Amp Recommendations

[Lee Bob]

Hey guys I'm starting to consider for a small tube amp combo to maybe get for christmas. I have been yearning for that genuine tube sound for awhile and although my little Behringer is cool for recording it just can't replicate tube tone.

What I'm looking for is a 1X12 combo in the 15-30 watt range or perhaps 50 watts with an attenuator, that can have decent cleans (prolly won't get great cleans w/o more headroom) and also muster some thick, killer crunch. However, price is a major issue, if it wasn't I would already have a Mesa Mark IV combo and wouldn't be asking this question. Basically my limit is $600-700. I have heard good things about the Peavey Classics but wasn't sure if they have enough gain for what I'm looking for.
Any and all recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Lee

[Lee Bob]

Re: Amp Recommendations

Also does anyone have any comments on the Ashdown Fallen Angel 40?

[Rich_T]

Re: Amp Recommendations

I really like the Marshall DSL 40. The cleans are the best ive heard from a marshall, and the crunch can get as brutal as you like on the boost channel.

[texasguitarslinger]

Re: Amp Recommendations

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. 40 watts, 1X12 8 ohm, 3 channels, two inputs, foot switchable (included), effects loop, extension speaker jack. You can usually find used ones in mint condition on eBay from $350 to $450. They run about $550 brand new.

There's a buttload of info on this amp HERE

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Amp Recommendations

I think you'd like those Ashdowns. I haven't personally played on one, but they have a few at a local boutique store that sells very expensive amps, and they tend to like the Ashdowns because they offer great clean and gain channels for reasonably lower money. Try and find a dealer. The Traynor Custom Valve 40 might be another one of interest, which offers what you're looking for.

[Fatty]

Re: Amp Recommendations

A Peavey Classic 30 or 50 might be worth a look for ya. Can usually be scored between $300-500 on the used market.

[mrid]

Re: Amp Recommendations

I think you'd like those Ashdowns. I haven't personally played on one, but they have a few at a local boutique store that sells very expensive amps, and they tend to like the Ashdowns because they offer great clean and gain channels for reasonably lower money. Try and find a dealer. The Traynor Custom Valve 40 might be another one of interest, which offers what you're looking for.

Ashdown is supposedly the new Hiwatt, in terms of build quality.

[Thurisarz]

Re: Amp Recommendations

Laney VC-30 is my cup of tea

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Amp Recommendations

What I'm looking for is a 1X12 combo in the 15-30 watt range or perhaps 50 watts with an attenuator, that can have decent cleans (prolly won't get great cleans w/o more headroom) and also muster some thick, killer crunch.

A Peavey Classic 30 or 50 might be worth a look for ya. Can usually be scored between $300-500 on the used market.

Thick, killer crunch on a Classic 30? I don't think so ...

[ankalar]

Re: Amp Recommendations

I really need to brush up on my tone descriptions, I need sound samples of "thick," "creamy," "loose bottom," and "tight bottom."

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Amp Recommendations

I really need to brush up on my tone descriptions, I need sound samples of "thick," "creamy," "loose bottom," and "tight bottom."

Thick + Creamy = Carlos Santana (and potato soup)
Loose Bottom = Zakk's detuned guitar sound (and Mimi from the Drew Carey show)
Tight Bottom = Most old school rock tones, like AC/DC (and any super model you can think of)

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Amp Recommendations

Laney VC-30 is my cup of tea

I've got a Laney VC-30 1x12 for sale & the cleans are fantastic, but "thick, killer crunch" ??? Not without a pedal...

It truly is a poor mans Vox & with the proper tubes, you can get some great footswitchable overdrive out of it, but for any type of metal, I'd look elsewhere.

My personal opinion though is you can make a good clean amp crunchy with a pedal, but you can't make a crunchy amp nice & clean. With that, you might wanna consider a Rivera for the best of both worlds.

Other than that, I'd grab a Fender, Peavey.....Laney VC30 1x12 ...& a good distortion pedal, like the Line 6 Distortion Modeller (the gold one) for that killer crunch!!!

[NT02]

Re: Amp Recommendations

I had a Fender Hot Rod DeVille and now own the Peavey Classic 30. The Peavey gets great metal crunch with hot pickups. It doesn't do the tuned down nu metal stuff like a Randall would in that price range, but it's tube tone that WILL do 80's metal/shred. I have Groove tubes in mine, using the stock speaker(for now) and sometimes a 2x12 extension cab. The Peavey also does blues well, and the cleans are nice IMO. Get one used on Ebay for $300. The Fender's overdrive never did it for me. No hard rock/metal there at all. Ok for blues. Couldn't tell ya about any other amps. I did demo the Marshall DSL 40 at Guitar Center, but for so much more than the Peavey, I wasn't that impressed. Course, I didn't spend that much time with it. Hope this helps!

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Amp Recommendations

well, depends on how important cleans are to you

a couple hundred bucks can get you some good drive out of a hrdx, and the cleans are excellent, typical american fendery cleans

but its gonna take a lot more than a couple hundred to get them out of a peavey, but you'll have some nice drive