Best Tube Head Under $1,500

Best Tube Head Under $1,500

  • Soldano Hot Rod 50XL

    Votes: 6 30.0%

  • Fargen Mighty-Plex

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • Rivera Knucklehead

    Votes: 9 45.0%

  • THD Flexi 50

    Votes: 4 20.0%

  • Groove Tubes Soul-O 50

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    20
  • Poll closed .
V

VanStone2

New member
I’m looking at a few tube heads in the under $1,500 neighborhood. The candidates I have so far are:

1) Soldano Hot Rod 50XL

2) Fargen Mighty-Plex

3) Rivera Knucklehead

4) THD Flexi 50

5) Groove Tubes Soul-O 50

I’m leaning towards a Marshall-like tone rather than an American tone, except I would like more bass response than is typical of a Marshall. Opinions on my list of candidates is appreciated, particularly if you’ve had the chance to hear or play one of them in person.

Best,
V
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

To be honest, out all of them, I've only played a Knucklehead. I was extremely impressed. Real versitile and the gain is terrific, not buzzy at all.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

Hmmm..well looks like I cant throw the obligatory MESA F series recommendation in here due to your disclaimer on british tone :laugh2:

I think personally I'd go with A Splawn or Voodoo before any of the ones ya posted in the poll. Otherwise it'd be a tie between the Rivera and Soldano for me.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

I own a Soldano Hot Rod 50 Plus with the XL option. If you want bass response, then that's a good choice for you. Mine has so much bass reponse I had Voodoo Amps put on a depth control so I can dial some out when need be. It definitely has a Marshallesque tone to it. To my ears the major difference is the 6L6's vs. the EL34's.

I owned a THD Bivalve for a spell, and my friend recently picked up the Flexi. IMO the THD crew puts out a good amp if you want to play mad scientist with tubes. However, I'm not that crazy about the tone (but that's personal).
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

Of the ones listed, the Knucklehead probably has the most varied tones. However, I would go with either a Jeff Seal modded JCM 800, or a Voodoo, or a Splawn head. Any of those three will blow the others away in terms of tone and versatility.

YMMV.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

If you want versatility and a ton of different Marshall tones easily accessible, look no further than a used Mk I Triamp. They can be found for around $1100 and are just about the best deal around (considering there are 6 great sounding channels - all tube).

I've nailed Joe Walsh type plexi tones to vintage Fender type cleans and darker Vox type tone. Some modern rockers like Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace are using them live. Fuel has also been known to use them and Alex Lifeson uses them exclusively.

If wattage isn't an issue, you'd be hard pressed to find more tonal options than the amp. I regretted selling it, but it had more power than I could really use (that would go for any 50 or 100w Soldano, Bogner etc.)
 
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Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

I've heard some great things about B-52's new amp, the AT-100. In the new guitar world there's a review, and a friend of mine in the states tried one out and said it wasn't bad. If you can find a dealer who stocks the B-52s, try one out, you might like it.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

the soldano should give you all the gain you'll ever need.

The Marshall plexi used to be around the $1500 price range, but now it's $2000!
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

I dont know anything about those amps, except that a THD flexi is cool!

So i voted for that ;)
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

jimmy said:
the soldano should give you all the gain you'll ever need.
Click to expand...
True. That gain comes at a price, though. Its tone is much more compressed than that of the Rivera--I've owned a HR50, Decatone, and a Rivera Rake (a model that is very similar to the KH).

IME, the Rivera doesn't have quite as much gain but it has plenty and stands out better in a band situation. Also, the independent EQs on each channel make it easier to dial in tones that aren't a compromise between clean and OD.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

aleclee said:
IME, the Rivera doesn't have quite as much gain but it has plenty and stands out better in a band situation. Also, the independent EQs on each channel make it easier to dial in tones that aren't a compromise between clean and OD.
Click to expand...
That would be the only gripe I have about my Soldano...the shared eq.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

I haven't played the Fargen and the THD but out of the 3 remaining, for me the absolute winner is the Knucklehead.
 
Re: Best Tube Head Under $1,500

I don't know what the best amp is but I'm really loving my JSX....Peavey really out-did themselves on this one IMO.....and it can be had for well under $1200.
 
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