Build a bass rig for under a grand...

[jhopkns]

Mike Dean has a bass terror as a backup to his 400+, it sounds killer. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't like that thing. Dan from Clutch also uses one in his stage rig.

[rayinreverse]

If your valve amp isn't broken, and your tech isn't crooked, no way you should be revalving an amp every year.

Sansamp VT bass into a power amp is a pre and power amp, but only in a pedal and amp sort of way, set and forget, velcro it to the amp, its by far the most bang for your buck amp doable, with a s/h peavey power amp.

Cab is always going to be the major limiting factor in sound so most budget there, unless they are dead quiet and need a tiny rig, which I'd assume would mean not being even nearly associated with this site.

The Hartke LH heads are really good, especially for people who want to keep it simple, maybe go for the 500 because the 1000 is two power amps with bridging and balance so more complication and unlikely to have cabs that can do much with that sort of power.

this guy nailed it. sansamp into a power amp. Sansamp used to make a rackmount version too. Put that in a rack with a nice power amp. Get yourself an 8x10, and call it a day.