Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

When I went off to university decades ago they didn't have Roland Cubes. I wish they did because that is exactly what you need for student apartment type playing. It's likely that you will starting jamming with friends and then with bands including a drummer. In that case you will need at least a 22 watt tube amp like a Deluxe Reverb. Wait and see what your needs are first. It's likely you will need a modeling amp and a bigger tube amp both.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

You really have a pretty good list there.
I would play what you have (on that list) and see what you like.
Ibanez makes a pretty nice 15 watt head for the money.
good luck
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

It took me forever to find the perfect small tube combo and now I have it:

Laney TI15-112 Tony Iommi

Beautiful modded vintage British tones
15 watt or "Less than 1 watt" inputs
Emulated recording out
Emulated headphone out
FX Loop
CD/MP3 input
Built in boost
Ignore all the downtuned death metal reviews (unless that's what you're after!), this amp sounds like an expert modded Marshall Super Lead or Plexi type amp and will do low gain bluesy tones beautifully, classic era metal, '80's metal and hard rock, and modern high gain. For home you can't find anything more perfect than this imo!
Bought mine for under $500 shipped. Hard to find unless you order online or have a local Laney dealer, but well worth it!
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

everdrone said:
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
Click to expand...

If the amp only has a volume knob then of course it's going to be too loud to get any dirt out of it. This is why generally most amps come with more than just volume. It'll just bark at you otherwise and from a tiny tube amp made in China that's probably not going to be a very pleasant sound.

The key is finding one with a good master volume. They don't need to be screaming to get a decent sound. The same way Mesas don't need to be on 10.
 
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Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

For people who want a useable amp that won't kill everyone within 10 blocks THIS is a great option IMO.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I use a Lil Night Train 1 watter through my 2x12 V30 loaded cab. It makes a beautiful noise that's ALMOST loud enough to gig with when cranked all the way.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Surprise that no one mentioned the little Jet City 20 watt amps here.
The JCA 20 will get you nice Marshall type tones but has a lack of clean headroom. Does clean up well using touch and the guitar volume though . The JCA22 adds the Soldano scream channel to the JCA 20 for a 2 channel option. I own a JCA22H head and really like the little beast. They are IMO LIGHT years ahead of the TT or Vox heads in versatility and overall tone for less $$. I looked hard at all 3 before I bought the Jet City and have never regretted my decision!
If you want the ultimate small tube rig go with a Zinky 25 watt Velvet but they are not cheap! I own both and the Jet City has it's place for those nights I need a Marshall type tone and don't need the cleans. I like the Jet City better than the Marshall Class 5 and DSL 15. I took my JCA22H in to one of the local shops and sat them down side by side on the same cab and thought the Jet City murdered the 2 Marshall.
The Zinky has an insane amount of gain and is more fluid and smooth while still keeping the touch dynamics + has a killer clean.
It's more like a very very good Boogie that actually responds to touch though.
 
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Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I stand by my Carvin v3m suggestion, but the Bugera v5 is nice sounding too.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

jon the art guy said:
I stand by my Carvin v3m suggestion, but the Bugera v5 is nice sounding too.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Want to check out the V-3M. The regular V-3 does not do well at low volume and I have to wonder how the M does at lower volumes but like the features a lot on that rig.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Before I even read the last part of the original post, I was actually thinking about the Victory V10. They just sound so good and it sucks that they cost so much.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

If you're worried about not being able to dime the amp, why don't you just get a dirt pedal? It's not going to sound as good as a cranked big wattage amp, but IMO nothing except a cranked big wattage amp sounds as good as a cranked big wattage amp.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

6262 halfstack... Neighbours? We dont need no freakin neighbours. Play enough during 100% legal times of day, and you might clear out your block a bunch & even get a chance at cheaper rent by moving to a neighbouring building once land value drops like a rock

PS mine start ringing the doorbell and hammering on the door at 5-7% volume. But I rarely notice on account of the temporary (?) hearing loss after playing. Muahahaha :smokin:
 
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Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I love my Jet City, but I'm a bit gay for Soldano tones, so I haven't weighed in yet. I guess I just did, though.
 
