attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

[Synapsys]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

If it was $250 less, I would own one. They are expensive to start, but used ones are coming down. I hope they decide to also open up some options with the firmware, like allowing the tone stack to be changed on the normal channel. I do like that trem and reverb can be used on both channels, and that there is a direct XLR out to the PA.

Unfortunately I doubt I'll ever see one of them here in Portugal... if I get a good tax return, then just maybe I'll lose my nead and go for it. Stiill, I have my eyes and ears drooling for a P90 axe.... The DR tone is my holy grail for clean tones, but due to health issues I have to steer away from heavy loads, such as a valve-driven DRRI.

I don't believe you can use trem/reverb on the normal channel...

 

[Ascension]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Might want to look for a PRS Archon 25 combo. Own a Archon 50 head and it is absolutely a MONSTER bedroom amp. Will give a Deluxe a run on the clean side with more headroom and kill on high gain tones at a whisper. Will bet a 25 watt combo would absolutely kill as a low volume grab and go rig!! HUGE sounding amps at super low levels and are surprisingly MUCH easier to control than the 15 watt PRS MT 15 I also own at low volumes. The 50 watt combo also would be a killer low volume bedroom rig. Will stomp the heck out of just about ANY other low wattage amp I can think of in a bedroom situation in tone. Actually making me think about replacing my beloved Mesa Subway Rocket with a Archon 25 combo!

 

[midnite_man]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I like the Super Champ that I've played, and you can certainly get that cranked tone with the master volume. The new SS Deluxe has an attenuator with 5 or 6 positions, so if you like the sound of (modeled) 6v6s distorting, you can get that at a quiet volume, too. Most actual 6v6 amps turned up to the point of distortion are still too loud for home use, unless it is a master volume amp, and then you are distorting the preamp tubes- a much different sound.

I have a Blues DeVille tweed with a master volume that works great in stereo with the Deluxe...I can definitely warm the tubes up while keeping volume down and get some nice warmth to compensate for some of the higher treble tone coming from the Deluxe. The tone I'm looking for is real close with the two amps played together but obviously the DR doesn't have master volume so it's hard to get past preamp volume levels with it unless I want to play with earplugs.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

It's all about this amp. Seriously. Bruce recommended it to me and it's insane. On 1 watt you can alternate between clean and dirty at house acceptable levels. You can plug it into whatever speaker you already have and it will sound insane.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

If it was $250 less, I would own one. They are expensive to start, but used ones are coming down. I hope they decide to also open up some options with the firmware, like allowing the tone stack to be changed on the normal channel. I do like that trem and reverb can be used on both channels, and that there is a direct XLR out to the PA.

A cool feature they could include would be a variable low end tightness knob. On one end it would be loose like the real amp but you could tighten it up. They probably wouldn't want to deviate from the theme the amp, though.

 

[ErikH]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I've been using a Vox AV30 for several years now, pretty much since they were introduced, and I love the tones I can get. https://voxamps.com/series/av-series/

Lightweight, big sound, easy to dial in. For home use, and even rehearsals and gigs, it does the job.

Update: It appears the AV series has been discontinued. That sucks. Find a used one.

 

[Mincer]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Unfortunately I doubt I'll ever see one of them here in Portugal... if I get a good tax return, then just maybe I'll lose my nead and go for it. Stiill, I have my eyes and ears drooling for a P90 axe.... The DR tone is my holy grail for clean tones, but due to health issues I have to steer away from heavy loads, such as a valve-driven DRRI.

I don't believe you can use trem/reverb on the normal channel...

You may be right, I was thinking of the 68 Custom Deluxe. But it would be something they could add with a firmware update if you wanted it. So far, there hasn't been any firmware updates.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I use a Zoom pedal into a personal monitor, or an Emery SuperBaby into a Randall 12” extension speaker for the OP issue of low volume but mid-high gain sound with tube response.

 

[donaldr]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Katana 50 at 0.5w is really good in an apartment. So cheap that you can keep your current tube amp.
Katana Head also at 0.5w with the builtin 5" speaker and/or use your tube amp as a cab for the head.
Have a look at the Yamaha THR10 also.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

If you don't want to spring for the Princeton Reverb Reissue, think about a used one. If not that, then try out the Bassbreaker 15. I love mine.

FWIW, I am primarily a small amp user, and always have been. I have about half a dozen single speaker combos 15W or under (one of which can be power switched up to 25W class AB if needed). I picked up the Bassbreaker last year because: 1) It just sounded good, 2) It bridges the gap between my simple 1x12 and 1x10 Fender, Ampeg, and Gibson vintage style combos and my Mesa Express 5:25 Plus. By bridges the gap, I mean that it provides some useful modern features (effects loop, midrange control, direct out, gain/master volumes), but without going as far as the Mesa (the Mesa is great, but overkill sometimes – a little fiddly, and a little heavy). 3) It has a very affordable matching extension cab, available brand new, so it can be expanded in the "size" of its sound while maintaining cosmetic consistency.

Be aware that it has more of a classically "British" flavor to it, however. It doesn't sound like a mini Deluxe, but more like as if a Vox AC 15 was given a lot of low end on tap. The only thing that really does the mini Deluxe Reverb thing well is the P.R.R.

 

[Aceman]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Those little Yamaha THR amps blow-me-away with sound quality every time I hear one.

