alex, the Ampeg V4b would probably be a OK choice for a tube 100w head. Fender Bassman 100 or MusicMan HD130 are usable for bass if you use a a pair of 1x15 or a 2x15 cab and not playing at ear-shattering levels.
The MusicMans with 6L6 tubes are probably a bit punchier on bass than the earlier EL34-tubed models, which are more Marshall-y on guitar, especially with a dist/od pedal in front. You can substitute 6550 tubes in the EL34 models for more headroom... but you might need a fan to cool them.

To get a loud, low, full, punchy tone from a tube bass amp, the SVT is the benchmark choice.

YBA-1A or YBA-3. They're called something like 90W and 140W respectively, but those are supposedly the ratings at which it can pass signal distortion-free. Distortion can be part of the beauty, of course.

If you can get a master volume YBA-3, it will slay for both guitar and bass. Loud or quiet. Clean or dirty. Anything except for super loud and clean at the same time.

The YBA-1A is also a fine bass amp. It's still my number one choice for guitar or baritone. Bass, I want more power. But I have a couple YBA-3A's, so...

If you're in Chicago anytime soon, we have three YBA-1A's, all slightly different, and three YBA-3's: one with EL34's, one with 6L6GC's, and one with 6550's. And a Mesa 1x15. And a SVT410HLF. And a couple 2x12's. You could bring your bass and see exactly what sounds good to you.

I could also get the B25 and/or V4 all retubed and up and running optimally, too... and bring over the '66 bassman.

Dear God, I have too many amps. And no money in my 401k. Go figure.

I'm getting close to being ready to open my business... where people come and audition amps before deciding what they want to buy. Kinda like a vintage music store, only without selling anything. Just a service.

Or if you're not coming to chicago, just buy a YBA-1A. It's heavy to lift, and a joy to play.

I was gonna say that like 2 pages ago, but sometimes I feel like that's all I ever say when anybody asks about what amp to buy.

Or like many folks have said already, the V4. Just barely more expensive, but still well worth it.

scott wrote:YBA-1A or YBA-3.

Respectively the "Bassman/JTM45" and the "Marshall," right?
I'm learning from you (I think).

I'm getting close to being ready to open my business... where people come and audition amps before deciding what they want to buy. Kinda like a vintage music store, only without selling anything. Just a service.

Wow!
Sounds great.
At the same time, I have no trouble getting a useable tone out of any decent amp, and I'm only a part time bass player, hence the desire to have a bass amp that's good for guitar as well. I trust you more than nearly anyone else when it comes to Tryanors, so your ears are good enough for me.

Or like many folks have said already, the V4. Just barely more expensive, but still well worth it.

As you, EH and others have stated. I love Ampegs but I'm leaning towards the Tryanor. They are a great value (still) and sound fantastic with guitar.

Thanks a million again, everyone.
Scott, if you want to PM me with some prices, I'm interested.

Best
-A

i have one question regarding this.
suppose that you want to use a bassman 135 head for guitar AND bass.
is there any cabinet (2x12, for example) that can work good for guitar and stand a bass guitar at the same time?
i suppose any bass cab will work, but im not interested in a 'bassy sound' for the guitar. i play mostly jangly-powerpop, not bassy distorted mathrock or something. probably even a bassman is not the right amp for me, but i like the idea of being able to play both instruments with the same head.

thanks.

How about a 4x10, Benny?
Though 10's are probably voiced differently for bass and guitar, a cab loaded with 10's and a horn might be pretty good.

I bought a V4BH and a 6x10 cab. It sounds pretty great for guitar with the horn turned up.

-A

The bass player in my old band used to play a Jazzbass into a Bassman 135. I always liked his bass sound. Volume was never a problem.
The amp sounded really good for bass and guitar through a Fender 4x12 Tonemaster cab with 4 Vintage 30s.

thanks!
something i dont get...
the fender tonemaster is a guitar cab right? so, if its voiced for guitar, how the bass doesnt blow up the speakers exactly? i dont know much about the physics of cabinets and guitar/bass heads, escept with the rule ohmygodpleasedontplaybassthruguitarspeakers.
or the problem is with the head, not the speaker? i can throw any cab and it will work for bass?
im mostly interested in this for guitar, and some bass in a few songs (if i buy this head at all).

Im not sure, but I believe that you can use whatever cab as long as it has enough wattage for bass. Bass amps are usually rated with high wattage, unlike guitar amps where 100W is more than enough(Tube).
So using a 400w bass head on a 100w guitar cab would be a good idea. But using a 100w bass head on a 100w guitar cab would work.

If the EQ of your amp is set to have tons of bass/low mids, then yes, a guitar cab(8", 10" and some 12" speakers) would suffer from that, because it's not built for these frequencies. but again, if you're not pushing the speakers hard (low volume), then I think it would work.

I thought the initial question was, if you could use a bassman and play bass and guitar through the same cab.
The Tonemaster cab has a power rating of 240W, so we were never really worried about using a bassman head with it.

eliya wrote:If the EQ of your amp is set to have tons of bass/low mids, then yes, a guitar cab(8", 10" and some 12" speakers) would suffer from that, because it's not built for these frequencies. but again, if you're not pushing the speakers hard (low volume), then I think it would work.

so, the thing is the speakers, right? i was thinking about a 2x12 with two speakers with big wattage rating or something like that.

max wrote:I thought the initial question was, if you could use a bassman and play bass and guitar through the same cab.

yeah, thats it. see my signature