I'm looking to purchase my first tube amp. I want something small like 15-20 watt range. The thing is I am just a "bedroom" player and cant really crank the volume where I live. I play alot of metal. Pantera, Metallica, Slayer type stuff. Right now I just use a little Marshall MG mini stack through an MXR Fullbore Metal pedal. I get a pretty decent tone out of it but I really wanna step up to a tube amp. My question is, do low volume and tubes really go together? If so, any suggestions? I am looking at Blackstar, Jet City and Marshalls.
Low volume tube amp?
- Thread starter XPAULPITT
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the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Low volume tube amp?
Low volume and tube amps as a general rule are things you find...
Even a 15-20 watt tube amp is too loud for most people at home and even in some gigging situations.
I gig with a 20 watt 1x12 combo and often get told to turn down.
Low volume and tube amps as a general rule are things you find...
Even a 15-20 watt tube amp is too loud for most people at home and even in some gigging situations.
I gig with a 20 watt 1x12 combo and often get told to turn down.
Re: Low volume tube amp?
Maybe think about the Blackstar HT-5 or even HT-1. A 1 watt tube amp can be louder than someone shouting very loud, though I find the lack of EQ limiting on the HT-1.
Edit: You might also want to look at the Laney Cub 12 - it's 15 watts but has an option of a sub-1-watt output. Not sure how good it would be for metal though.
Maybe think about the Blackstar HT-5 or even HT-1. A 1 watt tube amp can be louder than someone shouting very loud, though I find the lack of EQ limiting on the HT-1.
Edit: You might also want to look at the Laney Cub 12 - it's 15 watts but has an option of a sub-1-watt output. Not sure how good it would be for metal though.
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schecterplayer
New member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
For metal you aren't going to want a lot of power amp distortion, so 15-20 watts should be fine for bedroom/home playing. He's not looking for a nice bluesy crunch sound, to really grind you need a little headroom to spare. You will, however, want either a really high gain preamp section or a good dirt box. Check out the Mini Rectifier perhaps? It's the only 15 watt, purpose-built metal amp I can think of off the top of my head.
For metal you aren't going to want a lot of power amp distortion, so 15-20 watts should be fine for bedroom/home playing. He's not looking for a nice bluesy crunch sound, to really grind you need a little headroom to spare. You will, however, want either a really high gain preamp section or a good dirt box. Check out the Mini Rectifier perhaps? It's the only 15 watt, purpose-built metal amp I can think of off the top of my head.
Ball&Chain
Active member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
This might do it.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/orange-amplifiers-da15h-dark-terror-15-15w-tube-guitar-amp-head
This might do it.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/orange-amplifiers-da15h-dark-terror-15-15w-tube-guitar-amp-head
P.A.Foholic
New member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
+1
Or perhaps the Jim Root TT? IMO It's a superb amp.
+1
Or perhaps the Jim Root TT? IMO It's a superb amp.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: Low volume tube amp?
Even 7W will be too much to open up. 1-2W with power scaling or an attenuator and a 1x12 is what I would be looking at. For metal tones, you want a decent amount of front end gain. I would then goose it with OD or distortion. Headphones/line out should also be on your must-have feature set.
Even 7W will be too much to open up. 1-2W with power scaling or an attenuator and a 1x12 is what I would be looking at. For metal tones, you want a decent amount of front end gain. I would then goose it with OD or distortion. Headphones/line out should also be on your must-have feature set.
Re: Low volume tube amp?
The Blackstar HT5 is a great little amp. I got the 10 inch speaker version without revereb for $200 and for the price the sound and features can't be beat.
That being said, 5 watts is LOUD. It gets its best sound at about 9 o'clock on from a volume stand point and many times that's just too loud for my study. Below that it sounds okay, but I need to juice it a bit with my TS9.
I've considered adding a 12 inch speaker cabinet or selling and upgrading to the 12. However, I realize that would only increase my relative volume so I need to stick with the 10. I've hooked the HT5 up to my 4X12 and the volume is considerable. If I want to jam loud I have my boogie/4X12 in the basement for that.
The Blackstar HT5 is a great little amp. I got the 10 inch speaker version without revereb for $200 and for the price the sound and features can't be beat.
That being said, 5 watts is LOUD. It gets its best sound at about 9 o'clock on from a volume stand point and many times that's just too loud for my study. Below that it sounds okay, but I need to juice it a bit with my TS9.
