Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Johtosotku

Johtosotku

New member
I need a new amp for band rehearsals and gigs. I currently run a THD Univalve and the 15-20 watts aren't cutting it. Cabinet is a 4*12 with celestion V30s. I need more volume.

I'd prefer two channels but can make do with one. Some preamp gain would be nice, but it doesn't have to be anything extreme. It's not a negative if the amp does have it though.

Style of music is mainly heavier rock music. I'd like the amp to be able to do more. I'd prefer something that's not voiced too dark or scooped.

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep the price at max 1000 euros, used or new.
 
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Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

If I were in the market for a 50Watt tube head for heavier rock, I would get an EVH 5150III. Reasonable price, a ton of features and by all accounts a great sounding amp.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Jeff5 said:
If I were in the market for a 50Watt tube head for heavier rock, I would get an EVH 5150III. Reasonable price, a ton of features and by all accounts a great sounding amp.
Click to expand...

I just got one, and it just might take over the Mark IV's throne in my set-up, or accompany it on other side of stage. Can't say enough good things about it. All the hype is beyond true.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

marshall tsl and dsl lines would suit your needs perfectly. you could not just have preamp gain, but the legendary marshall roar!
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

I've been thinking about the 5150 III myself a lot. It looks good on paper and sounds good on demos on the net. I can't find any used, though - it's a good thing in a way, but I'd prefer to save a bit.

There looks to be a couple of Blackstars in my price range and the availability is good. I tried an S1 very briefly and wasn't really impressed with it, didn't seem to cut through so well. I haven't tried the cheaper 100 watter.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Older DSLs can be found easily used at around 600 euros. It is a tempting choice but I'm a bit wary as the user feedback varies quite a lot.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Used Marshall JVM 410 ?

Do not know how much they are in Finland, 'cause your country is bloody expensive !
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

I concur on everyone about the 5150III 50 water. I've had mine since they came out and it can do anything I want in the 70s and 80s rock styles.

If you can't find one, you might also consider the Jet City 50 or 100 watt heads. I don't own one, but I've played through a couple. I'd buy one if I had some extra money. I could dial in a pretty good 80s rock sound through a cabinet load with greenbacks. Sometimes I've seen them used at a pretty good price.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

The JVM410 can be had for about 800 used so price wise it's definitely an option. I haven't ever tried one out.

The EVH is around 1k new so it's a possibility. I'd have to order it from abroad though and can't really get to test one.

The Jet City amps are really cheap but there aren't many around. I've also heard less than stellar reports on their reliability so I'm wary.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Basically there's plenty of european amps around here; marshall, laney, koch, engl, hughes & kettner, blackstar, some oranges, etc.

Most US amps, especially the better or at least more expensive ones, are too expensive. Thete are exceptions occasionally, for example there are a couple of triaxises around that are really tempting but the price goes up too much when I count the power amp in too.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

All of the British and European amps you mention have a lot of fans worldwide...I don't think it would be a disastrous decision to choose one of those.

I can't pretend to know the European market, but I would imagine that USA made amps are expensive indeed. I love Mesa amps, and I think a used Mark III Simul-Class, EQ, Reverb model; or a Mark IV would serve you well. There are others, but these are toneful, versatile amps--and well made.

If you could Mic up your Uni-valve, you could keep your tones. Another idea would be to get a loud, clean amp-- even a solid state 212 combo and use it in an A/B rig with the Uni-valve wide open for solos.

Good luck.

Bill
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

I have considered micing up the Univalve but it's not an ideal solution. I'll try it anyway.

How would a M/B Express 5:50 compare? There's a used one locally that fits into my budget.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

I like the 5:50 a lot; I almost decided to get that rather than the Mark V, but decided to go all in for the V. The 5:50 is a piece of cake to operate, while the Mark V has a lot more options. Even for me, a long-time Mesa user, it has been a little daunting at times, but I found good tones very quickly.

I had to laugh when I saw your post--the 5:50 is one of the "other" amps I was thinking about, but wasn't sure it would be in your price range. The cleans on the 5:50 are very good, and the amp takes pedals very well. Excellent construction. It will not do the extreme gain of the Recto Series, it is more of a classic rock and blues amp, but--with the Contour control, you should be able to get the scooped mids everyone demands these days. If this were a newer 5:50+ model with the Graphic EQ I would RUN to get it! The GEQ adds SO much versatility to these amps. And 50 watts is just about the perfect size for most club situations--though if you're playing outdoor concerts to thousands of people with a sucky PA and a very loud drummer it might not be enough amp, LOL! (See Pete Townsend and The Who, circa 1967!!!)

You don't say whether this is a head or combo. I think the 5:50 came in head, 112 and 212 versions. You may need to re-wire your cab if it is a 16-ohm cab, as Mesas work best with either 4-or 8-ohm cabs.

Go to Mesa Boogie's website and check out the reviews and then download a copy of the Owner's Manual. Print it out and take it with you--give it a try and see what you think.

Let me know if you have any other questions...and if you try the amp, let me know how it goes. Good Luck!

Bill
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Try a Bogner New Yorker. Louder than the Univalve, but still manageable. Headroom with humbuckers, but gets a nice light overdrive. It works wonders with pedals. You can get great deals on them used when they come along. It simply outclasses most amps that are comparable in its class.
 
Re: Looking for a 50 - 100 watt tube amp head

Johtosotku said:
I need a new amp for band rehearsals and gigs. I currently run a THD Univalve and the 15-20 watts aren't cutting it. Cabinet is a 4*12 with celestion V30s. I need more volume.

I'd prefer two channels but can make do with one. Some preamp gain would be nice, but it doesn't have to be anything extreme. It's not a negative if the amp does have it though.

Style of music is mainly heavier rock music. I'd like the amp to be able to do more. I'd prefer something that's not voiced too dark or scooped.

Any suggestions? I'd like to keep the price at max 1000 euros, used or new.
Click to expand...


hands down egnater renegade 60 watt head. 6l6GC and el34 power amp valves in a single head select-able by pot or use hybird combo of the two with a spring reverb and a 4 button foot switch for channel 1, 2, fx loop and reverb.
 
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