Cheap Tube Head?

Fonzie

Fonzie

New member
Hey guys, I'm looking for a cheap tube head, under $300 and preferably under $200 (definitely don't care if it's used) that I can plug into a 1x12 or 2x12 I'll buy in the future. Needs to be loud enough to play with a band and at gigs. Thanks! :headbang:

Oh, and I play all genres of music. I'm going to need a good clean tone, and I don't really care about the dirty channel because if it's no good I'll just run pedals through it.

Cheers.
 
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Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Check out the Ibanez one with the built in Tubescreamer.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

I paid $269 for my Egnater Tweaker 15. It might be a little limited in clean headroom, but it's definitely LOUD for the wattage. It's also cathode bias, so it'll run any power tube that will physically fit. I've heard that headroom is greatly improved by running 6CA7s, 6L6s, or 5881s.

Another thing that'll help is using loud speakers. Celestion V30s have 100db sensitivity, while Eminence Wizards are either 102.8 or 103.5db depending on impedance.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

I have an Ibanez TBX 150/100 watt head I would sell you if interested..it is 100 watts at 8 ohms and 150 at 4 ohms..effects loop..sounds great and has 2 channels with reverb on each channel,gains and volumes on each channel,and comes with the 4 button footswitch,original manual..PM me if interested..its in excellent condition and its weighs around 23-28 lbs max..the footswitch has overdrive,channex-mode,and reverb buttons,and this amp takes pedals great through the front or effects loop..very tube like sound,thats why I bought it..check out some youtube videos on this TBX 150,there are some good ones,and if you need Brootz this one brings it,and the cleans are really have the glassy nice tones as well.
 
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Re: Cheap Tube Head?

dystrust said:
I paid $269 for my Egnater Tweaker 15. It might be a little limited in clean headroom, but it's definitely LOUD for the wattage. It's also cathode bias, so it'll run any power tube that will physically fit. I've heard that headroom is greatly improved by running 6CA7s, 6L6s, or 5881s.

Another thing that'll help is using loud speakers. Celestion V30s have 100db sensitivity, while Eminence Wizards are either 102.8 or 103.5db depending on impedance.
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Yeah I've looked a lot into that one.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

moshpit817 said:
I have an Ibanez TBX 150/100 watt head I would sell you if interested..it is 100 watts at 8 ohms and 150 at 4 ohms..effects loop..sounds great and has 2 channels with reverb on each channel,gains and volumes on each channel,and comes with the 4 button footswitch,original manual..PM me if interested..its in excellent condition and its weighs around 23-28 lbs max..the footswitch has overdrive,channex-mode,and reverb buttons,and this amp takes pedals great through the front or effects loop..very tube like sound,thats why I bought it..check out some youtube videos on this TBX 150,there are some good ones,and if you need Brootz this one brings it,and the cleans are really have the glassy nice tones as well.
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Sent a PM.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Fonzie said:
Oh wow, that sounds sweet!
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Not the greatest quality amp, but the cleans are amazing. The Tubescreamer channel is pretty self explanatory. I may pick one of those up at some point.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

If you're lucky you might snatch a used Peavey XXL head for that price.
100 watts so power handling is out of the question. By far the best analog solid state head I've ever played through.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Peavey Windsors go for that, or less, all day long. 100 watts may not be good for small venues though. Especially if you need power tube distortion. :)
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Windsor
Used around $200-250

Heck Peavey makes a crapload of heads that are disrespected

Valve Kings are dirt cheap
I believe the VKII would be the one you'd want

Cleans would be good on all of them

In solid state
Carvin makes one
The S200 / S300
Those are cheap as well
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Peavey has plenty of cheap tube amps to be had on the used market, such as the Ultra, Ultra plus, VTM, Ranger, and Triumph. I've only had the Ultra Plus out of all those I've listed and the cleans are great! The distortion isn't my cup of tea, but it's usable.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Get a TSA-15 & some good pedals... Just a side note, IMHO a goood verb through the loop is almost a must!!! The head can be had used for around $200 & stomp boxes will come in time. I've got one & I absolutely love it! It's by far the cheapest amp I own & it sees more use than the rest of my amplifiers combined!

They are really great, actually I very nearly bought another as a backup just yesterday but I bought a Bogner so there wasn't very many dollars left over afterwards??? LOL, they have plenty of headroom, plenty of volume, and the defiantly one of the best pedal platforms on the market!!!
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

BartOfDarkness said:
Peavey has plenty of cheap tube amps to be had on the used market, such as the Ultra, Ultra plus, VTM, Ranger, and Triumph. I've only had the Ultra Plus out of all those I've listed and the cleans are great! The distortion isn't my cup of tea, but it's usable.
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Thanks man! I know of some of those, but I'll have to check the rest out.
 
Re: Cheap Tube Head?

Nostalgic Distortion said:
Get a TSA-15 & some good pedals... Just a side note, IMHO a goood verb through the loop is almost a must!!! The head can be had used for around $200 & stomp boxes will come in time. I've got one & I absolutely love it! It's by far the cheapest amp I own & it sees more use than the rest of my amplifiers combined!

They are really great, actually I very nearly bought another as a backup just yesterday but I bought a Bogner so there wasn't very many dollars left over afterwards??? LOL, they have plenty of headroom, plenty of volume, and the defiantly one of the best pedal platforms on the market!!!
Click to expand...

Haha sounds awesome! Thanks, definitely going to check it out.
 
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