Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

L

lank81

New member
Hi guys,
So I've got two possibilities here but first let me state my budget and guitars. I'm looking to spend 400$ with wiggle room of probably 100$ more if viable. Basically playing starts and LPs.

So the two camps I thought of are the following:

Super fender type cleans, little break up, break up would be on bluesy side and pedals would be used for mild to high gain applications

Camp #2- something with OK cleans but a nice higher gain channel

Wattage doesn't matter if there is a master volume.

Also my style is blues, rock, alt rock but mainly looking for this to be used in the alt rock/grunge category ala sound garden, Nina, screaming trees, Dino jr, early radiohead.

Also I'll mainly use this for recording and jamming, thoughts?
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

So you need a combo amp, I take it? If you were to get a GREAT deal on a DSL 50 head used, that would fit the bill perfectly, but I doubt you'd ever find the DSL401C for the amount of cash you're talking about. Maybe Fender Blues series?
 
Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

401 used could probably be had for 450-500 since the new dal series came out. I also thought about the pro jr but wasn't sure it'd growl enough with the 10" speaker.

Combo is preferable but I could go with a head if worth it.
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

Honestly I think the DSL hits a home run for the bands you're naming. But I'm a died-in-the-wool British tone fan, so take my advice with a grain of salt. See if you can find a DSL combo on Craigslist and bring a guitar. Give it a run through, and if it doesn't cut the muster, tell the seller you're sorry and that it's just not what you're looking for.
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

Blackstar HT-5/20

I have the HT-5 in the head form, and it's a superb sounding amplifier, if you can get a chance play it around 7 on the volume, you will struggle to muster up the desire to put your guitar down
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

I love the Blues Jr. Great cleans and nice growl, plays well with pedals. Near the top of your price range, though. It's a 15W combo, but I rarely need to turn mine up above 3.5, even with a slammin' drummer.

You could also look at the Super Champ XD. This is lightweight and includes some limited onboard effects, and is even more reasonably priced. But I find it to be more fiddly than the BJr. for some reason. You might be better off finding a Pro Jr. than a Super Champ.

In that price range I'd also try out a Night Train.

You should be able to test drive a few of these models at your local guitar store.
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

im going to +1 on the marshall dsl 401, or if you prefer american vibe, then the world's hardest working amp: a hot rod deluxe
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

I would also go with the hot rod deluxe, awesome amp with useable gain. Imho I would buy a used Deluxe reverb or Twin would even be better if you dont mind the weight, I see them on craigslist all the time for 500 and then you have a perfect pedal platform.
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

I have a Fender Blues Jr. and wouldn't consider it sparkly clean, at least not so as Fenders can be. I personally don't think it's worth the cost.

A very much overlooked amp: the Ibanez TSA15 either in combo or head form. Very very clean + on-board tubescreamer. Only minus if that if you want reverb, you'll have to add a pedal (which can be done for as little as $50 w/ a Behringer DR400). You owe it to yourself to try one out at a music store.
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

Used Fender Twin RI ($500ish), Peavey Classic 50 ($400ish) or Crate Vintage Club 50 ($350ish).
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

HRD from me here.

The HT-5's are great for the money but there is limited headroom with it only being a five watter.

a Used HRD would be great as you would have great gain at your disposal but also those classic Fender cleans with loadsa headroom.
 
Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

Used Ampeg Reverberocket, Ampeg G-12, Traynor YGM-3, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, or one of those tweed Peaveys. If you have a cab already, Ampeg V-2 FTW.
 
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Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

A PV Classic 30 or 50 is my first choice, cool cleans, great classic rock and blues crunch.

The Hot Rod Deluxe would also be good, especially if you wanted to be truer to a Fender clean (The PV Classic series, IMO, has a slightly grittier clean). I don't care at all for the HRD's overdrive, but it takes an OD or distortion pedal well.

I have used both PVs and the Fender in band settings.
 
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Re: Budget amp question(s)/suggestion(s)

Any Vox valvtronix is a great little practice amp.
 
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