Just sayin'

 

[midnite_man]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

A new day and another day of self-quarantine gave me an idea as I gazed upon a shelf of unused guitar effects pedals...I eyed this Guyatone ST2 comp/sustain pedal, thought, "what the heck, might as well see if I can do something to get those power tubes warmer in that Deluxe Reverb of mine." My rig is set up in stereo at the end of my signal, out of a Line6 DL-4 echo splitting to the DR and a Blues DeVille. These two amps compliment each other well, and the DeVille has a master volume switch which enables very usable tube power for some nice warmth...the DR's higher end mixes well with that warmth. So I inserted the ST2 into the signal between the stereo line out, my pedal board, and the DR...I tweaked the sustain/comp to a minimum in keeping it's use primarily as a volume lowering device, and adjusted the level setting at a lower position while keeping the amp's volume pot at 4. Played alone with a Strat, the DR sounds slightly compromised to me but it is slight and I expected that due to the fact that the ST2 is what it is, however running that amp at 4 now helped me achieve some good breakup with the guitar volume pot, something I couldn't do before because of self-imposed lower amp volume settings. The tubes were glowing nicely. Some line noise is a little more present especially with distortion/overdrive pedals, but I have a Hush noise suppressor that might help that out. Tapped on the TS-9 I knocked out some rock n roll riffs, some SRV "pride and joy," and some "bridge of sighs" with a Fulltone Deja Vibe...great ringing peak at the top of the modulation wave...it's just a bit compressed. The little dab of sustain isn't a bad thing though.
Could be a fix for now, I think an attenuator would be much better in keeping the tone and signal cleaner...however there's the flex and vibration of a speaker at natural low or high volume levels suited for an amp that also factors into the grand scheme of things. So I'm not ruling out a smaller output combo amp with a 10" or 12" speaker.
I really appreciate all of you for helping me out with your suggestions and references, I have some homework to do and hopefully can get to a guitar store sometime down the road and plug into a few suggested amps for road tests and talk more to someone there about attenuators.
Stay safe!!

 

[philthis]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

i like my little champ X2 combo because it sounds good at low volume and has real tube tone immediately from 1 on up but again it does start to mush above 5. It really only a practice amp. I have toyed with the idea of getting the head and running it to different speaker sizes because it does sound good at low volume like maybe through a 15 when I break out the Gretsch White Falcon or a 2 or 4x10 cab for some super strat tones like Sultons of Swing. or of course a 2x12 cuz I have several of those some english V30 celestions and 1 2x12 anniverary 30s. it just makes it super versatile to mix and match speakers to amp for even more choices. you can pay Kruse Kustom Amplification to mod a larger head like a super sonic 22 and they sound great but you need to tame it for low volume practice sessions. I sold one to one of the players from the original Kingsman "Louis Louis Oh ya" the guitar player for those guys. He was a super cool dude and full of cool stories from playing back in the 60s all over the country. He had a big enough practice space he could krank that amp head to 3 or above and nobody cared. but even he admitted.....he used to use a kick @ss Fender dual showman but it was just too loud. He went 22 watts now and just swapped speaker cabs with the super sonic head for his versatility

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Yamaha thr series. For small versatile modeler.

Laney lionheart L5 studio head. 5/.5w all tube head with two channels.
Kinda voxy?

Takes pedals well too.

 

[Jeffblue]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Silverface Vibro Champ, Super Champ X2 or Vox MV50 Clean model with your favorite pedals. For a small, low power, battery option would be the Blackstar Fly 3.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I use a Fender Champion 600 for the OP issue. It’s a single 6V6 amp and sounds and responds similar to a Deluxe. (Not exact because of the smaller speaker, but it’s surprisingly satisfying for the purpose)

 

[mojosman]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I have both a 68 Princeton Reverb, which I’ve had forever, and a Super Champ Xd, that I bought sort of on a whim. The previous owner bought a cheap solid state Fender amp with a 12” speaker, and transferred the Xd chassis into that cabinet. So my Xd is a bit different than most, because of the larger speaker. It looks factory correct.

My wife usually lets me keep a small Fender GDEC amp in the living room so I can play a bit while she does her school work. Right now she’s on a 14 day quarantine at her moms house, so screw the GDEC, I have the Xd in the living room. I normally play the Princeton or the GDEC, and I forget how great this Xd is. I played my Les Paul Traditional the other day; straight in, no pedals. Sounded incredible with just reverb. It’s a versatile amp with all kinds of modeling features. I say for the money you can’t go too far wrong.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[midnite_man]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

I've had a deluxe reverb reissue and supersonic 22 which is deluxe reverb basically on one channel and dirty channel on other...

I have a Princeton Reverb the custom '68 one now and I gotta say it's a little warmer and smoother at low volumes and sounds plenty tubey in my house but to get dirt without letting all the neighbors hear, I still use dirt pedals.
But I love it and maybe you can find a deal on it cuz I would take it over a blues Jr hands down

If you can't swing a PRRI and I get that, try the super champ xD or X2. They are a speaker swap away from being a poor man's Princeton reverb. They are boxier in sound as they have a small cab, but if you're not cranking it you'll probably not notice....Ymmv

Well, I came across a used Super Champ XD for a fair price, so will play a few guitars through it and see how it sounds. I do have a cabinet equipped with a pair of V30's, so can run the amp through that for a better speaker. I'll post a review afterwards.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Sweet! Hope you like it. They are a good deal and if my Princeton crapped out tomorrow I would consider a super champ.
Should sound pretty good though your 212 but the stock speaker and cab have a boxy honk that actually goes somewhat well with the tweed champ and the bf Princeton voices I think

 

[Mincer]

Re: attn. smaller tube or SS amp users

Well, I came across a used Super Champ XD for a fair price, so will play a few guitars through it and see how it sounds. I do have a cabinet equipped with a pair of V30's, so can run the amp through that for a better speaker. I'll post a review afterwards.

Those are nice amps. A student let me borrow his for the weekend, and it sounded great at all volumes.