Tube Recommendations for Ampeg SVT 3 PRO?

[skullfxr]

this is copied from talk-bass. I don't see much solid recommendations from them.

Maybe some of you all can help...

I just snagged an Ampeg SVT-3 Pro for $399 shipped off reverb! It's in excellent condition and the gut shots are there to match!

I am primarily a guitarist and this is my dream bass rig in construction. Never owned a nice bass amp.

Saying that, I am a electrical engineer and I build and modify vintage tube amps regularly, and I have a massive stock of tubes. Everything that comes in my shop studio that I keep (obviously the SVT3 is a keeper) I fully retube. I have well over 100 new tubes, probably another 100 that have some degree of use on them, and a decent selection of NOS/VOS that won't liklely be going in the Ampeg. However I do have a solid stock of GE 12AU7's that I use rarely and would have no problem tossing one of those in there, as I never use them in guitar amps. And have a ton that I snagged for $4 a pop a while back.

What would you all recommend? I am fine with a bit of experimentation as well.

I don't have a cab for it at the moment, and have to save some cash. I am sold on Ampeg for the cab. Most likely a 4x10, but open to a 6x10 at the right price and time. I want to keep it under $400-500 and local (is that realistic?) but I am not going to sacrifice my 'dream tone' for a little bit of cash, if you catch my drift. I have heard of suggestioms for the "E" cab. Does anyone have any other options or thoughts?

Is there anything to check specifically on a used bass cab that would be any different than a used guitar cab?

This will be in my shop/studio and will not be physically going anywhere. The shop/studio is reasonably sound proofed (not acoustically treated) but volume is not a problem.

I may be getting rid of the genz-benz combo to fund the cab, but I am not sure as it's not bad to have a little combo to toss around.

What are your thoughts on keeping the genz benz? I feel that it sounds good overall and very easy to move. Financially I am fine to hold onto it and get the Ampeg cab, but I honestly am kind of torn.

Sorry for the wall.


TL;DR
Preamp tube suggestions for SVT3 PRO.
Cab Suggestions (ampeg only) for the SVT
Should I keep a 210 combo to have it around?

 

[skullfxr]

Personally everything that comes in starts Out fresh.

Maybe I should have implied brand and more for tone.

I am familiar with guitar tone and how different tubes impact the tone on a guitar amp. Not a bass amp.

I don't know where this amp would be more or less ideal with a brighter tube say on V1 here, or a darker tube in V3.

You can hand me a guitar amp and I know how from experience what sounds better where. I can't do that with a bass amp because I don't really know what I am looking for as my ear is not trained onto bass tone like it is to guitar tone.

That's all.

Also there is no problem with the amp. I will make sure everything functions as it comes.

I just want a good baseline of the tone when it comes in knowing what it sounds like with what you guys recommend.

I have no problem rolling tubes through and seeing what I like better once my ear is trained on the SVT. I just want a starting point that is a good place to start if you know what I mean.

The good thing is that I probably won't have to order any, as I have pretty wide variety of preamp tubes that are new.

Would you recommend starting dark (JJ) or starting more bright (Tung-Sol) for example? Experimentation is not a problem at all for me. I just am totally unfamiliar with the amp. And TBH other than technical specs (more EE) I don't actually know a ton about tube bass amps or bass amps in general. I know the iconic ampeg rumble that I like, and that's about it. It's the tone I have craved for a long time. I just happened to have the cash at the right moment and found an awesome deal.

 

[skullfxr]

That's some of the bits.

The SVT3 I snagged is in great shape and I got it for $399 shipped.