Fillmore 25 Alternative(s)

[GreatOz]

Good day,

I'm in the market for a good 6v6 amp (prolly 6v6).
What I want is Blackface-style cleans, but somewhat vintage-y overdrive that is tight and smooth without being harsh.

I found the Mesa Fillmore 25, but was wondering if there were other similar amps that will do a good late 70s/early 80s rock and SRV-style blues, but also deliver a decent approximation of classic blackface cleans.

I'm not against a speaker swap (I use currently use a 1x12" with a Celestion V-Type), but would prefer not to. Fender uses the V-Type for their '68 Custom Reverb and I really liked it's clean tone, but the overdrive wasn't to my taste personally.

I would prefer a head vs a combo, the budget is $2K, and wattage limit (lowest amp setting) is 30W because of the attenuator I ordered.

Thanks for the tips and advice!
GreatOz

[Mincer]

The Mesa Blue Angel is another great choice. It comes in a 4x10, 2x10 or 1-12" varieties. It is like a Blackface mixed with a Vox, with maybe even more mids.

[GreatOz]

Well, I found a Fillmore 25 on sale and ordered it today. It'll get here soon, and I know it'll handle everything I throw at it.

[Ascension]

Congrats. Sounds like it will make a good amp for what you are trying to do with it. Played a couple of them nice rigs.

[playas]

They seem like fantastic amps.

[Mincer]

Interested to hear what you think about it. Please do a video or soundclip with pics.

[GreatOz]

Interested to hear what you think about it. Please do a video or soundclip with pics.

I will when I get the time, I'll have to set myself a reminder about it at some point lol. If I remember, I'll compare it to the Blackstar (same microphone positions). Plan is to record with an e906 and an SM57, pretty classic mic combo.

[GreatOz]

Update: the Mesa comes in on Saturday.

But the Ironman II Mini attenuator came in and I'm actually surprised at how good it helps even the Blackstar I have now.

The clean was a little better, but the overdrive is actually quite a bit better; tighter, more focused, more harmonic, and strangely clearer-sounding, despite the power tubes being overdriven. Kinda difficult to describe.

Will post sound clips around the same time as the Mesa.

[Erlend_G]

Cool stuff, man! Mesa's are great!!

[devastone]

I was going to recommend the Revv D20 (or G20 if you want more gain), but looks like you already ordered the Mesa.