Good mini practice amps

[DeadandBuried]

Looking for a small (less than 10 watts) practice amp to use for teaching and also some bedroom use, looking at the Orange micro crush which is a good option, however been reading the clean tones aren't as "clean" as you might want, its got too much break up.

Anything else out there I can look at?

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Good mini practice amps

That's the common issue with the 5 watt amps... they just don't have any headroom. I think you'd be better-off getting an H&K Tubemeister or Grandmeister... because they've got awesome cleans and adjustable wattage.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Good mini practice amps

If you need it for teaching, why wouldn't you go with something really versatile like one of the small modelers from Vox, fender, or Roland? You would have all the amp models and effects to play anything you needed in addition to rhythm machines and a tuner in some models.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Good mini practice amps

I only want it around 5-10 watts cos of the neighbours, so its got to be at acceptable volumes. It'll just be a jamming/practice amp and one for the guitar students to plug into during the lesson.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Good mini practice amps

If you need it for teaching, why wouldn't you go with something really versatile like one of the small modelers from Vox, fender, or Roland? You would have all the amp models and effects to play anything you needed in addition to rhythm machines and a tuner in some models.

I already have an Marshall MG15R which is very good for what I need it to do. I could of course, let the student use that and upgrade to something else though.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Good mini practice amps

I'd look at the Roland Cube 40 and 80 if I were you, considering the need to get great tones at quiet volumes.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Good mini practice amps

I can seriously bug the neighbors with five watts. Even a little Blackstar one watt thing was too loud to get cranked. I don't know of many amp/guitar combos that can't get to practice volume clean.

I had an Orange AD5 ; I considered that amp to not have much headroom, but at "listening/apartment" volumes it was still clean. I have a Vox AC4-C1 , with master volume I feel that's a great amp for low volume clean or dist. , after a tube change. But if clean is where your focus is... Orange Crush 20 actually has a pretty awesome clean tone, the distortion is garbage however.

 

[probo_squad_henry]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Blackstar ID Core is a good bet. I recently got the 40 watt version for $130 and for the price it's awesome

 

[BadBen]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Bugera V5 w/12AY7, Eminence Patriot 820H, and a Joyo AC Tone.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[chassless]

Re: Good mini practice amps

agree with the V5, that's one great smooth sounding amp with wattage control that's really useful. from clean cleans to slighty overdriven blues sounds is what it can do, and greatly so. throw a dirt box up front and you're set! AMT series is my suggestion.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Yamaha THR10, they do 3 models and may well be fine for what you're looking for.

 

[baritone]

Re: Good mini practice amps

For such an application, solid state is the way to go. It's why I've given up on tube amps for now. Any solid state combo amp under 100w should work, since the volume can be decreased without altering the tone too much. Over the past few years, living in houses, apartments, & condos, I used 3 different 1x12 solid state combo amps:
1. Fender MIM Bassman 60
2. some 80w Crate
3. 80w Peavey Bandit (current)

With any of these, I can even play @night without disturbing people, and I can still crank it up on a Saturday afternoon. I would keep searching CraigsList and go for anything which has the right specs & price. I've always been attracted to the Orange Crush series, but some of 'em get expensive.

 

[Mattallica]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Orange Micro Terror and PPC108 cab, that's all you need brother! I have one and it totally rules, love it to death. I have the micro dark actually, and it even has an effects loop!

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Good mini practice amps

I'd look at the Roland Cube 40 and 80 if I were you, considering the need to get great tones at quiet volumes.

Yeah I like the look of the Cube 10 watt version, quite compact and the amp models are pretty cool.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Orange Micro Terror and PPC108 cab, that's all you need brother! I have one and it totally rules, love it to death. I have the micro dark actually, and it even has an effects loop!

Not really looking for a mini stack type thing, too confusing for learners if they're going to use it!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Good mini practice amps

I use a Marshall MG15 CDR and a Fender Champion 20, both will be as clean or as dirty as I need, they can whisper or shake my walls but not peel the paint, both have reverb, and the Fender has the amp models and I like the delay. I'd say pick a good modeling amp from your fav amp maker and roll with it.
I used to do the low wattage tube amps and pedals but they never sounded "great" to me until they were too loud for nighttime use. Going the modeling and solid state route meant less time messing with tubes, no attenuators or pedals, and quieter practice is not an issue. Less time worrying about "tone" in general. Plus the amps sound good for almost no money. I used to have $700 tied up in one amp that was almost unusable at night, now I have $150 in two amps that both sound good, for sure not as good as the deluxe reverb but my fam and friends don't notice the difference half as much as I do.

 

[MakerDP]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Surprised nobody has mentioned the Fender Mustang I or II.

Sounds fantastic. Incredibly versatile. Put a speaker jack on the back of it for an external cabinet and you can even gig with it too. I take it to every show as the backup amp for me, the other guitar player and even our harp player.

Load it with the presets made by Fuse user "InTheBlues" and it will knock your socks off!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Good mini practice amps

Not really looking for a mini stack type thing, too confusing for learners if they're going to use it!

In what way is an amp with 3 knobs that always sounds good too confusing for learners? Less to think about, fewer knobs do get wrong.

I would probably do a Fender Mustang if it were me though. Decent enough sounds, easy to use, onboard tuner, and like 100 presets.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Good mini practice amps

I'm just mentioning these because no one else tossed them into the ring:

Fender Champion 600
Emery SuperBaby

But a Vox, Line6, SansAmp or other modeler/simulation would probably be better if you need versatility.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Good mini practice amps

In what way is an amp with 3 knobs that always sounds good too confusing for learners? Less to think about, fewer knobs do get wrong.

I would probably do a Fender Mustang if it were me though. Decent enough sounds, easy to use, onboard tuner, and like 100 presets.

Just prefer a solid state type combo, if its something with a speaker cable involved and stuff there's more things that can go wrong, etc.

I'm leaning towards the Roland Cube at the monent