Can small amps sound big?

T

The Kernel

New member
Can small amps (10-15 watts) sound just as rich and beautiful as larger amps? Every small amp that I've found has been marketed for beginners who just want to make noise. For the most part, that's all they can really do. Are there any pro-level small amps?
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

Yes, absolutely. As long as the preamp, power amp, speaker, and cabinet construction are well matched and made, then you would have a big sound even through a 1x12 combo amp.

I recommend you to check out Vox valvetronix line. I have the AD15, which has an 8" speaker, and it sounds better, bigger, and louder than my Marshall AVT20, which has a 10" speaker.
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

The Kernel said:
Can small amps (10-15 watts) sound just as rich and beautiful as larger amps? Every small amp that I've found has been marketed for beginners who just want to make noise. For the most part, that's all they can really do. Are there any pro-level small amps?
Click to expand...

A marshall studio 15 sounds as big as these
10917yu.gif
.

Same with a Silvertone 1482 or a Fender Champ.
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

Orange Tiny Terror is a small amp that doesn't sound small. but you need to buy a cab just like with any amp 8)
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

The Kernel said:
Can small amps (10-15 watts) sound just as rich and beautiful as larger amps? Every small amp that I've found has been marketed for beginners who just want to make noise. For the most part, that's all they can really do. Are there any pro-level small amps?
Click to expand...

Really small (8 watt) amps can sound really good, like the Fender Champ Eric Clapton used to record Layla.

But, IMO, an amp like a Champ is to low in output and uses to small of a speaker to get a big deep Marshall stack kind of tone, although it can obviously sound really good, as it does on Layla.

Jimmy Page used a smallish lower output Supro amp with a single 15" Jensen speaker to record the first Led Zep album. Made his Tele sound like a Les Paul! It was the sound of the room and microphones and miking technique and not just the amp and guitar that got that huge sound though.

An amp like a Fender Deluxe Reverb (20 watts) or a 5E3 tweed Deluxe (18 watts) can sound really big though. A great 12" or 15" speaker is a must, IMO.
 
Last edited:
Re: Can small amps sound big?

I have a Carvin Vintage 16. While it can get loud on it's own it really doesn't sound "big." But when I disconnect the internal speaker and hook the amp up to a larger 1X12 that I made it can sound pretty healthy. Helps to round it out. Gives it more girth and bottom. Not like a 50 watt amp hooked to a 4X12 mind you, but pretty satisfying.
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

Cornford makes a 6 watt 12 inch combo, Fuchs makes a 7 watt combo and Budda makes an 18 watt combo. All can sound big if mic'ed up right. Laney also makes some great low wattage amps as well as Peavey.

Soldano also makes the Astroverb and Atomic heads which are 20 watts and below.

Tons of great stuff out there!
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

Matamps Minimat or Little Rock (which I own) are both low wattage, great quality recording/practise amps.

They're both heads, so you can pair them with whatever speakers you want to achieve the affect you're looking for :)
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

The key to a large sounding small amp is a 12" speaker and good circuit design in most cases.
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

JLagoon said:
Yes, absolutely. As long as the preamp, power amp, speaker, and cabinet construction are well matched and made, then you would have a big sound even through a 1x12 combo amp.

I recommend you to check out Vox valvetronix line. I have the AD15, which has an 8" speaker, and it sounds better, bigger, and louder than my Marshall AVT20, which has a 10" speaker.
Click to expand...

+1

The Vox's have a lot of tone and move alot of air for a combo that small...
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

yes, especially for recording, where you can get some room ambience

for recording I'd also add a room mic to the cab mic

playing live, you might get a large sound, but you will notice the narrower frequency response of the smaller transformers
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

My Marshall Lead 12 sounds pretty darn big. Big enough to keep up in a band setting. Heck, it worked for Billy Gibbons (he used the head in his rack in the 80's).

The biggest sounding smallish amp I ever played through was the Mission Amps Aurora 18 watt version. That thing sounds HUGE!!! for it's size. I have no doubt that it has what it takes to keep up with a band and then some. Check 'em out....http://www.missionamps.com/. It's a clean amp, but also gets some nice drive out of it. Not high gain by any means, but really sweet for blues and 60's-70's classic rock. Bruce uses a good 12" speaker in it too.
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

ErikH said:
The biggest sounding smallish amp I ever played through was the Mission Amps Aurora 18 watt version. That thing sounds HUGE!!! for it's size. I have no doubt that it has what it takes to keep up with a band and then some. Check 'em out....http://www.missionamps.com/. It's a clean amp, but also gets some nice drive out of it. Not high gain by any means, but really sweet for blues and 60's-70's classic rock. Bruce uses a good 12" speaker in it too.
Click to expand...

That amp has a 12" speaker Erik. That's one reason I said I thought the Champ had to small of a speaker to really get that big sound...even though it records well.

I think two 10's or one 12 is a must in a small amp if you're going to gig with it as well as record with it.

But an 18 watt through a really good 12 can sound great. In fact, 18-22 watts through a Celestion G12H30 or Alnico Blue is just about my favorite amp for the kind of gigs I do.

I wish I could get Bruce to just clone my blackface Deluxe Reverb, Mission mods and all. That Mission Aurora amp you liked so much started out from that request but Bruce ended up putting a new spin on it.

Lew
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

Lewguitar said:
That amp has a 12" speaker Erik. That's one reason I said I thought the Champ had to small of a speaker to really get that big sound...even though it records well.

I think two 10's or one 12 is a must in a small amp if you're going to gig with it as well as record with it.

But an 18 watt through a really good 12 can sound great. In fact, 18-22 watts through a Celestion G12H30 or Alnico Blue is just about my favorite amp for the kind of gigs I do.

I wish I could get Bruce to just clone my blackface Deluxe Reverb, Mission mods and all. That Mission Aurora amp you liked so much started out from that request but Bruce ended up putting a new spin on it.

Lew
Click to expand...

I know it has a 12" speaker in it. I said so in my post. ;) :)

I agree with you too on the 2x10's or 1x12 situation. The smaller powered amps just sound better when they can push more air.

An 8" speaker is too small for me. I tolerated it in my old SS practice amp but I much prefer 12's. My Lead 12 has a Celestion 10" in it and that's fine for tinkering at home or whatever, but it sounds much better hooked up to a 12" or a quad of them. :D

The more I look at the stuff my band does and where we'll play, I really don't need a tube amp that's any bigger than the 18 watter so when the time comes for that, that's what I'll most likely go for, or the 22 watter with reverb. I really liked how that 18 sounded though. Not many amps leave that impression on me.
 
Re: Can small amps sound big?

Everybody else has filled in most of the details I would have, but I'll throw in my vote.

YES.

- Happy 18-Watter builder/player
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Lets Define Pro Level Gear in 2026
2
Replies
32
Views
1K
Sam SG
S
Masta' C
Small Builders That Deserve a Mention
Replies
6
Views
640
ZachcNJ
Z
Z
What are your performance rigs?
2 3 4
Replies
72
Views
4K
guitfiddle
guitfiddle
S
Crate Stealth GT-50C Combo to head conversion
Replies
2
Views
379
Masta' C
Masta' C
C
Big Muff Mods
Replies
5
Views
790
wildschwein
W
Back
Top