Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

[t1r12003]

I'm in the market for a new amp. I've played in bands back in college about 10 years ago and used a Crate solid state 2 X 12 amp with the clean channel, chorus and a Boss Metal Zone, not really the sound I like now. Since then, the amp has taken a dump, and I just use it as a 2X12 cabinet and picked up a Peavey Supreme Transtube head to play through. I'm selling the Peavey head and probably keeping the Crate as a 2X12 extension cabinet since I probably can't get much cash for it anyway.

I'm ready for a change. I have a V-amp Pro Processor for playing in my town home at low volumes, so finding a tube amp that I can play at low volumes really isn't too much of a concern for me.

I also have a Duncan Twin Tube Classic pedal that I really like. I use it for crunchy tones as well as beefing up some lead sounds out of my processor, but the processor still sounds too artificial to me.

I'm going to start playing with some guys again, which may lead to some small gigs once a month. The music I mostly play is Vai and Satriani stuff. That's the main type of tone I'm looking for, which is that thicker lead sound. I have a wide variety of guitars and pickups ranging from a semi hollow body with Dimarzio Vintage PAF pickups, fixed bridge project guitars with Duncan Custom and Custom Customs and '59 in the neck to Ibanez RG's with Evolutions or FRED/PAF Pro (Vai and Satch setups).

I only have around $450 to spend, so that excludes the Carvin Legacy and Peavey JSX combos. I've tried out a Carvin NOMAD, 50 watt tube combo with a single 12" speaker. It had an incredible clean sound, but the gain channel didn't get that lead tone I'm looking for, but I'm going back with the Duncan pedal to try it out again. I also tried out the Peavey Valveking 1x12 and 2x12. I really liked the 2X12, but it's out of my price range.

Sorry so lengthy but I figured that would cover all bases for some suggestions. Thanks.

 

[blueslegend8]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Peavey XXX combo.

 

[blueslegend8]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Peavey XXX combo.

 

[t1r12003]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Thanks for the double suggestion. :friday:

I have some time this week to be going to stores and trying stuff out.

Any other thoughts?

 

[devastone]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Watch ebay for a Trace Elliot Speedtwin combo. They pop up every once in a while really cheap. New they were around $2K, I've seen them go for around $500 or so. The SuperTramps are nice too, but they are SS, the SpeedTwins are all tube.

 

[t1r12003]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Someone here locally in my area has a Carvin MTS 3200 master series 50 anniversary edition tube amp for sale for $400. I was thinking of trying it out.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

For that much dinero, you will not be finding a lot of tube amps. You almost have to go used. The two amps that really come to mind are the Peavey Classic 30 and the Classic 50, but both are more what I would consider Classic Rock/Blues amps, and may not get you into the Vai/Satriani territory. Crate also has some small tube combos, but the same caveats apply.

You might be able to find some of the older, smaller Mesa amps such as the Studio .22, DC-2, DC-3, Subway Blues, Subway Rocket, Rocket 44 or Rocket 4-40--these will all be pro-quality amps with great gain, and enough pop to hang with a drummer.

If you were going to stay with a head, I recommend finding an old Peavey VTM 60 or VTM 120. Take it to a tech and get it re-tubed and checked out, and you'd have a solid reliable amp that takes pedals well and can play loud all night long.

When you get up into the $700-$1000 range, things start to open up. You can often find vintage Fender Silver-Faced amps, used Fender Twins of various eras, Hot-Rods, etc. Finding a Mesa II-B or Mark III isn't out of the question, or even a DC-5 or Nomad. Then there are several Marshalls--JCM 600s, 800s and 900s can be found in this range. Just be sure to budget for new tubes and any restoration/repair work that has to be done. (Always a good idea to make friends with your local amp tech!)

And I wouldn't exclude the possiblity that for the time being, solid state might serve you very well. Your Peavey Supreme is a good sounding head--I can only wonder how much better it might sound through a professional grade 412 cab, instead of through the tired old Crate open-back combo. Getting a good deal on a GOOD Peavey, Marshall, or Mesa cabinet might be a great builiding block for future acquisitions. If you decide to go that route and keep your Supreme running a while longer, check with the Peavey Forums--you may find some great tone tips from some of the Supreme users who post there.

Finally, enjoy the journey. Buy wisely, with an eye to the future. You'll need to rationally evaluate your needs, and determine which compromises will work best for you.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[t1r12003]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

The guy that has the Carvin 3200 2X12 Master series tube combo is bringing it by my house to try out during lunch tomorrow.

I've done the Harmony-central research, but other than that, does anyone have any experience with that amp?

Thanks.

 

[Christobevii3]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Crate v3112T

 

[t1r12003]

Re: Help in picking out a good tube combo amp

Tried the Carvin Master Series amp on both 100 watt and 50 watt settings, messing with the EQ, presence etc. Tried my Twin Tube Classic in front of it as a lead boost sorta thing. It never really got me what I wanted.

I also went back to Carvin headquarters and played my Peavey Supreme head through a 2 X 12 cabinet with celestions and didn't like it either. It was better than my sad Crate, but still not there.

I plugged into the Legacy 2 X 12 combo and played on it for a while. I'm realizing you get what you pay for. Boogie Bill said it right, at $700 and up things start to open up your ears more.

I haven't tried the JSX combo yet, because originally it was out of my price range, but that's on my list now too. I also need to find the Triple XXX Peavey on a suggestion as well.

I may sell a guitar or two to make up the difference and just pay for what I really want. I'm not rushing into anything for that much of an investment.