Help me decide on a practice amp

S

sublimerules9604

New member
I am looking for an all tube practice amp, since I already have the modeler. I dont like the way the tone is squashed on my vox when I am practicing at low volume, and I dont really like the tone through headphones, that and for the proce of nicer headphone I might as well invest i a mini amp :D.

Heres the choices so far, and what I know:

Epi Valve jr combo (250) - highly modable if so desired, and separate cab
Crate Palomino V8 (200) - gain control is a plus
Crate V5 (200) - seems to be v8 without gain control and black tolex
Fender champion 600 (200) - told it has a really nice tone
Kustom 12a - found this one digging around, and wanted to see what people thought

This will be only for practice not going anywhere else, and if anyone else has recommendations for around $250 (preferably less) chime in as well.
 
Re: Help me decide on a practice amp

Aren't those all valve amps? They are going to need to be cranked to levels well above that of your vox turned low to sound decent. I would look at something like the roland cube range.
 
Re: Help me decide on a practice amp

The Epi valve jr sounds pretty good but is not versatile at all. Just one knob.

Look for Peavey Classic 20(15 watts) on ebay. Probably snag one for around $250.

The fender champ wouldnt be bad either.
Fender has some 15 watt tube amps as well.(blues jr I think)

I tried out the Crates and did not like them at all. Peavey is much better.

I have a peavey classic 30($300 ebay) and you can get some pretty good tones at bedroom volume.

After changing the speaker and tubes($180) this amp cant be beat at the under $500 price range. I know you only have $250 but the point is that when you get some more cash you can upgrade this one into a terrific amp.
 
Re: Help me decide on a practice amp

I have a Kustom Tube 12a. I use it more often than my Traynor YCV40. That little thing sounds surprisingly good! Good cleans and good crunch with the Gain button in. It can also get pretty loud. It's a bargain for $100.
 
Re: Help me decide on a practice amp

Thanks for all the suggestions, and looking at everything again, im going for the roland cube 20x (built in effects), and still have enough left to finally get some locking tuners for my strat.
 
Re: Help me decide on a practice amp

I've got a Champ 600, and with tube upgrades its sounds fantastic. One knob is all you need.
 
Re: Help me decide on a practice amp

Epi valve, but i actaully giged with the Kustom 12 last year. It sounds really good, but i mice the hell outa it.
 
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