Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

[FrankyBoy]

So the titles tells a lot.
So yeah, I've started to save some money for a new amp, since I have the Roland Cube 30, which is fine, but I want a tube amp sound and feeling.
I'm looking for a 20W to 50W amp, at least 2 channels (clean, distorted). I should have good cleans, while being able to deliver quite a lot of distortion (Metalcore music like Killswitch Engage, Attack Attack!, August Burns Red, Chiodos).
My gear for the moment is a
- PRS SE Custom with JB bridge and Jazz neck.
- Boss MT-2 Metalzone

The budget would be 800ish and is would be mainly for loud bedroom playing and friendly jams.

Any suggestions for me?

The other day I tried the Spider valve 75W I think, and it was Ok, but I just can't stand the Line 6 cleans...

Thanks a lot.

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Hard to tell. 6505 combo would be cool but the cleans are not that good. HT5 would be not powerful enough.I dunno.Pretty hard to tell!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

doesn't joey use PODs for attack attack? I don't know their sound from atom, but from posts over at the sneap forum, I thought that's what he used a lot for bands he records (and for a reason unbeknownst to me, is also a source of controversy over there).

 

[danohat]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

I would say the Peavey classic series. If you need more gain get a good pedal.

 

[Tom Huff]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

I'd say my Genz Benz El Diablo 60 combo would suit you nice for everything you just described. Oh, it just happens to be for sale too. PM me if you're interested. I won't spam with a price on your thread.

Even if you didn't by mine I would recommend it for your needs.

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Mesa Boogie Dual Caliber, 50 caliber, Nomad or F50.

Lots of gain and little to no mud.

Definitely NOT a Marshall sound though....

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Hard to tell. 6505 combo would be cool but the cleans are not that good. HT5 would be not powerful enough.I dunno.Pretty hard to tell!

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...112-60W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=582106 - $600.00 new, less if used :cool2:

Good place to start if you ask me.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

I'd say my Genz Benz El Diablo 60 combo would suit you nice for everything you just described. Oh, it just happens to be for sale too. PM me if you're interested. I won't spam with a price on your thread.

Even if you didn't by mine I would recommend it for your needs.

Man, that is a very underrated amp right there !

Great dirt tone too !!!

 

[everdrone]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

used orange rocker 30...Ive seen the price as low as $900

 

[devastone]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

www.jetcityamplification.com

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

^ recent thread on them has had me reluctant to recommend them. Dude ended up returning it QUICKand is leaning towards a tiny terror

 

[FrankyBoy]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Wow guys thanks a lot! wasn't execpting that much interesting responses. You guys understood what I need. I'm looking right now at the demos and reviews of the amps you told me about. I gotta say the distortion of the Genz Benz El Diablo blew me away at the instant I heard it...

 

[FrankyBoy]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

doesn't joey use PODs for attack attack? I don't know their sound from atom, but from posts over at the sneap forum, I thought that's what he used a lot for bands he records (and for a reason unbeknownst to me, is also a source of controversy over there).

I wasn't even really expecting someone to know about Attack Attack! Thanks for the info, they are my favorite band at the moment. I like the new song they released not long ago, tho the screamer is lacking... Anyways.

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Mesa Rectoverb combos go on the 'Bay for around $800.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Not fully tube but I would recommend trying out one of the Vox Valvetronix combos. I bought a AD30VT a couple of years ago and it's served me pretty well both for bedroom playing in residence and for jams and a few gigs.

I'd look at the 50 watters for your purposes, as the 10" speaker takes away from the feel a bit IMO. I spent some time with a friend's AD50VT and it had that little extra that mine was missing.

If you don't want all the models that go along with the Valvetronix or you're wanting straight up tube, go with the other suggestion and grab a 6505/5150 combo, or the Genz Benz. It is indeed a fairly underrated amp.

 

[FrankyBoy]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Not fully tube but I would recommend trying out one of the Vox Valvetronix combos.QUOTE]

My girlfriend has a AD15VT and yeah it is a good amp, but not exactly my cup of tea. Plus, she's having some weird popping and volume drops once in a while...

 

[devastone]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

^ recent thread on them has had me reluctant to recommend them. Dude ended up returning it QUICKand is leaning towards a tiny terror

Yep, saw that too late. I was going by the price and the youtube demos that I have seen. I may have to check one out for myself to satisfy my curiosity but don't think one will replace my Rivera head...

 

[Ascension]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

Fender Prosonic. Nice cleans brutal crunches solid build quality and pretty easy to find in this price range. They have been out of production since 2002 but there are a few out there for sale. Most nice example will be in the $600-$800 range.
Looks like a vintage blackface Fender but these will take your head OFF!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Prosonic...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2eaac5a271
Buy one of these and throw away the dirt boxes!
Here are a couple of clips no effects other than a little wah just guitar Prosonic and a mic.
http://www.box.net/files/0/f/0#/files/1/f/0/1/f_120837981
Solo voice again all amp distortion
http://www.box.net/shared/bnc3ghqvrr

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

I'd say my Genz Benz El Diablo 60 combo would suit you nice for everything you just described. Oh, it just happens to be for sale too. PM me if you're interested. I won't spam with a price on your thread.

Even if you didn't by mine I would recommend it for your needs.

x2 --- I fell in love with one of those at my local store, and played it every week during college.

I still dream about it, for tight, full, aggressive tone. Perfection!

 

[Curt]

Re: Best affordable 20W to 50W Combo tube amp for Rock/Metal

i've got a Vox Valvetronix XL 212 50 watt. it sounds pretty mean.

personally though... I say a krankenstein jr. 20 watt would be a good start.

although for an attack attack sound, I think it'd be best to find something with more of a mesa sound... so a dual caliber or a 50 caliber combo would be your best bet.

but take that with a grain of salt as I find Attack Attack!'s tone to be quite mediocre(undefined and dark). and i'm not really a fan of their music.

whatever you do, remember to play in the crabcore position, it helps with the tone. :lol: