guitarist6614
New member
Anyone have any suggestions? I'm tired of my solid state and need a small tube amp for jamming out in my home. I was looking at some of the Fender Blues Jr.'s.
Best Tube amp under 500$
- Thread starter guitarist6614
- Start date
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
well...new there are a few options for decent tube amps...ALL of these can be had for 5 bills or less new but would sound BETTER after you put in some better tubes and a better speaker...
-Fender Champion 600
-Epi Valve Jr combo
-Epi valve Jr head w/ matching 1x12 cab
-Crate Palomino V8
-Fender Vibro-Champ XD (not 100% tube but close)
-Crate Palomino V16
-Fender Super Champ XD
-Fender Blues Jr
-Fender Pro Jr
-Peavey ValveKing 112
-Peavey JSX Mini Colossal
-Crate V Series V50-112
-Crate V Series V18-112
-Crate V Series V18-212
If you shop used you will have FAR more options...there are lots of great amps out there used for $500 and less...
well...new there are a few options for decent tube amps...ALL of these can be had for 5 bills or less new but would sound BETTER after you put in some better tubes and a better speaker...
-Fender Champion 600
-Epi Valve Jr combo
-Epi valve Jr head w/ matching 1x12 cab
-Crate Palomino V8
-Fender Vibro-Champ XD (not 100% tube but close)
-Crate Palomino V16
-Fender Super Champ XD
-Fender Blues Jr
-Fender Pro Jr
-Peavey ValveKing 112
-Peavey JSX Mini Colossal
-Crate V Series V50-112
-Crate V Series V18-112
-Crate V Series V18-212
If you shop used you will have FAR more options...there are lots of great amps out there used for $500 and less...
mi_canuck
New member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
just to give you an idea - i just recently picked up a *mint* 'Made in the USA' Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for under $500... saved a bunch, got a USA model, and this thing rips! I stumbled upon it sort of by accident - wasn't really looking - but didn't hesitate to nab it once I checked it out and played it (and had a buddy play it as well).
lot of good used stuff out there (I was surprised actually - but so many try and give up on guitar stuff - there's a huge used market out there of really good quality stuff for tons less than new.)
good luck!
just to give you an idea - i just recently picked up a *mint* 'Made in the USA' Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for under $500... saved a bunch, got a USA model, and this thing rips! I stumbled upon it sort of by accident - wasn't really looking - but didn't hesitate to nab it once I checked it out and played it (and had a buddy play it as well).
lot of good used stuff out there (I was surprised actually - but so many try and give up on guitar stuff - there's a huge used market out there of really good quality stuff for tons less than new.)
good luck!
alex1fly
Well-known member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
Blues Juniors are nice though, they're reliable, and Fender tube amps are just so clear (even while dirty). I have a hot rod deluxe and it really rocks with my LP, even with just amp distortion. It's way too loud though, even for band practice and small venues- if I turn it above 2 it drowns out everyone! I've heard nothing but good things about Blues Juniors, which would be a good amp if you want to buy new. I ABed a Junior with the Peavey equivalent and while the Peavey sounded good there's not much that can top a Fender tube tone IMO.
Blues Juniors are nice though, they're reliable, and Fender tube amps are just so clear (even while dirty). I have a hot rod deluxe and it really rocks with my LP, even with just amp distortion. It's way too loud though, even for band practice and small venues- if I turn it above 2 it drowns out everyone! I've heard nothing but good things about Blues Juniors, which would be a good amp if you want to buy new. I ABed a Junior with the Peavey equivalent and while the Peavey sounded good there's not much that can top a Fender tube tone IMO.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
for a good British tube head under $500, check out the Laney AOR series. I've seen 100 and 50 watt heads and 30 watt combos go for way less than $500.
and +1 on that Orange Tiny Terror. Oranges are my favorite amps.
for a good British tube head under $500, check out the Laney AOR series. I've seen 100 and 50 watt heads and 30 watt combos go for way less than $500.
and +1 on that Orange Tiny Terror. Oranges are my favorite amps.
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
+1, just get frist seies(six knobs) series two sometimes have a lot of problems. Not will you get a great deal, if you believe that tone has too come fingers at the of it all, you will not look for another amp for a while.
guitarist6614
New member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! Has anyone tried out the new crate v series though?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...112-50W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=487054
I saw ^ that one and was curious on if it was any good.
