Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

[Robert Delahunt]

All,

I'm looking for advice. Can't say when and where, but I'll be going TDY soon. I'm looking for a good ALL TUBE amp, cheap and light as possible. I'll be going on the road with guitar and ME-50 multieffects, so I'm hoping I can get a clean sound from the amp. I'll add effects later.

For what it's worth, I liked the Marshall gold-face MG15DFX and its cousins, but I'm not seeing "tube" in the description. Still, I don't need the effects it has, but if I can't find a decent tube solution + ME-50, I may have to get one for weight and space saving.

I'll go to the music store and test out some amps tomorrow, possibly, as well.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Fender Blues Jr. man, seriously

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Fender Blues Jr. man, seriously

Thanks, but I'm not sure that would work. I think my airline limit is 85LB for my gear, then I have carry-on's. Are you sure?

 

[V!N]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

I liked the Marshall gold-face MG15DFX and its cousins, but I'm not seeing "tube" in the description.

If you liked it, than what does it matter ? Seriously, if just for going on TDY, there's no need to have a tube amp for the little bit of noodling you're going to do at all.

In most of the tiny practice tube-amps of today, the sonic advantages of tubes don't really shine anyway and the Blues Jr. is not what I'd tall "tiny" anymore. What good are tubes anyway if all they do is stay clean to process what you're feeding them with your Boss plank ?

The Marhsall MG15CDR has two channels, reverb and a headphone jack. That ought to do it. You can save more space and weight by keaving your Boss home. Not being able to hide any flaws in your playing with a bunch of effects, your technique might improve as well.

You could have your shop or a friend send it to you at the base so you won't have to take it on the plane with you in the first place.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

If you liked it, than what does it matter ? Seriously, if just for going on TDY, there's no need to have a tube amp for the little bit of noodling you're going to do at all.

In most of the tiny practice tube-amps of today, the sonic advantages of tubes don't really shine anyway and the Blues Jr. is not what I'd tall "tiny" anymore. What good are tubes anyway if all they do is stay clean to process what you're feeding them with your Boss plank ?

The Marhsall MG15CDR has two channels, reverb and a headphone jack. That ought to do it. You can save more space and weight by keaving your Boss home. Not being able to hide any flaws in your playing with a bunch of effects, your technique might improve as well.

You could have your shop or a friend send it to you at the base so you won't have to take it on the plane with you in the first place.

+1

You want light, rugged, and clean? That sounds like a small solid-state amp to me. Try a bunch out . . . there are a lot of good sounding solid-state amps out there that are great for practice.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Actually, I would say he'd be more of a contender for one of the smaller digital amps.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Yeah, he could go with a Roland Cube or Vox AD and leave the Boss Multi-FX at home.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Roland Cube's a good pick.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

I like my Roland Cube

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Well I was hoping to take my ME-50 on the road with me, since I like using it. It has Line Out that simulates an amp signal, etc. However, the Roland cube is cool and is rather small. I just detest amp modelling, but it doesn't matter that much since I won't be performing with it, just using it. Another option is to get a small keyboard amp to use with the ME-50 Line Out, which would mean buying the Behringer Ultratone KT108 15w Keyboard Amplifier for $59. What would you guys do?

 

[ErikH]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Airline safe + tube amp = expensive road case

Suck it up and get a modelling amp. The little Roland Cube or Vox DA5 will work fine for what you need it for.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Airline safe + tube amp = expensive road case

Suck it up and get a modelling amp. The little Roland Cube or Vox DA5 will work fine for what you need it for.

I use to work travelling to the Far East and play clubs out there.

I also tried the modelling and pedal boards via the PA route.

Get the best combo you can find, a solid road case, insurance, take picture of your gear (Inside and outside), then Purchase a business class ticket - the airline watches your equipment better and has a higher weight limit for free transport.

Big pluses - better seats, food, first on and off with special case to your luggage.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

I use to work travelling to the Far East and play clubs out there.

He's not going to be playing out though, as he said. So, he doesn't need all that. Heck, he could get by with a PodXT and some headphones.

 

[Robert Delahunt]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

I use to work travelling to the Far East and play clubs out there.

I also tried the modelling and pedal boards via the PA route.

Get the best combo you can find, a solid road case, insurance, take picture of your gear (Inside and outside), then Purchase a business class ticket - the airline watches your equipment better and has a higher weight limit for free transport.

Big pluses - better seats, food, first on and off with special case to your luggage.

I won't be rocking out, and I don't get to choose my ticket. The govt buys it for me. I was just thinking, since I already have the ME-50, maybe a PA amp, but the difference in cost is not much.

He's not going to be playing out though, as he said. So, he doesn't need all that. Heck, he could get by with a PodXT and some headphones.

Ew, Line 6! :joke: Actually, I don't know why I didn't think of just bringing my ME-50 and using headphones. Thanks!

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Actually, I don't know why I didn't think of just bringing my ME-50 and using headphones. Thanks!

Best idea yet. I'm gonna also suggest you check out something like a Korg Pandora. They're tiny, relatively cheap, and will fit in your guitar case. I had the second generation Pandora, and for a device that's smaller than my tv remote, it sounded pretty good. Another plus of the Korg is built in drum patterns.

 

[lex666]

Re: Advice: small all-tube amps, airline safe

Sounds to me like you haven't tried the Vox AD15VT. I can't recommend them enuff. Their very impressive and sound great for sucha little amp. I too, am turned of by amp emulators, but the Vox does a really good job and sounds very natural.

If you just gonna be doing some headphone noodling, I'd check out Boss's Micro BR. It records, its got built in effects, a tuner, drum tracks, its a MP3 player, guitar trainer, you can remove vocals and guitar and jam along to the back-up music and much more. Check it out.