Cheapest Tube Head?

Darg1911

New member
Got an email from MCM (electronic supplier) this morning advertising guitar amps. "Manufacturer" called Pulse. They have a 15 watt head, 12AX7 pre and 6v6 power tubes. 2 channel. Doesnt specify how many preamp tubes or power tubes. There is a product video that says it's a 6L6 output tube, so the specs are confusing and there isn't detailed info. Not buying one but I think it may be the cheapest tube head I've come across yet. They also have some higher power models, cheap cabinets and SS combos. Thought it would be a good topic of curiosity if nothing else.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-28015

As a heads up ... they also have Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 5's on clearance. $336. I don't remember if that's a good price or not. They never really interested me. Maybe it's of interest to some of the forum members?

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/555-22920
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

Kustom made a hybrid tube head
5 watt Defender I think
Sold for less than $100
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

As a heads up ... they also have Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 5's on clearance. $336. I don't remember if that's a good price or not.

I think I paid $450 for mine, and thought it was a good price at the time.
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

Several Peavey models have really low resale value. Search Craigslist for awhile, and you can find a 100 watt Peavey for between $100-200.
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

You can get a Tiny Terror or Egnater Tweaker 15 used for around $250


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

The one in my Avatar ...my $150 hi-gain monster from China. 15 watts, 2 Channels, independant EQ, Fx loop ..& sounds like gold!





Here's mine... :bigthumb:

Goldea_BlueGlow_II.jpg
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

The one in my Avatar ...my $150 hi-gain monster from China. 15 watts, 2 Channels, independant EQ, Fx loop ..& sounds like gold!





Here's mine... :bigthumb:

View attachment 73222

That just looks like a Hughes Kettner (spelling?)
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

The one in my Avatar ...my $150 hi-gain monster from China. 15 watts, 2 Channels, independant EQ, Fx loop ..& sounds like gold!

Here's mine... :bigthumb:

View attachment 73222

There we go! Very cool. That's the type of reply I was looking for ... how low (price) can they go. Much more going on with that Goldea than the Phase at MCM Electronics. More bang for the buck. :clap:

We need a battle of the cheap, Chinese tube amps thread. No hybrids and nothing over $200 :bigthumb:
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

That just looks like a Hughes Kettner (spelling?)

I was told it's a reverse-engineered, modded & down-scaled Engl Savage design paired with that Hughes & Kettner look. Does'nt really sound anything like the Tubemeister's..



here's a nice detailed review..

 
Last edited:
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

There we go! Very cool. That's the type of reply I was looking for ... how low (price) can they go. Much more going on with that Goldea than the Phase at MCM Electronics. More bang for the buck. :clap:

We need a battle of the cheap, Chinese tube amps thread. No hybrids and nothing over $200 :bigthumb:

The thing is these are mostly not available for sale outside of China (I got mine directly from the Tianjin factory) and the Chinese sites they retail on have them listed at many times the actual price they sell for (people are expected to bargain like hell lol). Hypothetically speaking, You could find the same amp listed for anything from $500 to $1000 when the actual selling price is $150 :laugh2:

Also, shipping is a factor..I paid an additional $150 for that.
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

The thing is these are mostly not available for sale outside of China (I got mine directly from the Tianjin factory) and the Chinese sites they retail on have them listed at many times the actual price they sell for (people are expected to bargain like hell lol). Hypothetically speaking, You could find the same amp listed for anything from $500 to $1000 when the actual selling price is $150 :laugh2:

Also, shipping is a factor..I paid an additional $150 for that.
Can you give up info on the website or how to get ahold of the Tianjin factory ? I guess I can google for the info,just want to see whats available.
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

The Tubemeister 5 is also made in China. Wouldn't surprise me if they both rolled out of the same factory. :D
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

haha..probably not though..the only thing in common is the blue backlight. The Goldea's a lot more full-featured ;)

The Chinese amp makers see something they like ..they incorporate it into their design ..that's how it works :laugh2:

Like this mini-recto copy with the EVH-ish headshell & blue lights..

Durand_Dat_50S_3.jpg

Durand_Dat_50S_4.jpg
 
Re: Cheapest Tube Head?

I haven't tried it yet, but Ibanez built a Tubescreamer amplifier.
 
Back
Top