Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

BigAlTheBird

BigAlTheBird

Guest
Hey guys. This is my first actual post, but I've been lurking on these boards for about 8 months. Awesome community here!

Anyways, at the moment I'm playing through a small practice amp (little 8 inch deal). I'm not a bad guitarist or anything, but I am flat broke. Perpetually. I'm in college. So what I'm looking for is a decenbt tube amp with good cleans and at least decent od for around $500 (if not less). I have no particular company in mind.

I've been researching this for a while (10 months or so) in that I've been going to a lot of guitar shops and trying out the amps. For what I play, tube amps are just perfect. I haven't yet played a solid state that I really loved, but I have LOVED every tube I've played (even the bad Peavey I tried yesterday! :) ).

So any suggestions? I appreciate it!
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

Peavey Valve King and a pedal, or save up more and get a 5150.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

DeadSkinSlayer3 said:
Peavey Valve King and a pedal, or save up more and get a 5150.
Click to expand...

Scratch the pedal a new speaker is a must.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

I hear very nice things about the crate "vintage clubs" and they are under $200 used(EBAY). I think it is a VC2113 or something. You can go to Harmonycentral user reviews to find the actual models/specs.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

First off, thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it.

So I looked up everything you guys suggested on Harmony-Central, and the Crate seems really really good for what I'm looking for. But I think 30 or 50 watts is too much for me. I read in some reviews that to get a good sound out of it, you need to push the tubes - you need to get them saturated. I'm not going to be gigging or anything like that. So the 20 watt Crate would be great, but I haven't found any of them on eBay or anything.

So any ideas? That Crate did seem to be a very good fit. Nice price too.
The Peavey 5150 had very mixed reviews (although the average was good, some people hated it, some people loved it), and is too expensive for me. But the Valve King looked alright. I'd want to try one out.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

Yup, the Crates are good:bigthumb:

Anyone know anything about the Peavey Ultra Plus? Seems like a good one & I saw a guy selling one on HC for $400 or $500.

Need a cab for that one though...I seem to recall it was a head.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

BIG. ill sell you my Laney Pro Tube 30 AOR series. Just replaced All tubes 2-6V6s 4 -12ax7 WOW 4 pre amp tubes in a 30 watter .This amp is a tone monster.I just bought a Fender Twin so i wont be using it anymore! Has a few dings in the tolex.You live in the states?Asking 300.00 Ill be losing 50.00 but this amp is kind of heavy and im not sure what the shipping will be *thats why ill take a loss in lew of shipping. Are you in the states??
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

If the Vintage Crates are too loud for you, it's going to be difficult to find a good tube amp that won't be too loud when it starts to distort. Because even a 5 watt tube amp can be pretty loud. Dr. Z makes a 5 watt amp that really cranks and my BadCat Minicat is too loud for the apartment, even though it's only 5 watts. I only bring this up because I wouldn't want you to get stuck with something you can't use to its full potential. Maybe a silver face Fender Champ style amp from the 70's with a good overdrive pedal. Whatever you do, try before you buy, preferably at a place that allow you to return if it doesn't work out. I've got a few amps sitting in the closet waiting for when I get a basement or find a friend with a place I can crank 'em.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

Most of those amps you mention are boutique amps like the z- and the Bad Cat ,your lucky if you can find one for under 500$ ?
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

If you're in an apartment, I'd suggest a smaller tube combo, like the Crate V58 (An AMAZING little amp) or the Epiphone Valve Junior. The Valve Junior comes in either head or combo format, so if you get the head, you need a cab to go with it. But for a great little combo, I'd get the Crate V58. It has a pretty nice clean sound and goes from there to classic hard rock a la Cream and Led Zeppelin. Thats about as heavy as I play, but I bet it can get much heavier with a pedal.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

A few not listed that may be of interest (used). If you want a bassman or Plexi tone ...

Traynor Bass Master (or Bass Master II)

If you want a nice channel switcher ...

Carvin x100B and a nice 2x12 from Avatar.

Alternatives ... small Peavey XXX combo, Classic 30, Used Classic 50, Several modern Carvins (used).
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

Here is another idea ....

A Blues JR and an Epi Value Jr Head (5W) with a 1x12 for the head (cheap one ... Weber Silver and CCcab on Ebay). Morley A/B Box.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

Wow I really appreciate all of this guys. I'll respond to you guys more in depth, I gotta leave right now, but I appreciate it.

Also, sonoflickapuss, I don't have that much cash/credit/anything right now. My job only pays about $200 a month, so it'll take me some time to save up. Those Crates sure are looking tasty though.

Thanks again! :)
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

used Peavey Classic 30 is a good suggestion as well...

Those valvekings look like great options too, but I've never heard one.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

The Crate V58 is looking like a nice option. I'd have to play it and hear it, but it looks good. It has a 8.9 on sound, which is quite good. And it's a full $250 cheaper than the Peavey Classic 30.

The Peavey Classic 30 has a good rating on h-c for sound as well. It's expensive, but it's also quite a bit bigge than the Crate. In general, bigger=better but I'd really need to try them both out.

So I need to go find these amps somewhere and try them out! Thanks guys.

Any more feedback or suggestions are GLADLY accepted.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

Try the crate v-16 palomino too. It's got mojo, if you're looking for that kind of thing. Same as the crate 1512, I believe, 15 watts, 12" speaker dual el84 power tubes.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

The V16 is absolutely GORGEOUS. I think I'm in love, and I'm not joking. I would need to play it, but this very well could be my amp! I appreciate it guys! I really do. It will definitely take like 6 months to save that much money (unless I get a more lucrative job this summer), but it's looking good.

Thanks!
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

If heavy metal isn't your thing then I can't really suggest anything better then a peavey classic 30. Awsome amps, and they work well with most pedals and guitars.
 
Re: Good tube amp under $500? Suggestions?

So what about the Peavey Classic 30 is better than the Crate V16, in your opinion?

And yeah I don't really play metal. At all. I play a lot of Bad Religion/Ramones/Social Distortion-esque punk (i.e. fast but not too fast, and not too distorted either). I also play a lot of Stevie Ray Vaughan type stuff (or at least I try! :)).
 
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