Bang for your buck amps
- Thread starter Securb
- Start date
soulforger
New member
The first generation of the Peavey VYPR amps included a 60w tube powered version, and those are actually pretty wicked and can be found for peanuts! Sadly, the days of $250 Laney Pro Tube Lead/AOR heads is gone thanks to the "doom" bands!
80's_Thrash_Metal
Slightly_Glazed_Believer
Really good actually
Great to know. I haven't had a chance (or a reason) to crank up mine with the band.
maug2122
New member
I can an attest and praise the Crate Power Block, it is criminally over looked by gear snobs until they hear it .
The Triple XXX was going to be George Lynch's signature amp, he had a lot of input on the amp, but he backed out of the deal with Peavey and it is one smoking amp !!!!
El Dunco
Sock Supplier to RHCP
As well as my trusty PB that lets me bring good tone on fly-dates, my secret weapon amp is a Washburn badged SS head that’s basically a hopped up RG100 (they had just bought out Randall.). My Dad nabbed it on ebay for $150 and it’s amazing. Does this with nothing more than pretty much any OD in front with the gain at 0, the level doesn’t even have to be… “Dimed” 
[video]https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bu7gq8gee6xd0zwemcnzj/Video-6-12-2021-21-39-30.mov?rlkey=wwi4xshyxbh0zovclpv4gkbtr&dl=0[/video]
[video]https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bu7gq8gee6xd0zwemcnzj/Video-6-12-2021-21-39-30.mov?rlkey=wwi4xshyxbh0zovclpv4gkbtr&dl=0[/video]
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
The Fender Frontmans were underrated as well as long as you altogether skipped the combos. The speakers are awful and the cabs are shit. But if you plugged them into an actual cab, the gain channel was kind of a solid state Recto/Randall hybrid that sounded surprisingly good for a Fender, especially if you boosted them.
I used to have a 25W one with a 10" Greenback that sounded surprisingly good for being such a cheap shitty amp. Just for home practice, though.
I used to have a 25W one with a 10" Greenback that sounded surprisingly good for being such a cheap shitty amp. Just for home practice, though.
Fender_Punk
BerriesAndCreamologist
Peavey Classic 30. I don't know what they go for in the US but in Canuckistan they are about 300-450 USD depending on seller and condition. I love mine.
Marshall Valvestate amps probably also fit the criteria. Vox Valvetronix as well. I had a small Valvetronix as a practice/busking amp for years and it served me well.
Marshall Valvestate amps probably also fit the criteria. Vox Valvetronix as well. I had a small Valvetronix as a practice/busking amp for years and it served me well.
Inflames626
New member
Carvin MTS3200. Not quite sub $300 but $350 ish. I've had mine since 2000. No longer made. Briefly replaced the X100B and was their other amp besides the Legacy 1 around that time (the V3 came later).
Great cleans. Distortion might not be to some's tastes and it sounds a bit JCM800/900ish. May need a pedal boost.
https://reverb.com/item/1639042-carvin-mts-3200-all-tube-guitar-head-usa
I'm not sure you can find a good combo for less than $300 right now. Used to, but maybe not now.
Also I see Line 6 Vetta heads going for widely varying prices. Maybe worth a look.
Great cleans. Distortion might not be to some's tastes and it sounds a bit JCM800/900ish. May need a pedal boost.
https://reverb.com/item/1639042-carvin-mts-3200-all-tube-guitar-head-usa
I'm not sure you can find a good combo for less than $300 right now. Used to, but maybe not now.
Also I see Line 6 Vetta heads going for widely varying prices. Maybe worth a look.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
I am with you the combos I never gelled with. I have a FM412 cab that is awesome. plywood construction, and it came with decent speakers new for $199. I replaced the speakers because I have multiple sets of Celetions sitting around. But the OEM speakers are fantastic. Now loaded with the Seventy80s the cab screams. If you see a FM412 in a Mom and Pop grab it.
Ascension
New member
Many of the old Carvin tube amps like the vintage series amps, Nomad and Bellair, the X amps, MTS and Tone master series amps are undervalued and underrated killers.
I bought my mint rare 91 X 50 B Hot Rod Mod head in the matching Anvil flight case Carvin sold with the amps as a option for $275 OTD in a local Pawn Shop. Many times if you look you can find these amps for almost nothing.
I bought my mint rare 91 X 50 B Hot Rod Mod head in the matching Anvil flight case Carvin sold with the amps as a option for $275 OTD in a local Pawn Shop. Many times if you look you can find these amps for almost nothing.
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Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I've read the cabs were solid. Were those MIM or MIC?
El Dunco
Sock Supplier to RHCP
I don’t understand why it’s so hard to make a cheap speaker that at least doesn’t sound comically thin, papery and sh!tty. How hard can it be? Same with pickups. Is there any reason some companies are unable to avoid making them muddy?
The BC Rich “BDSM” pickups are so muddy and the ESP branded pickips that come in every LTD-50 I’ve ever heard have an identical “pencily” property.
Do they perhaps make them worse than they need to be to incentivise the aftermarket just that little bit more?
The BC Rich “BDSM” pickups are so muddy and the ESP branded pickips that come in every LTD-50 I’ve ever heard have an identical “pencily” property.
Do they perhaps make them worse than they need to be to incentivise the aftermarket just that little bit more?
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
It is MIC. I have my M80 Pro head sitting on it. I got a new cabinet for the M80 head and changed the grill cloth and speakers in the FM412. Like I said the stock speakers were fine but I have so many sets of 12s sitting around here I put in the Seventy80s. I get so many compliments on this amp and everyone who plays it falls in love with it.
