I am looking for new small tube amplifier to replace my Blackheart Handsome Devil BH15 combo. For home practicing i only use 7 watt mode opened maximum to 1/4 everything higher is too much, so i would be better to get something in 1 to maximum 5 watts of valve power range. I love the sound of the amp, but it's too loud for home use. I use Randall Diavlo RD1 through Orange PPC112 cab and it's perfect for metal practicing at home. I use Blackheart mainly for cleans and vintage classic rock crunch tones. So i need a replacement for my Blackheart that sounds similar at lower volumes. First, i don't like Blackstars HT amplifiers, i had HT5 and sold it 6 months ago, i didn't like it. I was looking at new Bugera T5 Infinium and Vox AC4 and Fender Champion 600, how are these compared to Blackheart series? I don't have a luck to find smaller Blackheart Killer Ant and Little Giant heads at used market here in my country, so i might try and figure out how ebay works.. I am on about 100 to 200 budget.
Looking for new small tube head amplifier
- Thread starter Lux84
- Start date
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
I have a tubemeister 18 and I love it. It has a di out that you can use in "no speaker mode" which lets you run it without a load plugged in which is great for quiet use (headphones). I have recently been using the FX send into a cab sim with better results. It also has 1, 5 and 18 watt modes. It's dirt channel is lower gain and im not a huge fan of the lead boost channel but it seems to take high gain pedals into the clean channel decently
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I have a tubemeister 18 and I love it. It has a di out that you can use in "no speaker mode" which lets you run it without a load plugged in which is great for quiet use (headphones). I have recently been using the FX send into a cab sim with better results. It also has 1, 5 and 18 watt modes. It's dirt channel is lower gain and im not a huge fan of the lead boost channel but it seems to take high gain pedals into the clean channel decently
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Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
If you need so little volume, going down to 5 watts isn't going to change much from your 15 watt amp.
Imho, you're much better looking at ss amps. The Hotones are amazing, cheap and sound great. Just to give you an idea: I own a dual rectifier and at low volumes the hotone heart attack is just as good or even better if I need to keep things quiet... Keep your tube amp for the times you can open it up and use a hotone (they have different models/sounds) when you have to keep the volume low.
If you need so little volume, going down to 5 watts isn't going to change much from your 15 watt amp.
Imho, you're much better looking at ss amps. The Hotones are amazing, cheap and sound great. Just to give you an idea: I own a dual rectifier and at low volumes the hotone heart attack is just as good or even better if I need to keep things quiet... Keep your tube amp for the times you can open it up and use a hotone (they have different models/sounds) when you have to keep the volume low.
James Rock
New member
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
Look at the new joyo heads if you already have a cab they sound pretty alright for ss and more importantly can get a sound at low volumes. Otherwise look at a silent loud with cab emulation
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Look at the new joyo heads if you already have a cab they sound pretty alright for ss and more importantly can get a sound at low volumes. Otherwise look at a silent loud with cab emulation
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Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
No, i don't wanna go solid state. I'll keep this one till i find out some good deal. The thing is, even at 15 valve watts, it probably won't have enough of headroom for a band situation, so i am looking forward for some good trade.
No, i don't wanna go solid state. I'll keep this one till i find out some good deal. The thing is, even at 15 valve watts, it probably won't have enough of headroom for a band situation, so i am looking forward for some good trade.
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Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
Not true. I'm able to keep up and cut through with 18 watts on the clean channel using od pedals no problem
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Not true. I'm able to keep up and cut through with 18 watts on the clean channel using od pedals no problem
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Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
Don't be a tube snob: tube amps aren't going to make a better practice amp than ss when it comes to night-time/really quiet volumes. Good thing is ss amps such as the hotones are cheap so no need to sell your current amp to buy one. I own 5 great tube amps from 15 to 100w and I still wouldn't be without my hotone when the kids are asleep.
