Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

[Hairmail]

I've been using a Roland Cube for quite a while now, its a great amp, and very simple, and most importantly very useable. Recently though I've been hankering for a tube amp, a nice small one that's loud enough for practicing and playing in a room but not loud enough to start a diplomatic incident with the neighbours.

I've come up with a sort of shortlist here:

1 Blackstar HT-5-Probably the first thing I think of when I see small tube amp.

2 VHT Special 6 Ultra-the current favourite, I've heard good things about these.

3 Orange Tiny Terror-sounds great but having to buy a cabinet makes it expensive, or I could just go for the combo

4 Vox Night Train 15- same deal with the Orange, I'm going to have to get a cabinet for these

5 Vox AC4-I found out about this one recently, and it ticks practically all the boxes

6 Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 5-an interesting one. I've never tried a German amp before, and this model is widely praised.



And then there's the one I really really really really want, but it is forever out of reach:

Victory Amps V10 combo-its exactly what I want but its far too expensive, it costs over 1000 GPB.



I can't get my hands on all of these amps, only some, so any comments, suggestions, and experiences are very welcome.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

First question: What style of music do you play?

Second question: Can you turn the amp up to an appreciable level? Otherwise, the differences between valve and solid state will be moot.

 

[RealtyViking]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

The Night Train 15 would be my first choice of the amps listed. The Orange TT would be second. Both are very simular, but the Vox has better harmonics. You almost get a natural reverb. The Orange has more gain if that is your goal.

Good demo of Vox


Good Demo of Orange (same player and cab as Vox)


My choice for a small tube combo would be a Fender Super Champ XD because it gives so much flexability.

Good Example of Fender Super Champ flexability

 

[Securb]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

4 Vox Night Train 15- same deal with the Orange, I'm going to have to get a cabinet for these

If you want to avoid buying a cabinet I would suggest the Fender Excelsior. 13 watts with a 15 inch speaker, a great sounding amp. But it does come down to what kind of music you are playing.

 

[Hairmail]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

First question: What style of music do you play?

Second question: Can you turn the amp up to an appreciable level? Otherwise, the differences between valve and solid state will be moot.

1 I can't believe I forgot this, I play mostly rock,metal, blues, and a bit of everything else, so I'd like something very versatile.

2 What is appreciable levels? Do you mean like really loud, everything at 10? Probably not, but loud enough to be heard throughout the house and beyond, most probably.

I'd rather not have to buy a speaker cabinet, though the Vox Night train is admittedly looking very interesting

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

The Carvin V3m may be a good answer for you. It's a 12" combo that has 7w, 22w, and 50w settings, all tube, 3 channels, good cleans and hi gain settings, effects loop....it's kind of a beast.
http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/V3MC

 

[everdrone]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

none, not even 1/4 watt if you are in a 2 story apartment building. way too loud. my 5 watt epi valve junior is insane loudness for my neighbors, I need to get rid of it

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

none, not even 1/4 watt if you are in a 2 story apartment building. way too loud. my 5 watt epi valve junior is insane loudness for my neighbors, I need to get rid of it

ugh, yea I hear you on that. I modded up a vjr and ran it through an Eminence AlNiCo 12" and it rattles windows. It's ridiculously loud for a "practice amp". I don't even like the tone out of the combo either

another reason why if I'm buying a tube amp, I'd get that Carvin. Emulated line out in the back.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Laney VC15 or LC15 (they are 1 x 10" combos). Look for a good s/h one as they were made in the UK but have recently started being made in China i believe. I have the VC15 and it's a great amp for around the house.

 

[scottish]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Nothing is forever out of reach. Suck it up and save for the amp you want. Otherwise you will buy something and still want it and eventually end up selling what you bought.

Seriously, just save.

 

[scottish]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

And if thats not an option then judging by the description of the victory you posted...get the hughes and kettner or buy a blues junior and retube/new speaker.

 

[kilphody]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

The Lil Night Train has a headphone out. Great little amp.
PC

 

[HTT]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I have the Blackstar HT-5. I have a love/hate relationship with it. For room volumes, the Yamaha THR series is excellent. If you want a combo amp, I would suggest the Night Train 2 combo or the AC4 for rock and blues. The Night Train will do some levels of metal, but that is where the Blackstar rules. The Tiny Terror and its brother Dark Terror are excellent amps. The Micro Terror is one of the best bang for bucks around. If it was me, I would go Night Train 2 combo with the AC4 as a close second. I would pick up a Micro Terror because they are so cool and inexpensive. I'm not you, though. I don't think I am not being that helpful... Sorry.

 

[Scatterwound]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Laney VC15 or LC15 (they are 1 x 10" combos). Look for a good s/h one as they were made in the UK but have recently started being made in China i believe. I have the VC15 and it's a great amp for around the house.

+1 for the VC15 (UK)

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Laney VC15 or LC15 (they are 1 x 10" combos). Look for a good s/h one as they were made in the UK but have recently started being made in China i believe. I have the VC15 and it's a great amp for around the house.

+1. I have the LC15.

 

[fwr1982]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I live in an apartment, so I have to be quieter when I play as well - I love my Fender Super Champ x2 - $349 normally; on black friday - who knows how cheap you might be able to get it.

 

[Inder_Cine_Mann]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

If you are just playing by yourself i wouldnt go past 5w. Perfect for recording and practicing.

Just curious what guitars and pedals and pickups are you using?

I love the Marshall Class 5. Its a single channel tho. It takes pedals better than most amps. Fact.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I like the tiny terror combo.
I found the night train kinda harsh after a few months.
The first time I played a TT again after owning a NT I was like "ahh the Warmth!"

They're both good amps but it depends on what sounds you're after, brighter or warmer?

 

[Progbusters]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Amp and weber mini-mass attenuator is your friend.

 

[Hairmail]

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

If you are just playing by yourself i wouldnt go past 5w. Perfect for recording and practicing.

Just curious what guitars and pedals and pickups are you using?

I love the Marshall Class 5. Its a single channel tho. It takes pedals better than most amps. Fact.

I was thinking of giving the amp/pedal rig a refit. Currently using a MIJ Charvel San Dimas(JB/59) into Boss multi-effects pedal and the Roland Cube. I was thinking a small tube combo but a stack is not out of the question. Probably around 5w for exactly the reasons you mentioned and I'm leaving for university soon so I'd like to keep it as portable as possible.