Good first all tube combo amp

tman

tman

New member
Hey guys and gals I know that picking a tube combo amp is usually in the ear of the beholder. But I wanted to get a general consensus of which all tube combo amp would be good for my first one? I am looking for something that costs no more then 600 bucks and is a 1x12 combo. With reverb and the basics. Preferably on the lower wattage side since I play at home a lot. I want something with good overall cleans/crunch/and gain, but doesnt have to be overboard with the gain. Something good for blues/classic rock/and metal (but not death metal) nothing like that. I have reviewed some like the Bugera v-22/Blackstars/Marshall's(DSL) series/Peavey valve kings I and II
Orange to name a few. Please give me some suggestions thanks a bunch
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

In the sub $600 range I think the Blackstar HT-20 Combo is hard to beat. If you're patient you can probably catch one on sale for 10 - 15% off, no tax, and no shipping.

Good luck in your quest!
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Classic 30 or a Blues Jr. would be my choice under $600. You might need to augment with some pedals to get into the metal range, but both are really good amps.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Blackstar HT-20 would be my choice too. I like those things more than i like to admit.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Used Peavey Classic 30
No bad tones in the thing

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Peaveys are dependable, good sounding amps. I love my Prowler, but it uses 6L6s which I prefer over EL84s.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

yeah Im actually considering the Peavey classic 30 it does sound nice. I believe that is 12ax7 pre's and EL 84's also in power. I have a nice OD pedal already to push the gain for some metal so may look into that amp. I like Peavey amps myself I have a Peavey Bandit 112 silver strip amp and a Kustom hybrid amp PH TUBE 12 a new model from 2014 both sound awesome but looking for a tube amp now lol. I have a Eminence cv-75 speaker in the bandit 12" that I replaced the Sheffield with.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

A Fender Hot Rod Deluxe would fit the bill nicely. Used ones go for under $500 usually. For that price you can put a better speaker in it or add a dirt pedal for another flavor.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

My vote is for Blackstar. Also I know you said tube but you really might want to check out their ID series. It's solidstate but sounds great and feels good to play.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

I say this every time, but check out Bugera's Vintage 22, I absolutely LOVE mine, and its built much better than folks on the internet would have you believe. I got the head and matching cab for right at $500 from Sweetwater.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Fender's new X2 Super Champ is pretty cool, useable models, Fuse interaction, & tons of downloadable content! I don't have any experience with the combo unit but the head & cab that I've got will come in well within your budget? Honestly, I'd buy it again just for CH 1, it's just a basic 15w blackface but about half of the models are quite nice, this is rare for me to say because I hate modeling amps!!! I.M.H.O. it's about the best NEW Fender tube amp for under $1000.00? This is also a head & cab but the Ibanez TS15 head & cab will work with your budget too & love mine!!! Don't buy it for the Tube Screamer, buy it because it's just a great sounding, no frills amp! Easy as hell to dial in your tone & it can do just about anything as long as you got a dirt pedal you like! The T.S. circuit sounds ok but it's kind of week unless you have the amp cranked, it's a 6V6 amp so it takes pedals very well! Good luck man!!!
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

tman said:
yeah Im actually considering the Peavey classic 30 it does sound nice. I believe that is 12ax7 pre's and EL 84's also in power. I have a nice OD pedal already to push the gain for some metal so may look into that amp. I like Peavey amps myself I have a Peavey Bandit 112 silver strip amp and a Kustom hybrid amp PH TUBE 12 a new model from 2014 both sound awesome but looking for a tube amp now lol. I have a Eminence cv-75 speaker in the bandit 12" that I replaced the Sheffield with.
Click to expand...

hows that Emi' sound in the Bandit, huh?
did the Bandit suddenly jump out at ya?

you know, I had a Laney solid state that sounded really great
and I was convinced that an all tube amp would sound sooo much better
I bought a Carvin Belair, a tweed tube tone machine
it is a great sounding amp
but it is not way better than the Laney
the Carvin is more American clean tube amp
and the Laney has a darker British tone
both sound great, and distinctly different

in short the the Peavey Classic will sound like the Bandit
with a bit more grind in the gain section
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Traynor YCV20, 40, or 50 . . . can usually be had in the 2-400$ range and are pretty damned awesome.
 
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

Super_Six_Reverb.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: Good first all tube combo amp

yeah I was listening to those ID series they do sound good
 
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