I’d get in touch with a guy like Skip Simmons who’s modded a lot of old tube PA amps into guitar amps.
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Vintage Amp Repair, Expert Fender Amp Repair | Skip Simmons Amp Repair
Ask if he knows of any high powered mono power amps that would work well with an outboard preamp. Let him tell you about anything from 100 watts and up. If you start with 300 watts as a bottom line requirement he’ll think you’re an idiot and blow you off. Maybe listen to one or two of his podcasts The Truth About Vintage Amps before you call him.
Thanks Jeff, looks very interesting, I will get in touch shortly, if I can't find what I want. So far it's not
been very encouraging !
I’m using a Mesa Buster head as a tube power amp for an Avalon U5 via ‘effects return’.
Sounds absolutely great, and the MV works. Unfortunately the return is post graphic Eq, however the head isn’t really that heavy - and is really, really loud and maintains an incredible clarity. I haven’t had to exceed 50% MV to keep up with a really loud band.
I’ve owned a Mesa 400+, and a Bassman 300 Pro and they were both brutally heavy compared to the Buster.
Sounds absolutely great, and the MV works. Unfortunately the return is post graphic Eq, however the head isn’t really that heavy - and is really, really loud and maintains an incredible clarity. I haven’t had to exceed 50% MV to keep up with a really loud band.
I’ve owned a Mesa 400+, and a Bassman 300 Pro and they were both brutally heavy compared to the Buster.
I'm using a pair of laney nexus tube amps (400w rms each) they're discontinued now but have enough power to drove whatever is hung off them and enough clarity to be used as hifi monoblocks right up till the volume is brought right up...Great amps from a manufacturer that deserves more credit.