Hi all,
So I usually prefer to practice for extended periods through the plugins in my DAW. They have totally replaced my tube amps now. I consider tube amps like V8 engines--still usable, slightly impractical, and a bit much when a V6 or even V4 will do.
With that said I've been browsing for small practice amps. Mainly I want to use them to test out pickups at my table to see how the pickups sound. So I really need a clean portable PA system more than an amp.
That said clean tones with cheap solid state amps seem to be improving all the time and, while they may not be musical, they will probably be very clean and flat.
And while I'm at it I might as well get something with a halfway decent distortion tone in case I want to practice in another room away from my DAW.
I would prefer a small combo amp.
Speaker size does concern me. Since 12" is the standard I figure a 1x12" is enough. Smaller speakers may make the guitar distortion more than usual or not sound like it would in a 4x12 situation.
There isn't much use for increased wattage since to my knowledge doubling wattage only produces about 3 db difference in volume. If you want loudness you actually need more speakers moving more air, and a lower wattage will break up at a lower volume than a higher wattage amp.
(Still, I have heard some people say "Avoid the 50 watt version of amp X because it's garbage compared to the 100 watt version.)
The thing is we are at a technology crossroads where it is hard to figure out where you'll get the most bang for your buck.
You've got tubes, solid state, and digital options all competing for the same space, and now with Internet connectivity, tone capturing, and impulse responses available, shelling out for a 25-50 watt solid state 2 channel amp just seems a bit underwhelming these days even if they are only $200 or so.
I'm thinking $300 tops. It's easy to spend a bit more and then you're just chasing a better amp.
The 50 watt Boss Katana seems really hot right now. I am leaning toward it. Still, the Yamaha TH line also seems very competitive. Roland Cubes and some of the Fender Champ practice amps seem decent.
Every small solid state Marshall I have tried sounds terrible. As I live in the South I have more experience with small Peavey amps. Their Transtube stuff was not bad but not great, and I think I would be better off paying for a more modern option than something like a Solo, Bandit, Rage, etc. I also played a lot of Crate stuff in the 90s when I was just starting out but as they are defunct now that doesn't matter.
At this price range I would prefer to buy brand new direct from the manufacturer or at a slight discount from a third party. I am leery of buying from Reverb. I'm afraid I'd get an amp that wouldn't be in very good shape.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
So I usually prefer to practice for extended periods through the plugins in my DAW. They have totally replaced my tube amps now. I consider tube amps like V8 engines--still usable, slightly impractical, and a bit much when a V6 or even V4 will do.
With that said I've been browsing for small practice amps. Mainly I want to use them to test out pickups at my table to see how the pickups sound. So I really need a clean portable PA system more than an amp.
That said clean tones with cheap solid state amps seem to be improving all the time and, while they may not be musical, they will probably be very clean and flat.
And while I'm at it I might as well get something with a halfway decent distortion tone in case I want to practice in another room away from my DAW.
I would prefer a small combo amp.
Speaker size does concern me. Since 12" is the standard I figure a 1x12" is enough. Smaller speakers may make the guitar distortion more than usual or not sound like it would in a 4x12 situation.
There isn't much use for increased wattage since to my knowledge doubling wattage only produces about 3 db difference in volume. If you want loudness you actually need more speakers moving more air, and a lower wattage will break up at a lower volume than a higher wattage amp.
(Still, I have heard some people say "Avoid the 50 watt version of amp X because it's garbage compared to the 100 watt version.)
The thing is we are at a technology crossroads where it is hard to figure out where you'll get the most bang for your buck.
You've got tubes, solid state, and digital options all competing for the same space, and now with Internet connectivity, tone capturing, and impulse responses available, shelling out for a 25-50 watt solid state 2 channel amp just seems a bit underwhelming these days even if they are only $200 or so.
I'm thinking $300 tops. It's easy to spend a bit more and then you're just chasing a better amp.
The 50 watt Boss Katana seems really hot right now. I am leaning toward it. Still, the Yamaha TH line also seems very competitive. Roland Cubes and some of the Fender Champ practice amps seem decent.
Every small solid state Marshall I have tried sounds terrible. As I live in the South I have more experience with small Peavey amps. Their Transtube stuff was not bad but not great, and I think I would be better off paying for a more modern option than something like a Solo, Bandit, Rage, etc. I also played a lot of Crate stuff in the 90s when I was just starting out but as they are defunct now that doesn't matter.
At this price range I would prefer to buy brand new direct from the manufacturer or at a slight discount from a third party. I am leery of buying from Reverb. I'm afraid I'd get an amp that wouldn't be in very good shape.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
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