ampeg V4 / vt-22 lovers - can any other amps get a similar sound?

[monark]

I ask because I'm having some major amp woes with my beloved vt-22:

- the reverb unit produces microphonic feedback even after replacing all three reverb tubes
- the top of the chassis is loose and buzzes loudly when the amp is making sound
- the cabinet in general is in bad shape, just doesn't feel solid, the chassis kind of moves around in it too 
- i just blew a speaker
- it's running 6550s in the power section and I'm sure could use a total retube

to fix all of which would probably cost me close to what I paid for the amp in the first place. Initially I figured hell, I'll just get another one in better overall shape and sell the old one, but they're not that easy to find for cheap anymore it seems, one just went for around $800 on ebay (not that it's not worth it, it beats the hell out of a similarly priced twin).

I love the sound that comes out of it, huge, clean, warm, low end for days but so clear... ahhhh... ahem. anyway, if I was going to get a different amp, what could hang with a vt? My bandmate has a '76 Hiwatt custom 50 which totally fits the bill, but I don't have the means to be dropping $1500+ on a head at the moment.

I'm thinking along the lines of a Music Man HD-130, maybe one of those Sunn T50C combos fender put out a while ago with an extension cab? I dunno. any ideas?

[monark]

uhh... update: the chassis is spring loaded and is supposed to move around in the cabinet. also I bought a new Jensen  C12-N to replace the C12-N I had blown, and the reverb issue might be the plate. sigh. i guess I'll just put some more $$ into the vt and try to suppress my GAS. it seemed like such a good excuse to buy a new amp 

[guinsu]

I do know about a band that went the other way.  The guitarist from Hum used an Orange OR-80 or 120 through his career.  A few years back he came out with a new album under the name "Centaur".  He was using a V4 for that.  Sounded just like the Orange.  Granted he is one of those guys who must always have a similar sound.  But you could try an old Orange, though it will not be cheap.

[monark]

ah, i would love an orange, or a hiwatt, someday. til then, it's gonna be restoring the vt, I guess. btw the replacement speaker is a C12K, not N

[frippy]

FWIW I would spend the $$$ overhauling your existing amp. The VT-22 is a great amp and if you like it then it's worth keeping around. A Music Man HD will not sound like the VT-22 IIRC.