Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

P

ppiluk

New member
Hello All,

I am looking into picking up a small tube amp to take with me when I go to my gf's place. Currently, I am looking at either the Ibanez TSA5TVR 5W Tube Screamer Guitar Combo Amplifier or the VOX AC4C1.

I am open to other suggestions but currently I am leading to the VOX AC4C1 but my mind is far from made up.

The following is a list I am most concerned with in the order of importance:

  1. Tone - Does the small amp provide a decent sound?
  2. Pedals - Will the amp sound good with a variety of pedals?
  3. Durability - Since I will be using this amp as a grab and go, will it stand up to the rigors of travelling?
  4. Weight - Ideally I would like something around 20lbs but up to 30 is fine.
  5. Cost - Not as much of a factor as I am willing to spend 4 or 500 bucks for the right amp.

I would love to find a tube practice amp with an effects loop I would have to give it some serious consideration.

For the record, I mostly play Blues and Classic Rock.

Thank you in advance for reading my post and any advice you provide!
 
Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

Everyone should know by now that the Blackstar HT5 is the correct answer to this question.
 
Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

Peavey Classic 20mh on the 5 watt setting. Take a pair of headphones or a little speaker cab and rock out. Its a head with USB, XLR Direct, Headphone, and 8 or 16 ohm speaker outs. Has speaker defeat switch. Fits your criteria. USB, Direct XLR, and headphones all use a built in cab simulator that captures power amp section too. Has fx loop, has reverb, both switchable by footpedal. 2 Channel also footswitchable.

http://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/801/118739/Classic® 20 MH
 
Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

The Blackstar is an interesting amp to be sure. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
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Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

I have used a Peavey Classic and they are great. I am looking for a small combo. Thanks for the suggestion!
 
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Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

I would assume the Valvetronix wouldn't be tubey enough

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

ehdwuld said:
I would assume the Valvetronix wouldn't be tubey enough

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion. I had the VT120+ and loved it. Its one of the amps I regret trading away. I am thinking about getting the small one.
 
Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

as far as tone, i like my bugera V5. and it takes pedals excellently. no loop though
 
Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

I've posted this recently a couple of times, and I reckon I will post it again for the hell of it.

 
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Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

After owning and/or extensively testing many low wattage amps over several years, I settled on the Fender Champ and the Vox AC4C1. Now I need either a Marshall SL5 or a Night Train. I play alternative, blues, jazz, and classic rock. I hesitantly sold my Blackstar HT-5, but am I happy I did now. The Champ can easily cover the Ht-5's territory, plus many other areas.
 
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Re: Help With Small 5W Practice Amp

The Gibson GA-5 Re-Issue is a great Class A Hand-Wired point to point, and 5 watts. They are made by MojoTone, and have a very similar circuit to the DrZ Mini Z, also made by MojoTone. I got a mint used one for $390 shipped on eBay. Just an awesome little amp. Mine had some well-known mods, and a $90 JENSEN P8R 25W speaker upgrade. I got a steal of a deal, as they usually sell for 5 to 6 Hundred bucks, but they are worth $600 IMO.
 
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