CL is capable of driving even the largest venues and festival stages.
The amp features a single channel, a -15dB input, and 3-band EQ, and uses 12AX7 and 6550 amp tubes. Interesting features of the SVT-CL bass head are high and low boosts and a frequency knob that has five positions and offers various midrange tones.
Ampeg Heritage SVT-CL is best suited for fingerstyle players who are looking for a classic, vintage tone. Its massive power and versatile tone make it ideal for genres such as jazz, blues, and rock, where a classic tone is a must.
5. Gallien-Krueger Fusion 112
Gallien-Krueger Fusion 112 is another top-rated tube bass amp that is considered one of the best in the market. It has a power output of 400 watts and features two channels. This amp also has a range of tone controls, including a 4-band EQ, tone control, and lo-mid and hi-mid controls.
This is a hybrid bass tube amp and features 12AX7 preamp tubes while the power section is solid-state. Also, it’s a combo amp, not an amp head, and includes a 12″ speaker with an additional 1″ tweeter which is great for more tone versatility. It’s a class D amp with awesome options such as balanced output, footswitch, various voicing, etc.
A very great bass amp for everything – recording, live playing, or rehearsals. It sounds great, has amazing features to dial in desired tones and it’s versatile which means it can be used in different music genres.
Summary
All amplifiers listed here are the best bass tube amps and they can be used by professional bass players. Each amp offers its own unique features, tone, and versatility so it’s up to you which one is the right for you.