attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

[AniML]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I recently just got back my SCXD (orig model) after my son "borrowed" it for a few years. And I missed it. Channel 1 has great BF tone, on board reverb is decent. I had swapped the preamp tube for a tung sol and a Weber Alnico Sig speaker (smooth cone ) and it sweetens up the amp even more.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz II]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Very small = check
Super light = check
Master Volume = check
Deluxe Reverb quality tones = check

Then do look into the Victory V40 The Duchess (head)

Just add your own 1X12, or 2X12 cab.

 

[GreatOz]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Personally, I think the attenuator idea would suit you the best here. Specifically reactive attenuators/the ones that don't completely destroy your tone.

If you don't want to spend $500+ on a new amp, two specific attenuators come to mind.
The Weber Mass series, specifically the Weber MiniMass.
And the Tone King Ironman II Mini, for 30W amps (Sweetwater, as of the time of this post, is currently out of stock, Reverb might have some).

Both companies sell higher wattage versions for much more powerful amplifiers, but I think both of these are fairly budget friendly (sub $400).

Here are some midrange ($500 - $1K) options that might include some extra functionality if you need it, such as direct DI out.
The Rivera RockCrusher (also currently out of stock at Sweetwater).
The Tone King Ironman II (full size) for 100w amps (again currently out of stock).

If you want to go all out, you could also consider something like the Ox Box or the BOSS Waza Tube Amp Expander, but those are both $1K+ and in this price range, you could also look into other amps that may very well have the lower wattage setting you want as well.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I've learned the hard way that when you can't get good volume through the speaker that even attenuators don't give me enough of what I want for the investment
At least with the non reactive ones from Weber I've owned
Modeling amps try to give you that high volume tone at any volume and sure it's never as sweet and creamy but it can get close
I think in most people's houses, modeling is the simplest cheapest way to get the results
Better attenuators that basically are reamp boxes with impulse response are something I would like to try but alas they're expensive

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Better attenuators that basically are reamp boxes with impulse response are something I would like to try but alas they're expensive

thats basically a modeler aint it

 

[Mincer]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

thats basically a modeler aint it

Essentially, yeah. Good attenuators are as expensive as another amp, too. I think it is just getting the right tool for the job. If you need something quiet, a big amp just isn't the right tool.

 

[midnite_man]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Essentially, yeah. Good attenuators are as expensive as another amp, too. I think it is just getting the right tool for the job. If you need something quiet, a big amp just isn't the right tool.

I agree...if a person was recording and wanted to use a bigger amp for a particular sound but can only be mic'd proper with an attenuator I could see the usage of one. I plugged a Gibson LP loaded with a very old Gibson PAF and an equally very old SD JB humbucker in the bridge into the Super Champ this afternoon. The clean channel was pretty darn good, I thought, although I haven't run my pedalboard into the mix yet....cranked up, it's still a little loud but tolerable with good classic rock tone, and I expected that from 15 watts. It can also be played respectably at lower overall volumes. To my ears the stock speaker doesn't sound like an automatic speaker swap is in order....yet...but I can see that if a person wanted a certain tone that only a swap could accomplish it would make sense. I'll run the amp through my 2x12 cab w/V30's to compare speaker tone, but there's not too much I can say in a bad way about the stock unit. That being said there's a lot on this littled badboy to tweak that particular 10" cone with on the drive channel (which is a little noisy but comes with the turf in tubeamp gain-land), it can be dialed into a few different amp models and although I can't say I've played through many English amps (except for the Marshall JCM2000 head I have), especially a Vox, I definitely can hear those tones and it looks like the amp can be driven to upper drive levels with a twist of the Voice dial or can be tweaked with the volume, gain, and tone controls to sync it all together with a nice output, and it's better than the models I have on an older 120 watt modeling amp I also have but don't use (at least 20 years old). It only makes sense that the technology is so much better these days, and with that being said the fx on the SC are actually from fair to pretty darn good and can all be used in one way or another.
It's a good little amp (it was a great deal for $200, barely used near mint including Fender foot switch, but I think the MSRP $400 pricetag isn't unreasonable) that will definitely do what I need...easy to tote around, slightly lower volumes, all-tube, and a bonus of decent fx. Eventually it would be sweet to obtain a Vibro Champ or a Princeton, but there are so many new and old amps out there it's hard to keep up with all the info which is why I usually end up at our forum here to whittle it down some. Next up for the SC is tapping it into the V30's and with a Strat equipped w/SD/single coil's...for me that will tell be the true story of what the amp can do, especially with a pedalboard, but humbuckers' highs and lows sounded solid and very responsive using the guitar pots to drive the amp more. If a sweet deal on a vintage Vibro Champ or Princeton comes my way I'll probably consider buying one, but I don't see a reason to ever sell off a nice little amp like this Super Champ XD. A shout-out of thanks to the peeps who threw some comments my way on this subject, all pertinent and highly informational!
Hope all are safe and well!!