First Tube amp, recco please.

[ironhorse777]

Hi, I am going to be buying my first tube amp and my budget is about $1000 and I am looking for an amp that I can crank all the way and it should not be more than 30W because I am not going to be using the cleans a lot. Bands I listen to are mostly old school metal and Rock from the 80s.
Cheers!

EDIT: I own a mexican strat (s-s-s) with stock pickups.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Are you in a position to test drive amps in person? That is the best way to pick one out. If that is not possible, 1k will net you many many options

 

[ironhorse777]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Are you in a position to test drive amps in person? That is the best way to pick one out. If that is not possible, 1k will net you many many options

Yes I live close to Toronto so I have access to most of the popular brands and I can test them in person. Since I have never played with tube amp before. I just need some suggestions on which might suit my needs.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Well, the same that would apply to using sims or amp models, to be honest: modded Marshall flavour or Marshall with overdrive is your first port of call. Second would be something like a Soldano. Some people (myself included) like using a vintage Fender circuit with boost and distortion in front of it.

Re wattage, there is no appreciable difference between 30 and 100W in terms of volume level, only in available headrroom. You will have a lot more choice if you go to 50W or 100W and pull half of the power valves to give you 50W.

 

[ironhorse777]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Well, the same that would apply to using sims or amp models, to be honest: modded Marshall flavour or Marshall with overdrive is your first port of call. Second would be something like a Soldano. Some people (myself included) like using a vintage Fender circuit with boost and distortion in front of it.

Re wattage, there is no appreciable difference between 30 and 100W in terms of volume level, only in available headrroom. You will have a lot more choice if you go to 50W or 100W and pull half of the power valves to give you 50W.

I know it's impossible to copy an artist's tone exactly but all I am looking for is an amp that can be loud, feedback and give that wall of sound, something similar to the lines of Eddie Hazel on Maggot Brain. I just want to make as much noise as possible.

 

[the toad]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Blackstar HT-5 / HT-20 / HT-40 special edition
Marshall DSL-5 / DSL -15 / DSL-40
Orange Tiny Terror / Jim Root Terror
Peavey Classic 30 / 6505 mini

If you wanna be able to commonly crank it without killing small children and pets in your city block, I'd say stick with a 5 watt (or master volume equipped model at least). I live in the country and my 30 watt solid state can be heard clearly a half a mile away... At half volume...

And I like loud music... I have aftermarket amps subs and speakers in my car and have a PA system in my bedroom...

 

[zzmoore]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

I know it's impossible to copy an artist's tone exactly but all I am looking for is an amp that can be loud, feedback and give that wall of sound, something similar to the lines of Eddie Hazel on Maggot Brain. I just want to make as much noise as possible.

Are you a, relatively, young person.?
You do not "need" a tube amp to hit what you are aiming at.
Maybe even a hybrid from Blackstar would be a good choice for you.
good luck

 

[ironhorse777]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Are you a, relatively, young person.?
You do not "need" a tube amp to hit what you are aiming at.
Maybe even a hybrid from Blackstar would be a good choice for you.
good luck

Yes, but I want to get a tube amp. I tried an orange amp at my local store I like how much of a difference I heard between the solid state I own and the tube amp.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Yes, but I want to get a tube amp. I tried an orange amp at my local store I like how much of a difference I heard between the solid state I own and the tube amp.

I see.....sounds like you know what you are after...so go for it.!
You just have to try a bunch and see what you think.

TRAYNOR makes a very good amp, with a very good warranty. Do not forget to give them a shot as well.

1000 bux will get you a Very Good, used tube amp. For 1k you should be able to find a completely rebuilt Fender Bassman (head) or one of the old (original and awesome) Traynor YB series of amps.
With ALL old amps, you need to see the guts, Never trust what somebody says Has Been done to the amp.
good luck

 

[ironhorse777]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

I see.....sounds like you know what you are after...so go for it.!
You just have to try a bunch and see what you think.

TRAYNOR makes a very good amp, with a very good warranty. Do not forget to give them a shot as well.

1000 bux will get you a Very Good, used tube amp. For 1k you should be able to find a completely rebuilt Fender Bassman (head) or one of the old (original and awesome) Traynor YB series of amps.
With ALL old amps, you need to see the guts, Never trust what somebody says Has Been done to the amp.
good luck

Thanks, but I've heard from folks here that Traynor does cleans extremely well but I am more interested in heavier forms of music. That's why I needed some suggestion on an amp that would help me to play the genre I want to.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

If I were in you shoes, I'd be checking out Blackstar. I love old tube amps, but in this day & age they're not what I'd recommend for a first tube amp. Too many good quality new amps out there. Have fun choosing!

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

I have a Carvin Belair
its a 50 watt 2x12 tweed combo
the cleans are great
my buddy keeps wanting to trade me his '72 Twin for it

the newer Carvin offerings have 50/22/7 watt switches
that let you get the same gain structures with less volume

used you can get two nice amps for a grand

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

If liked the Orange then for that type of tone go with an OR15, or you might be able to find a used TH30 for $1000

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Thanks, but I've heard from folks here that Traynor does cleans extremely well but I am more interested in heavier forms of music. That's why I needed some suggestion on an amp that would help me to play the genre I want to.

Some of the modern Traynors can do heavy pretty well. Check out the IronHorse head or YCS50 head through a decent closed back 2x12 or 4x12. I think one of those might be right up your alley . . .

 

[Kais]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

The Marshall DSL 40w sounds like a good fit.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

take your time. try out as many as you can. Don't feel pressured to make a decision in the first shop you walk in to.

 

[Diego]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

I'd say you'd be better off spending a day at Toronto blowing your eardrums off.
You'll get way better feedback than by asking us what you might like.

Go and try all brands and models you can. Don't scoff at anything based on power ratings or by tube/solid state nature. Try different cabinets too.
You'll have so much fun you'll feel silly.

 

[Synapsys]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

Carvin V3M.

 

[Matt42]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

I know it's impossible to copy an artist's tone exactly but all I am looking for is an amp that can be loud, feedback and give that wall of sound, something similar to the lines of Eddie Hazel on Maggot Brain. I just want to make as much noise as possible.

I'm not sure by any means, but I wouldn't be surprised if Maggot Brain was recorded on a cranked up Fender with some fuzz on it. There's definitely something to be said for a clean amp with pedals.

You might look for a used Mesa DC3, I think that would nail what you are after. If you don't mind going up to 50 watts, the DC5 is another great option.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: First Tube amp, recco please.

I'll save you a ton of money, and show you the amp that'll make you very happy.

Before they're sold out, get on Musicians Friend and buy a Bad Cat Cougar 50H. For hard rock and metal, with great cleans and killer gain, the Cougar 50 head cannot be beat for the money.
They're knocking $1070 off the retail price!!! This amp is the steal of the century.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...s-ab-tube-guitar-amp-head?rNtt=cougar&index=2