Clean tube heads

alex1fly

alex1fly

Well-known member
Whatup SDUGF.

So I blew out all five of the tubes on my Pignose GV40, and considering the price of a new set of tubes plus a bias (and my undying love of swapping music gear), I may be looking to purchase a new amp head. Figured I'd post here since Google usually brings up just HC and Gearslutz threads and we just don't need to go there ;)

My favorite amp has been this GV40 - its a 40 watt tube head with two 6L6s and three AX127 tubes. Granted, I may love it because I run it through a modded 2x12 Marshall cab that just sounds amazing. Even though I've never run another head through this cabinet, I've learned over the years that speakers play a larger role in your tone than does the preamp and power amp (safe to assume? Off base?).

I've also played extensively on a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe (disliked, too boxy), a Mesa Roadster (too loud), a handful of modeling amps (please), a bunch of VSTs, etc etc.

I'm looking for tubes and clean headroom. Clean, clean, clean. Single channel is fine, I don't use dirt channels hardly at all. 40 watts or less is fine. 6L6 is preferred, but again I bet EL84s or other tubes running through my awesome cab would do the trick. Ideally I'd just get a Fender Deluxe Reverb or something like that, but I can't quite afford it. $400 tops is what I'd be spending on the head. Any thoughts on super-clean tube amp heads in my price range?

Lunchtime! :D
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Yeah thats a bit of a tough order... In general sub 40 watt tube amps dont have much headroom... they design them that way so they are easy to push into break up... then capping the price at 400 bucks.. thats a tough one... Maybe check out the Peavey classic 30...

I wouldnt say speakers play a larger role..i would say you have to match the speakers to your amp... its like making a great pasta dish... you can have 2 of the finest ingredients in the world but if they dont match its dog food. You need the right pieces in the right amounts.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

I always had a ton of luck with clean headroom using a Traynor YCV40 combo tube amp. 40 watts, 6L6's. The combo can be found for around $300 to $400 and it has a line out for connecting to a cab.

If you don't want a combo, I have heard great things about this head but I am not sure on the pricing: http://traynoramps.com/guitar/ycs/product/ycs50h/
 
Re: Clean tube heads

For $400, you'll probably have to go used. My first thought when I read your post was a BF Fender Tremolux head, but that's going to be a couple of grand. Come to think of it, I had a Fender 75 head that would fit the bill. But the heads are rare and these amps are going up in price. The Fender Concert is another one. These two have typical Fender cleans, but don't expect Mesa Boogie goodness from the lead channels.

You might find some happiness with one of the old Music Man amps. The Sixty-Five will use 2x6CA7 power with a SS front end and came in both head and combo versions. They are great sounding reliable amps. Or, you might be able to find an all-tube Peavey VTM 60, which is one of my favorite pawn-shop prizes for those on a budget. Or you might be able to find a used Mark IIB or Mark III Mesa head for a little bit more. The Mesas are known for their lead channel tones, but I think they do pretty good with cleans, too.

Not a lot out there in this price range, even used.

Bill
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Used Fender amps like a Silverface Bandmaster Reverb and swap the preamp tubes and PI tube to 12AY7 or 12AU7 for much more headroom and great cleans. If you don't mind having less power, a Fender Super champ X2 has one of the best sounding blackface clean tones and handles pedals extremely well at 15 watts. I own both and both and each one sounds excellent.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

alex1fly said:
..................I'm looking for tubes and clean headroom. Clean, clean, clean...........
Click to expand...
I don't understand this. Accent on CLEAN, yet it must be a tube amp....Why? There's really no difference in clean between solid state and tube amps. Your options increase many times if you go the SS route. BTW, my only experience w/ the Pignose is via videos, but I didn't think they were clean??
Most people (myself included) prefer tube amps for their overdriven sound, even if mild.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

IM4Tone said:
There's really no difference in clean between solid state and tube amps. Most people (myself included) prefer tube amps for their overdriven sound, even if mild.
Click to expand...

People with limited hearing skills, you mean ?

But beyond sound there's also the responsiveness.

Valves v's transistors = even-order harmonic emphasis v's odd-order harmonic emphasis. Audibly and tangibly different.
 
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Re: Clean tube heads

IM4Tone said:
Why? There's really no difference in clean between solid state and tube amps.
Click to expand...

Actually there is a ton of difference... not just in terms of sound but very importantly in feel and how the amp reacts to your playing dynamics.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Tubes in a clean setting contribute a lot. And I'm far from a tube snob freak.
Compression, to begin.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Edgecrusher said:
Actually there is a ton of difference... not just in terms of sound but very importantly in feel and how the amp reacts to your playing dynamics.
Click to expand...

Going with the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach and just getting a fresh set of tubes. Shopping for gear gives me anxiety, haha (too many choices)! Even though my bandmate's old Musicman amp has been fun, I'll be happy to have mine back in order.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

SnakeAces said:
I always had a ton of luck with clean headroom using a Traynor YCV40 combo tube amp. 40 watts, 6L6's. The combo can be found for around $300 to $400 and it has a line out for connecting to a cab.

If you don't want a combo, I have heard great things about this head but I am not sure on the pricing: http://traynoramps.com/guitar/ycs/product/ycs50h/
Click to expand...

I'd second this recommendation. I've been using a YCV40WR for about five years now as my main amp, and it's wonderful. Does the 6L6 very clean sound well, and sounds great with an extension cab. They can be had very cheap, and are reliable, well built amplifiers. Plus you never have to pay for a bias, they're cathode biased. You just stick the tubes in them and go.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Check out the Ampeg GVT series amps. My local Sam Ash store has them on clearance for under $400 and they sound great! I have the GVT52-112 and am very impressed. If you do go the used route, check out the Bogner Alchemist. Great cleans and has a few built-in effects.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Chiming in mainly just to stay up with the thread.

A vintage bassman head can be had sub-$500 if you look around. They may break up earlier than you like but they are loud as fark and I think they pair well w marshall speakers.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Should have added that "vintage" means "anything 70s or earlier" for me. Like orig. silverface era.
 
Re: Clean tube heads

Used Alchemist or Egnater Rebel 30. The Rebel uses 6l6 and el84 tubes!! Has some amazing tones and that 30 watts is incredibly loud (however, I've never been able to play it louder than about 10% volume...way too loud) with great headroom for pristine cleans (for a tube amp).

Otherwise you could go for used Showman/Twin Reverb (excellent tube cleans), or Roland JC 120 (the quintessence of SS clean tone). Over your budget though.
 
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