Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Pierre

Pierre

Stratologist
ARGH I can't believe I'm doing this; I've become so out of date with the amp scene, stuck in my safe European home...

I'm doing the company talent show in a bit and I don't have a valve amp, just my practice Vox.
I'd like to spend no more than 750 euros for a multi-purpose amp, with emphasis on cleans and light- to mid-Overdrive tones, with a good reverb. It'd spend 99% of its life indoors though, until I find the time/talent/will (pick 2) to find myself a band...

Potential choices (and no, I can't try them. Shops are closed the summer over here...):

1) Blues Junior III. Cheap, great great cleans, not so much in way of second channel but well, I have a well furnished pedalboard...
2) Tubemeister 18. Probably comes with a kitchen sink, but no reverb. Le gasp!
3) Laney VC15. Used to have one. Juicy tones. Not a lot of headroom at all, but that may just be an issue with the others on my list
4) Hot Rod Deluxe. Because why not? Still 'just' a 1x12 so not that much heavier than the Blues Junior...
5)...?

I think the local shop has a coupl of Egnaters... But I can't try anything until mid-August.

Anyhoo. What do y'all think?
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Tubemeister 18 combo is 1x10 with digital reverb that isn't bad. Only issue I have with it is the clean channel is not as loud as the gain channel. That is only a problem if you are playing with it turned up and no PA. The redbox direct out makes the amp basically a monitor and you run it into the PA and let the soundguy control the volume. Outstanding little amp but it is made in china and has obvious corner cutting and lousy tubes to start with.
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

What about a Vox AC15? I thought they sounded pretty sweet last time I tried one. Not sure if the two channels are footswitchable or not, though...
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

I gotta check out one of the blues junior 3s. Sounds super vivacious in clips. Like a ménage trios in my ear canal. Oui?
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Seeing that you mentioned that boring Blues Jr ( ...i had one for 5 years), i threw some single channel amps in there too . . .

Vox AC 15
Laney VC15
Vox Night Train
Laney IRT Studio 15
Mesa Boogie Transatlantic 15/25 (Fender Hot Rod is 40W)
Traynor YCV20WR (15 watt amp)
Blackstar Artisan Series 15 Watt (twin channel)
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Well, you are in Luxemburg...I would think maybe a Hughes & Ketner of some sort.
What about George Dennis...is he still building amps for the EU.?
I do not know what you can get over there, or how much stuff costs.....Mesa...Vox...Orange...Traynor.
good luck
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Get the same amp Vashu has - a Fender Super Sonic 22. With that, you get perfect Fender cleans, and one of the best gain channels Fender's ever come out with.
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Blues Junior.

You don't need multiple channels. Use the volume knob and pickup switch on your guitar - you can get a lot done with just that. Hot Rod Deluxe is fine, but sounds a little sterile and synthetic in comparison. The Blues Junior sounds like a real amp (is a real amp) and gets good tone.
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

The SS22 is a good shout. I'm just not sure you'll find one at €750.00. If you find one though...
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Yeah they're over 1100 here!
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

BrianS. said:
What about a Vox AC15? I thought they sounded pretty sweet last time I tried one. Not sure if the two channels are footswitchable or not, though...
Click to expand...

Having owned a Vox AC15H1TV... this was the first amp I thought of when the OP posted what he was looking for. A cheap A/B box, second instrument cable and you're switching between a "top boost" channel and an EF86 channel (different flavors of clean to light breakup). Top boost has more upper mid chime, the EF86 is a bit darker and smoother.
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

I'm affraid the AC style amps are really not my tone. I think I'll go for a Tubemeister 18 combo. Thanks!
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

The new model Night Train has 2 channels. There's also the Laney Lionheart L20, though the combo might be a bit more than your budget. Or the VC30 if you could use more power.
 
Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Egnater Tweaker? I was down to the H&K or this for a small tube head/combo. Give it a google.
 
Last edited:
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Too late. Got the Tubemeister 18 in the house today ^_^
Loud as **** as expected. Real great tones and amazing featureset!
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Congratulations bro.. Now flash the guitars and amps bro :)
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Hehe had one, sold it! It was very good, but very raw sounding. However, 6V6s are always win :)
In fact for the gig I have coming up it would have been perfect; but not cheaper when you add the cabinet cost, and the Tubemeister has a lot more features. Sounds amazing too :)
 
Re: Amp: 15W, valve, 2 channels, for cleans and light/mid breakup tones...

Gotta love that TM 18. I've drooled to own one ever since they first came out. Unfortunately, I have way too many amps already.

Good choice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

FuseG4
Incoming amp
Replies
9
Views
350
Solarflares
S
Z
What are your performance rigs?
2 3
Replies
59
Views
4K
Solarflares
S
misterwhizzy
That Experiment Didn't Last Long
Replies
18
Views
490
Binnerscot
Binnerscot
S
Has anybody used a car or hifi amp as clean power for a guitar rig?
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
Solarflares
S
FuseG4
Anyone else get themselves an amp for holidays?
Replies
9
Views
580
Bill Dennis
B
Back
Top