Amps under $500

[JMP/HBE]

 

[ErikH]

Good video and explanations. I've always liked the Vox and Marshall offerings. Heck, my last 2 amps have been Voxes, a modeler and the current being the AV30, which they marked as an all analog tube amp. And it is aside from the effects, but it's an analog modeler with 2 x 12AX7's in it. It's once of the best amps I've ever owned. If I get another tube amp, I know I'll be looking at Vox and Marshall.

 

[formula73]

Awesome video

 

[JMP/HBE]

*** note to self : Blackstar amps suck.

 

[Top-L]

Without Peavey cranking out new designs every five years, I didn't realize how few modern options there are for inexpensive but good amps.

I was going to suggest a JSX or XXX combo, but those are 20 years old now.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Without Peavey cranking out new designs every five years, I didn't realize how few modern options there are for inexpensive but good amps.

I was going to suggest a JSX or XXX combo, but those are 20 years old now.

Hard to believe isn't it ?
The XXX was suppose to be a George Lynch endorsement with PV but never happened.
I played a JSX combo [demo'd] and thought it sounded great and i know Satch got great live tones with those amps.
All Peavey Meridian MS USA operations ceased years ago.
Its all the Peoples Republic of Jina made now.
Hartley PV is 80 now and likely wearing adult diapers.

 

[GuitarStv]

If you were in Canada, you would have to add the Traynor YCV40 to the list. Kinda like a better build HRD.

 

[dave74]

*** note to self : Blackstar amps suck.

Man there are so many come up on my area craigslist for fairly cheap. I've had to remind myself a few times why that is,,,,,,and pass on them obviously.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Man there are so many come up on my area craigslist for fairly cheap. I've had to remind myself a few times why that is,,,,,,and pass on them obviously.

The Tech in the first video is very good ive seen many of his repairs and he really gets deep into his craft.
I never really knew that much about BS amps but if this Tech sez Blackstars are "un-serviceable" i believe him and i also find that surprising as well.

 

[Mincer]

I have a Blackstar acoustic amp that rocks.

 

[Top-L]

Great video. It does seem like it would be a lot harder to give up on a tube amp than on a modeling amp that was out of warranty and had been purchased mainly on features, technology, and value for the money. By the time it breaks down, the technology has advanced, perhaps dramatically, and the appeal of cutting your losses and getting something new can be strong. That is probably what I would do on a sub-$500 modeling amp, and I don’t think I would be sore about it.

My next tube amp, I think I will go for something with a fair-market used value that would be significantly more than the cost of a few hours of a tech’s time. More of an investment, more “my amp” than something with a MAC address that I happen to own for a few years.

Honestly, tube amps have begun incorporating features that make older tube amps obsolete. Today's tube amps are not immune to becoming obsolete.

Many of them have some kind of power scaling and can sound great at any volume. They also seem to have more tonal options, things like DI compensated output, midi switching, sound recall, etc.

I think the tube amp of the future, at a minimum will have all those things.

 

[Demanic]

I guess that is progress, as most people define it, but I would like to have at least one tube amp that is built like an anvil, supremely serviceable, and sure to outlive me.

You just described the Randall RG120-ES. Except for the tube part.

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[Top-L]

I guess that is progress, as most people define it, but I would like to have at least one tube amp that is built like an anvil, supremely serviceable, and sure to outlive me.

If the company that builds said amp is still in business, I'm sure they will be willing to provide support.

One amp that comes to mind, that seems to fit the bill of the modern amp is the H&K Tri Amp. Complex yes. Serviceable? Cant believe that a 5K amp is throwaway. If it needs service, they probably do it at the board level.. cheaper to replace board than pay a tech to find said problem.

 

[Demanic]

I like the irony that, though we often think of tubes as being fragile (as they are made of class with a vacuum and a delicate, intricate origami of metal parts inside), tube amps made in the hand-built styles of fifty to seventy years ago are tough as railroad spikes and will never be at the mercy of some SMD circuit board that nobody makes anymore. As long as you can find tubes and suitable transformers, they will always be serviceable, barring some catastrophically destructive mechanical incident.

Solid state amps built in the 70's and 80's are the definition of "bullet proof". Peavey, Randall, Ross. You have to work hard to kill them.
And they sound just fine.

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[Demanic]

My first real amp was a Ross 80 watt ss combo. Closed back with a 1x12 speaker. It had pre and post gain controls. It sounded great and it could get loud.

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