I've considered adding a 12 inch speaker cabinet or selling and upgrading to the 12. However, I realize that would only increase my relative volume so I need to stick with the 10. I've hooked the HT5 up to my 4X12 and the volume is considerable. If I want to jam loud I have my boogie/4X12 in the basement for that.
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Toe-Knee
New member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
I use this at home. It sounds excellent at all volumes.
These clips were done at normal conversation levels
https://soundcloud.com/diy-audio/sets/brows-amp-1
I use this at home. It sounds excellent at all volumes.
These clips were done at normal conversation levels
https://soundcloud.com/diy-audio/sets/brows-amp-1
ericmeyer4
New member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
I've gone through a bunch of 15-50 watt amps with attenuators and that really didn't provide what I wanted. So I started going through the 5 watt tube amps, some on their own and some with attenuators, most recently a BF Vibrochamp, a SF Champ, a Vox AC4tv w/ 1x12 cab, and a Valvetrain 205. Even at 5 watts all of them were too loud trying to get tube church without the volume. The Vox on the 1/4 watt setting broke up the soonest, but even that was too loud.
Honestly, for bedroom playing, I'm starting to think straight acoustic or SS and modelers are the way to go.
I've gone through a bunch of 15-50 watt amps with attenuators and that really didn't provide what I wanted. So I started going through the 5 watt tube amps, some on their own and some with attenuators, most recently a BF Vibrochamp, a SF Champ, a Vox AC4tv w/ 1x12 cab, and a Valvetrain 205. Even at 5 watts all of them were too loud trying to get tube church without the volume. The Vox on the 1/4 watt setting broke up the soonest, but even that was too loud.
Honestly, for bedroom playing, I'm starting to think straight acoustic or SS and modelers are the way to go.
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Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Low volume tube amp?
Blackstar HT-5 or maybe even the 20... if you go with a 20-ish watt amp, you'll be able to use it for small jams and band practices and still get an okay tone at bedroom volumes... I also like the Jet City 20 watters for that, they sound more organic to me than Blackstar.
I get a really satisfying metal tone using my Marshall Class 5 with like no volume, a Box of Rock, and a Japanese DS-1 or a Metal Muff...
There are lots of ways to skin this cat...
Blackstar HT-5 or maybe even the 20... if you go with a 20-ish watt amp, you'll be able to use it for small jams and band practices and still get an okay tone at bedroom volumes... I also like the Jet City 20 watters for that, they sound more organic to me than Blackstar.
I get a really satisfying metal tone using my Marshall Class 5 with like no volume, a Box of Rock, and a Japanese DS-1 or a Metal Muff...
There are lots of ways to skin this cat...
FretFire
SingedFingerologist
Re: Low volume tube amp?
I'm going to copy and paste a post I recently made in another, similar thread:
I'll add to this by saying a tube amp is an especially bad choice if you want decent high gain tones at extreme low volumes (unless you get all your gain from a pedal). A modeling amp that you can use with or without headphones is the way to go, IMO.
I'm going to copy and paste a post I recently made in another, similar thread:
I'll add to this by saying a tube amp is an especially bad choice if you want decent high gain tones at extreme low volumes (unless you get all your gain from a pedal). A modeling amp that you can use with or without headphones is the way to go, IMO.
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
In order to make a 15W 1x12 or 1x10 combo amp OK for true bedroom levels, you'd need to run it so low on the volume control that it would simply not sound good. And if you move to the current very low wattage amps (Greta, HT-1, etc.), they are all grungy/lo-fi all the time. 5W can be a good compromise. Something like an old Champ or Skylark can make a very decent bedroom amp, and also gives you great tones for live (mic'd) or the studio.
However, that said, it's really the speakers that have the biggest impact on volume. As long as the speaker can handle the power of the amp, you can use quieter speakers. Generally speaking, you can quiet an amp down quite a lot by simply using smaller diameter speakers.
I honestly think that this is a good application for solid state and modeling amps, regardless of the fact that I despise them for almost anything else.
In order to make a 15W 1x12 or 1x10 combo amp OK for true bedroom levels, you'd need to run it so low on the volume control that it would simply not sound good. And if you move to the current very low wattage amps (Greta, HT-1, etc.), they are all grungy/lo-fi all the time. 5W can be a good compromise. Something like an old Champ or Skylark can make a very decent bedroom amp, and also gives you great tones for live (mic'd) or the studio.
