ok, thanks. so with the 300t will the same apply with the grindy tube amp sound?
Pretty much, but the 300T will get a
lot louder before you saturate those 6 6550's. I don't have any hands on experience with a 300T other than playing with the Fender version at GC, but it seems to have a very versatile pre amp circuit, much more so than any of my Sunn tube dinosaurs.
The 1200S is equally versatile, has more power potential, and is infinitely more practical from a logistics angle.
Keep in mind, you could literally fit
3 1200S's in the 300T's cabinet, and the 1200S weighs
less than half of what a 300T weighs.
Also, keep in mind that you are really talking about
Fender amps that say
Sunn on them. I have no problem with Fender amps, but they aren't the same as the Sundholm era Sunn gear that I'm a huge fan of.
I personally like the sound and richness of tubes, and nearly always use tube amps to play. Transistor amps are fine, I have some and I do occasionally use them. In the early 90's my tonal goal was a "plucked Steinway Grand piano", and spent piles of money in my pursuit. Clean, clear ringing tone while still moving substantial air in the bottom frequencies. It's difficult to get a tube amp to do that anywhere near as well as a transistor amp. A really BIG transistor amp. The "Seinfeld" soundtrack sound is difficult to attain without transistors (and active pickups).
For the last decade or so I'm back into a very fat, round, warm sound that snarls a little if you lean into it, growls when you push it, and goes all John Wetton on you when you really hammer it. Try
that with transistors.
Also what sort of prices are resonable? i've seen a 1200 for $899???
Got me, I would suggest paying the least amount you can. Look on eBay, if you catch it in a down swing you can still steal something.