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Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Give this one a go . . . good value for your buck, imho.


fender-super-champ-x2-combo-amp.jpg



http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...super-champ-x2-15w-1x10-tube-guitar-combo-amp - $350.00 (15Watt)
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

Vox AC4: I owned one for a while...quickly fell out of love with it. Too "boxy" sounding and not very versatile.

VHT Special 6 Ultra: We have one at the shop and I've played through it and have used it for rehearsals with a full band: Really versatile. Lots of tones. Has a built in attenuator. Not a ton of clean headroom (obviously), but it worked for me during a couple rehearsals playing r&b. Bang for the buck, probably the best on your list.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

jimijames said:
If you're worried about not being able to dime the amp, why don't you just get a dirt pedal? It's not going to sound as good as a cranked big wattage amp, but IMO nothing except a cranked big wattage amp sounds as good as a cranked big wattage amp.
Click to expand...

Yep. That's kinda why distortion boxes were invented . . . Nobody wanted to have to deafen their audience to get some dirty tone.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

I know I shouldn't ask this but why does it have to be tube?
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

soulforger said:
It took me forever to find the perfect small tube combo and now I have it:

Laney TI15-112 Tony Iommi

Beautiful modded vintage British tones
15 watt or "Less than 1 watt" inputs
Emulated recording out
Emulated headphone out
FX Loop
CD/MP3 input
Built in boost
Ignore all the downtuned death metal reviews (unless that's what you're after!), this amp sounds like an expert modded Marshall Super Lead or Plexi type amp and will do low gain bluesy tones beautifully, classic era metal, '80's metal and hard rock, and modern high gain. For home you can't find anything more perfect than this imo!
Bought mine for under $500 shipped. Hard to find unless you order online or have a local Laney dealer, but well worth it!
Click to expand...

I've just seen the RobChappers demo of the amp, its a little beast, especially considering the price. I'm seriously looking at that one right now.

I know I shouldn't ask this but why does it have to be tube?
Click to expand...

I'd like to get an upgrade over the cube I have now, and a small tube amp seems like the next step, its either that or a really good stompbox.

By the way isn't the V3M a 50W model? Its probably too much for me.

Vox AC4: I owned one for a while...quickly fell out of love with it. Too "boxy" sounding and not very versatile.

VHT Special 6 Ultra: We have one at the shop and I've played through it and have used it for rehearsals with a full band: Really versatile. Lots of tones. Has a built in attenuator. Not a ton of clean headroom (obviously), but it worked for me during a couple rehearsals playing r&b. Bang for the buck, probably the best on your list.
Click to expand...

Is it the AC4 handwired? Thats the one I was looking at, a bit expensive but it seems to sound great. The VHT amp looks like great value for money I'm pretty impressed by the versatility of it.
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

By the way isn't the V3M a 50W model? Its probably too much for me.
Click to expand...

It's 50/20/7w or something similar. Like the Terrors from Orange.

oops, here's the specs from Carvin.

- Channels: 3
- Power: 50W/22W/7W selectable
- Impedance: 4/8/16 ohms selectable
- Tubes: 4 EL84, 4 12AX7
- Lush reverb
- Speaker Outputs: 2
- Line Out (cabinet voiced)
- Effects Loop
- Master Boost Control
- Optional Footswitch: FS44L or FS22
- Blue or Red Backlit LEDs (selectable)
- 120 or 240 VAC 50-60 Hz (switch)
- Dimensions: 15" (38cm) wide X 8.5" (21cm) deep X 7" (18cm) high
- Weight: 19 lbs (8.6 kgs)
 
Re: Help me choose a good small tube amplifier

One more vote for the Super Champ XD. Killer tones at very low volumes, and then you can take it to a gig and peel the paint with it.
 
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