Absolute best small combo.....?

[hellatone]

Assuming price is no object, what would you buy in a small combo amp (however you define that) to play guitar blues? (with one caveat -- you actually have to have heard it) :smokin:

 

[greendy123]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

For a nice overdriven blusey tone I would try a crate palomino out. The 5w one is perfect for lower volumes with a decent tone. The 30w one has a bigger speaker, 2 channels, and actually has eq settings if you care about them.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

I should just say that the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe would be my ideal combo. Probably not the best in most people's eyes though.

 

[MDS]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

Absolute best? Of amps I've actually played a fair amount I'd go with a Matchless, Talos, or vintage Princetons or Deluxe Reverbs...

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

I like my Blues Jr, with a few little mods. I'm sure there are some boutiqe amps out there that can do it better, though.

 

[ES350]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

'57-'59 tweed Bandmaster or Pro, FEI BF Pro Reverb, Gibson GA20...you need all four of them.

 

[DesertRose]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

Cornford Harlequin 6 watter

 

[Hoss]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

I like my Blues Jr, with a few little mods. I'm sure there are some boutiqe amps out there that can do it better, though.

ditto...it's really tough to beat for the $$$!

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

Cornford Harlequin 6 watter

An absolute gem!

 

[Kelsey]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

My Bad Cat Cub IIR and '54 wide panel tweed 5D3 Deluxe are my top picks. My tweed Gibson GA-18T Explorer (similar to a tweed Fender Vibrolux) would be my 3rd pick. Others that have really impressed me are the Bogner Metropolis, Savage Macht 12 (would love to hear the Macht 6), Marshall 18-watt 1974X, a 5E3 tweed Deluxe or a tweed Pro, and a Fender BF or SF Vibrolux Reverb.

 

[Rocker35]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

Cornford Harlequin 6 watter

+1 A smokin' little amp.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

The problem is that if price were no object I'd want to pick up multiple amps!

Why settle for one!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

I've got to say my modded blackface Fender Deluxe Reverbs each with a Celestion G12H30 12" speaker are my two favorite amps that I own.

I have other small amps, like my '51 Fender Super and '58 Fender Deluxe that also sound killer...but the Deluxe Reverbs are probably the most versatile small combo amps I've ever owned.

If I need more power or clean headroom I move up to my '66 Fender Vibrolux Reverb with two C10N's and if I need more power still I move up to my Matchless Chieftan.

At NAMM this year, the small combo amp that blew me away was the Talos.

Lew

 

[itbepopples]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

My Bad Cat Cub IIR

:headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:


My favorite combo so far.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

I liked the Bad Cats and Matchless DC30s a fair amount
however, the one I have used in the studio and gotten amazing sounds from -
the Budda SD30 (older model, with tube rec).

I also had amazing results with my Mesa Mark IIB, but it was heavy and I needed a lot of other junk to make it sound good, that pissed me off!

 

[Liquid]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

I dont know how small you mean but i like the fender blues junior.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

For blues and bluesy rock like early Led Zeppelin, I use a 65 Fender Champ and a Univox U45-B with an A/B/Y pedal. Awesome IMHO.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

+1 for the Cornford Harlequin

Id add a vintage Gibson GA5, 1 volume knob, 5 watts, I love that amp. I know it is not liked by many, but i love its natural tone chunky tone.

 

[hellatone]

Re: Absolute best small combo.....?

Lew -- what mods to your DRs?