However, that said, it's really the speakers that have the biggest impact on volume. As long as the speaker can handle the power of the amp, you can use quieter speakers. Generally speaking, you can quiet an amp down quite a lot by simply using smaller diameter speakers.
I honestly think that this is a good application for solid state and modeling amps, regardless of the fact that I despise them for almost anything else.
Animal
Well-known member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
Blackstar HT-5. The crunch is in the preamp and has a good master for playing low volumes. Most of the other low-watters on the market are geared towards a classic rock sound. The 15-20 watters need much more volume to open up but also don't "hit as hard" for full band performance playing modern metal. Move up towards a BIG amp when the call of duty is for the stage, but keep the small amp around for home.
Blackstar HT-5. The crunch is in the preamp and has a good master for playing low volumes. Most of the other low-watters on the market are geared towards a classic rock sound. The 15-20 watters need much more volume to open up but also don't "hit as hard" for full band performance playing modern metal. Move up towards a BIG amp when the call of duty is for the stage, but keep the small amp around for home.
Re: Low volume tube amp?
I am fairly happy with what I get from my little MG and the pedal. I keep the amp volume lower and crank the pedal up and that gives me very decent sound for my space. I just wanted to know if the same thing was possible from tubes but it seems like it isnt. Another thing is that these mini stacks are notoriously bassy and I usually play in dropped tunings so that just compounds it. The speaker cabinets are not vented at all. I was thinking thats why they are so bassy and was considering using a hole saw and drilling some vent holes. Anyone think that will tame the lows or will I ruin the sound completely?
I am fairly happy with what I get from my little MG and the pedal. I keep the amp volume lower and crank the pedal up and that gives me very decent sound for my space. I just wanted to know if the same thing was possible from tubes but it seems like it isnt. Another thing is that these mini stacks are notoriously bassy and I usually play in dropped tunings so that just compounds it. The speaker cabinets are not vented at all. I was thinking thats why they are so bassy and was considering using a hole saw and drilling some vent holes. Anyone think that will tame the lows or will I ruin the sound completely?
Bfeeney
Active member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
I have the HT-5H with a G12T-75 (waiting on the V30 for the other cab) and it sounds great, plenty loud for an apartment. The OD is pretty good although I'm a pedal guy.
I have the HT-5H with a G12T-75 (waiting on the V30 for the other cab) and it sounds great, plenty loud for an apartment. The OD is pretty good although I'm a pedal guy.
Powdered Toast Man
New member
Re: Low volume tube amp?
I've got a Champ. It does not break up at bedroom volume (and as the OP described, he can't turn up). When I crank it up I can actually practice with my band unmiked. Second issue is that while it sounds great cranked, it does NOT do metal tones even when dimed.
What FretFire said is pretty much it. "Low Volume" and "Tube Amp" are incompatible concepts. Hell, my 12w 5E3 clone is unmanageable at gigs without an attenuator.
I've got a Champ. It does not break up at bedroom volume (and as the OP described, he can't turn up). When I crank it up I can actually practice with my band unmiked. Second issue is that while it sounds great cranked, it does NOT do metal tones even when dimed.
What FretFire said is pretty much it. "Low Volume" and "Tube Amp" are incompatible concepts. Hell, my 12w 5E3 clone is unmanageable at gigs without an attenuator.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Low volume tube amp?
i use pedals to get the dirt out of my Marshall Class 5... low tunings or not, it holds up great...
maybe get the Class 5 head and put it on the top of your microstack :smokin:
i use pedals to get the dirt out of my Marshall Class 5... low tunings or not, it holds up great...
maybe get the Class 5 head and put it on the top of your microstack :smokin:
Re: Low volume tube amp?
Thats what I've been thinking. Just try the same thing I do now but with a low watt tube amp. Ive been looking at Marshalls too and I really like that 1 watt head but its an arm and a leg and very limited numbers. I'll check out that class 5.
Thats what I've been thinking. Just try the same thing I do now but with a low watt tube amp. Ive been looking at Marshalls too and I really like that 1 watt head but its an arm and a leg and very limited numbers. I'll check out that class 5.
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