Well then you're n trouble. No tube head is gonna have more headroom than your 15 but better tone at lower volume. My recommendation remaine: keep the 15w for band or whatever you do with it and go for a smaller ss amp for low volume practice. No tube head is gonna sound great at super low volumes. 5 watts isn't going to be quieter than 15, just different in regards to dynamics and headroom.
Don't be a tube snob: tube amps aren't going to make a better practice amp than ss when it comes to night-time/really quiet volumes. Good thing is ss amps such as the hotones are cheap so no need to sell your current amp to buy one. I own 5 great tube amps from 15 to 100w and I still wouldn't be without my hotone when the kids are asleep.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
I'm a tube snob, and I'm totally going to check out the Hotone atto-amps. (atto = 10^-18)
I'm a tube snob, and I'm totally going to check out the Hotone atto-amps. (atto = 10^-18)
allbutromeo
New member
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
I have played small gigs with a TM18 in a four piece hard rock band with no issues with the volume being too quiet. Though I think the newer Deluxe models sound better, especially clean/crunch
I have played small gigs with a TM18 in a four piece hard rock band with no issues with the volume being too quiet. Though I think the newer Deluxe models sound better, especially clean/crunch
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
By the time it gets crunchy, the Fender Champ isn't all that quiet.
I run an RD5 through an Orange PPC112, and I jam with a friend who has the RD1. I know the RD1 is a lot more bedroom-friendly than the 5. So I'm going to agree with the majority here and suggest you look for something smaller than 5 watts.
Maybe a used Vox Lil' Night Train?
BTW, why didn't you like the Blackstars? I was looking into trading my RD5 for an HT-1.
By the time it gets crunchy, the Fender Champ isn't all that quiet.
I run an RD5 through an Orange PPC112, and I jam with a friend who has the RD1. I know the RD1 is a lot more bedroom-friendly than the 5. So I'm going to agree with the majority here and suggest you look for something smaller than 5 watts.
Maybe a used Vox Lil' Night Train?
BTW, why didn't you like the Blackstars? I was looking into trading my RD5 for an HT-1.
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beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
Emery SuperBaby or MicroBaby with the "Mad Scientist" tube kit. Tone for days, all under 12 watts.
Emery SuperBaby or MicroBaby with the "Mad Scientist" tube kit. Tone for days, all under 12 watts.
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
Well i am gonna keep the BH for now, but i'll be looking in the used market for something smaller all tube for replacement in the future. I have to disagree with that the smaller tube amps don't sound great, i have 1 tube watt Randall Diavlo now a couple of months and it sounds awesome. I didn't liked Blackstar tonewise and 5 watts were too loud for practising, i had it only opened at 1/4 and it didn't sound good to my ears at all, i like Blackheart and Randall. Yes, i would like to try out Lil Night Train but there isn't any at used market right now.
Well i am gonna keep the BH for now, but i'll be looking in the used market for something smaller all tube for replacement in the future. I have to disagree with that the smaller tube amps don't sound great, i have 1 tube watt Randall Diavlo now a couple of months and it sounds awesome. I didn't liked Blackstar tonewise and 5 watts were too loud for practising, i had it only opened at 1/4 and it didn't sound good to my ears at all, i like Blackheart and Randall. Yes, i would like to try out Lil Night Train but there isn't any at used market right now.
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Red_Label
New member
Re: Looking for new small tube head amplifier
Best small tube amp I ever had was the Friedman Mini Dirty Shirley. Sounded big and great whether the master was running on "1" or on "7". I've had a lot of nice, small tube amps and that was the best. Just roll off the guitar volume (or flip the gain structure switch) if you want to clean it up. For a practice/recording amp for rock, it cannot be beat. I will have another at some point.
Best small tube amp I ever had was the Friedman Mini Dirty Shirley. Sounded big and great whether the master was running on "1" or on "7". I've had a lot of nice, small tube amps and that was the best. Just roll off the guitar volume (or flip the gain structure switch) if you want to clean it up. For a practice/recording amp for rock, it cannot be beat. I will have another at some point.
