Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

[James Rock]

Im looking at getting a Class A (well what is considered class A even though these kinds of amps are proved to be class A/B) 30 watt el84 amps with a vox type tone. The two amps i've narrowed it down to are the Crate V3112 and the Laney VC-30. I like the features the laney has that the crate doesnt (2 speakers and the option for a extension cabinet) but from reviews i've read it seems like the crate has a better tone. I would like to know peoples opinions on this because i would like to get the best sounding amp and the extra features on the laney arent that important.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

I've always loved the Ampeg produced Crate amps (the Vintage Clubs, the Palominos, and the V3112/V1512/etc.). I think they are fantastic amps for the money, and every single time (every time) I go to my local music store, it's the first amp I sit down with.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Ahhh, I didnt read that you were looking for the higher wattage (30 watts) in the amp before I clicked on other. I was going to say to get the Gibson GA5 used (or just shake down the sales guy, thats what I did and got it for $450 new instead of $600). Its handwired, has a great speaker, a good amount of headroom for 5 watts and sounds very thick and simple with its one volume knob. If you want to go with lower wattage, I think that is the way to go, blows the doors off a pro junior or the smaller crates.

However, you said u were looking at the 30 watts and I found that the larger crates sound pretty good, distortion I found is a little bit fuzzy and thin sound (from my experience at least) but its pretty good.

 

[MattPete]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

*Ax84 P1-extreme: true class-A single-ended


*some assembly required.


Yep, the Crates are a bargain.

 

[More-Gear-Than-Skill]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

The Vox AC30 CC is a nice amp. Don't let all the bad rep confuse you. If you can go play one, do. The AC15 is sweet too. Otherwise the Laney VC15 is a nice lil 15 watter.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Well if you really want to hear what the Laney sounds like, try getting Opeth's Damnation album. All electrics are through that amp.

 

[B Bent]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Other:
BadCat or Dr. Z Let no one else tell you differently.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

The Vox AC30 CC is a nice amp. Don't let all the bad rep confuse you. If you can go play one, do. The AC15 is sweet too. Otherwise the Laney VC15 is a nice lil 15 watter.

Agreed.

I also have to say that the Crate Vintage Club Series are pretty nice too as wat bigalthethird said.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

MESA Loanstar Special. 30/15/5 watt. I'm lovin' the H-E-double hockey sticks outta mine. The thang is waaaaay phat!

 

[Ironjose]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

for that kind of budget you should look for something else, or are those the ones you liked, coz de taste may varied in persons... i´d personally choose the laney between the two of them... but for real look for something else.
good luck
JJ

 

[James Rock]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Eventually i'd be going for a bad cat or the mesa lonestar speacial but for now i cant afford anything near those prices so im looking at something under 1500 AUD.

 

[heavydutysg135]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Celtic Franklin or Diedre

 

[Dirtyking]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Start searching Ebay. It can be a gold mine for tone. I saw a Randall RM20 with EL84 power tubes and a Greenback 12" speaker go for $295 shipped. Now that dude just has to pick a module out of 16+ different ones for about $100-150.

 

[Pepi]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

A Mesa F-30 is nice too

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Celtic Franklin or Diedre

HDSG, change your sig mang! The Dierdre 30 has landed.



Hmmm... 1500 AUD is around 1200 USD.

 

[heavydutysg135]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Thanks for the heads up on that sig lol. Landed it has :banana: I cannot recomend a Diedre or Franklin highly enough. I guarantee that it will end your EL-84 GAS quickly.

HDSG, change your sig mang! The Dierdre 30 has landed.



Hmmm... 1500 AUD is around 1200 USD.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Thanks for the heads up on that sig lol. Landed it has :banana: I cannot recomend a Diedre or Franklin highly enough. I guarantee that it will end your EL-84 GAS quickly.

By making you prematurely deaf? Haha!:laugh2:

 

[James Rock]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Thanks for ur help the Celtic AMplifiers look interesting (bad cat/matchless features with lower price) do you know if they are avalaible in australia or how i could get one to australia without having to pay big on tax?

 

[James Rock]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Does anyone have any soundclips of the Celtic Amps (listened to the ones of the website sounded pretty good but want to listen to what the Diedre sounds like)?

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Class A EL84 amps! Which one?

Gibson Goldtone 30RVS 2-12.....just ask our resident Britamp head Joe