advice on small tube combo amp

[mi_canuck]

Peavey Valveking 112 and Fender Blues Jr are both in the same neighborhood pricewise, ie. <500 (on MF).

Difference is the Peavey is 50W and the Blues Jr is 15W. Not sure if they are rated the same or not (i'm not completely familiar with class a power, class a/b, etc...)

This is just for home use - not for gigging. I definitely don't need anything super loud, at least not right now.

I've got an Epi SG with Jazz/JB p/ups. I tend to prefer modern alternative (nirvana, tool, pumpkins, etc.), although a bit of zeppelin too, and a bit of metallica thrown in as well.

I currently have a Park G10 - which is small but a good starter amp - got it for cheap. Doesn't have reverb but it does have this odd dual gain feature. It's a decent little practice amp - although wouldn't mind getting something that sounds a little better for <500. Preferrably tubes - which I know might be limiting.


cheers

 

[barbarianbrute]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

screw that. go with the pro jr. for around $200 less:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Pro-Junior-Combo-Amp?sku=480511

or even better, for about $50 less:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Laney-LC15-15W-1x10-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=481329

 

[ponch]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

I would say a used deluxe, they rip and they are eardrum bleeding loud.

 

[mi_canuck]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

not looking for something earbleedingly loud...


what about the Epiphone Blues Custom for a bit more?



thnx

 

[BFahz]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

JSX on eBay? I bet you can find a good price. Sounds great at low volumes. and you have all the headroom if you do want to jam with a badn every now and again.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

I really like the Fender Blues Jr... sit me down with one of those and a 72 Tele Deluxe and I can get as heavy as Nirvana and as chimey clean as the Beatles by just turning the volume knobs on the guitar.

The Epiphone Valve Jr. is sweet too. $100 for a head, $250 for the head with the matching cab...they sound great stock and you could use the money you saved to modify it to your hearts' content.

 

[Top Jimmy]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Mesa F-30 for around 500. Nicest cleans Mesa makes, enough grind to rock out.

 

[mi_canuck]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Mesa F-30 - can't find on Mesa's site... Is that a discontinued model? The Lone Star, Express and Rect-O-Vert are about all I can see in terms of combo amp from them. Silly question - but why aren't Mesas sold at Guitar Center or Musicians Friend? Can't even buy online from their own site from the looks of it... Is there some sort of mystique with Mesa amps? Forgive if I know nothing of them other than hearing they a little more high end that some other brands.


cheers

 

[barbarianbrute]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Mesa F-30 - can't find on Mesa's site... Is that a discontinued model? The Lone Star, Express and Rect-O-Vert are about all I can see in terms of combo amp from them. Silly question - but why aren't Mesas sold at Guitar Center or Musicians Friend? Can't even buy online from their own site from the looks of it... Is there some sort of mystique with Mesa amps? Forgive if I know nothing of them other than hearing they a little more high end that some other brands.


cheers

yeah the mesa express starts at $1000 and the prices are set solid by mesa. at 25 watts, it's very loud too. have you checked out that laney i linked to? you might consider that. i've hear really great things about laneys and plan to buy one myself.

 

[Top Jimmy]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Mesa F-30 - can't find on Mesa's site... Is that a discontinued model? The Lone Star, Express and Rect-O-Vert are about all I can see in terms of combo amp from them. Silly question - but why aren't Mesas sold at Guitar Center or Musicians Friend? Can't even buy online from their own site from the looks of it... Is there some sort of mystique with Mesa amps? Forgive if I know nothing of them other than hearing they a little more high end that some other brands.


cheers

Yep, discontinued. I don't like the Express as much as little as i have played it, plus the Express is fricken expensive.

Search ebay and Craigslist for used one, usually can be had for 500-550.

 

[Gamera]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Another vote for a Blues Junior. Great little amp with lots of tone and potential. Don't be fooled by the wattage. 15 tubes watts can be loud as heck and you can gig with it in smaller venues.

Although there really is a whole world of great alternatives out there for home use that are in-between your starter amp and a full-blown tube amp for a lot less. Modeling amps can be great for this.

 

[Aceman]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

screw that. go with the pro jr. for around $200 less:

I say Ix-ne on the Pro Jr. great at home amp - but for what the dude wants I'd say the Blues will be the best choice. More flexible for more of his music.

Love my Pro J. though!!!!!

 

[mi_canuck]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

would a fender hot rod deville (60w 2x12) be overkill (local guy selling one for great price)? i'm still learning and it's not like i'll be gigging any time soon... does a deville need to be turned way loud to get great sound?

there also someone selling a hot rod deluxe for a decent price (40w 1x12)

for my needs the blues jr would probably make more sense (15w 1x12)... for playing in my living room.


thought?


cheers

 

[Surgeon]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Some of you guys are suggesting 30-more watts tube amps for a guy who states that he won't be gigging and will solely use the amp for indoor/bedroom use?

60 watts would IMHO, definitely be overkill... anything over 15 watts will be giving you something useable in a band or even live setting, which is a plus. However, you'll find yourself using your amp on 2, maybe 3 most of the time (I'm taking into consideration that playing indoors in your house means that you have neighbors or family members that you don't want to PO...).

 

[mi_canuck]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

well i do live by myself and have the whole house to myself - so i'm the only one that i will annoying if that makes any difference. For right now all I need is something to practice with at home. Although would be a bonus to have something i can grow with a bit, it would be a waste having only on 2 or 3 all the time and not using it to its full potential.

thnx

 

[Smilemon]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Pro Junior!

 

[thespricket]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

The Crate palaminos are in that same price range, ive heard they sound better than the pro Jr. Ive played both the valveking and the crate, way more impressed with the crate.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

I'm in the same situation you are in. Need an amp for bedroom use more or less.

Had a Peavey Classic 50 left over from my gigging days way too loud. Sold it
Got a Blackface Fender Vibrochamp- 6 watts also way too loud. Sold it
Got a old Marshal SS <10 watts still way too loud. Sold it.

Eventually I have ended up with a Vox DA5. The amp can be run at 5, 1, or 0.5 watts.
I run it at 0.5 watts with the preamp volume at 12:00 when I'm playing clean, and the master volume at about 7:00 or 9:00. At that point it is almost too loud, but it has headphones so that is what I use.

Good luck on your search.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

Buy used. Buy an old Fender from the 60's, 70's, and have a lifelong amp that's really good.

The heck with all this newfangled junk.

 

[James Rock]

Re: advice on small tube combo amp

If you want tube then valve junior or pro junior are good for tones but you won't get heavy distortion without a pedal. For home use I'd look into a vox valvetronix amp that way you could mess around with lots of different tones at lower volumes (no need for added distortion pedals for the heavier stuff!) and won't cost you too much.