Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

[FretFire]

I'm trying to make a list of 10-12 amps that fit this description and am coming up very short. I'm pretty set on shopping for a single channel EL84 amp in the 15-30 watt ball park. Can be mainstream or boutique, I'm just starting to put money aside so I'll try out amps as I go and determine how much I want to spend when the times comes. Here's what I have so far:

Vox AC15
Vox AC30
Goodsell Super 17
Bad Cat Cub II, Cub II Reverb
Bad Cat Hot Cat (15 or 30)
Dr. Z Maz Jr. 18, 18NR

That's about where I start to draw a blank. Are there any "must try" amps that I am missing? I'd like to spend the next few months visiting all the local shops within a reasonable drive trying these guys out, I'm looking for "the amp".

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Genz Benz Black Pearl

Budda Superdrive 18 Series II 1x12 Combo

Budda Superdrive 30 Series II 1X12 Combo

Crate Palominos - 3 different wattages

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I know I'm dying to go play one of the new Jet City JCA20's. And they're only 300 bucks brand new.

 

[ksmith63]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Genz Benz Black Pearl

Budda Superdrive 18 Series II 1x12 Combo

Budda Superdrive 30 Series II 1X12 Combo

Crate Palominos - 3 different wattages

Budda Superdrives are all 2 channel. The Budda Twinmaster was a single channel 18 watter.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I'd never heard of the Twinmaster, thanks for that one. I need to give the Jet City amps a fair shake too, they've been getting some great review thus far. The only thing holding me back is all the reviews are saying "great for the money...", which makes me wonder just how good it really sounds even compared to amps in the $500-1000 range. But, that's where I just need to go try it myself.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I'll plug my own. Celitc Franklin. Kind of a lightning-ish thing. 2xEL84 single channel 1x12.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Carvin V16

 

[FretFire]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I'll plug my own. Celitc Franklin. Kind of a lightning-ish thing. 2xEL84 single channel 1x12.

Please do! I haven't posted around here much lately so I wasn't sure if you were still crankin' out amps. Good to know.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Please do! I haven't posted around here much lately so I wasn't sure if you were still crankin' out amps. Good to know.

Last two years have been self-imposed slow crawl, but I'm back and really enjoying it again.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Budda Superdrives are all 2 channel. The Budda Twinmaster was a single channel 18 watter.

Duh .......... I missed that single channel requirement.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I don't know what exactly you're looking for other than an EL-84 setup under 30 watts, but if you're looking for clean to light breakup with some major chime, you'll dig the Vox AC15H1TV for sure. Alongside my Bogner, it has gotten a lot of playing time and with a good overdrive pedal like the Crowther Hot Cake, you can get some pretty decent gain out of it (enough for singing lead tones).

 

[FretFire]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I don't know what exactly you're looking for other than an EL-84 setup under 30 watts, but if you're looking for clean to light breakup with some major chime, you'll dig the Vox AC15H1TV for sure. Alongside my Bogner, it has gotten a lot of playing time and with a good overdrive pedal like the Crowther Hot Cake, you can get some pretty decent gain out of it (enough for singing lead tones).

I'm mainly looking for nice chimey cleans that work well with pedals, and good light breakup to moderate drive for blues and rock rhythms when driven more. I'll be using OD pedals for lead boosts, etc. I'll definitely be looking at the AC15 as I'm loving the tones I'm getting from my little AC4 here at home.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Matchless Cheiftan, DC-30 and Lightning plus many boutiquey clones version like the Ceriatone.

Hayseed 30 and other search AC30 clones to find some nice ones.

 

[James Rock]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

I'm mainly looking for nice chimey cleans that work well with pedals, and good light breakup to moderate drive for blues and rock rhythms when driven more. I'll be using OD pedals for lead boosts, etc. I'll definitely be looking at the AC15 as I'm loving the tones I'm getting from my little AC4 here at home.

The VOX AC30 (and its similar amps) is more versatile then people think. They are great for cleans chimey etc. But with pedals they can rock out they have been used by The Foo Fighters, Grinspoon, Blink 182 as well as obviously The Beatles, The Church, Brian May, Nirvana and loads of others.
The Frenzal Amps el84 amps (HBX-AC15, HBX AC-30) are kinda cool (the former I use as my primary amp and the latter can be had with either 4 el84's or 2 el34's).

 

[Mincer]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

though discontinued, check out the Mesa Blue Angel- 4 EL84s, along with 2 6v6s..can be used together, or separately, for 18-34 watts. No master volume, and some of the best reverb you'd ever hear.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Night Train.

 

[Animal]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Orange Tiny Terror.
Orange AD-30.

 

[DesertRat]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

The Fender Blues Junior fits in there too, though it's got a way different vibe than most of the vox-ish el-84 clones out there.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Ampeg Jet J12-T...really good od, and chime for days.

 

[FretFire]

Re: Help me compile a list - single channel EL84 amps under 30 watts

Awesome list so far guys, thanks for all the additions. Keep 'em coming!