Thanks for all of the suggestions guys! Has anyone tried out the new crate v series though?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...112-50W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=487054
I saw ^ that one and was curious on if it was any good.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
i can't play anything that says "Crate" on it. Personal reasons...
i can't play anything that says "Crate" on it. Personal reasons...
Dr.Mavashi
neonderthalotonalogist
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
If you are into real tone, few things you dont do.
You dont use line6 minimum live preferably not at all - line6 is pop.
You dont use crate on stage, crate tone is blah at best, crate looks are not cool.
You dont use Boss Metal Zone - its gay.
If you are into real tone, few things you dont do.
You dont use line6 minimum live preferably not at all - line6 is pop.
You dont use crate on stage, crate tone is blah at best, crate looks are not cool.
You dont use Boss Metal Zone - its gay.
ModestCargo
New member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
Traynor YCV40, hands down.
Edit: I guess I should back up my claim. I didn't play with the overdrive channel much but it pretty much kicked the crap out of the Hot Rod Deluxe (really a joke of a Fender if you ask me, don't even get me started on these) and the Peaveys, etc.
The clean was where this amp REALLY shone though. My god, a responsive amp, with headroom and chimey blackface Fenderish cleans, for this price?
What really clinched it for me is I had a chance to jam live (I played bass mostly) with Gordie Matthews, who is a well respected studio musician and is currently K.D. Lang's guitarist, and that's what he played. I believe his was the red one with the Vintage 30 in it. What a sound he got out of his G&L Tele style guitar (w/ humbucks) and that amp. He could play a lot of amps but for a small gigging combo he picks this one. That really shows the amp's true colors. He played on the clean channel with (IIRC) the gain up and his guitar vol. down, and it dirtied up when he turned up his vol. pot. Not a lot of amps in this range will do this! The overdrive was warm, musical, and nice.
Traynor YCV40, hands down.
Edit: I guess I should back up my claim. I didn't play with the overdrive channel much but it pretty much kicked the crap out of the Hot Rod Deluxe (really a joke of a Fender if you ask me, don't even get me started on these) and the Peaveys, etc.
The clean was where this amp REALLY shone though. My god, a responsive amp, with headroom and chimey blackface Fenderish cleans, for this price?
What really clinched it for me is I had a chance to jam live (I played bass mostly) with Gordie Matthews, who is a well respected studio musician and is currently K.D. Lang's guitarist, and that's what he played. I believe his was the red one with the Vintage 30 in it. What a sound he got out of his G&L Tele style guitar (w/ humbucks) and that amp. He could play a lot of amps but for a small gigging combo he picks this one. That really shows the amp's true colors. He played on the clean channel with (IIRC) the gain up and his guitar vol. down, and it dirtied up when he turned up his vol. pot. Not a lot of amps in this range will do this! The overdrive was warm, musical, and nice.
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guitarist6614
New member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
So the Crate probably isn't anything comparable?
So the Crate probably isn't anything comparable?
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
Build yourself a Mission 5E3. Just like a '59 Fender tweed Deluxe.
Lew
Build yourself a Mission 5E3. Just like a '59 Fender tweed Deluxe.
Lew
Corbic
New member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
I'm going to put in good word for the Crate, having played it against both Traynors and Peaveys when I went to choose my amp. The V32 has fantastic cleans, spunky and chimey. Very thick too. The distortion is quite good too, though I like the cleans on it more than the distortion. My plan is to get a Carl Martin Plexitone to use for my distortion, though like I said, the distortion is very good. Kind of like Vox-Marshall hybrid.
I'm going to put in good word for the Crate, having played it against both Traynors and Peaveys when I went to choose my amp. The V32 has fantastic cleans, spunky and chimey. Very thick too. The distortion is quite good too, though I like the cleans on it more than the distortion. My plan is to get a Carl Martin Plexitone to use for my distortion, though like I said, the distortion is very good. Kind of like Vox-Marshall hybrid.
guitarist6614
New member
Re: Best Tube amp under 500$
Ah decisions decisions. I just stumbled upon the Orange Tiny Terror that was mentioned to me earlier. The sound clips have impressed me. Anyone have any input?
Ah decisions decisions. I just stumbled upon the Orange Tiny Terror that was mentioned to me earlier. The sound clips have impressed me. Anyone have any input?
