Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

Nightburst

Nightburst

New member
That's right I got a mancave at home, so what, so what :headbang: as long as I dont turn it up too loud.

Anyway, in my search for a new home use amp I found the following options:

Fender blues Jr. III Tweed (amazing sound but no fx loop)
Fender blues jr III (still good but again no fx loop)
Fender HRD III (might be too loud?)
Bogner Alchemist (perfect on paper but I cannot find good sound clips of it, I can get a good deal on one but I can't play through it anywhere First)
Mesa F50 (sometimes one pops up but I'm not too familiar with it yet)

Listed those just because they are offered 2ND hand frequently at affordable prices. I was blown away by the blues jr Tweed when I played it but it doesn't have an fx loop so I'm keeping my eyes and ears open.
Basically I'm looking for an amp that is all tube, low wattage that has GOOD lush cleans. Budget is around 450/500 ish.
I really want something in the fender/mesa territory type of tone that (I suppose)has a more scooped eq.

The goal is to keep me inspired at home where I write music or play for fun to relax.

Help me out?
 
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Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

Since you want a really good clean, I am not going to recommend something out of the Jet City 20-series, although they are really great amps, they don't really have a clean channel.
I'd recommend a Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 instead.
https://www.bax-shop.be/nl/hughes-k...MIwPr1rZvP1QIVhrDtCh21UAMHEAQYASABEgKmgvD_BwE
It's 18W should be managable for your mancave, plus it's powerful enough to take it out and enjoy on other places as well (such as rehearsals or even gigs).
It comes with effects loop, only downside it has is that it does not have a built in reverb.
Another one I'd recommend is the Peavey Classic 20, that one also has effects loop, and does come with built in reverb. Sure is worth looking at:
https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118739

Hope this helps! ;)
 
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Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

The JEM Ghost said:
Since you want a really good clean, I am not going to recommend something out of the Jet City 20-series, although they are really great amps, they don't really have a clean channel.
I'd recommend a Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 instead.
https://www.bax-shop.be/nl/hughes-k...MIwPr1rZvP1QIVhrDtCh21UAMHEAQYASABEgKmgvD_BwE
It's 18W should be managable for your mancave, plus it's powerful enough to take it out and enjoy on other places as well (such as rehearsals or even gigs).
It comes with effects loop, only downside it has it that it does not have a built in reverb.
Another one I'd recommend is the Peavey Classic 20, that one also has effects loop, and does come with built in reverb. Sure is worth looking at:
https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118739

Hope this helps! ;)
Click to expand...

Howdy neighbor!

As a matter of fact I have a Jet City JCA22H right now, its an amazing amp and I can deal with the cleans but I'm ready to try something else. Something that is not a hotrodded Marshall sound preferably.
I've never played through a tubemeister before so I really should! Next time I'm at the guitar shop I'll see if they have one.
Never been a big fan of Peavey but if one pops up for the right price it might be an option. I'm a little worried about it's resale value though?
Thanks for the suggestions!
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

The JEM Ghost said:
Since you want a really good clean, I am not going to recommend something out of the Jet City 20-series, although they are really great amps, they don't really have a clean channel.
I'd recommend a Hughes and Kettner Tubemeister 18 instead.
https://www.bax-shop.be/nl/hughes-k...MIwPr1rZvP1QIVhrDtCh21UAMHEAQYASABEgKmgvD_BwE
It's 18W should be managable for your mancave, plus it's powerful enough to take it out and enjoy on other places as well (such as rehearsals or even gigs).
It comes with effects loop, only downside it has it that it does not have a built in reverb.
Another one I'd recommend is the Peavey Classic 20, that one also has effects loop, and does come with built in reverb. Sure is worth looking at:
https://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/658/118739

Hope this helps! ;)
Click to expand...

Tubemeister 18 is a nice choice. It has its own sound and isn't really a clone of anything. The low power options -- 5W and 1W -- are legit; they really do change the way the amp sounds and feels. The cabinet-emulated line out is really good, too. No reverb, you say? That's why God invented pedals.
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

I think you'll find the Mesa better made than the Fender or Peavey amps. The Fenders have a great clean tone, but the F-50 will have a superior lead tone. The two channel gains and tones of the Mesa make it a more versatile platform.

Fifty watts is plenty for stage work these days, but if you're not taking it out, you might be able to get by with less power. The F30 is plenty loud, and still has a full set of pro features.

There are several other Mesas to consider too, like Subway Series, the Dual Calibers, or the Nomad Series. I have a DC-3, and also a Maverick. Both are great amps, each voiced a little differently. If a loaded Mark III came up in your price range I'd be all over it.

Lots of choices.

Bill
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

Honestly, the newer little digital amps sound every bit as good as a tube amp at reasonable volume levels. Fender's mustang stuff, Yamaha's THR, Line 6's AMPLIFi, Vox VT 20, etc. If I'm not playing really loud, I don't prefer tubes. They're not worth the hassle.
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

Laney Cub 15 with reverb
has a 15 watt input and a 1 watt input

they are on Amazon at $399 right now

I have had one on my wishlist for a while

but I really cant justify another amp right now
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

Aceman said:
Mancave needs neon light: H&K
Click to expand...

That's actually one of the reasons why I bought mine. I'm proud and I'm ashamed. Fortunately there's enough substance there to back it up.
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

Van Noord said:
Peavey Classic 20 or 30 are real sleepers.
Click to expand...

I was going to say a Classic 30. They have very good cleans and the gain will take you to classic rock category. If you need more dirt, you have to add a pedal to the chain, but otherwise.......
 
Re: Help me find a new mancave tube amp.

H&K Grandmeister 40 Deluxe. 4 channels, 4 power levels (1,5,20,40W), reverb, delay and modulation effects. Light, powerful if you want it to be, and can be used either alone or for rehearsals/gigs. Apart from a wah and a tuner, I don't need anything else. Also has a really good emulated out for silent recording, if, you connect it to an interface and some headphones.
 
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